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Mark Block of Cain campaign, with creative video strategy, gets out Cain’s message: “Get Involved!”

By: ColdWarrior (Diary)  |  October 25th, 2011 at 03:55 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Herman Cain’s stump speech often ended with the message of “Stay Informed,” “Stay Involved” and “Stay Inspired,” with short discussions of each point.

Last week I listened to Herman make those points again in Phoenix at an AZ GOP fundraiser where Herman was the keynote speaker. A little birdie ran into Mark Block during Herman’s speech (Mark was walking around observing the crowd’s reaction to the speech) and suggested that “Stay Involved” might be a bit obscure, and that the new message ought to be, at this point in the campaign for the presidency, to more specifically and concretely ask Herman’s supporters to “Get Involved.”

The little birdie explained that many in the audience, listening to Herman, want to, and are willing to, “get involved.” They want to “do something.” But, they don’t know what, specifically, they ought do to help their favored candidates. And that Herman ought to be telling his audiences exactly how he would like them to help his campaign and the Republican Party. And tell them how crucial GOTV will be in the 2012 elections. And that if Herman will ask them to do a bit more than usual, to make a few phone calls, perhaps, or actually walk a precinct, targeting the Republican voters who did not vote in the last two general elections, for example, then maybe we’ll greatly increase the number of Republican victories next year.

Herman had not yet gotten to the “Stay Involved” portion of the speech by the time the little birdie’s discussion with Mark ended, but Herman ended the speech with the same three points. That night, for example, after asking those in attendance to “Stay Involved,” he explained that obviously they were involved just by their attendance at the fundraising dinner for the AZ GOP. But, he then asked them, with a hearty, friendly yell, to “KICK IT UP A NOTCH!” A rousing round of applause followed. He added that “everyone can do something” and “do what you can do!”

Now Mark Block has succeeded in getting out that “Get Involved!” message to current and potential Cain supporters. Friends of Herman Cain sent out a video yesterday morning, and you’ve probably already watched it or at least heard about it:

The buzz over this video led to this interview on Fox News this morning with Megan Kelly, allowing the Cain campaign to again get out the main message to current and potential Cain supporters: the time has come to get involved with the Cain campaign.

Herman Cain promised that as an “unconventional” candidate he would run an unconventional campaign. It appears he and Mark Block are delivering on that promise.

Stay tuned — I believe the Cain campaign will provide more unconventional messaging for the American people. The little birdie gave Mark a few other ideas.

Thank you.

ColdWarrior
——————-

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COMMENTS

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  • volunteerstate

    Who would that be…. I am trending more and more toward this guy. He reminds me of Supreme Court Justice Thomas. I thought he would turn left once in office. I was wrong. Judge Thomas is a GREAT man, a person of conservative integrity. I think Mr Cain may be another like minded MAN.

    Thanks Cold Warrior. We need little birds. Time to PROCEED and WORK.

  • http://redmerrimack.blogspot.com/ charliebravoNH

    A field staff is being put together and I have already met the local field organizer at our last local GOP Committee meeting. The Cain campaign already has an office in Manchester NH. So if you are a Herman Cain supporter in NH, there is no excuse for sitting on the sidelines.

  • retire05

    I have been trying for weeks to get someone who supports Cain to tell me why they support him. No one is willing to give me a concrete answer.

    Here is my question: running a busines is not like running a government. When you are the CEO of a business, you can fire those that don’t agree, or go along, with your goals and agenda. But Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are not going anywhere anytime soon, so………….

    what in Cain’s history gives you any indication of how he will govern?

    And please, don’t tell me what Cain says. Words are cheap.

