RK ARCHIVE - Webb Wagons on the Move

That's right. Allen's camp didn't show at this major event, but Webb's camp was THERE generating an impressive amount of attention for Webb. Volunteers from Virginia Beach spread the word about Jim to thousands of people at the event this weekend, distributing smiles, literature, bumper stickers, lapel stickers, and much appreciated "Vote Democratic" fans to which we attached Webb and Kellam stickers. All this great stuff we put into our newly constructed "Webb Wagons."

The Webb wagons were a real hit. Essentially, they funtioned as mobile tabling units. We kept one wagon stationed at an entrance to the park, and another we pulled through the show. The wagons were really easy to pull, even through sand, and they generated a lot of attention for Webb from folks of all ages. There's something magical about a wagon, isn't there?

So here's what I want to say to folks who are itching to help Webb oust Allen-- Make yourself a Webb Wagon, get a hold of some Webb Campaign gear and get yourself to some events. If there aren't any events, just bring your wagon to a popular park or take it to a street with good foot traffic. It's really simple to make a Webb Wagon. Here's all you need to do:

The wagons I used are of the ROADMASTER R6221T 34" RED STEEL BED WAGON variety. These are available in some major stores (the dreaded Walmart, for example, has them for less than $28.00) or on Ebay at a BuyItNow price of $26.94. Decorate your wagon by flanking the outside with bumper stickers. The best way is to leave the paper on the back, tape the bumper stickers edge to edge on the back and then tape the entire bunch to the wagon with some discretely placed clear packing tape.

Inside the wagon place Webb bumper stickers, literature, lapel stickers, etc. that you get from campaign headquarters or from your regional coordinator. It's nice to purchase some inexpensive baskets at a thrift store to assist in keeping your items neat and organized, though it's not absolutely essential.

To top off your Roadmaster brand Webb Wagon, add a yard sign. Near the bottom of the back of model #R6221T are two holes into which you can insert the wires of a yard sign. The sign is really sturdy, and there's no need to tape it in place or anything.

So there you go, Webb volunteers. We can help boost Webb's name recognition in a really fun way by use of these simple, inexpensive, mobile tabling units pulled by members of Webb's massive volunteer force. Some Webb volunteers in other areas of the state are already working on their own Webb Wagons. Let's get lots of these made up across the state and get Webb's name everywhere. That'll sure fix Allen's wagon, don't you think? :-)

Comments

Susan...This is FABULOUS.... (mosquitopest - 8/7/2006 9:16:08 PM)

I always said that money doesn't solve everything.

We have the evidence--Allen's record
We have the people who have gotten to know WEBB...so we just need to keep spreading the word.

Love this idea!! I've got to get a wagon!!

Buzz Buzz...

Thanks Mosquitopest! (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 9:55:29 PM)

Buzz over to the store and get yourself a wagon to decorate :-)

I forgot to mention to put a clipboard with a Webb for Senate signup sheet in the wagon to keep handy for the times you encounter those who are really excited. We signed up new volunteers and got names of people who wanted signs for their yards and to receive updates on the campaign.

We kept stressing how we can win this if our voters show up on November 7th. We are going to keep pushing, pulling, and prodding people to the polls and asking them to push, pull, and prod their Democratic friends and neighbors to come too. One of our volunteer's mantra was "bring five friends to the polls." When we explain what's at stake with Bush clone George Allen running for President, people really respond. Now let's just get the word out everywhere. We can do that. And these Webb Wagons will help us do it.

Nope (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 9:58:38 PM)

Jim wasn't there. But Kellam wasn't there either. No politicians were there. Webb's campaign was the only one with a presence other than signs in the median strip.

Thanks! (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 10:12:06 PM)

Jim has been in the Virginia Beach/ Hampton Roads area a LOT lately. Within the past two weeks he's had multiple fundraisers and meet and greets in this area, in addition to the kitchen table events, which got nice press coverage. Then he taped a local TV program that aired this weekend. I've seen a lot of Jim here recently. I would have loved for him to be at the event here this weekend, but there is the whole rest of the state for him to visit too. We've been blessed with a great deal of Jim lately.

The holes near the wheels (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 10:58:08 PM)

Lucky thing, eh? I have no idea why they're there, but they sure do come in handy in this situation. Totally simple solution for attaching the sign.

It's the Passionate Webb Woman who drew the crowds ... man!! (ub40fan - 8/7/2006 10:32:29 PM)

The Webb wagons are a cool tool .... but it's the passion of the Webb Wagoneer that drew the crowd ... that is for sure, man.

GREAT IDEA!! (thegools - 8/7/2006 10:34:35 PM)

You touched on every pointer I would have made and you even made it so the bumper stickers around the wagon could be used if you got low. Brilliant.......Now if only that wagon were flatbed-truck size with a Giant WEBB sign on it. Would that count as a wagon too?

That's right (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 10:55:22 PM)

The bumper stickers can be put on cars if we have a shortage.

And, sure, I'd count a A flat-bed truck with a Giant WEBB sign on it as a Webb Wagon. Not quite the thing to bring through rows of booths at an arts and crafts show, but a great thing for roads and interstates. Moving billboards are great.

