RK ARCHIVE - Why They Beat Us

A picture is worth a thousand words but I'll add a few just to reinforce the point. Republican campaigns do many things we don't like. They lie and cheat every chance they get but their state and local parties set up tables at community events and reach out to voters, sign up volunteers, register new voters and raise visibility and awareness for their candidates. Rain or shine, Republicans are at every community event, building their party.

The picture here was taken at the Old Dominion Beer Festival in Ashburn, Virginia (June 25, 2006). I was standing in front of the Libertarian Party tent when I took this picture and there was no Democratic tent to be found. The Libertarians told me there was a Democratic tent the day before on Saturday but nothing Sunday.

I actually went over (with my Jim Webb t-shirt on) and talked to these people and asked them how they had organized their table and it was put together by their local County Republican Party, coordinated with the State Party and neither Senate (George Allen) or Congressional (Frank Wolf) candidate had sent volunteers to help out.

People who get off their couch to attend community events will get out and vote. This is the way to turn Virginia Blue. Face-to-face, one-by-one. The State Party coordinates with local parties and candidates to make sure the State is covered at every County fair and major festival and celebration. To really turn Virginia Blue, we need to cover every Farmers Market, Flea Market, Art Festival, Hayride, Outdoor Concert, Music Festival, Parade, Community Picnic, Barbecue, Fish Fry, Craft Show, Book Fair, Yard Sale, Art Fair, Wine Tasting, Fireworks Display, Fall Festival, Scottish Games, Dog Show, Halloween Haunted House etc.

Please pass this on to every state and local Democratic Party official you know.

"You do know that grassroots work is more effective than media?"
-- Brendan Steinhauser, author of Conservative Revolution and College Republican grassroots organizer

Comments

Do Local Democratic Committees read the Blogs? (Tony Mastalski - 6/26/2006 12:36:28 AM)

Probably not... otherwise they would read what you wrote ... and get out there to hustle a vote.

You're absolutely right on this score and it's a Webb for Senate opportunity to show the way and re-invigorate the Democratic Party. I wouldn't expect a coordinated effort on this issue from the campaign Todd ... but the volunteer section of the campaign I imagine would step up to this idea.

You're point is well taken.

Tony Your Point Is NOT Well Taken (d'moore - 6/26/2006 11:34:58 AM)

Tony you must be new at this. Why don't you try attending a meeting of your local Democratic Committee before you take the position that people on the Committees don't do anything. How do you think we are turning Virginia Blue? We are dying for volunteers, not just armchair quarterbacks who sit at home comfortably criticizing on their computers. It take guts to go out and meet prospective voters. Do you have what it takes?
Second I certainly hope Webb's campaign is better organized than it was during the primary. They will face a well-organized Allen campaign and they will not win with a bunch of pollyanna volunteers and no direction from the campaign. You are sadly mistaken if you think the volunteers will be able to win this without organization.
Third, individual efforts are fine but unless information is put into our state voter ID database it's pretty much worthless. That's why people need to work through the party or at least through a campaign. We need to continue to add to our list of reliable voters to get out the vote. It's fine to try to educate people by handing out info and talking with them, but unless we know who they are, we can't reach them with campaign literature and information about elections. There are thousands of people who only vote in Presidential elections. We have to educate those people about our candidates and get them to vote. But first we have to find the ones who are Democrats.

Thanks for your Passionate Comment. (Tony Mastalski - 6/26/2006 12:08:58 PM)

First just let me say I have been to my local democratic party groups over the course of volunteering for the Webb campaign. My impressions which is reflected in my comments are these .... As a group (in the first district area surrounding Fredericksburg) they could do more of this thing ... what Todd was adovocating. Of five different committee groups I attended only one discussed having a fourth of July democratic party table at an event (parade). Maybe all of those groups I visited have those intentions ... and I'm just not aware of it.

Second that the volunteers in the Webb campaign ... across the board are a pretty enthusiastic bunch that could augment a democratic party effort to recruit people into a bigger tent and get them out to vote ... volunteer ... contribute.

Third that the primary Webb Campaign Staff right now is pretty busy and that Help (if it is wanted in this area) would probably have to come from Webb Volunteers ...or the volunteer side of the campaign.

Fourth by your reply ... at least somebody who is really interested in what Todd was promoting read the blog and is fired up about the whole subject. That's pretty good and the reason I made a comment. So thanks for obliging.

Fifth ... I am happy to omitt I'm a rank amatuer when it comes to these political initiatives ... it's interesting to see local politics close up. It's reaffirming in a lot of ways ... good and bad. Since I compare this to other organizations which are challenged ... but get things done. Consequently I thought the gist of what Todd put out was worth a comment... that the otherside has been typically better organized and financed. Passionate?? Well there probably aren't too many rank and file Republicans these days who are feeling passionate. They probably feel "let down". Let's hope more than a few of them find their way to a polling booth in November and find it best to vote for Jim Webb.

