The Campaign Responded to Us, We Must Respond to Them

[jblosser]

I really hesitate to post something like this because I know how stuff like this can sometimes come across. So let me be clear: my motivation for posting this is entirely the call to action, not the story leading up to it. We need to do something right now, and I'm not going to worry about not talking about it.

Some people around here know me, most don't. I am the de-facto coordinator of the grassroots activities and meetups in one of the major US metro areas. "Major" as in we are responsible for around 2% of the total number of precinct captains registered with the campaign. Unlike some other states, ours has a good relationship with the official campaign staff here... we like what they do, they like what we do, neither of us tells the other what to do or expects to do everything the same. I talk to people from the official campaign and from the Paul family pretty much every day.

I have not been one of the ones that got on the bash-the-national-campaign bandwagon, not because I've been happy with everything they've done, but because I really prefer to see stuff firsthand to know what's going on. Still, I have done things like press my connections to make sure some of the interviews we all saw getting ignored happened, and can claim some minor credit for those things moving forward.

But when I went to help OLFD in NH, I saw firsthand the mess between the campaign staff and grassroots there. I'm not going to go into the details here; there are other threads that have already done that, and they're pretty much dead on. What I did do is talk to the people I know when I got back and confirmed some things were very messed up and needed immediate change. I was really concerned the same problems would be repeated in other states. I wrote emails that were forwarded around, and at one point I was honored to have a certain candidate call my personal phone to give me the chance to relate my perspective to him in person. I wasn't looking for that and it probably wasn't the best way to relay the message, but I'm honored he cared enough to do it. Meanwhile I got people into Nevada to find out if the same problems were happening there, and was glad to hear they were doing it *right*.

GETTING TO THE POINT -- The word came down that Ron heard all of us that were telling them these things, and changes were coming. I think it's safe to say now that we have seen a lot of those changes happen this week. Mark Elam moving to national is something we asked for specifically, as is getting Rand Paul and others doing interviews and the like, as is getting some of these high-profile endorsements stumping for Ron. No one likes to deal with negativity, but the campaign has heard us and responded to us.

WE NOW NEED TO RESPOND TO THEM. Donations obviously have dried up a lot due to the problems people were having with the PCC. They have made a show of good faith, and we need to respond to them in kind and confirm this is the change we wanted to see. I know some are concerned it's too late. It's not, any more than it's too late overall for a Ron Paul campaign to fix the US in 2008. We gave money, we didn't get what we wanted, we withheld money, they changed -- this is how the market works. Mark and friends need more cash now to do what they know how to do. They want $5M for Super Tuesday, they need it as soon as they can get it.

I know people will debate forever about how and when and whether to have a money bomb or whatever. I'm not going to get into that. I'm just looking for a visible show of support. Make the donations graph spike in a way that can't be denied, and show them we are still here and behind this thing. Not a money bomb, just a show of good faith for the one they've made to us.

[yongrel]

Here here!

Good 887th post.

[billyjoeallen]

bump.

[Sey.Naci]

I endorse this message.

[Arklatex]

What does most of the money we donate go to? Mailings? I'm just curious. I'm 24 and have given over $500.

[the_oco]

bump

[j0ew00ds]

Damn fine post. I appreciate everything you've done as i'm sure many do.

[jblosser]

What does most of the money we donate go to? Mailings? I'm just curious. I'm 24 and have given over $500.

Mark was promoted to take over the ads as I understand it. I know he is actively pursuing some radio ads by high-profile endorsements. I don't know other specifics, but keep in mind: when people say "Ron Paul has won against hard odds in his district", Mark Elam was the campaign manager for those runs. He knows what he's doing.

A lot have asked for super-expensive campaign pros, whether they believe in the message or not. Mark is a campaign pro who has been supporting the message and winning campaings for decades.

[aymn27]

here here..I'm going to give another $150 or $200 this time around...

I think if he went 3rd party you would see support go up like crazy...

