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So, what, concretely, will YOU (no matter who you are) DO to GOTV???

By: ColdWarrior (Diary)  |  June 26th, 2012 at 03:10 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Sorry to ask such a rude question. But, seriously, what will preaching to the “conservative choir,” whether it’s among your conservative friends, or on talk radio, cause more Republican-leaning voters to actually vote?

Here’s how I explained to another PC in my district how we Got Out The Vote in our city election in my precinct and how, if the Republican candidates we supported had done the same in every precinct, they would have won:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

First, we used VoterVault to find out who the Republicans were who were brand new voters and who were the 0/4, the 1/4 and the 2/4 voters. We didn’t bother with the 3/4 or 4/4 voters. Those in the first categories made up about 35% of the Republicans and we divided those up between the 8 of us PCs. Each of us had to contact only about 36 Republicans. Weadded to that the independents who always asked for a Rep. ballot in the primary. That added 6 more voters to my group. So I had to call about 42 people and distribute literature to about 35 doors. We modified the sample ballot Gary had scanned and sent around and added to it our contact info in case the voters had questions. We kept everything non-partisan and referred to Monti and Forman and Angie as the “fiscal conservatives” who would “stand up to the govt. worker unions.”

Took me 3 hours to do the work before the primary and about 2 hrs and 40 minutes for the general. Took less the second time because I was more familiar with my area of the precinct and the list was shorter, as some of the voters info on VoterVault was outdated.

In the general election we got about 60% of the Republicans to vote. The city average for all voters was 26.6%. If Foreman and Monti had done what we did in just one more precinct of similar “size” in terms of the number of Rep. voters, Monti would have won. If Foreman and Monti had done it in maybe 5 or 6 additional precincts, Foreman would have won, too.

If we can get every PC to do this in their precinct before the general election in Nov., we’ll win big.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Thank you.

CW

————————
In 2012, will YOU become a “voting member” of the Republican Party in your precinct?

Where it all started. Twitter @kaltkrieger

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  • volunteerstate

    Many owe you for enlightening us as to how the party system actually “works”. I ,for one, am a precinct committeeman due to your nonstop diary efforts. I have no idea why it took reading several of your diaries for it to connect with me but your persistence pays off…..Thank you and your tone is…. most pleasant.

  • streiff

    just re-read this post again.

    I don’t deal with petulant bullies.

  • http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

    A cat on a fence is mewling somewhere.

    I think it’s hoping we’ll throw a boot at it.

  • Common_Cents

    Time and time again its shown that when people roll up their sleeves and get involved locally, big things can get done in a hurry.

    It’s shocking that RS doesn’t have local party involvement as a major focus of its mission, since its mission mentions grass roots. Local parties and GOTV are about as grass roots as it comes.

    Instead, many are offended and would rather spend time worrying about CW’s approach while baraka is destroying America. Where would we be today if very few farmers & tradesmen dropped their tools of trade(keyboards) and picked up their weapons against the British?(taking some action locally)

    There are many brilliant knowledgeable people here at RS that could have a huge impact locally, enlightening their friends/neighbors/co-workers to GOTV, strengthening the party to recruit real conservatives.

    “While all that excitement was going on, 80-year-old farmer Sam Whittemore was placidly working in his fields at Menotomy (now Arlington), Mass. He knew nothing of the British invasion and the deaths at Lexington. In younger days, Whittemore had been a soldier, and a good one. He became a captain in His Majesty’s Dragoons stationed in America, and fought against the French, the Indians, and renegades of all types. He even spent a brief period on board a ship that was hunting for a pirate. He was always ready to drop his farming tools, pick up his weapons and march off to battle. ”

    http://dwhitmore.thewhitmorefamily.com/internet/samwhit.htm

  • Aaron Gardner

    I followed your advice and got involved in the party. I was first the Assistant Treasurer for my Town, and promptly got on my County Exec Committee. I then became the Town Chair. Then I got a new job and had to move to Colorado. My job precludes me from being a voting party member at this point.

    While I was active in the party in Vermont I pitched GOTV tools to the State Committee relentlessly. After two years, I finally convinced my County to get Gravity.

    Along the way I inspired a friend to run for office in Vermont, after a training I gave on GOTV and Precinct operations through American Majority. He is using Gravity for his campaign.