Thanks again!

Sorry If I Seem a Bit Out of Sorts But It's Hard to Take Criticism When You've Been Working to Get Democrats Elected for 10 Years (d'moore - 6/26/2006 12:41:33 PM)

Tony, didn't mean to jump all over you but the local committees are only as good as the volunteers they have available. You would not believe the amount of hours we put in emailing, calling, and recalling the people who say they want to help but are never available when you need them. They always have something else to do. Well so do we, but we make time for political outreach because we know it's how we win elections.
I'm glad a candidate has inspired you enough to get involved. That is great. If you only work for the Webb campaign that will be much better than nothing. But I urge you to get involved with the structure (local committee) because that is how you will be aware of the outreach opportunities that are planned. The local committee will be aware of their tables at local events. It takes planning and often money to reserve space at these things. They want to know they have enough volunteers before committing. I can't understand why there were no Dems at the beerfest Sunday as reported here. (see my comments below.=) Perhaps the tent was destroyed (they lost one before the thing started). The tents also have to be purchased for use at various events. We did the festival last year and it was very successful so that's why we planned to do it this year. I haven't checked it out yet but I'm sure we were there Sunday.
Your local committee may not be too organized (as you guys aren't winning many elections down there yet) but get organized and you will start winning. We have been working for 10 years in Loudoun and it finally paid off this past year. Of course the total lack of sense of our Republican candidates was helpful too. We just had to make enough people aware of how bad they were. Many people don't know anything about local politics or even national elections. You have to educate them. Volunteer with your local committee and be the one to organize a table at an event. Maybe they just need someone like you to get them started. You've got lots of events down there so pick one and get it going for the Webb campaign and the local candidates.

You're both right, and let me add this. (Peter Rush - 6/26/2006 10:02:02 PM)

I believe that THE task of the coming month, not only for the Webb campaign, but for all of the Congressional races where we have long-shot, but good, candidates (in particular the 1st, 5th and 11th CDs) is to find a means to overcome the problem than d'Moore so correctly identifies: how to motivate many more people at the grass roots to volunteer their time for: tabling, door to door canvassing, and talking with/meeting leaders of community organizations. This needs to be done both within each county or city Democratic committee, with the idea of trying to revitalize those committees that have not been very active of late (meaning, to spread what could be called the Spirit of Loudoun), and toward people who can be excited by the candidates who have not had prior connection with local Democratic politics. And this absolutely means trying to have a table at every single event that we possibly can, and also at every high traffic location where tables are permitted for as much of every Saturday, at the least, that we can also. Face time trumps live phone calls, and blows away robo calls, for reaching people.

There is a lot more to say, but if we have one critical job for July, it is to figure out how to fire up hundreds of people in every CD to be as active and committed for Webb and whatever Democrat is running for Congress in their CD, as people were for Kerry in 2004. Because this election is tantamount to a presidential election. If we can do that, then every campaign must also do the other things that must be done, from obtaining the best lists possible to target our likely voters (whatever it costs), to planning out each month/phase of the campaign, to really giving direction to its volunteers, to honing a few simple theme messages that will resonate, to, yes, raising money. But without the volunteer effort, that puts each candidate in front of people over and over again from now to November, nothing else will matter.

Dems Had a Table at the Beer fest and WE Know How to do Grassroots Efforts, So Cut Us Some Slack (d'moore - 6/26/2006 11:21:17 AM)

I don't know what happened Sunday, but the LOCAL Democratic Party, (Loudoun County Democratic Committee) paid for and staffed a table at the event. I was there Friday handing out Jim Webb info (which I brought myself to make sure we had some) and stickers for Webb. We talked to hundreds of people about our candidates, Jim Webb and Judy Feder, as well as the constitutional amendment. We also had people from the Commonwealth Committee explaining what is really involved in the so-called constitutional marriage amendement, handing out info on Vote No and getting pledges from people who will vote against it. There were people asking for Henna tatoos that said, "Virginia vote no" after they talked with us.
I must take issue with the previous comments about grass roots efforts. Just how do you people think we have turned things around in Loudoun County? Once the home turf of some of the most right wing crazy Republicans in Virginia, we defeated Dick Black and his son in-law and another nut case in Western Fairfax, Chris Craddock with our grass roots efforts. Posters, you have no idea what you are talking about here.
Kevin, we are doing door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, event flyering and all kinds of stuff. You are welcome to join us any time. Call LCDC headquarters in Leesburg and let them know of your interest.

Tabline (Todd Smyth - 6/26/2006 12:46:34 PM)

I did say that the Libertarians told me there was a Dem table on Saturday. My point is we need more attention and focus from the state and local parties around the state and more commitment from the campaigns. These events require planning ahead to buy campaign gear and literature, reserving tables/tents and staffing those events with volunteers.

