Ron Paul Blimp in Boston by December 15th!!!!

[Elijah]

I just got off the phone with the owner of the blimp and he said we can have it in Boston by December 15th!!

[T206]

Once wasnt enough?
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=39343&page=17

[nbhadja]

No once was not enough. It is a pain for everyone to look through 17 pages for information.

[T206]

No once was not enough. It is a pain for everyone to look through 17 pages for information.

There wouldnt be 17 pages if there werent 10+ threads for every topic.

[MRoCkEd]

Glad to hear it!!

[danda]

This is too cool. I hope it happens. Pledging now.

[Midnight77]

Just pledged.

We're going all out on the 16th with everything we've got.

[Oliver]

I just got off the phone with the owner of the blimp and he said we can have it in Boston by December 15th!!


Americas population: 300,000,000
Blimp can be seen by: 10,000 (average at a time)
Costs for Blimp: $200,000

Blimps needed to cover 300,000,000 Americans:
30,000

Costs of 30,000 Blimps:
$ 6,000,000,000

[/sarcasm]

Blimps are a waste of time and resources - IMHO.

[10thAmendmentMan]

Blimps are a waste of time and resources - IMHO.

Plus, isn't MA's primary after Super Tuesday thus rendering it virtually worthless?

[Naraku]

The point isn't to convince everyone. That's ridiculous. It's about advertisement, it's about getting his name out there. A giant blimp is ultimately more memorable than most political ads.

[literatim]

The money is better going towards magazine or TV ads.

[Ozwest]

If this project stirs up enthusiasm and enough interested parties to pledge the required monies, the naysayers should just stand aside.

Go the BLIMPIES!!!

[Naraku]

The money is better going towards magazine or TV ads.

A blimp is more likely to get media coverage than a magazine ad and it reaches a lot of people all at once. Like I said elsewhere, imagine having this blimp flying by on New Year's Eve in New York City.

[ronpaulfollower999]

Will this blimp fly over Miami, FL?? I would love to check it out.

[austin356]

Blimps are possibly the most inefficient use of resource known to modern man.

I dont support it.

[Ozwest]

Blimps are possibly the most inefficient use of resource known to modern man.

I dont support it.

When you hear the phrase "Good Year," what's the first thing you think of after tyres? Fuji increased their market share from 7% to 22% after a blimp campaign.

[Midnight77]

But a blimp used in this fashion, with a huge day planned on the 16th can pay off huge dividends. It's all on what we make of the 16th. TV Coverage, if promoted properly, should be off the charts.

[ronpaulfollower999]

I think this will get positive media coverage.

Just hope the Huckster doesn't steel our idea like he's done before.

[lawdida]

But a blimp used in this fashion, with a huge day planned on the 16th can pay off huge dividends. It's all on what we make of the 16th. TV Coverage, if promoted properly, should be off the charts.

exactly. a ron paul blimp + a tea party = lots of media coverage. it's not about how many people on the ground that see the blimp. it's about all the people that will see the news stories about the blimp.

[purepaloma]

I'm in for 50 bucks.

[Ozwest]

Need to get the pledge site up to gauge the support. What is the link?

[mrd]

I think a blimp siting will get more people talking than a magazine or television ad.

Any comparisons of how many magazine ads / television ads ~$350,000 would provide? That is an aweful lot of money. Numbers, anyone?

[Ozwest]

I think a blimp siting will get more people talking than a magazine or television ad.

Any comparisons of how many magazine ads / television ads ~$350,000 would provide? That is an aweful lot of money. Numbers, anyone?

You could get about 4x ads like the USA Today full pager.

The big advantage of the blimp, is the related press spin off.

It is probably easier to get people to donate to a project like this, because it's very cool.

[Midnight77]

I think a blimp siting will get more people talking than a magazine or television ad.

Any comparisons of how many magazine ads / television ads ~$350,000 would provide? That is an aweful lot of money. Numbers, anyone?

Having a blimp will be an event that can be featured as a segment on TV and as a feature in magazines. Major publicity if done right and we build the 16th up like crazy.

Imagine Ron Paul being in Boston on the 16th doing a speech, with a Boston Tea Party re-enactment, with a blimp flying over the city on the 15th and the 16th. It's got $$$ written all over it.

With the $10 Million coming in, this event could truly be the one that pushes Paul to the Front of the Pack.

[OptionsTrader]

Blimps are a waste of time and resources - IMHO.