    • http://www.ufcle.com/willis/willis.htm Steven Willis

      1. His tax plan is solid. We need to ditch the current code and replace it. While the plan needs details, those can come later. The big picture is the correct one. We really need to change our fundamental approach to tax law. I believe he believes that. I believe a great many voters believe that. I believe he, if anyone, can get it done.
      2. He has a strong finance background and appears to understand economics. He knows the government is inefficient and often causes more problems than it solves.
      3. He is not phony. He appears genuine . . . not a politician. Some of the others seem a bit “plastic.”
      4. He has a sense of humor. So do Perry and Gingrich, but I wonder about the others.
      5. He has a likeable quality to him, much like Reagan did.
      6. He’s proven he can pick good people to work with him. He could not have succeeded in business as he did without good partners and managers. And he doesn’t take all the credit. Again, just like Reagan.
      7. He appears to have plenty of common sense.
      8. He has overcome great adversity. He handled it with grace and confidence. I speak of his bout with cancer and his growing up black.
      9. He has a strong faith. He sings gospel. There is something deeply comforting about that.
      10. He has the ability to communicate in a way that resonates with people . . . much like Reagan and Churchill. Our country faces some incredible problems. We will likely have some dark moments in the future. I want someone who has a strong faith in God, who can stand up to adversity, and who can reassure our nation that he can lead us in the right direction . . . and who is also willing to tell us the truth that we have to get up off our butts and help ourselves.

      I’ve had enough of slogans and career politicians. At some level, this is a gut feeling. I don’t know the man. I don’t know any of them.

      • retire05

        #1, all the candidates have tax plans. Cain’s 9-9-9 seems more like a commercial slogan than an actual tax plan when you look to see how that sausage is made. No one I know wants to pay over 17% in sales tax in my state.

        #2, my banker has a strong background in finance and understands that the goverment is more often than not, inefficient and causes more problems that it solves. I would not vote for my banker as president of a nation of over 300 million.

        #3 yes, Cain appears to be “real”. But make no mistake, he is a politican in the truest sense of the word. Just because he lost every other election he ever ran in, doesn’t make him less than a “politican.” And his time as a lobbyist definately fits the description of “politican.” A successful lobbyist has to be an excellent player in the game of poltics.

        #4 Yes, he has a sense of humor. It seems to be the crutch he relys on when he sticks his foot in his mouth causing him to stumble. Obviously you are seeking a Comedian In Chief, not a Commander in Chief.

        #5, so what if he is likable. Not a quality I worry about as it is subjective. I doubt the Russians found Reagan likable. The British didn’t find Washington likable. Being likable is not a quality that tells you how someone would govern.

        #6 all, the “good people to work with” point. Tell me, if Cain has so many good people, those who are smart and wise surrounding him now, why does he continue to stick his foot in his mouth? Are they not sitting him down and saying “You know, Herman, you just can’t go around saying you are going to electricute human beings?” If Cain cannot pick wise and informed advisors now, what makes you think he will as POTUS?

        #7 All of the GOP candidates (well, except one) seem to possess common sense. Not a rare trait.

        #8 then find a church choir director to run. That is not a reason to vote for anyone.

        #9 ah, now we really get to the crux of the support. He “grew up black.” Well, so did Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Tim Scott and Allen West. Why are you not supporting them for POTUS? So it’s the “you have Obama and I’ll trump you Herman Cain because he too, is black” theme.

        #10 Obama has the ability to communicate with his base. Did that make him a good president?

        So far, you have not pointed to one thing in Herman Cain’s backgroud that give any indication on how he will govern. I understand. It is because you don’t know, and you are simply going on hope and change.

        • lineholder

          It’s relatively obvious that regardless of what Mr. Willis’ reasons might be for supporting Cain, you’ve chosen to respond to each of his points by trying to belittle and ridicule his reasons. In light of that, it brings question to your original request for information. Was it a legitimate interest in why someone would support Cain? Or was it just bait?

          Given the fact that I answered your question as well, and that I suspect the same effort could be made to respond in the same way to my list that you’ve responded to Mr. Willis’ list, I’ll go ahead and provide my answer here.

          Each and every legal citizen of this nation over the age of 18 has the right to vote. They have the right to choose of their own accord who they support for political office.

          You may not like the person that I choose. You may not agree with my choice. What you can not do is to make that choice for me, any more than I can make that choice for you or either one of us can make that choice for Mr. Willis or any other legal citizen.

          If you are considering responding to my list in the same manner that you’ve responded to Mr. Willis’, I’ll give a word of friendly advice in advance…don’t.

        • http://www.ufcle.com/willis/willis.htm Steven Willis

          You asked what in his background gave me an “indication” of how he would govern. Everything on my list does that.