    I apparently did well enough in those ventures that Drew Ryun offered me a job as the Communications Director for Media Trackers Colorado.

    Now, Cold Warrior knows all of this. I know he knows all of this because he was involved in the same national GOTV training that I gave in Vermont, he gave his training in Arizona.

    I do wish I could be active here in Colorado now, but as I work for a non-partisan non-profit, it would be more of a hindrance to my job and the party for me to do so.

    We all have different roles to play at different times in our lives. We are not all the same. We all have different skills, and not all of those skills are best used by attending party meetings on Saturday mornings.

    It is unfortunate in my eyes that Cold Warrior has deemed me unworthy of the respect I have shown him and his strategy over the years.

    I truly hope that some young inspired activist considering joining the party as a voting member will ignore this diary and instead reach back in to the archives to some of Cold Warrior’s earlier diaries detailing the strategy rather than the more recent posts from Cold Warrior in which he hectors all whom he deems unworthy.

  • JSobieski

    I cannot wait to hear from all the RS editors and diarists, especially from the editors, how they participated in similar GOTV activities in their respective primary elections and how we might learn from their actions in their precincts (or elsewhere) how to effectively, and verifiably, GOTV (again, just so there’s no confusion, GOTV is not a new cable channel but stands for Get Out The Vote.)

    So much to learn!!!!

    Thank you.

    CW

    P.S. Sorry, some say I have a less than desirous “tone,” or something. For this, I guess, I must apologize.

    ————————————————————

    The snark factor is rising substantially at RS on all sorts of sides. Gratuitous digs are becoming more and more commonplace.

    You didn’t start the trend, but you aren’resisting it either. If you can’t see how the quotation above isn’t a big “F—- Y___” to certain people, then you have lost your objectivity. Why not just leave the digs out, and stick with the substance?

    • Bill S

      ..

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

      I really appreciate your suggestions.

      Again, my goal is to get as many folks as possible involved inside our Party and in GOTV efforts in both the primary and general elections. The voter turnout percentages in some states in our Republican primaries were abysmally low, as you know.

      I would love to hear ideas on how we can best make our Party more conservative and get more people involved in GOTV.

      Thanks again.

      Sincerely,
      CW

      • JSobieski

        By the very words you used, it seems frankly that you wanted to intentionally poke a shart stick at people.

        I want you to succeed. Insulting people is not good marketing. By now you should realize that basic fact.

  • Darin_H

    Looks like someone lost his copy of ‘How to win friends and influence people.’

    I’m looking forward to the next installment of, ‘You don’t win friends with salad!’

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

    like to motivate folks to try, if at all possible, to get involved in our Party per the RS stated purposes set forth on the Help page:

    >>>>>>>>>>

    The purpose of RedState.com is:

    to promote conservative ideals within the vehicle of the Republican Party,
    to clean house in the Republican party,
    to help elect conservative Republicans,
    and to encourage and educate conservative Republican activists committed to the above.

    <<<<<<<<<<

    "within the vehicle of the Republican Party"

    "in the Republican party"

    Because half of the local Party committeeman slots are vacant, on average, still, all across the nation, our Party is still there for the taking by conservatives. And we could take it if we unite and organize inside it. If we don't, some other group might.

    The Paul supporters have figured this out.

    When you watch their antics at our national convention in August, I hope you'll all reflect upon the fact that all of those Paul-supporting delegates could have been conservative Republicans.

    Thank you.
    CW

    • JSobieski

      I 100% support your message, but it is hard to deny a repeated pattern.

      For the sake of the cause, I do hope the good stuff continues and that we don’t hear the other stuff again.

      1 Corinthians 12

      New International Version (NIV)

      Concerning Spiritual Gifts

      12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, ?Jesus be cursed,? and no one can say, ?Jesus is Lord,? except by the Holy Spirit.

      4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

      7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

      Unity and Diversity in the Body

      12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body?whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free ?and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

      15 Now if the foot should say, ?Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,? it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, ?Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,? it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

      21 The eye cannot say to the hand, ?I don?t need you!? And the head cannot say to the feet, ?I don?t need you!? 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

      27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

      • Bill S

        I quoted that very passage in response to one of the CW rants in the past. The connection is unmistakable, isn’t it?

        • JSobieski

          but tis sad more than funny.