We should have a donation bucket for small donations and donation envelopes at every table/booth so we can make them revenue neutral or even raise money.

The state could use "Tabling at Community Events" as a fundraising theme. Many people, who normally don't donate money because they see it wasted on TV ads would be willing to donate money for tangible activities like tabling.

Plus, tabling is the wide opening of the funnel, that brings more and more people into the fundraising circle.

Republican Grassroots (drmontoya - 6/26/2006 12:37:13 PM)

Maybe I am wrong.. but it appears sometimes that GOP grassroots are more passionate than Democratic Grassroots?

Not to offend anyone but I hear a LOT of people talk about what they want to do but never do it.

Republicans are never afraid to spread their message, they believe they are making a difference.

Liberals seems afraid to offend someone.

We need to take a page out of the GOP playbook and be a little bolder.

Tell them WHY we are democrats.

--Dave

GOP is top-down and bottom-up (Todd Smyth - 6/26/2006 1:06:29 PM)

I notice the Republican tables always look about the same and I believe from what I've heard from others around the country the national GOP is directing this type of effort the same way they have instructed Republican campaigns not to hire consultants who get bonuses for placing media buys (like Bob Shrum) but do have their pay tied to the results of the race.

See "Crashing the Gate"

Grassroots outreach is more effective than media. It is more personal, longer lasting and you get better updated data. Tabling is a party building activity that reaches out and brings more into the fold.

The Dean campaign used tabling widely and it was an important part of his online fundraising success because it funneled more and more people into his circle. I'm surprised we haven't heard more from the DNC on tabling. The more they and the state parties advocate it, the more of it will get done.

Many local groups do tabling as second nature but in many places it gets over looked. The best practice for losing weight is "diet and exercise" but most people will try everything else first. The best practice for politcal party building is tabling at community events. But we need all hands on deck; state and local parties as well as campaigns and their volunteers.

Why Did You Take the Word of a Libertarian (d'moore - 6/26/2006 3:19:20 PM)

Todd you seem so interested in this why didn't you make the effort to find our table. It wasn't hard to find, in fact it was only a short walk from the Libertarians. Since you have so many good ideas about this, why didn't you join us? We would have been happy to let you stand in front of the booth and talk to people about Democratic values. We are always open to volunteers. Just gussing but were you more interested in the beer and chicks?
I don't like beer so I was definitely there for the politics. I suspect you are young and would have been able to relate better to the younger age group that was there than a middle aged non-beer drinking person like myself.

It doesn't answer the question of why there was no Webb table. You'd have to ask them. I suspect they are a little overwhelmed but we had plenty of Webb stuff to give out on Friday. There are so many events all over the state it must be hard to pick. Webb was going to C'ville on Sat. He should have made an appearance at the beerfest but who knows how they pick their events.

Excuse me (phriendlyjaime - 6/26/2006 3:33:07 PM)

I know Todd. He was in C-Ville with me. He certainly doesn't seem like the type to care more about chicks and beer.

And let me just say this...a lot of us crazed "Webb heads" are VERY good at volunteering and putting our boots on the ground. Please don't underestimate us just bc we may not come to a local chapter meeting. Maybe some of us have grown disappointed with the way the meetings are held.

I find your "constructive criticism" borderline insulting and rude, and hey; if a group of people are tired of losing elections, I don't see why they should try to conform to a mold that may not be working anymore. I respect what you are trying to do here, and I myself have decided to join my local party chapter and put in as much effort in as many different areas as I can, but I really wish the snideness and snotty attitude of the "party faithful" would quiet.

Unless no one needs any more help...

Time out... (Loudoun County Dem - 6/26/2006 4:11:48 PM)

There are plenty of things we need to devote our energies to without picking fights with each other.

I see valid points from both sides. I work with d'moore in the Loudoun County Democratic Committee (indeed, she is the reason I am a member of the committee. I had placed a John Kerry sign on my deck on Super Tuesday in 2004 and she was knocking on my door the next day), she is one of the most dedicated people I have ever had the privilege to know when it comes to the Democratic party and liberal/progressive ideals.

There are literally hundreds of things that a local Democratic committee does that are vital for party building and support but are invisible outside of the committee that involve every level of elections from school board to President. This is difficult, tedious work that is often times boring but important and must be done. The local committee does the yeoman's work of identifying voters, building the party, and identifying candidates. It takes a Herculean effort to change long time voting patterns and I have seen it here in Loudoun County over the past several elections.

One thing to keep in mind is that local committees can not serve as a replacement for a campaign or a candidate, while it can support and augment a campaign with ground forces and local knowledge there are too many other long term party building responsibilities that are required of it.