[mtmedlin]

Nice Post!!!

[driller80545]

Gotcha, I will donate some more. I would have anyway.

[dirknb@hotmail.com]

Already maxed out. There's no reason for anyone who is active enough in the campaign to be on these forums to not give everything they can afford(except for the trolls and spies of course!). This is our shot at restoring the republic. Don't let it slip away. Don't let your personal criticisms about how Ron Paul is running his campaign get in the way of getting him elected. Help the man out! If you can afford it, GIVE IT!

[suavivity]

great post, spot of analysis.

[dante]

^^^^^the trolls and spies should donate too ;-)

Great post OP!

[Jae0]

Im trying to find stuff around the hosue that I dont use, so i can sell it and donate the proceeds. This is one of the few times I wish I had more stuff.

It would be a damn shame to have gotten RP this far and then everything fall apart because of lack of money.

[humanic]

Super Tuesday is February 5th. Today is January 26th. Ron Paul has asked us (http://www.ronpaul2008.com) to get the quarterly donations total to $8400K by February 5th. At the rate we are going (http://paulcash.slact.net) today we will have donated a total of $55K by the end of the day. That means that we have nine more days to raise the remaining $4850K, ten if you include February 5th.

So, even if we include February 5th towards meeting our goal, this means we need an average of $485K per day.

Yesterday we donated roughly $66K, 13.6% of this amount.
Today we donated roughly $55K, 11.3% of this amount.

To meet the goal the campaign has set, we will need to donate 8.85 times more money than we donated today every day for the next ten days. If we donate the same amount every day that we donated today, we will end up with $1130K, 11.3% of what he asked for.

Some people are discussing another moneybomb. I have heard a number of dates, but the most talked about one seems to be February 1st. The "Free At Last"/MLK moneybomb was promoted vigorously for nearly a month-- much more than any moneybomb than will take place between now and February 5th can or will be promoted. That moneybomb also took place over a month after the last moneybomb, giving people time to save up and recover. This one, if it happens, will be less than two weeks after the "Free At Last" moneybomb.

Even if we have a money bomb which pulls in $1850K, the same amount as the last money bomb, we would still need another $333K per day on the other nine days, 6.01 times more money than we donated today.

This is not pessimism, this is not speculation. Everything in this article is an undisputed fact. I present this to you so that everyone can see the reality of where we are at and in the hopes that we can take positive action to meet the goals the campaign has set.

Please bump this thread.

Thank you and good luck!

[Drea]

bump

[Arklatex]

Thanks for your info patriot, anymore updates you'd like to give please do.

[cheese]

im ready to max out i think

[Drea]

I'm gonna keep these at the top if I can

[jblosser]

Super Tuesday is February 5th. Today is January 26th. Ron Paul has asked us (http://www.ronpaul2008.com) to get the quarterly donations total to $8400K by February 5th.

At this point getting a ton more money means getting more donors. The campaign largely are the ones that need to do that, by moving forward with their new experienced staff and an imporved strategy. We can help by doing the precinct captain work and finding new people and recruiting them in.

But this thread isn't about a ton more money -- it's about sending a message that we see what they're doing and we support it. It's about encouragement and confirming we're still all in this together. There has been a lot of negativity and bad blood going around lately between some of us and some of them. It's time to get back to work.

Contact the people you know who have been unsure of things and sitting on their money. Get them back on board. People keep claiming Ron isn't electable -- we show them otherwise with our solidarity.

Can we get the black above the blue before the day is done?

http://ronpaulgraphs.com/thumb_yesterday_vs_today_line.png?179.png

[steve005]

bump, sent $50

[mugen]

If you're broke, get out there and work for money while still getting out the message.
That's the situation I'm in!

I'm an 18 year old high schooler and I've given $425 to the campaign and every time I go broke I just work more.
We can do this guys!

Things are looking up

[jake]

A lot have asked for super-expensive campaign pros, whether they believe in the message or not. Mark is a campaign pro who has been supporting the message and winning campaings for decades.

