As promised more on the topic of Finding a Candidate. In these first two parts I am still concentrating on the qualities you want in a Candidate. So keep a list. Maybe you aren't going to find someone with all these helpful assets, but a few are non-negotiable.
"Finding a Candidate, Part 2" 12:32 sec's (after some editing)
I've been asked several times, and now that I'm finished with the latest campaign, one person has really needed the information so I've begun the task of putting the information together.
This will take more than one broadcast as it is a big topic. Today we start with some of the qualities that we want in a Candidate. Part 2 will continue on the same subject and Part 3 will get into where we can reasonably look for those people. They are special people and not easy to find.
Well, welcome back to The Insurgent Campaign. Maybe I should say that to myself!
I've been on staff at the Steve Young CA-48 Campaign and, believe me, cutting new audio for The Insurgent Campaign wasn't in the daily agenda! The results were that we finished second but we put new life, energy and vitality back into the Orange County, California Democrats.
I don't think we did a damn thing to or for the Party until people like you dedicate 5 years or more to taking over the Central Committee in that County or any other and get some action going. But that's just my opinion. I'm not on staff any more and don't have to be concerned about what I say!
Today broadcast is about some errors I made in the original fundraising broadcasts. The errors weren't in techniques but in IMPORTANT definitions. Why I spaced out I don't know but I sure did so listen to: Campaign Committee's, PAC's and the Difference! (3 minutes)
PS: All broadcasts are now not only .mp3's and on RSS but also on flash audio with ZERO download on site. Just click the buttons and it's a go...immediately!) Enjoy!
This will be almost all audio. There is at least one glaring lesson, in my opinion, from OH-2 and I started saying it a long time ago in my list of easy issues. That was published on June 9 and the audio link is here.
But know this...The CA-48th is happening and it's happening right now! We are not standing around waiting for the Party to bless someone or to organize a campaign. Check The Political Dogfight's last four or five posts to bring yourself completely up to speed on the contest!
Here's my thoughts:
Paul Hackett needs your support in the Special Congressional Election in the Ohio 2nd. Today we have a Blogsphere wide push for fundraising as he is just two weeks away from his election. As an Iraq Veteran he is a perfect candidate. [Update] He is over $440K total as of 8.1.05.
But better yet is this Open Source Commericial, created by Volunteers, that shows what non-professional media can do for a campaign. This could be YOUR campaign too.
Here's the story...
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Paul Hackett has blown through his goal of $55,000 in fundraising one day from the Blogsphere and is over $70,000 at 3:30pm Central Time! Track his progress at SSP.
We need your support to help put him over the top of $100,000. What will your money be spent on? Well you saw his first commercial yesterday...here's his second commerical today. (We are using the photo from his first commerical...)
Dig out those wallets...even the thin one's...just like I did...and make a difference today!
Today, in about 15 minutes, the gentlemen at Swing State Project created a new Karl Rove T-Shirt that:
A: Tells the truth
B: If it was a local story it would generate news
C: Gets the volunteers motivated to wear them
D: How much did it cost to get it designed and ready? NOTHING!
Today's Broadcast by mp3 or RSS
or Stream it here.
This is the Ultimate Insurgent Tactic...and here's the story from The Political Dogfight, Swing State Project and DailyKos:
Headline:
Karl Rove's own THE ADMISSION T-Shirt!
From the Good Folks at Swing State Project we have THE ULTIMATE TRUTH t-shirt in Karl Roves own words and image.
You can purchase it from CafePress here. For the Fashionistas in the crowd it comes in many styles and colors.
While many get caught up in the too many legalisms, the fact remains that Karl Rove disclosed a CIA source which violates, at minimum his own WH Senior Staff Non-Disclosure Agreement. There multiple other acts and laws that may apply. John Dean, who has enough experience in WH operations to get my attention, is tracking those down. But I love the fact these words come from his mouth! Come Troops...use the words in a non-verbal fashion by simply wearing them around town. More visiblity is better!
Here's' more Practical Politics, Part 2, that I think we need to be thinking about...and specifically two ideas for the Wes Clark gathering of former Volunteers in Little Rock this weekend. I think these are ideas are valuable and have the potential for long-term impact.
This post was intended for Thursday but got delayed for technical reasons.
Here you will find two ways of listening to the broadcast.
A. As usual you can download to your mp3 player.
B If you using Internet Exploer as your browser you will see Flash Streaming controls beneath this explanation.
C. If you are using FireFox, like me, you can download the broadcast to your player as usual or switch to Internet Explorer and stream the audio from there.
(Too damn complicated and that's why there's been a delay!)
At any rate here's:
Practical Politics, A Quest: Part 2 (10 mins)
To win in any sense of that word, whether it be by increased District Registration, increased Donor Identification or by any other metric you must have one characteristic in abundance: Practical Preplanned Political Action.
