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Do you honestly believe that your phone calls led to the RNC's successful strategies?

I didn't call RNC, I called the Bush campaign.

It was obvious somewhere in mid-summer that they weren't gaining much ground. Also, I had found an electoral college webpage where you could play around with various scenarios and where I hadn't been very worried before, I was then terrified because I saw how close it was going to be, or how Gore could win with just a few big states.

Now, I could write couple of chapters about that phone call but what follows is just one more detail and the thoughts behind it.

They weren't campaigning much or at all in Tennessee, Gores homestate, or Arkansas. I could see we had to have those states or would have to pick up, say, Pennsylvania, which was not looking at all likely.

So, after still being all heartbroke after Dole/Kemp losing, and seeing all this, I felt compelled to call up the Bush campaign. I was speaking to a lady who I believe might have been Karen Hughes. In a fairly long phone conversation to offer 'suggestions' I told her this story about my now ex-wife and I up in Chattanooga where the T-Shirt shop outside the Aquarium was selling "Just Say No in '96" T-Shirts in previous campaign (had Clintons picture with red line through it). I bought one, and much to my ex-wifes dismay, put it on right away, just to see what kind of reaction there would be. The only vocal reaction was positive and boy were people venting! Tennesseans are disgusted with Gore (and Clinton.)

It was one of those "emperor has no clothes" situations. People just assumed that Gore being the 'native son of Tennessee' he would have to win. He was the parties nominee and all. I told them that holding rallies would start something up. People would start getting excited.

I told her the loudest cheers (then Gov.) Bush would hear on the campaign trail would be if he would stand anywhere in Tennessee and make the following statement "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have great news. We are going to carry the Great State of Tennessee" They modified that as "with your help." but he actually spoke those words, and got the response I promised (not sure about the loudest, but they went crazy.) I told them it would be a 'self fulfilling prophecy' because if he campaigned and got folks rallied, they'd turn out the vote.

I told them every dollar Gore had to spend defending Tennessee, was a gain for us. I said: "Just let him try to campaign in Texas. (heh!) We have the advantage of strongest base." And Gore did have to start making stops in Tennessee, spending money and time he needed in Florida!!

So, yes, I do think my suggestions helped. But, this is not rocket science, its just grassroots politics. You just have to pay attention to the details.

Hope that answered your question.