Da Techguy was on the ground in Massachusetts talking to voters in the days leading up to Scott Brown’s election. He talked to a lot of Democrats and Independents. While he’s not a professional pollster, GOP candidates would be wise to read his latest post.
Back at the headquarters there was contractor spreading ice melt in front of the entrance way just as I was preparing to leave. When asked about the election he was pleased with the results. The Senator represented his district before in the State Senate and had dealt with him on some local matters. He expounded on what a good guy he was and how he always gave him his ear. His previous votes as a democrat had been for Ted Kennedy but now Scott Brown was his senator and he was very happy about it. When asked if another candidate with similar views would have gotten his vote, he thought about it for a moment before saying “Probably not, knowing him made all the difference.”
Scott Brown put a lot of miles on that truck of his, traveling the entire state and meeting the voters – looking them in the eye and shaking their hands. He got to know them. And now he’s the next Senator from Massachusetts. It really wasn’t a miracle at all.
There are quite a few days between now and the election in November. GOP candidates – it’s time to hit the road.
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels did the same thing during his campaigns. He RV’d throughout the state, went to diners and cafes, had Hoosiers autograph his RV, spent weeks doing it. He is a successful governor, and in 2008, when Obama won Indiana, Daniels was re-elected by 18 points, defying the Obama coattails. LC, you are absolutely right. Successful candidates will meet the people and do it frequently. BTW, Indiana is one of a very few solvent states. So far, so good.
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What a great story, I am afraid that such common sense will be ignored by the party big wigs.
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The only way to beat the machine is to BE a machine. Or at least drive one around a state or congressional district! There’s nothing like a personal touch. Here in my town, a man knocked on our door a few years ago, he asked for our vote in a local election. We chatted for a little bit and he asked if he could put a sign in my yard. I let him. He lost that election. He came around again last year, I remembered him from before and how nice he was. He asked again if he could put up a sign and I let him again. He won this race. I guess he found the time to talk to enough voters.
When Dan Maffei was running against our old rep – Jim Walsh, I contacted Walsh’s office to see if I could get a sign. Nobody called me back. I wasn’t thrilled with Walsh, I only knew Maffei would be worse (I was right). But my opinion of Walsh went way down after that. The whole “people’s seat” thing. I guess he figured campaign cash and the ability to “bring home the bacon” was enough. He was right, he won that election, but barely, and then retired. It’s just that whole entitlement attitude these people get when they’re in office so long. And the defeatist attitude of so many other candidates. Be bold! Be confident! That’s my opinion.
I feel like I’m making the case for term limits. (Which I wholeheartedly support!)
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This whole thing in politics where politicians behave like rock stars is ridiculous. They are power lusters and behave as if they are THE CHOSEN ONE when elected, instead of an elected representative of the people. “See how great I am? See how much I do for you?” That’s all I hear from these people!
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They feel like they have to pass this legislation and that legislation. The only legislation I want to see passed has “repeal of….” at the beginning.
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[...] The Lonely Conservative links and directly says what this post hints at: There are quite a few days between now and the election [...]
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[...] another aspect of the Brown campaign that GOP candidates should embrace – good old fashioned hard work. Pound the pavement and meet the voters. What better way to earn someone’s trust than to look [...]
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