Indeed. And he doesn't just know how to win - he knows how to win for Ron Paul

[FSP-Rebel]

We need another solid bomb and we'll be fine. Feb 1st is the Big one, so let's get the word out and double our contributions.

[Bruehound]

good work

[Cyclone]

Seriously, you cannot keep going back to the same well over and over. Most of us are in debt for Dr. Paul and cannot go any further. I know I am. You are going to have to find some new sources and not just continue to come to us every other week. You won't get the money you need and we feel that no matter how much we give it is never enough.

So please, think of ways to hit up others for donations. Go door to door. Whatever. But we have people here begging for 400 bucks for ads and they cannot get the money.

Yes, of course I suggest that everyone who can give all you can to Ron Paul, but I have been saying that over and over and over. I feel like a heel and a beggar.

Please, come up with other ways to raise money for this man. Perhaps start with asking the campaign finance director? That is his JOB isn't it?

Because the fact is, you are not going to get it here. We don't have enough left.

I am not saying this to be discouraging, but to encourage folks to go to new sources for funds so that we CAN raise the money. Just putting a post here won't cut it.

[Live Free or Die]

Agreed, jblosser. Thanks for the call to action!

I'm going to donate more on Monday. My credit card which is tied to my bank account was frozen yesterday because of "suspicious" activity. LOL, that would be 6 separate donations to RP2008 in a 48-hr period. :D I have to wait until Monday to get it unfrozen.

[Bruce4Ron]

Please explain to me what the plans are for using the money?

We have raised more money than any other candidate over the last 2 or 3 months yet we have had absolutely no media attention and I have not seen much of the HQ on the TV giving interviews. but, we need more money...

Please don't take this negatively. I want this win as much as the next person but I need to have a feeling of confidence right now that there is a plan and that plan is going into effect immediately. Or are you telling all of us that if we don't find 5 million the plan can't work ?

Clarify please

[yongrel]

bazump

[the_bee]

I will send a money order:D asap

[LiberalDemForRP]

This needs to be at the top. Always. Great post. Thank you!

[phree]

Please explain to me what the plans are for using the money?

We have raised more money than any other candidate over the last 2 or 3 months yet we have had absolutely no media attention and I have not seen much of the HQ on the TV giving interviews. but, we need more money...

Please don't take this negatively. I want this win as much as the next person but I need to have a feeling of confidence right now that there is a plan and that plan is going into effect immediately. Or are you telling all of us that if we don't find 5 million the plan can't work ?

Clarify please

I thought the first post explained it...

*reaches for credit card*

[the_bee]

keep this at the top!!!!!!!!!!:D

[mavtek]

I gave another $50 earlier today.

[Abyss]

I agree with what others have said about needing new donors. I am 18, and have donated a total of more then $400, that doesn't seem like much but when you work for minimum wage, and have to figure out how the heck to go to college (when even applying costs ~$70) its hard to find the money.

I can honestly say that I AM saving some money and not donating it all. Perhaps this is foolish, but maybe not. I can say that if I WERE more impressed with what was done with my money I would be more likely to donate more and save less.

I will donate again, but it gets to the point where I hvae to look at my life with RP as pres*chance RP gets pres vs my life going to college*chance I get to go to college. And sometimes it is depressing and seems like a waste of money when the "chance RP gets pres" variable goes low.

Anyways I love the OP, and this is a bump.

[Pete Kay]

Good post. I appreciate your work for the campaign. I have donated to Ron Paul's campaign every month since May, totalling a little over $1000 so far. That's a ton of money for me. I do not have a huge surplus of money and am just a working class guy. I sent all that money because I believe in Ron, but like you said the campaign let us down.This might be the first month that I do not donate.