If you do not have anything nice to say...

[SwordOfShannarah]

Need to get the pledge site up to gauge the support. What is the link?

http://www.RonPaulBlimp.com

[terryp]

I've been force feeding my 11 yr old daughter RP. After I saw the thread on the blimp I told her, now "We" got a blimp. Not two hours later, a blimp, maybe 5
miles away. We cracked up all day over it.

[troyd1]

I think the blimp will have a huge impact. I live in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes and 10 times as many liberal socialist wingnuts and Paul Welstone had a green bus and that is all the media focused on. Following the freeking bus. The green bus was here, the green bus was there. They reported on the bus all the time. If the blimp makes a splash at the teaparty, it could be big news and any town it is in, the local news/papers will cover it because they are not directed by the msm. We definetly should start a website start a website if this gets off the ground to track the blimp. Kinda like where's george? We could have a comments section for people to enter when and where they saw the blimp.

[McDermit]

If you don't get enough interest to pull this off, will you be considering a smaller RC outdoor blimp? Or will that be the end of the idea?

[Ozwest]

By what date do the blimp providers need the cash-in-hand?

[Midnight77]

Apparently the terms are that we get the blimp for a month. Imagine flying this in New York City on New Year's Eve.

Also, putting the blimp in Iowa and New Hampshire as their Caucus and Primary roll around.

This has $$$ all over it. I really think we should go for it.

[Elijah]

By what date do the blimp providers need the cash-in-hand?

The blimp will be held for us until the 30th! Seven days.

[McDermit]

...

[Midnight77]

We need $200,000. We can do this in 7 days easily.

Elijah, maybe you should create a poll on here and a new thread on reasons you feel supporting the blimp will be a huge success. If we are to do this, we need to get on this really fast.

[torchbearer]

If this project stirs up enthusiasm and enough interested parties to pledge the required monies, the naysayers should just stand aside.

Go the BLIMPIES!!!

the naysayers have been wrong every step of the way... use them as motivation to work harder and donate more. i love proving them wrong!

[Jmaths117]

A blimp? Are you people kidding me? You are going to waste your money on a blimp? Wow...

[Ozwest]

The blimp will be held for us until the 30th! Seven days.

What are the contractual obligations? Raising that kind of money in 6 or 7 days is a big call. Better start generating some pledges quick time if this is going to happen...

[Elijah]

the naysayers have been wrong every step of the way... use them as motivation to work harder and donate more. i love proving them wrong!

Done!

[Eric21ND]

So once you get it where will you fly that huge beast? lol to the early primary states?

any publicity is good publicity. I'm kinda torn between whether $200,000 would be better spent on an ad blitz in Iowa. For that kind of money we could show several grassroots ads. Or get an awesome 30 min informercial running none stop!

If you do it I want a ride in it! :)

[torchbearer]

A blimp? Are you people kidding me? You are going to waste your money on a blimp? Wow...

Doesn't sound like a waste of money... a waste of money is shipping my friends over seas to get their body's ripped apart by hot metal.

[MRoCkEd]

"amazing, amazing"
let's get this sucker flying!

[walt]

13 passenger Gondola (seats 12 passengers with 2 pilots up front) <<< ronpaulblimp.com needs a math adjustment :)

And now for the big question. What logo?

[jamesmadison]

I think it would be a good idea to do this on the primary dates above new hampshire, as a reminder for people to vote.

Something like, vote for ron paul.

[Elijah]

What are the contractual obligations? Raising that kind of money in 6 or 7 days is a big call. Better start generating some pledges quick time if this is going to happen...

The owner is a Ron Paul supporter and is giving it to us for a 1 month contract with an option to extend.

Most companies would have a 6-12 month contract on this as it is one of the largest in the world!

[Elijah]

13 passenger Gondola (seats 12 passengers with 2 pilots up front) <<< ronpaulblimp.com needs a math adjustment :)

And now for the big question. What logo?

It says 13 people here --> http://www.airshipman.com/ourairships.htm

However, in my talks with the owner he says it is 12.

[Ozwest]

Only about 10,000.00 pledged so far. Might make sense to start a new thread with the word "donations" in it, and push this hard and keep it at the top of the board. Time to see if this puppy has any legs!

[Elijah]

Only about 10,000.00 pledged so far. Might make sense to start a new thread with the word "donations" in it, and push this hard and keep it at the top of the board. Time to see if this puppy has any legs!

