Posted on 10/18/2006 1:14:58 PM PDT by freedomdefender
Perhaps the biggest danger to Republicans in the wake of all these bad polls is that their volunteer base, so critical to victory in 2004, won't put their heart in their work. If volunteers become convinced that Republicans will lose control of Congress, what incentive do they have to work hard?
If you're ever read a profile of Ken Mehlman, you know he is obsessed with metrics. For him, one of the most important sources of data is a weekly e-mail his political team prepares called the "Weekly Grassroots Report." It meticulously records the work of tens of thousands of volunteers in targeted states, counties and congressional districts across the country. The data summary allows the RNC to determine which states are meeting goals and which states are falling behind.
The RNC declined to share the most recent report, which was issued Monday. But two independent sources who saw last week's report professed to be surprised: not only was their no drop off last week, 12 states broke new voter contact records.
In a month, the party completed more than a million phone calls and door contacts conbined. Bigger states are putting up big numbers -- even Ohio, which lagged behind its targets all summer, has caught up. The RNC is particularly pleased with their progress in New Jersey, where they've rapidly set up a more aggressive version of their 72 Hour Program in light of the state's more competitive Senate race.
These are the numbers that motivate Karl Rove's optimism. The spreadsheets show that Republican volunteers are working hard. There are plenty of volunteers and they seem plenty willing to knock on doors and make telephone calls. That's why it makes sense for Rove, for White House pol. dir Sara Taylor, and for Mehlman to exude uncanny optimism even while their brains pore over pessimistic polls. Right now, a strong volunteer corps on election day working to turn out voters is the only hope they've got. If the volunteers detect a shred of defeatist cross-talk or come across a newspaper article suggesting that Rove is panicked, then they'll start to panic, too.
The point is that top-level Republican optimism is pragmatic, not ignorant.
That is good news....
"12 states broke new voter contact records."
Funny how all the MSM polls lately never talk about little things like this.
I hope the Nancys who delight in posting bad election rumors will read this post and STFU.
The thing is they also not just targeting the the rightwingers, but indepents and regan dems too. I think the machine they built here in CA will be use to help in the Oregon Gov race too when the Dem incrubment is in deep trouble.....
My hope is that we win (of course) but moreso, that the 'Pubs in office heed the warning they've been given, and return to Conservative values, less spending, less government, and more tax cuts. Because they have irritated the base to the point of leaving them high and dry.
Finally, some good news. Turnout is the key to every election.
I read the article on Mehlman/Rove et al. They are very encouraging! Rush pointed out today some of the most encouraging. Most people are just now tuning in to the elections. The polls have been leaning extremely democrat in the sampling. Never in the history of the "Drive-by Media" have they been so blatantly biased for the dems. The most important item to remember...THIS IS THE DEMS LAST CHANCE. All the stops are being pulled on this. If they don't win they'll be banished to irrelevancy forever. Also, Dick Morris says the GOP is sunk! Excellent news from the "King of Incorrectness"!
Rush talked about the election a bit today. Three weeks before the election, the RNC has 100 million dollars to spend, while the Dems are 5 million in the hole. This election is just getting started!
If you are strong, appear weak.
If you are weak, appear strong.
Sun Tzu- The Art of War
...yeah but, Bush and Rove are both "appearing strong" (gulp?)
Let's start with Charles Rangel. Can't stand the man!
The exquisite irony in all of this would be if the Dims, thinking they had it in the bag, stayed at home on Election Day.
Yup. I'm a party insider. In my neck of the woods, we are begging for volunteers and are at 10% to 20% of our goals.
Folks, I don't care how crabby you feel about the R's. I'm crabby about them too. But it's gonna be ugly if we don't get a lot more volunteers than we have now. And, it'll be even uglier after election day--how does Speaker Nancy Pelosi, third in line for the presidency sound to you? I think it sucks.
PLEASE CALL AND VOLUNTEER, TODAY. Walk a precinct. Make phone calls. If possible, take the monday before the election and election day off work.
Our GOTV effort is good for an additional 3-4% for R candidates. That will be the margin in close races. But it all falls apart without volunteers.
Democrats up to more of their tricks
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