I like what you have written, but what I need to see and I think many other supporters need to see is something tangible from the campaign. I'm glad that they have stepped up their game, but what is the plan? I need to know more before I go and sap my savings account for this cause. Like the state of our federal spending, I simply can't afford it. If I'm going to sacrifice my personal savings like that then I need to know where the money is going and how it is going to be spent. I need to know that the campaign has a winning strategy. I just don't see it right now. They need to prove it to me.

[angrydragon]

If the newly promoted national directors can get a top 3 finish in Florida, that would bring in money and we'll be in shock.

[seawolf]

Let's continue this REOVLution. This is going to be a long hard fight well past Super Tuesday, February 5th!!!

I hope everyone on this Forum is in this battle for the long haul. Ron Paul said no matter what he was going all the way to the Republican Convention to get the message out to as many Americans as possible.

Pledge your heart, your soul and your most generous donation NOW!!!

The weak will drop off on February 6th, I am not one of them!!!

This message of Liberty, Peace, Prosperity and adherence to the Constitution that Dr. Paul has taught us all must be taught now to the present citizens of the United States and to generations to come.

Our very country depends on it!!!

[LiberalDemForRP]

Abyss, thanks for your contributions. At your age and pay rate, it *is* a big sacrifice... young people like you give me hope for our future. You rock.

[RPfan]

Bump.

[Bradley in DC]

GETTING TO THE POINT -- The word came down that Ron heard all of us that were telling them these things, and changes were coming. I think it's safe to say now that we have seen a lot of those changes happen this week. Mark Elam moving to national is something we asked for specifically, as is getting Rand Paul and others doing interviews and the like, as is getting some of these high-profile endorsements stumping for Ron. No one likes to deal with negativity, but the campaign has heard us and responded to us.

+1

[Cyclone]

Good post. I appreciate your work for the campaign. I have donated to Ron Paul's campaign every month since May, totalling a little over $1000 so far. That's a ton of money for me. I do not have a huge surplus of money and am just a working class guy. I sent all that money because I believe in Ron, but like you said the campaign let us down.This might be the first month that I do not donate.

I like what you have written, but what I need to see and I think many other supporters need to see is something tangible from the campaign. I'm glad that they have stepped up their game, but what is the plan? I need to know more before I go and sap my savings account for this cause. Like the state of our federal spending, I simply can't afford it. If I'm going to sacrifice my personal savings like that then I need to know where the money is going and how it is going to be spent. I need to know that the campaign has a winning strategy. I just don't see it right now. They need to prove it to me.


I think deep down a lot of us feel this way.

[werdd]

im gonna donate a little bit tomorrow.

[Derek Johnson]

> $1000
10-20 hrs / week
> 1000 calls to talk radio
door to door knocking
and now a theme song [below]

what we MUST realize is this is only the beginning, regardless of our outcome...because history teaches that Republics degenerate into democracies which degenerate into socialism states which degenerate into fascist/communist oligarchies...and we are well on our way...via McCain/Romney or Clinton/Obama. The CFR has worked out those details a century ago.

[BirdsAreWild]

I would like to explain a few of the campaigns expenses for the people who are feeling like they are not seeing anything for their donation.

Do you live in the states where the primaries have passed? If you did you would have seen mailers in your mailbox and television ads on your tv.

Now how much can it really cost to send mail? A LOT. Think about it and while your thinking caclutate that is costs probably about $3.00 for each piece. I come up with that figure because it costs me about $4.76 each to send something to my clients every year and that is not including wages. There are postage costs, printing costs, wages, and don't forget those pesky taxes that an employer must pay that are not taken out of employees paycheck.

How much can radio and advertising cost? I recently read a report that the average that it is going to cost for candidates to air television ads in the Super Tuesday state is $23 MILLION and we did not get enough raised to even cover that, although we were close.

Dr. Paul would have not asked us for more money if it was not necessary. We all know that he is VERY conservative with money and would not squander it.