A new concept is being worked on to make the media coverage huge and even more viral! The site will be updated soon with new details.

A new thread will be published along with the new site. (same url)

[Ozwest]

Good stuff!

[Midnight77]

I want to hear Blitzer do another "Amazing. Amazing." when he sees the blimp flying in Boston that weekend while Paul brings in $10 Million Dollars.

[eloquensanity]

The point isn't to convince everyone. That's ridiculous. It's about advertisement, it's about getting his name out there. A giant blimp is ultimately more memorable than most political ads.

It could possibly generate more air time than buying TV ads because TV stations will put blimp sightings on the local news.
I think it is a great idea. It will help with the teaparty and any other big grassroots events we are promoting.

I don't see a downside to it, more and more people are becoming fascinated with the fun we have in this unconventional campaign. It makes them want to look for more information which is what we want. Once they hear and understand the simplicity and just plain common sense of the message they are converted.
:)

[walt]

Wherever it is needed the most. The Skyship 600 has a max speed of 65 mph and since it is helium it is very costly to deflate and transport so it needs to fly everywhere it goes. We recieve 100 flying hours for the month and we must strategically plan the most effective flight. Also weather forecasts will affect the route therefore the route will need to be dynamic. Overall we will seek direction and suggestions for the route at RonPaulForums.com.

This is way too restrictive on airtime at 100 hours it seems. A blimp on the ground is not useful. :( Is there anyway to increase the flying time? :)

This trip is 13 hours one way (assuming no head wind)...
Distance from Columbia,SC to Montpelier,VT
Distance is 1350 kilometers or 839 miles or 729 nautical miles
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distanceresult.html?p1=66&p2=164

This trip is 17 hours one way (assuming no head wind)...
Distance from Montpelier to Des Moines
Distance is 1740 kilometers or 1081 miles or 940 nautical miles
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distanceresult.html?p1=164&p2=76

So that is 30 hours in travel just between the 3 primary locations and doesn't include the trip back to NYC for New year's eve.

What would 200 or 300 hours of flying time cost? I don't think it works with 100 hours. :(

[Midnight77]

It could possibly generate more air time than buying TV ads because TV stations will put blimp sightings on the local news.
I think it is a great idea. It will help with the teaparty and any other big grassroots events we are promoting.

I don't see a downside to it, more and more people are becoming fascinated with the fun we have in this unconventional campaign. It makes them want to look for more information which is what we want. Once they hear and understand the simplicity and just plain common sense of the message they are converted.
:)

Couldn't agree more. People are harping on ads. They aren't taking into consideration feature articles written about this in magazines and video segments aired on the News covering this event. Articles in the papers, etc.

This is a novel idea. When has any other President had something like this done? Combined with Paul physically being in Boston on the 16th giving a speech, the re-enactments of the Boston Tea Party, and the HUGE Fundraiser, this idea has $$$ all over it.

[noztnac]

I just pledged $25.

There are a lot of crop dusters and people with small airplanes. I think it would be a very good idea to have them pull banners over college football games. Maybe even skywriters.

Someone should look into this. I would do it but I'm in South Korea right now.

[Proemio]

the naysayers have been wrong every step of the way... use them as motivation to work harder and donate more. i love proving them wrong!

Yep.

To the shrieking nanny brigades, a.k.a the 'significant' vocal minority:
The word "MUST" should only be used in conjunction with "I".
As an interesting side-effect, doing so would actually be consistent with the core-message 'we' purport to represent...:eek:

[Lets do this]

This could be very interesting. With only 100 hours for the month we'd have to keep the Blimp out on the East Coast. Taking it all the way to Iowa would be to costly.

Awesome idea though. I'll start getting the word out under some u tube vids.

Get that blimp in the air.

[Elijah]

Wherever it is needed the most. The Skyship 600 has a max speed of 65 mph and since it is helium it is very costly to deflate and transport so it needs to fly everywhere it goes. We recieve 100 flying hours for the month and we must strategically plan the most effective flight. Also weather forecasts will affect the route therefore the route will need to be dynamic. Overall we will seek direction and suggestions for the route at RonPaulForums.com.

