Wed 30 Apr 2008
Some early problems for McCain that MUST be addressed
Posted by DC Republican under Across the US , Campaign '08 , DC Life , Democrats , John McCain , Mitt Romney , PoliticsThere is no doubt that we are embarking on what could be one of the most contentious elections that most people living today have ever seen.
Already, attack ads are flying from both sides, and from campaigns to 527 organizations, each entity has started going after the various flaws and slip-ups of their opponents.
Today, CNN is reporting that the Republican National Committee is fighting to have ads released by the Democratic National Convention pulled off of the air, because they are ‘misleading.’
I’m sure next week the DNC will have a slew of ads that they want taken off of the air, and this is just going to be an ongoing cycle of bickering from both of the national organizations.
While I believe that the RNC is right for going after these ads that are in fact misleading, there have been some bigger problems that I’ve been noticing that I think need to be addressed before the RNC and the McCain campaign spend their resources on these inevitable things.
Once Mitt Romney suspended his campaign, I immediately contacted the McCain Headquarters to sign up to volunteer, since the campaign office is located in Arlington, VA, only a few miles from my home.
It would seem safe to assume that the national headquarters for the presumptive Republican nominee for President of the United States would be a place that is booming with activity, opening their doors early and closing late, making sure they make contact with all time-zones, and after that get the necessary campaign collateral put together.
Having worked on a variety of House, Senate and local campaigns, the campaign headquarters is usually the one spot where you could assume that they always needed help from volunteers. It’s usually a common mantra amongst campaign managers to tell their volunteers that if they find themselves with some free time, to come by the campaign office.
Even if there isn’t work planned, they’ll find something for them to do.
These are things that I thought were universal in the campaign world; however I’ve noticed that when it comes to trying to build a strong volunteer base at the national headquarters, the McCain campaign is doing it all wrong.
I truly believe that if they don’t fix their current program and launch a more flexible volunteer program ASAP, they simply won’t have the manpower they need to run a national campaign come November.
Currently, this is how the McCain volunteer outreach seems to work: when they need you, they’ll send you an email. However, instead of creating a variety of flexible opportunities, this is what McCain campaign sends potential volunteers when asking for help:
“If this is the first time you are getting this, and you are able to come in and help, please RSVP to do so – PLEASE DO NOT JUST SHOW UP.”
To anyone who has been to the McCain office will know that this place is massive, so its not as if they are worries about losing space. But, for some reason they don’t seem to want to open their doors on a full time basis.
While that bothers me, I guess I can understand why they would want people to RSVP first. But what is even more troubling is this:
“Volunteers are welcome between 10 and 7 during the week days and 12 and 4 on Saturday.”
Honestly, what person who works in DC is even home by 7pm? There is no reason why they shouldn’t have their offices open later, especially if they are just looking for help on simple things, like putting signs together, doing mailings, packets, etc.
Washington, DC, without a doubt is home to some of the best campaigners and college campuses in the country, and even though most of these people are employed outside of politics, they are still die-hards who are willing to help if given the opportunity.
Just out of curiosity, I called the Hillary Clinton headquarters which is also located in Arlington, seeing how they operated their volunteer program in their national office. When I called, I was asked what times I was available, what I was interested in doing and where I lived.
Very quickly was I provided with a variety of opportunities to help the campaign, and yes, their hours went beyond 7pm.
Now, I have absolutely no intention of volunteering at the Hillary Clinton HQ, but their willingness to accommodate to volunteers should be noted.
The DNC is doing a great job getting people mobilized. I’ve seen them on the streets of DC and Arlington, and I’ve also seen the same for the Clinton and Obama campaigns. Sadly, I’ve seen nothing from the RNC and/or McCain camp.
If the RNC and McCain campaign doesn’t start rolling out their mobilization efforts soon, I’m afraid that many volunteers are going to be turned off from helping, simply because they see the massive army that the left has amassed.
Recruiting volunteers is probably the easiest part of a campaign, however, if you don’t engage them immediately, the odds of them helping out when you really need them are quite slim.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I did get a call last week from someone in the VA HQ calling me in WI about volunteering for the campaign around here.
When I asked where I should go to volunteer, or who to contact, it didn’t seem like they really had much structure for addressing these simple questions at all.
I totally agree though - they need to fix this soon. Especially with summer being a few weeks away.
They need to have the tenacity that they had before they were the nominee. That fire cant fade away. If it does, they burn out and we lose.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Karl Rove made the argument that McCain is secretive in his life, which seems to be reflected in the volunteer operations you’re commenting on.