Lets get some new donors by doing our canvassing. If you are maxed and have the funds available maybe you could help someone out close to you that wants to donate but can't. If you paid their rent or something then they would have some money of their own available that month to donate to Dr. Paul. If you don't have any money then maybe you could have a yard sale or sell a few things on ebay or somewhere. Maybe you would just like to stand at a busy intersection handing out slim jims and have a bucket for people to donate into.

We have to get this done.

[Sey.Naci]

If the newly promoted national directors can get a top 3 finish in Florida, that would bring in money and we'll be in shock.That's unrealistic for Florida. It makes little sense to pour so much effort (other than grassroots effort) into Florida since it's a winner-take-all state.

[BirdsAreWild]

Don't forget travel expenses that he has too. You know those are not cheap when you can't schedule them ahead of time.

[Sey.Naci]

Lets get some new donors by doing our canvassing. If you are maxed and have the funds available maybe you could help someone out close to you that wants to donate but can't. If you paid their rent or something then they would have some money of their own available that month to donate to Dr. Paul. If you don't have any money then maybe you could have a yard sale or sell a few things on ebay or somewhere. Maybe you would just like to stand at a busy intersection handing out slim jims and have a bucket for people to donate into.

We have to get this done.QFT

[dirknb@hotmail.com]

I think deep down a lot of us feel this way.

Trust Ron.

[ShowMeLiberty]

I would like to explain a few of the campaigns expenses for the people who are feeling like they are not seeing anything for their donation.

Do you live in the states where the primaries have passed? If you did you would have seen mailers in your mailbox and television ads on your tv.

Now how much can it really cost to send mail? A LOT. Think about it and while your thinking caclutate that is costs probably about $3.00 for each piece. I come up with that figure because it costs me about $4.76 each to send something to my clients every year and that is not including wages. There are postage costs, printing costs, wages, and don't forget those pesky taxes that an employer must pay that are not taken out of employees paycheck.

How much can radio and advertising cost? I recently read a report that the average that it is going to cost for candidates to air television ads in the Super Tuesday state is $23 MILLION and we did not get enough raised to even cover that, although we were close.

Dr. Paul would have not asked us for more money if it was not necessary. We all know that he is VERY conservative with money and would not squander it.

Lets get some new donors by doing our canvassing. If you are maxed and have the funds available maybe you could help someone out close to you that wants to donate but can't. If you paid their rent or something then they would have some money of their own available that month to donate to Dr. Paul. If you don't have any money then maybe you could have a yard sale or sell a few things on ebay or somewhere. Maybe you would just like to stand at a busy intersection handing out slim jims and have a bucket for people to donate into.

We have to get this done.

QFT!

And thank you, jblosser, for this thread and all you've done.

[JS4Pat]

I like what you have written, but what I need to see and I think many other supporters need to see is something tangible from the campaign. I'm glad that they have stepped up their game, but what is the plan? I need to know more before I go and sap my savings account for this cause. Like the state of our federal spending, I simply can't afford it. If I'm going to sacrifice my personal savings like that then I need to know where the money is going and how it is going to be spent. I need to know that the campaign has a winning strategy. I just don't see it right now. They need to prove it to me.

Amen. Glad I didn't have it to say it first.

I need to see more from HQs - LIKE A PLAN!!

[suavivity]

bumpity

[dblee]

bumpalicious. great post!!

[Sey.Naci]

Amen. Glad I didn't have it to say it first.

I need to see more from HQs - LIKE A PLAN!!Sure, reveal your plan so other campaigns can become aware of it. Brilliant.

[jblosser]

I like what you have written, but what I need to see and I think many other supporters need to see is something tangible from the campaign. I'm glad that they have stepped up their game, but what is the plan? I need to know more before I go and sap my savings account for this cause. Like the state of our federal spending, I simply can't afford it. If I'm going to sacrifice my personal savings like that then I need to know where the money is going and how it is going to be spent. I need to know that the campaign has a winning strategy. I just don't see it right now. They need to prove it to me.

