NYTimes article on Bush's OH grass roots strategy

[AP]

So, did anyone read this article today?

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/25/magazine/25GROUNDWAR.html

It was about how the Republicans are canvassing in OH because they know the race is going to be tight. It was an interesting article. It sort of made it sound like the Bush campaign was inventing the wheel, which is funny. The truth is (and the article mentions this): Republicans never do grass roots work (canvassing and phone calls) for the presidential race because they have enough money to wage the battle on TV.

Well, it looks like this year is going to be close, because the Republicans are doing grassroots work in OH.

What the article describes is what Democrats have always done to win: walk lists, knocking on doors, and making phone calls.

Now, the shit this article describes is very interesting. Some key points:

- the canvasser the reporter walks with is registering people to vote. They can't ask part affiliation, so they target precincts with high Bush voter concentration (based on '00 vote). The one they're in was Bush 70% in '00.

Well, this guy registers 15 voters on the day he goes out with the reporter. One is a black woman orginally from CA. He knows she's a Democrat. Another is a waitress working two jobs. He thinks she's a Republican because anyone who works that hard can't be a Republican. OK, so the other 13 might have been Republicans, but he's definitely getting Democrats.

- They target the "exurbs"

...more later.

[bigtree]

1. Under the radar

Look at Kerry's record fundraising last month that surpassed Bush's in the same period and compare that to the polls that show him even W/Kerry or ahead.

There is a massive contingent of folks who are too busy working to be home to answer a pollster. I suspect that pugs are oblivious to the fact that most people work day and night to make ends meet. I'm not surprised that one couldn't fathom which side these folks are on. I think I know who the working class will favor. ABB

[AP]

2. Do any DU'ers live in these OH exurbs described in the article?

[Dark]

4. I live in Hamilton.

It's very conservative, but I haven't seen any real campaign adds yet. I do want to volunteer. Please, direct me to where I can do some good. After all, this is THE state in the next election.

[AP]

5. Volunteer for Bush...take on a lot of responsibility...

...and do the job poorly.

Just kidding. Sort of.

Actually, you can volunteer to register voters. Try to register Democrats.

[AP]

8. Actually, volunteer for Bush and

get to be friends with other volunteers and convert them to Democrats.

To use the argot suggested by the article, "deprogram" them.

They sound very pliable.

[bigtree]

6. Got it

http://www.johnkerry.com/states/oh/

johnkerryforohio
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/johnkerryforohio

OHIOVETERANSFORKERRY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OHIOVETERANSFORKERRY

Volunteer:

The success of our campaign depends on having a strong and active group of supporters. Your active involvement will make the difference for John Kerry. Please take a moment and fill out our volunteer form - it's quick and easy, and it also allows you to personalize your experience at JohnKerry.com so the news and information you receive is tailored to your interests.
http://www.johnkerry.com/signup/volunteer.html

[Joanne98]

7. I live in Zanesville

I'm canvassing for ACT. I sent my boss this article. Maybe we'll run into each other. That will be fun.

[brook]

3. You left out...

how important a flag in the front yard and golf clubs in the hallway were. Bonus points for an SUV.

In the interest of full disclosure, I haven't done more than scan my Times today. I'll get to it in depth tomorrow.

[SharonAnn]

9. Outstanding, thank you for posting this. I might not have seen it.

I really needed this information for a project I'm working on here.

[AP]

10. This article is a goldmine of insight into winning OH.

There is so much interesting info.

I'm so sure that the affluence of these exurbs is tied to the real estate bubble -- these are the communities where people are really living off the inflated value of their homes and are most susceptible to the inevitable explosion of the real estate bubble.

However, before that happens, they're going to attribute their sense of wealth to the goodness of George Bush (when, in fact, he's setting them up to knock them down).

[dsc]

11. Thank you kindly for posting this

Maybe, just maybe, people will begin to understand why I am concerned about the Kerry campaign in Ohio. In our county, which has gone for every Democrat at least since Mondale, the Bush campaign is working hard. We are not being targetted to the extent that those exburbs are but they have a fully staffed headquarters, signs, and all the rest. I have seen one, count it one, Kerry bumper sticker and one, count it one, Kerry button. We have no headquarters yet. We have no volunteer organization yet. I haven't gotten one call despite being a registered Dem who has gone to the precint caucus and the county Christmas dinner. There is no discernable sign his campaign is doing anything other than the ads. He also had no presence at the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats. Maybe after reading this people might, just might, understand I am not some wild eyed Dean and only Dean person but someone who is seeing us lose our one advantage and losing it quick. But again, thanks.

[AP]

12. How do you read this article?

On the one hand, it seems to suggest to Dems, 'Don't worry, Bush's efforts look like they're going to backfire -- they're control freaks who don't listen to the people they've recruited, and they certainly don't respect them. Furthermore, they treat the operation like it's a cult.'

On the other hand, it's hard to imagine that such early organization won't pay off.

For example, the article notes that 2 of the 15 people registered by the ex-colonel were probably Democrats. On the one hand, the reader might think the guy's a fool. On the other hand 2 out of 15 is roughly the number of votes Gore got in that precinct in 2000, so this guy is right on track.

[cap]

13. where is the Kerry organization????

I am getting very worried about this. Kerry has nothing like this going on nationwide. I am worried about the impact of this organization spilling over to local level. Too many Dems don't understand that we are at war and it is winner take all.

If the Dems don't get off their donkey :) I am going to work very hard to throw out the local Dems and get people in who will organize.

[bigtree]

14. What makes you think that Kerry isn't organizing there?

I provided some links above. Check 'em out. John Glenn is behind Kerry there, and others. Don't be so quick to bail on the local Dems. We're all working our hearts out.

[loudsue]

15. Cap, that's what's happening all over America: Repugs are in Dem Hdqtrs

All over the country, repukes have infiltrated small-and-medium-sized town's Dem headquarters. In N.C., even the HEAD of the Dem party is a major DINO. That's why activists need to start taking these repukes out of commission.

They've infiltrated NAACP, League of Women Voters, the Unions, and especially the Dem party in Washington, DC. These "new Democrats" are NOTHING but republicans, and they keep activists away from grass-roots activities in every state.

We have got to organize, and plan, and take our party back from the corporatists and religious fanatics. In every state. In every county. In every town.

:kick:

[dsc]

16. Frankly I am scared bigtime

While they may be a bit over controlling they also have some innovative rewards. I think they will have enough true believers to make this payoff to some extent. Combined with the apparent lack of organization on our side this could be a disaster waiting to happen. In addition, I think that they are probably targetting pretty well the voters they are registering. If the volunteer had actually followed instructions, he likely would have avoided one of his two Democrats. And that is assuming the waitress isn't a social conservative who votes on that. If she is he only registered one Democrat, not two. I really hope this is just paranoia on my part but I really don't think so. Kerry's ads are mostly ineffective as far as I can tell. Bush's aren't much better in all fairness. We are likely to get down to turn out and thus these efforts.

On edit We may have a referendum to ban gay marriage on our ballot. If we do that could really hurt.