And that Practical Political Action has to happen again and again and again almost ad nauseum throughout the Campaign.
That's our topic today:
See The Political Dogfight to add to your list of Easy, Poll-based Campaign Issues that appeal across party lines in your District. I'll publish and updated full list at Dogfight later today or tomorrow. I will announce that here.
The Audio cast on Practical Politics, which doesn't get any easier when the Public gives you solid data that is exactly in-line with Democratic Party beliefs, will be up later today.
Cross-posted from The Political Dogfight is the audio version, with more detail, of a post about Political Listening and it's importance to every campaign.
This is a key skill for everyone.
The Art of Political Listening...to Other Democrats (10 min)
From Political Wire:
Question of the Day
Q. What has contributed the most to declining approval of Congress in recent public opinion polls?
A. According to the National Journal's Congressional Insiders Poll, the answer depends on your party affiliation. Republicans blame "partisan bickering," while Democrats say the "failure to address the everyday concerns of average Americans."
Every Campaign needs a series of themes that become the base of the Campaign and The Candidate. Based on polling data this podcast/blogcast offers several data based themes that can be used in any campaign.
Campaign Themes That Attract a Majority of Voters (16 min..fast download.)
Written version at The Political Dogfight (but without the interpetation) after you've listened to this broadcast.
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Any Campaign, Insurgent or otherwise, needs to have cash to run the Machine. Remember what Big Daddy Jesse Unruh said in California, "Money is the Mothers Milk of Politics." Big Daddy knew what he was talking about.
Remember we are trying to run a Campaign Machine that has been designed prior to the race so we don't have to build it on the fly. That's doing it the hard way! So this work has to done now.
So after some practical application on my part, here's another segment on: "Finding Your Political Donors Quickly and Building Your Database"
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Rep. Christopher Cox, (R) of the Cal 48th Congressional has been nominated to head the SEC commission. His passage by the Senate is a lock. And I mean LOCK. (Want to know the truth? He's actually qualified.)
But this means an Open Seat Special Election in Orange County. The registration numbers in the District are overwhelmingly Republican yet most of the population could easily be described as 'socially moderate'.
Interesting. It's the topic of todays Podcast/BlogCast:
"An Open Seat in Orange County, CA. What does it present to us?"
(12:24 min)
All the Podcasts/Blogcasts for May have been moved to the new server and are running very quickly. If you have hesitated in the past to listen to any of them because they were just too bloody slow...now's the time to take a few moments to download.
"All of May Broadcasts on New Servers" (less than 60 sec)
You can set your mp3 player for RSS download by using this address:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheInsurgentCampaign
Here's the podcast/blogcast I've had such trouble creating to express some thoughts on Campaign Communication, also known as Messaging.
This has been really difficult. So I hope it's useful. It is longer than I like but I couldn't find away to make it shorter without cutting substance and my own thoughts. Hope you enjoy.
Campaign Messaging and a Little Strategy (12:45 mins)
I've been trying for 5 days to get recorded a decent version of a new broadcast on Political Strategy and Messaging not Tactics. I've been asked to do so and it's a legitimate request. Most of what I have done is 'tactic's' not strategy.
BUT...I've tried 12 times, by actual count, to get one done that I'm happy with...and I haven't. I just spent an hour and three more tries. And I will get it done. But not this morning. Patience, please.
Yesterday we had a podcast/blogcast on Fundraising Relationships that approached the topic from a non-traditional view. Today we add some detail to that topic that is crucially important! Please listen to:
Once again I take a relatively unusual view of the Fundraisers relationship with Donors. Because the Podcast/Blogcast is a little longer than I would normally like I never got say that the reason for much of this technique is to create fundraising that matures into real relationships and last far longer than one campaign. Part of this unusual approach is that I've been in professional sales most of my long life. It lends a different longer-term perspective
I feel a bit like a salmon swimming upstream. But a salmon is surrounded by thousands of other salmon. It isn't really comfortable being a lone salmon.
But if you listen and think of your Donors as people that you want to have as referral relationships, fundraising relationships and volunteers...you'll see why they are more than just a bank account! Imagine the referrals just one enthusiastic supporter can bring to your campaign! And referrals are cost-free gold. Ask any sales person.
Fundraising Relationships: How and Why (11:41)
RSS feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheInsurgentCampaign
We have a new podcast today, (and one following right behind about fundraising relationship building), that re-inforces the importance of what everyone in every race across the US is doing. And what's the most important part of your race?
Database building! Listen to it you'll get what I mean.
Look...I have no love for Karl Rove. But the man got the least qualified candidate elected to the Presidency twice! Do you think he might know something about PRACTICAL POLITICS?