    • westcoastpatriette

      your style of hyperbole and sarcasm doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, it motivates me to get the message and I don’t take it personal or as an insult. But, that’s just me. I don’t have the years of baggage that others seem to have over your style of making your point so, I try to stay out of the conflict. Just trying to let you know not everyone is offended by your style.

      Keep up the good work.

      • http://www.chicagobluesgirl.com chicagobluesgirl

        But was not thin enough to be offended by this post. Still don’t get why folks were offended. Is this why the GOP is where it is at presently? Are they also constantly worrying about offending everyone so much so that they never say what needs to be said? Just sayin’

  • http://stevemaley.com Steve Maley

    Here.

    You’re welcome.
    SM

  • Common_Cents

    I don’t understand how people get offended by some ribbing. When editors tell us to CALL HERE, GIVE HERE, CALL THERE, GIVE THERE, GIVE TO THIS CANDIDATE, etc… I don’t see any backlash. I just don’t see this as much different.

    Can anyone chime in on why RS doesn’t actively and consistently encourage people to get involved in the party? The message is always no third party, but the other half of transforming the Republican Party is nearly non-existent. Just puzzles me.

    You know what is REAL offensive? All the establishment RINOs in local, state, federal government that we complain about in THOUSANDS of pages of whining on RS ( I am guilty) that NEVER tell us to get involved in the local party. Why?

    Why doesn’t any politician encourage us to get involved, beyond giving them money and voting for them? They KNOW that is their achilles heel. It’s just as important or even more so, to pay attention to what they DON’T say, than what they do say. Often what they do say is BS and diversion as we write about all the time.

    Our elected elite NOT encouraging us to get involved in the party is the BIGGEST, MOST OFFENSIVE B&^%# slap to us all!

    Wanna give the RINOS a big “$%^& you”?
    Get involved locally in the party and see where it takes you. They’ll be shaking in their shoes in no time.

    As CW has stated in other entries, it will not take relatively that many people to make huge differences in bringing real conservatism to the party and there are plenty of spots open just for the taking.

    • Aaron Gardner

      Or was my service just a figment of my imagination?

      • Common_Cents

        Especially if you two know each other and he knows your efforts? (Great job Aaron, BTW)

        I think its more a general calling to RS, (editors being a driving force of RS to set the agenda/direction) in pursuit of activities that give a large bang for the buck, as I think has been proven, no?

        I don’t get too ruffled on tone and semantics when looking at the big picture. I’m not largely involved yet either, but will get more involved in GOTV this fall.

        I have seen a few posts by CW that have highlighted successes in a positive manner as well. They haven’t all been teammate ribbing type posts.

        While we bicker about petty things such as tone from a valuable teammate, the Paulites are making big inroads in the party, the RINOs don’t listen to us and bend over in DC at every turn when spooked by the left, and the radical left gets more brazen, the media more propagandist, openly lying.

        Time to circle the wagons folks and quit the circular firing squad.

        • Aaron Gardner

          This could have been avoided had ColdWarrior not used such a broad brush.

        • Aaron Gardner

          So keep that in mind.

          • JSobieski

            he should stand his ground and argue the point.

            This repeated “oh, I am sorry” stuff is tiring.

            If there is no reason to apologize, then CW shouldn’t apologize.

            If the apology is sincere, then stop repeating.

            Seems clear to me—and I am definitely a CW fan. I just find these periodic episodes to be counter productive for everyone.

    • Finrod

      .

    • Aaron Gardner

      Probably because he knows he was wrong.

    • Aaron Gardner

      Pardon me for thinking he can take his opinion and place it firmly in his 4th point of contact.

      • Finrod

        Quit your whining, Aaron. You’re being just as bloody obnoxious as CW is.

  • http://www.chicagobluesgirl.com chicagobluesgirl

    I’m connecting with them to see how I can get Dad (who died 3 years ago) off of the voter rolls. Defendthevote.com, Truethevote.com, Project Verity…these are ways to get involved to fight voter fraud. If I can find a way to get my dad’s name off the rolls, I’ll pass on the information to everyone I know to get their own deceased loved ones off the rolls.