This is way too restrictive on airtime at 100 hours it seems. A blimp on the ground is not useful. :( Is there anyway to increase the flying time? :)


This trip is 13 hours one way (assuming no head wind)...
Distance from Columbia,SC to Montpelier,VT
Distance is 1350 kilometers or 839 miles or 729 nautical miles
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distanceresult.html?p1=66&p2=164

This trip is 17 hours one way (assuming no head wind)...
Distance from Montpelier to Des Moines
Distance is 1740 kilometers or 1081 miles or 940 nautical miles
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distanceresult.html?p1=164&p2=76

So that is 30 hours in travel just between the 3 primary locations and doesn't include the trip back to NYC for New year's eve.

What would 200 or 300 hours of flying time cost? I don't think it works with 100 hours. :(

The owner is working on a formula for extra hours and overtime

The owner just increased it today to 120 hours no extra charge.

200-300 miles a day is the standard for the blimp travel and they can pull extra duty if a deadline needs to be met.

We have a Ron Paul owner and he and the ground crew are flexible. Once the crowds start appearing and the ground crew fully absorbs the impact that they are helping to make on the world then I am sure we will see things happen that were unexpected signs of gratitude. The crew may just be willing to go the extra mile to help the cause once they are "infected" with the revolution.

[ashevillejerry]

This is way too restrictive on airtime at 100 hours it seems. A blimp on the ground is not useful. :( Is there anyway to increase the flying time? :)


A blimp on the ground is a great backdrop for rallies. It will make great photo shoots both for TV and print.

We are looking into what the overtime will cost, but that will mean more people supporting it with more money.

[walt]

The owner is working on a formula for extra hours and overtime

The owner just increased it today to 120 hours no extra charge.

200-300 miles a day is the standard for the blimp travel and they can pull extra duty if a deadline needs to be met.

We have a Ron Paul owner and he and the ground crew are flexible. Once the crowds start appearing and the ground crew fully absorbs the impact that they are helping to make on the world then I am sure we will see things happen that were unexpected signs of gratitude. The crew may just be willing to go the extra mile to help the cause once they are "infected" with the revolution.

Thanks, I think with more flying time this can likely work. Don't forget about Florida (I'd actually focus alot on Florida and SC due to warmer weather and more people outside and population density) and Michigan when mapping the route! :D http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_population_density Think in terms of advertising views

I think mapping out the likely route now would allow people to better understand what will be produced.

The only other things I'm a bit frightened of are:
1) can it fly at night? and if so does it have lighting?(NYE, etc)
2) What type of weather grounds it? I'm thinking like a nor'easter with winds about x miles per hour...

[Chester Copperpot]

If this project stirs up enthusiasm and enough interested parties to pledge the required monies, the naysayers should just stand aside.

Go the BLIMPIES!!!

I agree that the blimp is a diversion.. but I agree with your statement that naysayers stand aside..

truth is there are probably ENOUGH of us to do eveything that we can think of and which motivates us. I will definitely have a smile on my face if I see a Ron Paul blimp on TV.

[torchbearer]

The naysayer serves two purposes.
We need the naysayers... as a constant voice of criticism that makes us better and the constant bitching that motivates us to work harder to prove them wrong.

[Matt]

This is awesome!:D

I have some ideas on how to get the money. Once the details are worked out and the new site is up we should do strategically timed Digg and Reddit submissions. Put the word out on all the forums and designate someone to submit the stories at a certain time. Then we all Digg and comment the hell out of it all at once which should get it straight to the front page. We could also get some friendly radio personalities like Alex Jones (gasp) and Chuck Baldwin to promote it.

[spivey378]

The owner is working on a formula for extra hours and overtime

The owner just increased it today to 120 hours no extra charge.

200-300 miles a day is the standard for the blimp travel and they can pull extra duty if a deadline needs to be met.

We have a Ron Paul owner and he and the ground crew are flexible. Once the crowds start appearing and the ground crew fully absorbs the impact that they are helping to make on the world then I am sure we will see things happen that were unexpected signs of gratitude. The crew may just be willing to go the extra mile to help the cause once they are "infected" with the revolution.

i was thinking the same thing. it would be a sacrifice for the country. think of how much money they will save on income taxes!

that would be even a better story

company donates blimp for ron paul....

now i am dreaming. i like this idea because its outside the box and VIRAL!

[Sey.Naci]

For ronpaulblimp.com (http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/), I recommend moving the pledge count - $13,825 pledged as of 12:09 pm 11/23/07 - to the top of the page. Then, everyone can see it withoutf having to scroll down the page - not all of us have huge screens.

[Matt Collins]

A blimp is A BAD IDEA!!!