What you're saying isn't unreasonable, but the problem is the time we have left. There's no doubt this is the campaign's problem. They should have acted sooner. But we have to decide if we give them another chance in time to do something about it or not. Super Tuesday is around the corner and if we wait to see what they do it will be too late to make much difference.

Personally I see the things they have already done as quite tangible. Announcing the economic plan, bringing Schiff and Luskin on staff, and promoting Mark Elam are all major events and direct responses to criticisms they have been receiving.

[pacelli]

Bottom line- If people want to see Dr. Paul go all the way to the convention, then the only chance we have is to continue funding the campaign and meet the goals they have placed.

I contributed to every single successful and unsuccessful moneybomb, payday, not to mention the many spontaneous post-debate/post-election donations, until I maxed out at $2300.

There is such thing as donor saturation- I want to see Dr. Paul go all the way to the convention, but I'm not legally permitted to fund it anymore. I agree that we need fresh donors who aren't close to maxing out (either legally or personally).

[goldstandard]

bump

[Cyclone]

Bottom line- If people want to see Dr. Paul go all the way to the convention, then the only chance we have is to continue funding the campaign and meet the goals they have placed.

I contributed to every single successful and unsuccessful moneybomb, payday, not to mention the many spontaneous post-debate/post-election donations, until I maxed out at $2300.

There is such thing as donor saturation- I want to see Dr. Paul go all the way to the convention, but I'm not legally permitted to fund it anymore. I agree that we need fresh donors who aren't close to maxing out (either legally or personally).

+1

The fact is, that if you cared at all about Ron Paul from the beginning you would be maxed out by now, (either legally or personally). I also want to see him go all the way, but why do they constantly ignore simple ways to get money?

Such as: have an option for an automatic weekly or monthly withdrawal. (Been asking for this since March.) Tell all supporters that they finally (after five months of working on it) got a way for overseas donors to give money. If we here don't know that is allowed, we can't call our families over there. Hold some big fund raisers. Isn't that Bydlak's job? Stop being so rude to your supporters. Again, another snot hung up on me today because I wouldn't tell him enough to get past him to his supervisor. Think that makes me feel like donating? Work on moving materials from states that are done to the states that are not. Why should we pay for new materials when there are thousands of used signs out there? Ask for money from Myspace friends. Ask for money from other sites.

I got a million of 'em. They always say thank you we will pass along your suggestion and then the next day they ask me for money again after I gave them my food money for the month the day before.

Go find some rich friends. Have a party. Make money. You can't get it all for next to nothing. Pass a hat at a rally. Sell something that you can make money off of.

Do some viral marketing of their own. Pick a topic, send it out to millions who care - raw milk, ending Sarbanes Oxley, no tax on tips, no psychotropic drugs forced on kids, etc.

Tell people that Barry Goldwater Jr. has endorsed you. It would go far in AZ. No one here knows and it is the biggest mind changer we have.

Tell people about no taxes on SS. 84% of our largest retirement community here votes, and 1% have heard of Ron Paul. So tell them.

And I don't mean us doing those things, the campaign should be coordinating this whole effort. Hire a thousand more volunteers if you have to, but go get some new supporters and get money from them.

The best way to get a large influx of cash - start winning.

[liberteebell]

I would like to explain a few of the campaigns expenses for the people who are feeling like they are not seeing anything for their donation.

Do you live in the states where the primaries have passed? If you did you would have seen mailers in your mailbox and television ads on your tv.

Now how much can it really cost to send mail? A LOT. Think about it and while your thinking caclutate that is costs probably about $3.00 for each piece. I come up with that figure because it costs me about $4.76 each to send something to my clients every year and that is not including wages. There are postage costs, printing costs, wages, and don't forget those pesky taxes that an employer must pay that are not taken out of employees paycheck.

How much can radio and advertising cost? I recently read a report that the average that it is going to cost for candidates to air television ads in the Super Tuesday state is $23 MILLION and we did not get enough raised to even cover that, although we were close.

