This question could have just as easily been posted in the Online Convention category. A cursory review of the research at the Pew Internet Research site will give one demographics for current internet useage. It is common knowledge that such useage does not compare favorably with the voters that will actually go to the polls on election day. The majority of people that may be inclined to participate here will not be representative of the people out there.
My question reflects my concern for an online convention that will not be representative of the voting people that may be thinking about switching their vote to a moderate candidate. Are there any ideas circulating at U08 about this situation? For instance, Ron Paul support on the internet is out of proportion to what it is with the general population. However, that same support may have a majority at the online convention to sway events here.
I think there is much good in Unity's gameplan and delegates S/B a little patient as it plays out. Still Phil's comment is the best point I've read in the shoutbox about some of the gaps which someone S/B working on.
If we are going to be a centrist organization, we need more resources in middle America ASAP. And we need better centrist language. JM talks about Issues, Branding, Candidates. Someone S/B working on that in October 2024 who is not on the East or West coast.
Phil's point is true, internet use is higher among people under 40 and including over 40 techies. So one point is internet leaves out a lot of women over 40. Okay there is a major candidate who is a woman over 40. It is likely we would have to challenge her for votes next year.
To date, we are weak in middle America and not positioned to appeal to women over 40 and are missing other key demographics.
Talk about starting up is old, Labor day is the beginning of real campaigns, we are a month behind on having a national campaign. Just being on the internet is not enough to get broad support.
The Republicans are in Michigan today to talk about economic issues in the heartland. Unity should have PR surrounding these type of events. This is centrists politics.
Two Organizations Can Give Us Immediate Access To The People You Are Talking About : PEOPLE WHO POLITICIANS "DARE NOT DISREGARD" - and People Who Have More At Stake Than Most .. The VFW (Veterans) AARP (Retirees on Fixed Incomes) ..
I have asked Doug Bailey on at least two occasions to contact Officials at these two organizations to see if we can MAKE THIS A JOINT VENTURE : AS I POINTED OUT - IT WOULD GIVE US PEOPLE AND FACILITIES TO WORK FROM IN ALMOST EVERY VILLAGE, TOWN AND CITY IN THE COUNTRY, OUR MESSAGES WOULD BE OUT IN THE FIELD "NATIONWIDE" VIRTUALLY OVERNIGHT ..
I've posted this same message on www.america-21stcentury.com to see what I could stir up - I'm still waiting for something to happen ..
Maybe if more delegates emailed Doug or Bob Roth - we could get some action on this.
For what it's worth ..
pete(popo)evans
I think your suggestion is the kind of thing Unity leadership S/B doing. If we are going to be a centrist organization, we have people to link up with all over the country.
JM includes a list of centrist politicians and organziations in many posts.
Maybe that is already happening and we dont know about it.
I do wonder as well, if the Unity plan might not be to appeal to the middle majority. Instead are they maybe thinking that our Unity conecpt is to unite liberals and conservatives with 1 candidate from each major party?
The two stratgeies are very different, I'm hanging around to see which it will be. Our message and agenda would be different depending on the plan they have in mind. I wish they would tell us.
BTW, I am in favor of your concept, vets and retirees are the people I want to vote with.
Phil, why is Ron Paul's internet support out of proportion to what it is with the general voting public? Why is Ron Paul's internet support so much greater than the internet support for any other candidate? Would you agree that internet supporters of the Ron Paul campaign are more enlightened on the candidates and the issues than those who do not have or use the internet?
If we get a candidate from U08 who's views most match those of the U08 members who post here we will end up with a warmed over big gov't liberal that will at least have the potential to derail Hillary. Well I guess that is not all bad!
Ron Paul or other candidates with a strong internet following have a strong appeal to young voters. (There aren't enough old techies to get really big numbers.)
I dont like to be insulting, but its a more than a little stretch to think that supporters of Paul are more enlightened. Is that sarcasm? I dont get it.
In addition, young voters are as important as other groups, but to date, they dont show up for elections at high rates. Its the older voters that get out for elections.