Here's a quote today from Political Wire:
Rove Believes Grassroots Politics is the Future
Karl Rove believes that 2008 election will usher in a new era in nomination politics, Robert Robb says after interviewing the White House strategist. He thinks the 2008 campaign "might depart from what he describes as the '80s and '90s model, in which candidates parlay national standing and status into the nomination." Instead there will be a "reversion back to what he describes as the '60s model, in which candidates earn support by grassroots, retail politicking."
"If so, the candidates who will ultimately have the inside track aren't necessarily those on the talk shows, but those making connections with party and conservative-cause activists."
What's The Insurgent Political Campaign all about but Retail Politics? He gets it. And what's more he's willing to say so 3 years and 7 months before the next Presidential Election. Do you think that gives us enough notice?
We may despise Rove's tactics and policies...but he has been successful. We MUST learn from those who have been successful, not those who have been unsuccessful!
I'll send you to Oliver's blog but this post says more about things you can throw at your opponent than anything I could ever express this succinctly! You should copy and print this out and put it in front of every member of your campaign staff...from Candidate to Volunteer. This is truth personified. I heartily endorse every word. This is part of your everyday Insurgent Political Campaign rhetoric...or at least I hope so. You are running against the Republican Establishment!
cross posted from The Political Dogfight
While that headline seems a little far fetched, it's true. It can't happen tomorrow or next week...but over time with original pure scientific research it can happen. We can discover new sources of energy and ways of using them that we can't even imagine today. That was the way that the Apollo Project's commitment to sending a man to the moon and bringing him home alive impacted us at home. And an entire generation of scientists and achievements flowed out that commitment that we, today, take for granted.
Listen to "We can Get Eliminate The Petro Based Economy" (10 mins) to get a good idea of the beginning step that you can take today to help the effort. And it not about your personal conservation or sacrifice! It's about political support for a concept whose time has come. This is posted at The Insurgent Political Campaign as it is the perfect non-partisan issue for the Campaign Trail.
This is the one Campaign issue that will hit home with every voter. Listen and think about how to integrate into your platform and every Campaign appearance.
Today's new Podcast/Blogcast is potentially the most controversial of the series. First, I offer my view of what not to do on the Campaign Stump, and that view is different than many Democrats.
Second, I offer a closing remark that I've never heard in a Congressional Campaign but is the essence of honesty. And it is my foundation belief that more than any other characteristic the American Voter wants to hear Honesty from their Candidates. So listen and respond. Maybe you'll hate it...maybe not.
Campaign Heresy?: Listen and Decide for Yourself (8:30 mins)
Here's the truth about Net based Homemade Media and how it can play a big part in your campaigns. Based on a National real world example from a week ago please listen to:
Homemade Media: Effective and Cheap (11 mins)
PS: Audio only of Wes Clark's Speech now at The Political Dogfight as is the original movie.
[Update: 4-19-05 ]
The balance of the story and the link to the Wes Clark Speech Video has been moved to The Political Dogfight. The Insurgent Political Campaign can now get back to it's business of campaign ideas, tools and techniques. Look for the video of the Wes Clark Speech here.
This is our series on The Insurgent Political Campaign: How to Contest Red Congressional Districts with Tangible Results, (which you could call):
How to Find Someone Who Will Present a Good Campaign, Spend the Time, Energy, Money and Effort to Create Solid Tangible Results and Still Get Their Ass Kicked.
Stuart O'Neill's The Insurgent Political Campaign has created Blogcasts and Podcasts in this series as listed below.
[For those using MP3 players to listen to these Podcast our RSS address is http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheInsurgentCampaign . For those listening online, know that you can surf around and work on other things while listening to the Blogcast.]
But first listen to this introduction and this will give you the ideas and motivation behind:
The Red District Campaign: Introducing 'The Insurgent Campaign' (5 mins)
These broadcasts are not all short. And sometimes they are not simple, easy listening. And this is just the beginning of The Insurgent Political Campaign Series! [Update: As time has gone on the quality of the recording and the file size has gotten better as I have gained experience in the format. Patience!]
The full Series begins with:
For our First Podcast/ Blogcast, the topic is the fast approaching campaign season for every Congressional District, which means there will be 435 campaigns in the House alone looking for volunteers, and the fact we need to have a better understanding of how to effectively make use of the campaign that is going to lose! Absent a miracle there are lots of those districts. Also, for those of you in Blue Districts where the Republican stands no chance and your candidate is guaranteed a victory: Why should you get involved....heavily involved?
