MicroCampaigns – a Political Force? Imagine hundreds of candidates for the 2008 Presidential primaries. Instead of just the few insiders with big money, envision each state with several local candidates, or dozens of candidates pitching specific topics to specific constituencies.
After a somewhat dismissive comment about my campaign as being just a “protest” gesture, it occurred to me that perhaps my “microcampaign” might have soul-mates out there, and that collectively the effect could be amplified.
I can’t imagine finding the resources to take my campaign national – I’ve always figured that if I could get one delegate from Oregon, and use that credibility to represent a message to the Republican National Convention, I’d have been successful for a political novice with negligible resources. But if hundreds adopted my strategy simultaneously, what might be the effect?
Bill Frist or John McCain or Mitt Romney might be out there pandering to calculated segments – trying to carefully position themselves without offending too many people. All the while not really addressing any issues. But if in each state there were two or three local candidates talking about issues and appealing to specific, if not wide, constituencies – imagine the effect at convention time.
The normal orchestrated coronation might be replaced with some real debate. The candidates might have to really address some issues. The process might produce some leadership.
I’ve set up a rough website at http://www.microcampaign.org/. There’s a bulletin board, and send me any ideas that might fit the format. I’ve heard it claimed that the internet will transform politics – is this related?
Michael
Previous: Immigration Debate not “Sporting” -- Next: They Doth Protest Too Much. Comment from crallspace: When the real issues do nothing but prove how grossly incompetent our leadership is, I doubt that’s what they want to address. Today’s GOP (neo-cons) have no grasp on what really affects our people. Instead, money and corporate interest is the only driving force… so, people like yourself will be smeared right out of the picture. Save yourself the hassle. Run as an independent, moderate…or maybe even a Democrat. I really don’t think this 2-party joke is gonna hold up past this current administration. The people have had enough! I’d hate to see a guy with such good ideas get shut out by both the Republican party (your ideas have merit and common sense- they reject both) and people who WOULD vote for you, but hate the Republicans (like me… I like your ideas, but have pledged to never EVER vote for a Republican again.) If you see it as a losing battle either way, why not at least try to get the nomination from a party that will endorse you? Or just run as an independent? I know I am young and lack perspective, but I don’t think there is a chance in hell for the GOP to all of a sudden realize their leadership has been a massive failure, and magically change their ideals because you set em straight. If you want any national GOP funds, don’t you think you’d have to pledge undying loyalty to the slime neo-cons that infest Washington, and whore yourself out to corporations? Posted by crallspace May 24, 09:45 AM # Comment from Michael Smith: Well Dan, we agree that I have an uphill battle and that the “establishment” won’t be lining up to throw money at me. Ultimately, that’s the test here; do people really mean it when they say they want an alternative. For many the answer is no – it’s too much work to embrace something different. But I think we might be at a tipping point where enough people are fed up with the status quo to try some alternatives. Whether the alternative is my campaign or another, I think the time may be right for something substantially different. Time will tell. Posted by Michael Smith May 24, 10:52 AM # Comment from Ben, aka BadBen: Michael, You have some good ideas. You might be slightly ahead of your time, or possibly even on the forefront of a new political tsunami. The problem is, I think a “moderate Republican” will be hated by both sides of the tracks. “Moderate” Democrats seem to fare much better, i.e. Dennis Moore (who’s in my district, which is definitely in a Red state with a capital R). I think Dan’s points are valid. The Republican Party is pretty much ruined for many people like me by the perception of big corporate money, corruption, high deficits, unilateralism, social conservatism, upper-class favoritism, Christian Nationalism, environmental issues, torture, etc. Run as a moderate Democrat or a rational, fiscally responsible & moderate independent, and I’ll support you for president in a heartbeat. Sincerely, Ben Lenexa, KS Posted by Ben, aka BadBen May 24, 11:26 AM # Comment from Ben, aka BadBen: By the way, one of my favorite movies of all time is “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Coincidence??? Posted by Ben, aka BadBen May 24, 11:29 AM # Comment from Chris Andersen: An interesting idea. There is to much emphasis in our political system on “all or nothing”. The candidates with good ideas don’t run unless they think they have a real chance of winning and the people don’t vote unless they think their vote has a real chance of being decisive. Yours is more the “pebble in the avalance” approach. By yourself, you have little power to change things. But when combined with a thousand others with a similar motivation you can affect change of monumental proportions. I’m a Democrat and a supporter of Howard Dean. I’ve often said that Dean never realisticly believed he had a chance of getting the nomination in 2004. He got in the race not so much to get the nomination as to change the dialog within the party. By any reasonable standard he has succeeded in that effort. That is why I classify him as a winner. Another name for this strategy would be “death by a thousand paper cuts”. Posted by Chris Andersen May 25, 04:43 AM # |
Favorite Posts:
Other Blogs:Links:
Feeds - SFP updates for your homepage:Previous Posts: |