Dr. Paul would have not asked us for more money if it was not necessary. We all know that he is VERY conservative with money and would not squander it.

Lets get some new donors by doing our canvassing. If you are maxed and have the funds available maybe you could help someone out close to you that wants to donate but can't. If you paid their rent or something then they would have some money of their own available that month to donate to Dr. Paul. If you don't have any money then maybe you could have a yard sale or sell a few things on ebay or somewhere. Maybe you would just like to stand at a busy intersection handing out slim jims and have a bucket for people to donate into.

We have to get this done.


+1,000,000

[JS4Pat]

bump

[JS4Pat]

Sure, reveal your plan so other campaigns can become aware of it. Brilliant.
Ohhh I see. There is this super secret plan in place that those of us who have been working our asses for the last 8 months know absolutely nothing about. Not even a hint.

I hope you are right - but judging from what I have seen in the way of commercials, New Hampshire Results, lack of any coordination from HQs and the ground here in Forida - (not 1 freakin visit to conservative NE Florida by the candidate) I seriously doubt it. :mad:

[Wyurm]

Ohhh I see. There is this super secret plan in place that those of us who have been working our asses for the last 8 months know absolutely nothing about. Not even a hint.

I hope you are right - but judging from what I have seen in the way of commercials, New Hampshire Results, lack of any coordination from HQs and the ground here in Forida - (not 1 freakin visit to conservative NE Florida by the candidate) I seriously doubt it. :mad:

The "plan" was a rumor. This change is not a rumor and is a very good thing for us. Mark Elam is the one that was campaign manager when Dr. Paul overcame impossible odds in '96. Having him on the presidential campaign tells me 1) Dr. Paul is taking this seriously and 2) We have a very, very good chance now. I understand negative feelings, but they are uncalled for now that we have a real pro working for the same thing we are working for.

Yes, it may seem late in the game, but the '96 election was down to the wire when Dr. Paul won it. Just remember that everyone does screw up and if you expect this campaign to be any different you set yourself up for massive dissapointment. I believe we not only have a chance now, but a very very good chance.

[JS4Pat]

The "plan" was a rumor. This change is not a rumor and is a very good thing for us. Mark Elam is the one that was campaign manager when Dr. Paul overcame impossible odds in '96. Having him on the presidential campaign tells me 1) Dr. Paul is taking this seriously and 2) We have a very, very good chance now. I understand negative feelings, but they are uncalled for now that we have a real pro working for the same thing we are working for.

Yes, it may seem late in the game, but the '96 election was down to the wire when Dr. Paul won it. Just remember that everyone does screw up and if you expect this campaign to be any different you set yourself up for massive dissapointment. I believe we not only have a chance now, but a very very good chance.

Thanks, heard about Mr. Elam, but very good to know that Dr. Paul is taking this seriously. (I was wondering if he was in it to win or just to educate)

Cautiously adjusting my attitude concerning HQs. ;)

Spent 9 hours yesterday driving house to house with a partner hanging Ron Paul literature packages on the outside of mailboxes.
(Probably hit close to 500 homes)

On my way out the door for another day of it.

[realist]

Jblosser,

thanks so much for your efforts. I'm sure everyone really appreciates it.

I for one will donate this one last time but I need to tell you that doing so is purely an emotional decision for me and I understand there are many more that won't donate-justifably so.

I'm glad the campaign is taking notice but to be honest, I feel it may be too little, too late. Perhaps I'm confused but I've been reading that these new additions are really more of a shifting of assets that were already involved with the campaign in different capacities. At this point the only thing that matters to me is results towards winning the nomination. I've read and bought into many ideas that have failed to produce results despite more than requested "funding". This is just another request for ""funding" with very little to suggest that THIS TIME, the funding will produce results. We are now seeing the very predictable after effects of these types of occurances. It's getting hard for many to believe... including me.