Conversely, supporters of individual campaigns serve an equally important roll in a successful Democratic outcome. As an example, we (LCDC) did not receive any literature from the Webb campaign for the primary (although we had some from the Miller and Feder camps). PhriendlyJaime was able to hook me up with enough to cover our district which would have gone without otherwise. I remain awed by Jaime and Thad's (and everyone on RK) passion and exuberance for Webb, Feder, Hurst, Weed, et al (I would like to think I share that passion).

We all have roles to play and quite possibly a responsibility to highlight/help out each other where we can but we need to remember that we are all trying to do the best we can. I have been able to walk in both of your moccasins (so to speak) and know for a fact that you both are absolutely committed to Democratic victory for our Commonwealth and our Country.

Just my 2Â¢

p.s. I am equally culpable for not being in Ashburn this weekend past as I had other commitments. Try as we might we cannot be all things to all people.

I've hung out with Todd a good amount, and I can say (Lowell - 6/26/2006 4:10:47 PM)

he HATES chicks and he HATES beer. Seriously, that's all he ever talks about, how much he HATES chicks and HATES beer. It's amazing, I'm always like, "Todd, lighten up, chicks and beer are cool." But Todd's always like, "no, I hate them because they distract me from tabling and other essential Democratic Party-building functions I must accomplish." That's right, Todd's dedication is second to nobody's. He's like the 8th wonder of the world!!

Ha ha. I should have put *snark* signs around that whole paragraph.

We are definately way off track here (Todd Smyth - 6/26/2006 4:40:11 PM)

I was not trying to single out Louden County, which is why I didn't mention the name. I applaud the fact that you were out there Friday and Saturday.

My bigger point is that tabling should be promoted by the DNC accross the country and coordinated at the state level and embraced by all campaigns. Right now it is treated like some new fangled and strange animal by most of the Democratic Party.

The Libertarians told me you were there on Saturday and showed me the empty spot on which you had tread. However, on Sunday I searched the whole event and there were no Democrats to be found. Meanwhile there were the GOPbots assimilating the crowd. In order to really make this work and get people to staff Democratic booths, we will need the cooperation up and down the line. National, state, local parties and campaigns.

And frankly, the beer was great but I was dissappointed with the low turn out of chix. It looked like a DKE frat party where most of the girls on campus were too afraid to show up and smart for doing so.

Why They Beat US (potomacdems - 6/26/2006 5:09:49 PM)

For your info: The Loudoun County Democrats were at the event both Friday and Saturday (through the pooring rain on Saturday night until 10PM!) The Rs left as soon as it started to rain on Saturday! We collected sheets of names to Vote NO on the constitutional ammendment. SUNDAY - Sorry a rain call so we could do other Party business to help our candidates.
Why they beat us? Because Dems beat up each other without the facts before they get the whole picture . Nice photo op to make your point but way off the mark to slam the good Dems that were there all Friday and Saturday!
Signed: A Potomac Dem who was at the Beerfest a lot longer than the Rs were and Todd Smyth this weekend!

Where are the events? JUST DO IT! (thegools - 6/26/2006 8:32:33 PM)

It seems like there should be a "central clearing house" that lists the various events that are occuring. People who are interested in tabling events should send their names to campaigns (the ones they wish to help). If there are events that would be good for tabling, tell the campaigns and offer them time. Candidates cannot be expected to know every little festival or event, nor can they organize tabling at each. Who is best? You are!!

Get motivated. Contact the campaigns, get material, and set up a table whereever you please. I do it, it is not hard, the more you do it the better you get. It also helps one clarify ones views and learn what topics are important to people in your area.

Why we can beat them. (Equality Loudoun - 6/26/2006 9:06:54 PM)

I was at the LCDC booth all of Friday and most of Saturday, talking to voters about the amendment (the Commonwealth Coalition shared the booth, as LCDC unanimously passed a resolution opposing the amendment and is now a Coalition member). While it looks from the picture like the Republican anti-family booth is having a good day, I can't tell you how many people saw our "Vote NO Virginia" sign and came over to tell us how pissed off they were about them pimping for this amendment, and to sign up. The republican booth was driving people to us. Also, they had rolls and rolls of yellow "Vote yes for marriage" lapel stickers, but a profound inability to get people to wear them. I think I counted a grand total of 7 actually stuck to people over both days. (We didn't have stickers, which is why people went to the henna artist. She initially said that she wouldn't do words, but when a couple told her what it was about, she readily made an exception.)

There are in fact pictures of this, which I will put up on my blog WHEN A CERTAIN SOMEONE SENDS THEM TO ME.

I'm sorry to hear that there was no booth on Sunday, because we did quite well the other days. A Webb booth and a Feder booth would have been welcome too - the more the merrier - but the committee is there to support the candidates, and that's what they did.

Also, I would point out that it's pretty easy to get little kids to take balloons. I'm not sure it's a good measure of a candidate's support, however.