Here is why:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=40432






.

[Elijah]

This is awesome!:D

I have some ideas on how to get the money. Once the details are worked out and the new site is up we should do strategically timed Digg and Reddit submissions. Put the word out on all the forums and designate someone to submit the stories at a certain time. Then we all Digg and comment the hell out of it all at once which should get it straight to the front page. We could also get some friendly radio personalities like Alex Jones (gasp) and Chuck Baldwin to promote it.

A Digg and Reddit bomb!! I love it!!

Brilliant!

[LFOD]

A blimp is A BAD IDEA!!!



Here is why:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=40432






.

Then come up with a better one and make THAT happen - capice?

[Bertrand]

What a waste of money and resources. This is an example of what we should NOT be doing. Door to door people.

[Elijah]

Duplicate post

[Midnight77]

What a waste of money and resources. This is an example of what we should NOT be doing. Door to door people.

No, Door to Door AND the Blimp is the answer. We must do all of the above. The Blimp will be excellent exposure as no other candidate has ever done this. We'll get TV, Print exposure in terms of feature articles ... not just advertisements. It helps spread awareness.

Having this blimp in town for Boston for the Tea Party is a MUST, along with Iowa, New Hampshire ... and New Year's Eve for the Countdown.

The Coverage will be through the roof with this.

[rajibo]

Wouldn't it cost about the same or cheaper to just build a Ron Paul hot air balloon. I've seen way more hot air balloons in the air in my life than blimps.

Plus you can sell Ron Paul hot air balloon rides.


I say a hot air balloon is the answer. Yup.

[Man from La Mancha]

What a waste of money and resources. This is an example of what we should NOT be doing. Door to door people.I'm not that slow as some might be, I can actually do several things at a time, can you?


.

[Matt Collins]

Then come up with a better one and make THAT happen - capice?Search my post history. I have made MANY threads on how to best advertise Ron Paul. Shortly I will be coming out with a model based on what we are going to do in Nashville for others to follow.

[wisconsinite]

one thing that kinda sucks is if you want to fly it between different early primary states, a lot of the other states you'd have to fly over don't vote until after super tuesday: Ohio, Pennsylvania, N. Carolina, Virginia, Indiana.

The five early states in the east:
Iowa jan. 3
NH jan. 8
Michigan jan. 15
S. Carolina Jan. 19
Florida jan. 29


Super Tuesday states in the east:

Illinois
New York
New Jersey
Conneticut
Delaware
Georgia
Tennessee
Alabama

Problem with Iowa is that, not only is it a far distance from the other early states, but also the population is very spread out and I wonder how many people would be outside in the cold to see the blimp.

[Primbs]

I think the blimp will have a huge impact. I live in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes and 10 times as many liberal socialist wingnuts and Paul Welstone had a green bus and that is all the media focused on. Following the freeking bus. The green bus was here, the green bus was there. They reported on the bus all the time. If the blimp makes a splash at the teaparty, it could be big news and any town it is in, the local news/papers will cover it because they are not directed by the msm. We definetly should start a website start a website if this gets off the ground to track the blimp. Kinda like where's george? We could have a comments section for people to enter when and where they saw the blimp.

We can put the Ron Paul freedom blimp in the advertising. That will enhance the advertising as well. He will be the only candidate with a blimp.

[Midnight77]

^^Bingo.

Novelty. It all goes along with the message of change.

This will be on the News, Radio, TV, etc. The message will get out.

[happyphilter]

Heres an idea, let people spend their money how they want!

[James R]

I just got off the phone with the owner of the blimp and he said we can have it in Boston by December 15th!!

Please consider calculating exactly how many views we can actually get for a blimp. The price for radio is $5 per 1,000 impressions. Primetime TV is $20 per 1,000 impressions. Newspapers are maybe $10 per 1,000 typical (1/3 page ad) near front. Also keep in mind that we can't target the prime targets for Ron Paul with a blimp, so each view is not worth as much as an ad in a precious metal coin magazine for example.

[Ozwest]

Please consider calculating exactly how many views we can actually get for a blimp. The price for radio is $5 per 1,000 impressions. Primetime TV is $20 per 1,000 impressions. Newspapers are maybe $10 per 1,000 typical (1/3 page ad) near front. Also keep in mind that we can't target the prime targets for Ron Paul with a blimp, so each view is not worth as much as an ad in a precious metal coin magazine for example.