          That you are dismissive of all of them suggests more about you than about my list.

          Number 1 – the tax plan – is hugely important for me. I’ve studied tax law and accounting for several decades. I have a good idea about what is wrong with the current system. It needs to be discarded. 999 is a very good start. Dismissing it by misleading remarks such as “no one in my state wants to pay 17% sales tax” are useful only in showing how opponents will attack.

          I support a VAT rather than a sales tax, but that is largely a quibble.

          I’ll write a diary on it when I find the time. But people who really understand the system understand we need to pull it up by the roots.

          One last thing: we must change so that everyone has “skin in the game.” Far too many people pay no “income tax” (I use that in the statutory, not the Constitutional meaning). That must change. It will be some (many) will pay more, but that is what must happen. If a majority can tax the minority, democracy will fail. Cain understands that. Paul understands that (and I never thought I’d say positive things about him, but he is right about much). I’m not convinced the others do.

          Steve

    • http://redmerrimack.blogspot.com/ charliebravoNH

      I am responding to the allegations out there that Herman Cain has no organization.

      • vaaztx

        Flipflop McRomneycare was crapping on Build A Better Ohio yesterday, but he’s back to supporting them today.

    • lineholder

      (1) Proven track record of success.
      (2) Proven track record of knowing what it takes to turn things around
      (3) He has been taking it to left on issues of policy with his requirements for opportunity zones
      (4) He has experience in a leadership role in situations when tough choices had to be made and it was necessary to stay within a budget
      (5) He succeeded in #4 in such a way that it inspired people associated with those efforts
      (6) His experience in both economics and business offers our nation an opportunity to interject some badly needed operating principles into government, such as streamlining, eliminating redundancy, accountability at the personal level, defined goals, establishment of standards, etc.
      (7) His message isn’t one of either a hand-out or a hand-up…it’s one of individual independence
      (8) He loves this nation and it’s people and he isn’t the least bit ashamed to say it or to let it show
      (9) His courage in overcoming the obstacles he has faced

      I’ll stop there.

  • http://www.ufcle.com/willis/willis.htm Steven Willis

    Block even looks like the guy from the X-Files. He holds his cigarette in a different way, but the ad sure is reminiscent of the show.

    “I want to believe” and “the truth is out there” are nice slogans for both.

    I really like the ad. It was brilliant in how, for so little money, it has received so much attention.

  • tngal

    If Cain would be the most interesting man in the world and pour a dos equis, and Block would stay as Marlboro man, you just need one more to be the guy in the old spice commercials- we’d have a trifecta.

    (XX not my preferred beer choice, but the ads are unique. Course I loved smoker man. said so last night. But who in Cain’s camp can pull off the old spice guy. That’s gonna take work.

    (Cain’s “Yellow Flowers ad” is not too shabby either. Little long for a tv ad, but great with popcorn on the web. )

    BTW- Cold Warrior are you gonna spill who the “birdie” was?? C’mon! Was it LaborUnionReport…no, it was Moe wasn’t it? C’mon you can say it was Moe. We Won’t tell. I just know its Moe. Or EE. OMG, they’re both closet Cainiacs.

    • izoneguy

      His name is Jonathan Goldsmith….

      He would say “Don’t be ridiculous my friend”

      • tngal

        Wait, you worked with the guy who was the guy- who was the most interesting ma nin the world , or you worked with the guy that did the voiceovers for the ads for the guy who was the most interesting ..oh just skip it.

        Dos equis spots- sublime.
        Cains smoking man ad- awsome.
        Need an old spice guy……….takers?

        (his name is Goldsmith?? For pete’s sake don’t tell the OWS crowd you know how they feel about ….beer. )

        • izoneguy

          of all things on some training videos in the 80′s.

          My partner at the time was Jewish and the client wanted
          a “TV star” for the videos. My partner called another jewish friend
          in LA and he recommended Jonathan. He was between gigs
          and we worked on the videos for a few weeks in Dallas.
          Jonathan was a hoot. We went out many times and he was able
          to manage the ladies very well. So when I saw him as the Dos Equis man
          I thought that was perfect type casting. I think Jonathan is
          73 now, but he still looks like he could kick butt.
          I was asking my other jewish partner if we still had those tapes.
          He is still looking for them. I like jewish people, unlike the OWS crowd.

