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.
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.
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Wow! Love those numbers.
As I said on another thread today, I signed up to make phone calls for the RNC. It is the least I could do to try and help ensure victory in November. Everyone should do the same!
I am one of the frustrated conservatives who vowed not to vote (it was the border issue for me) but d^%$#Fnm it, I just can't hand the keys over to the likes of Pelosi and Harrrrry. I'll be a broken glass voter and I'm going to call my local RNC office tomorrow and volunteer to drive people to the polls. (Republicans, of course.)
Not going down without a fight.
Can you imagine how much fun it's going to be watching all the pundits on the alphabet networks try to explain why, in fact, the GOP retained both houses of Congress?
I gotta go to the store and get some popcorn.
I have to say I disagree strongly with that statement. Socialists, liberals, Democrats are like a nasty rash or the hives or hemorrhoids--they can and will come back at a most uncomfortable time.
Always be on the alert for them--and defeat them before they start to flare up.
I'm glad to hear this. I was going to sit this one out due to the Republican congress in support of Tricare fee hikes, but I'm rethinking the alternative. Maybe, just maybe....
ping...
Bump to read this evening.
I'm pretty sure they got rid of those hikes, btw.
Please don't sit this race out. If not for yourself, cast your vote with me and my young nieces and nephew in mind. They do not deserve Pelosi and Reid. Thanks.
"All it takes for Democrats to prosper is for good men and women to do nothing."
That's not the way it works. When people think they're going to win, they tend to show up. Everybody wants to be on the winning team. If people think they're going to lose, they tend to stay home as "it's not worth the time and effort since we're going to lose anyway"...
That's why the media is trying to depress the heck out of Conservative voters. The reason the Republicans usually do better than the Dems on election day is that Conservatives tend to care more about this country than liberals who hate it. I hope it's the case in a few weeks.
They just postponed them till the next congress.
President Bush and the Joint Chiefs of Staff want the hikes. It's just a matter of time. Republicans always took care of us...ALWAYS. Democrats always screwed us over. Now, it's just the opposite. It's insane. If the fees go up (they'll triple) then I won't have any insurance...can't afford it.
Silly dems... don't they know that all your Rove are belong to us!
The more that dems think they've got it in the bag, the harder the fall on 11/8.
Got an appointment for the limo to pick me up and they will serve coffee and danishs to us fat cat repubs on the way to vote.
/s
It is going to be close. So it is going to hindge on turnout.
Might I point out that the ONLY people who fought tooth and nail for the Conservatives on the border WERE the US House GOP? If you are pissed about the Border, PLEASE, DON'T take it out on the ONLY people in DC who are on your side.
"I'll be a broken glass voter and I'm going to call my local RNC office tomorrow and volunteer to drive people to the polls."
It's because of caring Americans like you that our country has prevailed through difficult times.
We will never all agree on everything, and we would never allow a President to have enough power to do all he might want. Therefore, we have to settle for what we can get and work for the overall good.
I, like you, am volunteering. We can make a difference.
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