What were the grassroots mistakes in 2008? So that we dont repeat them in 2012!

[Dripping Rain]

Those who do not learn from their past mistakes are deemed to repeat them! So in the spirit of this old saying lets contribute here
Aside from chasing Sean Hannity throwing snow balls at him and aside from pissing off a fortune on a blimp that can only be seen by bird watchers & people with zoomable cameras.
Lets List the mistakes Lest we dont repeat them again ever!

[libertythor]

1. When you are trying to win the New Hampshire primary, it isn't the appropriate time to try to educate voters about 911 truth. (I myself am a 911 skeptic, but 911 ideally shouldn't be mentioned when canvassing for votes.)

2. Signs and things like blimps only work to a certain degree, and that is name recognition. We should keep up the freeway banners, sign rallies, and knocking on doors to get permission to place signs, but the money for the blimp would have been better spent on political/philosophical mailers and TV ads in Florida. (The blimp pretty much hung around Florida for a long time.)

3. Focus now more on the economy and use that as the basis for ending our overseas empire. This will work more with the Republican base than going straight out anti-war like we did last time. Use the economy as the ends and ending our overseas empire and shoring up our home missile defense as the means.

4. Tailor the grassroots message for the realities in your state this time. 2008's message will still work great in AK, MT, ID, WA, etc. In the rust belt and southern states we need to focus on Rand's wording. Focus on the economy and mention the war spending as the clincher for the first.

5. Target and don't ignore or despise the evangelicals this time! The freedom message and its host of issues are very friendly to Christians! e.g. Ending federal control of education and restoring full local and state control to schools, leaving abortion to the states, the bible calling for good stewardship of money and not being yoked to unbelievers by debt, etc.

6. "Young people" aren't reliable enough as a whole to win elections, especially when most will be in the Democratic primaries to begin with. Yes target them as enthusiastic volunteers like last time; yes try to get their votes; but people between the ages of 30 and 80 are more than 80% of voters! Keep the message general and focus on how liberty will benefit all voters. When canvassing 50 y/o's, don't get into specific debates about Austrian Economics.

[hazek]

One of the things that pops into my mind are the polls. Last time around we all thought there was more support out there and that the polls were rigged. But they turned out to be pretty accurate.

So trust the polls.

[libertythor]

One of the things that pops into my mind are the polls. Last time around we all thought there was more support out there and that the polls were rigged. But they turned out to be pretty accurate.

So trust the polls.

This is true for the primaries, but the polls are partially meaningless for caucuses because anybody can bring a large group of supporters into the caucus hall. A caucus means being in a debate hall for hours, having somebody take care of the kids or bringing them with you, and SENDING DELEGATES.

The Iowa caucuses could have turned out differently if so many RP supporters didn't stay home that day thinking they had it in the bag.

Now when it comes to primaries, the polls are more accurate. This is where we need to have massive mail advertising and tons of canvassers on the ground, but don't worry so much about the polls when it comes to caucuses.

[Matt Collins]

As far as what the grassroots can do, Voter ID is what wins elections. KNOW YOUR PRECINCT!!!!