As I said, I will donate one more time in the hopes that this campaign will demonstrate a quick and significant shift in direction, with results to back up that this is the right course.

[AlbemarleNC0003]

I'll be donating again when I get paid. I'm going to need more slim jims too. :)

[Exarel]

Nice post

[wd4freedom]

Bumping for Freedom- Thanks for all the efforts and the post!

[JoBurke]

I really hesitate to post something like this because I know how stuff like this can sometimes come across. So let me be clear: my motivation for posting this is entirely the call to action, not the story leading up to it. We need to do something right now, and I'm not going to worry about not talking about it.

Some people around here know me, most don't. I am the de-facto coordinator of the grassroots activities and meetups in one of the major US metro areas. "Major" as in we are responsible for around 2% of the total number of precinct captains registered with the campaign. Unlike some other states, ours has a good relationship with the official campaign staff here... we like what they do, they like what we do, neither of us tells the other what to do or expects to do everything the same. I talk to people from the official campaign and from the Paul family pretty much every day.

I have not been one of the ones that got on the bash-the-national-campaign bandwagon, not because I've been happy with everything they've done, but because I really prefer to see stuff firsthand to know what's going on. Still, I have done things like press my connections to make sure some of the interviews we all saw getting ignored happened, and can claim some minor credit for those things moving forward.

But when I went to help OLFD in NH, I saw firsthand the mess between the campaign staff and grassroots there. I'm not going to go into the details here; there are other threads that have already done that, and they're pretty much dead on. What I did do is talk to the people I know when I got back and confirmed some things were very messed up and needed immediate change. I was really concerned the same problems would be repeated in other states. I wrote emails that were forwarded around, and at one point I was honored to have a certain candidate call my personal phone to give me the chance to relate my perspective to him in person. I wasn't looking for that and it probably wasn't the best way to relay the message, but I'm honored he cared enough to do it. Meanwhile I got people into Nevada to find out if the same problems were happening there, and was glad to hear they were doing it *right*.

GETTING TO THE POINT -- The word came down that Ron heard all of us that were telling them these things, and changes were coming. I think it's safe to say now that we have seen a lot of those changes happen this week. Mark Elam moving to national is something we asked for specifically, as is getting Rand Paul and others doing interviews and the like, as is getting some of these high-profile endorsements stumping for Ron. No one likes to deal with negativity, but the campaign has heard us and responded to us.

WE NOW NEED TO RESPOND TO THEM. Donations obviously have dried up a lot due to the problems people were having with the PCC. They have made a show of good faith, and we need to respond to them in kind and confirm this is the change we wanted to see. I know some are concerned it's too late. It's not, any more than it's too late overall for a Ron Paul campaign to fix the US in 2008. We gave money, we didn't get what we wanted, we withheld money, they changed -- this is how the market works. Mark and friends need more cash now to do what they know how to do. They want $5M for Super Tuesday, they need it as soon as they can get it.

I know people will debate forever about how and when and whether to have a money bomb or whatever. I'm not going to get into that. I'm just looking for a visible show of support. Make the donations graph spike in a way that can't be denied, and show them we are still here and behind this thing. Not a money bomb, just a show of good faith for the one they've made to us.

I endorse this message fully!

[wsc321]

Really appreciate the original post, and the effort HQ appears to be making. I'll be donating today, and again on one of the Feb money bombs.

[wfd40]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/26/a_quick_fundraising_spike_onli.html

Obama Campaign donations average 500k per hour AFTER SC WIN...

nuff said.

[jblosser]

Some of you asked for proof of what the new staff was capable of before you gave more. I relayed that message, as I'm sure others did, and as I'm sure they already knew.

So here are the first new ads:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWL7F4nK_Yw
http://www.youtube.com/RonPaul2008dotcom

Now get them on the air.

[fuzzybekool]

I endorse this thread. Money on its way.

[GoDrNo]

Bump.....

Good post, we asked for some changes, HQ has come thru, now it's time for us to come thru for them once again.