Here are some suggestions and answers today, along with resources to consider in today's broadcast. 3.19.05
How to Contest Red Congressional Districts with Tangible Results (14 mins)
How to Create The Tangible Foundation for The Red District Campaign
These next two broadcasts are about the new generation of Tools that are available to The Insurgent Political Campaigner. They can just as easily be used by established campaigns...but they are particularly effective for the start-up group of Activists that are laying the foundation for an effective Campaign then going out to find the Candidate. 3.22.05
Red District Congressional Campaign- Tools Part 1 (12 mins)Red District Congressional Campaign -Tools Part 2 (12 mins)
This is a broadcast on Fundraising (mostly non-traditional) with your new PAC and some reference material/Tools every campaign needs! 3.23.05
Red District Congressional Campaign- Tools and Your Own PAC (16 mins)Two fact-filled sections on Congressional District Campaign Committe fundraising for Seed Money and more. One Congressional Campaign Manager has told me these broadcasts have changed his planned low-impact, low-return very traditional approach competely. 3.38.05
Red District Congressional Campaign- CAmpaign Committee Fundraising- Seed Money (16 mins)Red District Congressional Campaign- campaign committee Fundraising- Not just Seed Money (7 mins)
Today's broadcast is on the sensitive topic of Political Action Committee's and campaign committee's. There is much mis-information in the Activist World about both. In particular, when you need one and how to inexpensively form one! This should answer most of the questions. 4.01.05
Campaign Committee's and When Do You Need One? (7:30 mins)The heartblood of any campaign is the Volunteer staff. But the volunteers need direction and effective leadership to make every moment worthwhile and effective. It is with the use of multiple political databases that the Campaign Leadership can craft the best use of time and energy. Sounds a little dry and boring? It's the true guts...the rubber meets the road...of any campaign! Listen and learn how to create power for your Campaign and gain respect from the Political Professional. Today's,4.09.05, Pod/Blogcast is:
How to Create Effective Campaign Databases for The Insurgent Campaign (10 min)See The Political Dogfight for an example of a very, very small 527 media budget leveraging TV ads in small markets into big PR in the fight against Tom Delay. For most readers and listeners you are also in small markets and even the smallest PAC can have the greatest impact. And here's how: 4.11.05
Using Small Media PAC Buys for Effect and PR (4:30 min)
The Insurgent Political Campaign isn't easy. It isn't simple. And yet it may be the best method of helping convert, or at least compete in, a Red District. Today's broadcast is about the tenacity and long-term view needed by the Insurgent Campaigner and the benefits that will bring. Senator Bill Bradley has authored a brilliant article March 30,2005 in the New York Times on the subject of a necessary Long-Term effort towards building a stable structure within the Democratic Party. It is republished 4.13.05 at The Political Dogfight. And it is today's topic.
The Insurgent Campaign: Long-Term and Not for the Faint of Heart (9 min)
The DCCC's new site attacking Tom Delay is House of Scandal and to get the importance of Net Video in your own campaigns, you really MUST see "Tom Delay's House of Scandal" . And here's an explanation of how to use the same easy techniques in your own campaign...no matter how small. And here's how:
Using Net Video's: Cheap, Simple, Easy and Effective (1:24 MIN)
This Series is based on two simple realities:
1. While there are hundreds of districts in the US that are Red Districts that a Democratic Candidate cannot win, these Districts can yield tangible positive results for the organizers, the Candidate and the Democratic Party if they are organized effectively and have a real Candidate.
2. Too often in Deep Red Districts, the Democrat who raises his hand never really campaigns...never really gets into the Dogfight and doesn't understand how to create a real campaign or how valuable a real campaign could be for that district...even though he loses in the end.
So, here's a simple question: Are you tired of seeing that same worn-out Candidate, election cycle after election cycle, or his clone with a different identity?
Do you want to create short and long term positive benefits in your District? Then build a campaign apparatus and go recruit your own Candidate! A real Candidate who will volunteer because of the structure, value and results you've already designed for him/her to achieve.
I have begun to call it The Insurgent Political Campaign: The Campaign that starts without a Candidate. The Campaign that builds the vision and structure and the Organization. The Campaign that has tangible targets for Fundraising, tangible Goals for end results and the realistic methodology to reach them. The Campaign that knows that 2006 is just the Beginning. And The Campaign that goes out and finds a Candidate that is far better than average!
There are more to come. They are not 100% professional, as I am learning this technology as we go, and I know it's hard to listen to just one voice. I've done my best to fill each with content, tangible resources and usable ideas.
Share this with others. Talk about the reality of these ideas and tools at your meetings. Think about 'The Insurgent Political Campaign'. At least listen to the Introduction above. This is a continuing series of broadcasts.
To have the newest installments of The Insurgent Campaign, which now average 5-7 minutes in length, loaded into your MP3 player automatically with your daily music, just use this RSS address and put it into your iPodder, Doppler or Feedburner or ? :
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Feedback is always appreciated.