          • tngal

            Woudst that it be we were all so lucky, More and more I’m seeing the same actors in spots, from paper towels to batteries but some ad campaigns, as with the Dos Equis are just memorable. Didn’t know his name till you mentioned it and so someone’s youtube vid got a hit beacause i followed your lead.

            I hope he gets other chances at ads. But that campaign just seems so right for him. Honestly, I don’t know if he even drinks beer. I can’t see him hawking light bulbs. Unless of course they were the most interesting light bulbs on earth.

            (Definitely NOT the energy saving pieces of crap light bulbs we’re forced to buy now. Don’t let him do an ad for those. I mean it izone..those are just stinky)

          • Common_Cents

            Those commercials rock! LOL.

    • lineholder

      Are you seriously asking this question or are you joking? When it comes to “getting people involved”, CW is like THE quintessential motivator. Check out the links in his signature line and you’ll see what I mean.

      • tngal

        ok, just about everyone who has ever posted on Redstate… within a 3 day period of their very first post, will be accosted in the hallway ( not in a bad fashion) by cold warrior, to get involved. I appreciate his attentiveness to getting individuals motivated whether it be with precinct project or some other area.

        I was just hoping to egg on the Warrior and say “yeah it was me”. Love to tease. Let’s be honest lineholder…I’m thinking ( just a guess, nothing to substantiate) EE is not a caniac. Could be wrong. Might have misread a clue. I’m a licensed PI, but hey , with errors and omissions things can slip by, so gut instinct…the birdie is..whatsisname.

        • lineholder

          I honestly wasn’t sure, so I asked. I’m sure CW will come along soon and confirm.

          As to other questions re: cainiacs, I know that EE wants this nation to succeed. That’s good enough for me.

      • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

        Just want everyone to do what they can to help GOTV and also transform our Party into a truly conservative Party by filling up all of the internal voting slots with Constitutional conservatives. That is an easy thing to do if all of us so-called “political activists” or “political junkies” or “political strategists” would actually find, and attend, our local Republican Party committee meeting. It’s not rocket science. If I can figure it out, anyone can. It’s just basic American Civics and common sense.

        We have limited time and resources. We need to prioritize our time and resources. The best way to get the most “bang for the buck,” politically, is to spend a few hours a month attending one’s local Republican Party committee meeting to learn how to become a voting member of the Party where you live. It’s the best place for we conservatives to unite and organize politically.

        That way eaqh of us will not only become knowledgeable about the Republican candidates for all the various local, state and federal offices. And, we’ll also be able to network with like-minded conservative Republicans. And, we’ll learn how to become “voting members” of the Party. So ywe can actually cast votes for the best, most conservative, candidates for the Party officer slots. Or run for those slots yourself.

        When was the last time you received a mailer from your state GOP or the RNC explaining to you that over half of the Republican Party precinct committeeman slots where you live are vacant and that over one-third of the precincts in America have not even one Republican precinct committeeman? Why do you think they won’t tell you about that? Might it be because they really don’t want you “little people” to come inside the Party and change everything?

        And, as I’ve been trying to tell anyone who will listen, with over half of the “voting slots” inside the Party vacant (and it is sooooo easy to fill these slots — but every state has its own rules), if we conservatives fill up all the empty slots, not only will we “own” the Party (because we’ll then be able to elect conservative officers) but we’ll also have a full-strength, solidly conservative Party rather than a half-strength, ideologically split Party in the PC ranks — which, in the last two internal election cycles has delivered to the RNC Chairmanship those two “staunch, right-wing conservative fighters”: Michael Steele and Reince Priebus.

        If you were a precinct committeeman in 2008 and 2010 you had a chance to, directly or indirectly, vote for who became the RNC Chairman. If you were not a “voting member” of the Party, you had absolutely no say in the matter.

        I like having a say in the matter.

        Don’t you?

        Chirp, chirp, chirp.