Maybe they are waiting for the state parties to handle this? But I’d figure that as soon as he became the nominee these efforts would start.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
One more thing, did you contact the Obama campaign too?
May 1st, 2008 at 2:38 am
PLEASE READ, WATCH AND EMAIL THESE LINKS OUT NOW TO YOUR FAMILY, CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS AHEAD OF THE NORTH CAROLINA, KENTUCKY, WEST VIRGINIA, INDIANA AND PUERTO RICO PRIMARIES!!
Obama’s Pastor Celebrates 9/11 (explicit)
Only 5 Days After 3,000 Americans Killed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhl-endvco
Jeremiah Wright Says America Deserved 9/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9HUdF9OZa8
Obama’s Racially-Divisive Pastor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUbUBTlmAiA
Obama Disrespecting U.S. Flag and Anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8QCkgg5Kjo
The Audacity of Barack Hussein Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjnT4eJJvs
The Audacity of Barack Hussein Obama 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeC8BE-2T_k
Is Obama Wright? - Pastor Wright & Senator Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72B3tUAqpo4
Obama’s Pastor - 9/11 Fault of Israel Association
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnI431s1r6s
Obama - Cult of Personality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP7lUGn7HWk
Name Obama’s Accomplishments if you can #1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGeu_4Ekx-o
Name Obama’s Accomplishments if you can #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzFOOcEQtP0
Barack Obama: There Will Be Bamboozling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuB_W8o_UsU
The Two Things Senator Obama Accomplished
http://www.floppingaces.net/2008/02/27/obamas-empty-change-message/
The Jeremiah Wright Lifetime Achievement Award
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prhnc2fxAzg
Gaza Strip Palestinians Campaigning for Obama
http://youtube.com/watch?v=21YF7ggCG6g
Barack Obama Doesn’t Want His Daughters ‘Punished’ With a Baby
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eNzmly28Bmg
Obama: Bitter Americans Cling to Guns and Religion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNJAl8a3d9Q
Obama — We Are Building A Religion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xtNr5-up0U
May 8th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
[…] note: this is almost the exact same problem I’ve had with the McCain campaign; however the McCain campaign at least sends updates for volunteer […]
May 13th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
McCain’s headquarters is in an office building in Crystal City on the 13th floor (I happen to work on the 12th floor of the same building). The building locks it’s doors at 6PM, which would allow you no access in. I’m guessing this is why they don’t have evening volunteer hours available. hours. Also, there is only paid parking beneath the building and no street parking. Not a very accessible place.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Yes, I’m well aware of the office location, I have been there on multiple occasions.
You mention two great barriers the campaign has for attracting volunteers, and thats to add to the problems I already stated.
In terms of location, it’s close to the city and semi-close to the metro, but thats about it. Aside from that, there is no way that should be the National headquarters for the GOP nominee.
However, I’m hoping the RNC, or one of the local parties in the area takes note and starts to open their doors soon, or else I fear a lot of people will get caught up in other campaigns, or simply be too turned off to do anything beneficial.
I’m a pessimist on this, but I figured they’d try to make this as easy as possible for people to get involved.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Folks,
I agree with your comments. Arlington, VA is not the best place for the GOP HQ for Sen McCain. For one, the city has nearly 70% registered Democrats, traffice is horrible, and getting in/out of the place is not easy. I’ve sent several emails volunteering my time and energy…but no reply. I put the fact that I am a military officer who is taking 30 days of leave to assist with campaign efforts…on top of that, I hold a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s in Strategic Intelligence…but again…no reply from their office. If we don’t get a great grass roots effort going soon, then we WILL lose the election, pure and simple.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I got a call in late June to volunteer. The woman was very flustered when I said I’d help. She went to find a campaign manager to speak to me, and I could hear people in the background practicing their “pitch”. The campaign manager (or someone like her) got on the phone. Terrible connection, so she said she’d call back in 1 hour. Still waiting for a call. Have people lined up to help me work, but no work to do! I was very active in Bush’s campaign and I see a HUGE difference between the two. I get the feeling the Republicans in power DONT WANT McCain to win.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Obama is ahead of Mccain. John must be very clear about the main issues. The main issue is the economy. You cannot pick up one population of people and slam it down on top of another without economical impact. Put up the fence and fine employers who hire illegal people. Secure the borders. If Mccain comes out on this side of this issue he will be the next president. If not he won’t.