This document discusses strategies for grassroots political campaigns with limited funds and resources. It acknowledges that smaller campaigns won't have the name recognition, fundraising, or media attention of larger ones. However, it argues that success does not require millions of dollars or thousands of volunteers. Rather, smaller campaigns can focus on [1] crafting an impactful message, [2] targeting specific voter groups, [3] organizing a dedicated group of volunteers, and [4] planning logistics well. Interpersonal outreach like phone calls, door-to-door visits, and messages from friends are emphasized as most effective.
2. Reality Check…
• You don’t have George Bush’s name ID.
• You won’t raise millions on line like
Obama.
• You won’t have people quit their jobs drive
across the country to come work for you
like Howard Dean.
• You won’t have people self-organize
money bombs like Ron Paul.
• CNN, FOX News and Matt Drudge don’t
return your calls.
3. The Good News…
1 You don’t need a million bucks.
2 You don’t need to talk to a million people
3 You don’t need to do 46 press interviews
4 You don’t need to pay big $$$ consultants
4. Time Money
Target Volunteer
Message Contact Voting!
Voters
People
5. Message Target Voters Volunteers Voting!
• Who is • Where are • Family • Absentee
affected? they? • Friends • Early/ in-
• Who knows • How will • Supporters person
you? you reach absentee
• Who knows them? • Election Day
your • Do they
opponent? care?
6. What is your
GOTV/persuasion
message?
Why do I Contrast
Care?
After the Up-ticket
Comma, clutter
7. People
Touched by
Issue
People who
Ideological
Hate the
base
Other guy
Target Voters
People who
Know you.
8. Not all voters are
created equal
New voters, 0/4 and 1/4.
2 of 4 voters
3 of 4 voters
4 contacts
3 contacts
4 of 4 voters
2 contacts
contact
1
Better that a voter is irritated and voted…than content and not.
9. Friends and
Family
Volunteers
Converts
Single issue
voters
10. Email PERSONAL…person to person no
campaign email blasts
The best
approach
will involve
layering all
Phone Voice and text from friends of these
methods
and more.
Candidate and volunteers in
Door-2-door their own neighborhoods
11. Who will get the job done for your GOTV effort?
Door visit from that guy who
Email from friend at work
ALWAYS cuts his grass
Facebook event invite
Text message from from college buddy
sister-in-law
12. Your path to victory
Impactful message
Targeted voters
Organized volunteers
Well planned logistics