        Thank you,

        ColdWarrior

    • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

      I wrote this earlier to some friends on an email list about some possibilities for future Cain videos:

      I hope they make some campaign videos that parody the Dos Equis “he is, quite simply, the most interesting man alive” ads and also that parody the Dale Peterson “I don’t give a rip” ads.

      Cain has now moved into the “star” slot that Palin vacated. Cain really is the most interesting candidate in the race right now.

      I hope he continues to make things interesting. If he does, he’ll have a chance.

      Thank you.

      ColdWarrior

      • rightwingmom52

        Dale Peterson is chairman of Cain’s agricultural advisory committee? Dale and his wife, Kathy, are members of the same local tea party and county GOP as I am. Solid conservatives.

        • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

          Assuming you will accept it:

          Get in touch with Dale and Kathy and ask them to get in touch with Mark Block with the idea of putting together a “they don’t give a rip” ad for Herman. Hell, I can envision a whole series of them.

          Actually, I would not surprised (indeed, after watching again the following ads, especially the second one, I’m convinced) that these kind of videos already are “in the can” (well, these days, I guess we should say “saved to the hard drive and backed up”).

          Here’s the Dale Peterson ad that started it all:

          Here’s a follow-up:

          I have a “man crush” on Dale Peterson. ;-)

          Thank you.

          ColdWarrior

          • rightwingmom52

            Hopefully, I’ll see Dale and/or Kathy at Cain’s meet and greet in Birmingham tomorrow. I plan to print this missive and hand deliver! If they’re not there, I can email to Kathy.

            These videos definitely caused quite a stir around town when they came out. Hearing Dale speak live and in person is an experience as well, and now Kathy is running for Public Service Commissioner. If she puts out any good vids, I’ll be sure to send them your way.

          • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

            Good luck with the Petersons!

            Thanks again,
            CW

          • tngal

            today’s rally. I was going to try and make his B’ham stop today, since I was suppose to serve some papers down in Decatur AL. Planned on serving this morning then heading down your way. But the serve has now moved back up into middle TN, so looks like I’m headed northward. We’ll be about four hours apart. I’ll miss it.

            Tell him two conservatives and a blue dog dem in southern middle TN are counting on him to pull this off.

            Any word from the Anniston and T’dega events would be greatly appreciated. Don’t trust news sources on headcounts. rather trust you.

          • rightwingmom52

            that are closer. Here’s his 2 day schedule.

            http://algop.org/node/1617

            It’s dreary and rainy, but our local tea party held its first event in the pouring down rain, thus our name “Rainy Day Patriots.” Got the camera ready for pics, and the books reading for signing. Will let you know how it goes.

  • Xasteius

    Why does Herman Cain have a problem with Rick Perry?

    - He said he would support Romney over Rick Perry
    - He said he would not support Perry 100% if Perry was the nominee.
    - He pay the race card over Perry’s rock.
    - He said he would be VP for anyone but Rick Perry.

    I was between Perry and Cain, but these statements, especially the last one, pushed me into the Perry camp. Can someone explain why they would support someone who not only supports a RINO over someone who is ideologically closer to them, but also plays the race card?

    Just curious…

    • lineholder

      are simply perception. It was noted at the time that Cain made the comment about supporting Romney that he also implied that it was a joke and that he sounded more serious about supporting Newt. But the “Cain is a Romney supporter” became a narrative that made it’s rounds all the same.

      As to the playing the race card about the rock…all I can tell you on that point is what I believe to be true. Cain grew up in the South during the days of segregation, and I daresay that in light of what his experiences might have been, he considered the situation as explained to him at the time as being insensitive to black people. I think it was a very gut-honest response without thinking of it beyond that point rather than a deliberate attempt to play the race card.

      As to your other two questions, those are things you would find out from Cain himself.

      • Xasteius

        Otherwise Leno wouldn’t be popular.

        If these are Cain’s reactions under the gun or getting a 0300 phone call (from the man who has said I will consult all the facts before I make a decision), he has no business being president.

  • appealtoheaven

    Is Cain able? I don’t know and it really will take me sometime to decide. In the meantime, he has turned my head with his unconventional nature.