Sore loser maybe? (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 11:00:37 PM)

The organizers gave us permission to attend with the wagons. I guess it hurts to know your candidate's campaign wasn't clever enough to come up with something like this.

You are really making me laugh (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 11:12:20 PM)

The organizers said it was fine. They even suggested where we should put the wagon. Sorry, you're off base here. Your guy just didn't show up. Get over it.

Ethically challenged... (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 11:31:06 PM)

We obeyed the laws. Allen's people did not. This far out from the election, we can put up signs for the day in the median strip as long as we take them down at the end of the day. We put up Webb signs. Allen's people showed up a few hours later and put up Allen's signs. Whose signs were left up??? Hmmm... Who obeyed the law and took their signs down??? Another hmmm... Looks like we've found the ethically challenged campaign, and it's not us.

That is hilarious! (Todd Smyth - 8/8/2006 10:18:58 AM)

I was thinking the same think as I was scrolling down. What a cry baby. Republicans have been lying and cheating so big for so long, you really have to be retarded not to notice what a bunch of lawless evil crooks they are.

Please (DukieDem - 8/8/2006 12:53:20 AM)

The campaign that hires Dick Wadhams has ZERO credibility to talk about ethical campaign activities. Webb could promise every voter a new BMW and it still wouldn't match the sleaze Wadhams has put out.

Credibility (Susan Mariner - 8/8/2006 8:39:31 AM)

Dick Wadhams and Chris LaCavita no less.

Anyway, in keeping with Jim Webb's high integrity level, folks up at HQ in NOVA spoke with the organizers more than once to make certain they understood what we wanted to do and that we had their blessing to do it.

In keeping with Jim Webb's high level of commitment to the state of Virginia and the nation, Webb volunteers endured blazing sun and high humidity throughout the weekend to get Webb's message to voters.

And in keeping with Jim Webb's ability to bring a fresh set of eyes to the problem, we found a creative and effective solution to not being able to rent a table at the event.

All in all, we operated honorably, exactly the way Jim Webb wants us to.

And that's a fact.

you know, you're full of crap (teacherken - 8/8/2006 7:49:15 AM)

I was in Webb headquarters when discussions were held with the organizers - I heard our end of the phone conversation - the organizers were specifically asked about wagons, and we were assured it was okay.

There was no bar to politicking. If someone wanted to walk around handing out literature that was also okay. But of course that limits the amount of literature you can carry.

And btw - at various events around N Virginia Webb people regularly appear - even if we cannot table - and Allen people do not.

Funny (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 11:11:05 PM)

I had to laugh when I saw a Republican getting upset about our Webb Wagons. Guess that shows that we should get these types of wagons rolling all over the state. Several people in other parts of the state are starting on theirs tonight. Let's see Webb's huge volunteer force hit the streets for Jim.

Mad Cow (seveneasypeaces - 8/7/2006 11:26:16 PM)

There was nothing stopping Allen people from wearing their t shirts and walking around carrying whatever. But maybe paid staff doesn't know how to blend. Your actions and reactions are so typical of republicans. They got to have someone to lord over.

It isn't nice to attack creativity. Susan is one of our greatest. But that's what scares republicans, creativity. Every party needs a pooper, that's why we invited you.

It is true (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 11:38:07 PM)

Allen's people could have used this opportunity to distribute literature. But they didn't. They just showed up with some signs. Webb's campaign had signs, Allen's campaign had signs, but Webb's campaign had volunteers informing people and signing up more volunteers who will do the same. Allen's people just dropped the ball. That's not our fault.

What a great idea! (Leaves on the Current - 8/7/2006 11:28:29 PM)

I love it! What a charming, ingenious, and--above all--effective way to get the word out!

I predict that "Webb Wagons" will quickly become a hallmark of this campaign. Let's make sure they're seen everywhere!

Why not have both wagons & a table? (Leaves on the Current - 8/7/2006 11:34:44 PM)

P.S. Come to think of it, why not have both a table and a wagon--or more than one wagaon--at events that permit them? Tables are essential, of course, but wagons have their own advantages: they are great eye-catchers and conversation starters.

Agreed. (Susan Mariner - 8/7/2006 11:43:18 PM)

A number of us have been discussing that very possibility. The tables always draw some people to them, but wagons put us in amongst the voters, some of whom might be reluctant to go up to a booth with a table. The Webb Wagons are very friendly, non-imposing spaces.

WEBB WAGONS!!!!- Come aboard. (thegools - 8/8/2006 5:20:30 PM)

"Join the band-WAGON."

and when Dick Wad-hams and Allen attack....

"Circle our wagons."

Where do I sign up? (beachydem - 8/8/2006 8:59:50 AM)

Am usually available for grassroots efforts in the VaBeach area for Kellam and Webb :)

Fabulous report Susan !

Posted for Tom Counts - Joke (Todd Smyth - 8/8/2006 1:55:06 PM)

A farmer had a team of horses hitched to his hay wagon. One of the horses in the back explained why it's better to be the leader than the follower: "The leader doesn't have to worry about how bad he smells."

The political moral of this story is that Cowboy George can't rid himself of the bad smell he gets from always following Bush's stinking policies 97% of the time.