Yes, but which impressions will you remember?

Getting MSM and local media coverage about the Ron Paul Blimp is the multiplying effect that conventional media will not achieve.

[Primbs]

The fact that we are having the debate shows the blimp is a good idea. Everybody is stirred up about it.

2. We don't have enough supporters to go door to door right now. We are having problems getting enough people to go out and collect signatures to Put Ron Paul the ballot in some states. We can barely respond to the email that Ron Paul gets.

A blimp will bring in new supporters and new blood.

3. The cost of TV advertising in NYC, New Jersey, Northern Virginia/Wash D.C. and other large cities is prohibitive. 30,000 for a thirty second TV commercial. 1000 for a local Mike Savage or Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck commercial. Three hundred thousand could evaporate into TV and radio land in just several days and most people would never hear the commercials. Most radio campaigns have to have minimum nine commercials a day for about a week.

Ron Paul cannot afford to run commercials in all the targeted cities around the country for the early primaries and super Tuesday. Add up all the cities we need to be in and see if we could afford the commercials for more than one day.

People will see the blimp for hours at a time. They can hover slowly over selected cities.

I would like to pay for a copy of an official portrait of the Ron Paul Blimp.

[Ozwest]

I'm tell'in ya, I'm catch'in BLIMPMANIA!

[Elijah]

Please consider calculating exactly how many views we can actually get for a blimp. The price for radio is $5 per 1,000 impressions. Primetime TV is $20 per 1,000 impressions. Newspapers are maybe $10 per 1,000 typical (1/3 page ad) near front. Also keep in mind that we can't target the prime targets for Ron Paul with a blimp, so each view is not worth as much as an ad in a precious metal coin magazine for example.

I am not sure it is realistic to spend time counting views etc.

We will have a PR crew and be offering the media blimp rides with the new model. If you were with the media and were offered a 1 hour blimp ride, would you take it? We will have to select the media we want. Possibly by a writing contest on why they think they should blimp ride?

Every person from the media will write/report a story on their "once in a lifetime" experience and everywhere the blimp lands there will be a 100-10,000 Ron Paul supporters standing there with it! The media will see these fans by boarding and unboarding.

This will translate into print and tv ads in the local news. Again not my idea but I try to be a good listener.

What do you think about this model?

[Primbs]

"Blimps are hot. They have marquee names, make appearances, draw crowds. People scramble to get close to them, to touch them, to scrawl graffiti on them with lipsticks and felt-tip pens. It's true not just of Goodyear blimps but of a crowd of others as well, floating over everything from the Kentucky Derby to a frog-jumping contest."

"Blimps are showing up as trendy props in TV advertising, too. An actor bungee-jumps from one and scoops up a dab of salsa; a quarterback phones two blimp pilots flying over the stadium, to see if he left his truck lights on; a sweepstakes team arrives at a winner's front door with the big check while a blimp hangs in the sky."

"Blimps bestow a certain cachet on the events they cover and on the companies they represent," says Michael Bolton, a blimp marketing man. "They make everything seem more important and more exciting by their very presence." A Goodyear pilot adds, "You've heard the saying that blimps make people smile and dogs bark. It's true. We're ambassadors of goodwill."

"The value of those fleeting looks, calculated at TV's extraordinary advertising rates, is what keeps blimps in the air there days - even over domed stadiums. If Goodyear gets 45 to 90 seconds of national TV exposure during a World Series game or the Super Bowl, it's worth millions. These rewards are more than enough to justify the cost of maintaining three big blimps."

[Ozwest]

The media will jump all over this BIG TIME. It's just too good of a story to pass up!

New supporters will be drawn to the excitement of a grassroots campaign that supports their man with a blimp!

[Primbs]

Since Ron Paul is targeting students, the blimp can land at different football fields at colleges in targeted states increasing his turnout for those events and aid in signing up volunteers to go door to door, letter writing campaigns ect.

As the blimp goes up the east coast we can also fly over or hover over liberty icons.

We can also try to measure for increased donations as the Ron Paul blimp flies over certain areas. There could even be contests where the most money pledged gets a visit from the Ron Paul Freedom Blimp or Ron Paul Liberty Blimp.

Many blimps can be lit up at night, which makes it very eye catching.

We can also sell hats and t shirts with the blimp image.

Other ways to leverage a blimp would be to offer flights to town officials, reporters, and local sports or entertainment figures.