    I really am tired of hair helmets and coached responses. I’m sick of toothy smiles in response to nearly every inane question a member of the press asks.

    Cain, if nothing else, is a change from the scripted and cliched political discourse. He is that proverbial fart in the church.

    Maybe its time we elected one.

    • lineholder

      but he’s far cry from the traditional politician. And I hope he stays that way, too.

    • tngal

      unconventional, yet unique way of, demonstrating your support for this republican candidate. Your enthusiasm, and er.., youthfulness add to its diversity. Or, something like that. Here grab a yard sign, and a bumper sticker.

      (O.K. where is ‘downwind’ in this big tent? )

  • rightwingmom52

    From National Review here:

    Grubbs, who managed Bob Dole?s 1996 caucus victory and was a key staffer in Dole?s 1988 caucus win, says
    Cain?s campaign will ?do the old-fashioned blocking and tackling.? His immediate goal is to ?find our 1,000 or 1,500 precinct captains, the people who will put their names on paper to work on a cold night in January.?

    That may take some time. Grubbs acknowledges that, so far, Cain hasn?t done much on the ground. But at this point in the contest, he says, most campaigns would rather have the enthusiasm of Cain?s thousands of supporters, not a couple well-staffed offices.

    ?It?s not enough to have a good organization,? Grubbs says. ?You also have to have enthusiasm. George Bush in 1988, for example, had a great organization, but not enough enthusiasm and was surpassed by Dole and Pat Robertson.?

    ?That?s why I feel good about Herman Cain,? he says. ?He has the enthusiasm in place, and we can generate the organization. The former, if it?s not there, is hard to create. But we are already catching up on the latter. We have both elements.?

    (emphasis mine)

    Looks like somebody is listening to the chirp of the little birdie.

  • conservativecurmudgeon

    …I guess I’ll become a little birdie watcher!

  • Green_Lantern

    from his website either, CW. Surely they must be that organized by now. My email was simple: “WHAT CAN I DO?” I’m a high-energy entrepreneur with a couple of successful businesses, I want to *work*.

    Pass it along to the birdie.

    P.S. Where are Erick and Aaron’s recs on this diary? And Bill S.’s? It’s a good diary, ain’t it guys?

    • http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

      coldwarrior1978 at gmail dot com and let me know what city and state you are in and any other information you wish to share about what you would like to do for the campaign and I will get it to those I know who should be able to help you.

      Thank you.

      ColdWarrior

  • carolynr

    The only reason it is being played over and over again is because of the MSM. It has nothing to do with a good message.

    • bzip

      Yep, I would say it but I would get attack for what I would say…it was a very lousy ad and anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves.

  • inwarresolution

    He’s the only one trying a strategy of avoiding building an organization in Iowa and touring bookstores. Why? Because he can’t do it any other way. Is the whole thing a brilliant strategy? It’s hard to say… some of it is. Certainly not the gaffes. But the unconventional strategy – book tour, small staff, lots of talk shows, Lincoln-Douglass debate – it’s brilliant. http://bit.ly/vLniJo

  • Change Jar Conservative

    It still doesn’t really tell people HOW to get involved or what Herman’s strategy is for his organization.

    It reminds me more of Fred Thompson’s smoking commercials in his study — Something to make me laugh, but not something useful.

  • izoneguy

    Cain’s Cigarette-Puffing Aide Has Checkered Past

    He is the man with the mustache who takes a rebellious drag on a cigarette in the Herman Cain Internet ad gone viral.

    “We’ve run a campaign like nobody’s ever seen,” he says before taking a puff. “But then America’s never seen a candidate like Herman Cain.”

    Meet Mark Block, Cain’s unorthodox campaign manager. Perhaps no one is more responsible for the Georgia businessman’s meteoric rise in the presidential polls than Block, a Republican strategist and tea party leader who’s left a trail of questionable campaign work behind him.

    Block has been accused of voter suppression and was banned from running Wisconsin political campaigns for three years to settle accusations he coordinated a judge’s re-election campaign with a special interest group.
    Records show Block has faced foreclosure on his home, a tax warrant by the Internal Revenue Service and a lawsuit for an unpaid bill. He also acknowledges he was arrested twice for drunken driving.