    It is an uphill battle, CW, but many, many more who were formerly silent are paying attention and many more are doing something about it. I, too, feel despair with every trample to our Constitution. WE, all of us, can push our children to do something also. My stepson is now involved with the San Francisco Young Republicans and all of my kids voted R in 2010. And you (among others) have inspired me to be an election judge.

    We all can swing in a circle with our arms and effect those closest to us pushing them to swing in a circle and on and on. Many of us will never give up. I will pass on your post to our PC. Thanks

    • earlgrey

      and so have many acitivists.

      We had issues with antics (that almost got physical) at elections for local republican clubs as the establishment is trying to keep what they consider the tin foil hats among us from getting elected positions–even in local republican clubs.

      Many people that ran in the last county caucus aren’t running again. They lost to people who have shown up for fewer county republican meetings than the activists they beat to get elected. It will be interesting to see what the county caucus is like, but I am pretty sure that the establishment will get all their buddies to come out to defeat any upstart candidate. They were caught off guard the last caucus, but we fully expect them to be loaded with voters for the status quo for the next caucus.

      me, I have cut way back on my GOTV phone efforts, as I have been active in local efforts for my small suburban city and frankly on the road for work a lot. I keep getting invitations to support a popular republican and have yet to contirbute or help.

      cold warrior is right, but enthusiasm needs to be renewed with something to keep going. For me, what I was doing in the R party just made me feel like a pawn.

  • dragan

    As of now I will vote but NOT campaign for Romney. I am focusing on other down ticket races. If Romney picks a true conservative VP, I will campaign ACTIVELY for him. My credibility would be far intact canvassing people to get into MLM stuff than to campaign for Romney RIGHT NOW amongst my Republicans and Independent friends. I don’t want to lose my credibility for Willard.

    • Common_Cents

      Not necessarily GOTV for Romney.

    • http://libertynews.com/ mbecker908

      Get over it.

      • http://impudent.edublogs.org/ kyle8

        a pseudo conservative. Indeed it would be great to be a pseudo intellectual, pseudo conservative. Because who the hell has the time to read all of the classics anyway?

        • http://libertynews.com/ mbecker908

          I took a vacation a couple of years ago to read the entire series of “GI Joe”. I had some time left over and got most of the Superman’s too. It was great.

          • aesthete

            for cinema of distinction and taste.

            Transformers III: Dark of the Moon does not watch itself.

          • http://libertynews.com/ mbecker908

            nt necessary for 3D

  • Viet71

    n/t

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

      Conservative in the primary, Republican in the general.

      Way back in 2008, before I got to RS, I was a Fred guy. When McLame ultimately got the nomination, I was “all in” for him.

      In this cycle, my criteria was, “Who best can defeat the Marxis?.” First Palin, then Cain, then Perry, then Gingrich, now Romney.

      I hope that helps.

      Thank you.

      CW

  • conservativecurmudgeon

    1) Form a ballot committee, preferably one “for the children”. Call it, say, the “Citizens for Kids 2012″.

    2) Recruit an employee of the city, county, or school district with access to the voter rolls to join your committee. Invite them to come to your next meeting with the updated voter books.

    3) Photocopy the voter books.

    4) Phone-bank from the conference room of the local bank that underwrites the sale of most of the local revenue bonds, using the names of those found in the voter books.

    5) The phone poll question you use in your polling can be “do you support the local millage increase election” when you call everyone who voted in the most recent election.

    6) Put a “yea” or a “nay” by each voters name on your previously photo-copied lists.

    7) On the day of the election to increase the school millage, only call back those voters that answered in the affirmative to increase the millage. Be very polite to them, reminding them to vote, and even offer to take them to the polls if they don’t have a ride, or can’t otherwise make it. DO NOT call back the folks who said they were against the millage.

    8) Win the local millage increase election. And also, you now have a complete, updated list of folks that tend to vote Democrat, from which you can crib for the next election.

    Here in Michigan, the MEA actually conducts courses on how to win local millage elections. This is one of their tactics. Notwithstanding that much of it is illegal (removing voter roll books from the clerks office, making photocopies of them, etc.), it DOES give a road-map on how to create your own, home-grown (and often completely updated) VoterVault-type Get Out The Vote data.

    Some jurisdictions will provide copies of the voter rolls, for a fee. And, of course, you can do what I’ve done: Walk the neighborhoods. Nothing beats shoe-leather…