We can provide aerial coverage for streaming websites, youtube, local television news stations and give live remotes for local radio stations.

TV commercials and radio commercials can't connect one on one the way a blimp and a volunteer coordinator team could at a college. With the blimp at an event, the Ron Paul campaign can secure and lock in the volunteers that we are going to need in the small states of New Hampshire and the large states like Michigan.

[Matt Collins]

I am not sure it is realistic to spend time counting views etc.Again, with all due respect to you too, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Here is an analogy:
Would you invest in the stock market without at least making an educated guess on your potential returns?! If you invest without studying then you are a fool.
The same applies here. Why spend money unless you know what you are going to get in return? Why spend LOTS of money on something that will not win the election like a few less expensive well placed ads will?



Every person from the media will write/report a story on their "once in a lifetime" experience and everywhere the blimp lands there will be a 100-10,000 Ron Paul supporters standing there with it! The media will see these fans by boarding and unboarding. The media might cover it, or they might not. It depends on which way the wind is blowing and how busy of a news day it is. But if you want to be guaranteed that you get air time, buy advertising; it works!



This will translate into print and tv ads in the local news. What do you think about this model?I think it is wishful thinking. They ignored us until the Q3 and money bomb but still don't give us much positive press no matter what we do. I don't think a blimp is going to change their minds. It might make the news, it might not. And if it does, then they can spin it whichever way they want. If WE buy the airtime, then we can guarantee what gets said.

[Primbs]

TV ads do not guarantee victory.

There are many failed cool television advertising campaigns. The Nissan 300 commercial with Van Halen music was very catchy, cool had lots of buzz but failed to produce increased car sales in the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylyvWXcoOWQ

I like the commercial myself, but apparently liking a commercial and getting people to buy sometimes doesn't connect.

There are many senate races in the mid west where TV time is dirt cheap and both sides pound each other with TV ads. At that point, both sides get TV exposure the winning candidate is often determined by the issues that are used, Get out the vote, ground operations and many other factors other than the fact that the candidate is merely on TV or radio.

Many TV ads are ineffectual.

[bmcosti]

Can we get the blimp at the debates. That would be super cool!

[Man from La Mancha]

Can you imagine a bunch of those small 10 ft blimps show up the same day as the big blimp arrives over a city. From then on when anybody see a blimp they won't even half to read it they will think a RON PAUL blimp. A mother and all little baby blimps. We could even have RON Paul balloons shape like blimps as a RON PAUL symbol. The ideas are endless. I have bought lottery tickets and I swear if I win the big one I will pay for the 1st month of the blimp myself. So help me GOD.


.

[Paul4Prez]

"Blimps bestow a certain cachet on the events they cover and on the companies they represent," says Michael Bolton, a blimp marketing man. "They make everything seem more important and more exciting by their very presence."



Funny, I expected Michael Bolton to say "How am I supposed to advertise without you?" to the blimp.

[Ozwest]

Matt, you are in the radio game, and therefore biased to the more conventional forms of advertising.

What is proposed here is unconventional yes, but it is outstandingly different.

It is in the vein of Donald trump or Richard Branson. I suspect they would approve this message.

This has caught the imagination of many on this forum, and they may donate to this project, whereas other more mundane projects may be ignored.

Consider the possibility that you might be wrong on this one, and stand aside, allowing the chips to fall where they may.

[Sojourner]

A blimp is more likely to get media coverage than a magazine ad and it reaches a lot of people all at once.

Pure speculation. The media has selectively ignored Ron Paul's grassroots efforts. Once the novelty wears off within a few days I assert the media will ignore it.

Magazine ads don't cost $200K - $300K except possibly in MSM newz magazines or other very high circulation magazines. $200K - $300K will buy a lot of radio spots and newspaper ads, especially 1/4 to 1/2 page ads done with some frequency in the same newspapers.

Supporters of this half-baked idea claim a high impression rate - this high impression rate estimation supposes: an inordinately high number of people are going to be outside and they are going to be looking up during the very short time frame of visibility of the side of the blimp so they can read what it says; that people are going to hang around outside idly standing there when they see the blimp in the distance hoping that it passes over them so they can read it. It is an unrealistic pipe dream based on very weak or unsubstantiated data.

IMO it would make far more sense to leverage available funds by utilizing the basics, especially signs, whether homemade or professionally printed, and banners.

[eric_cartman]

at first i thought the blimp idea was a little impractical. however, if we could have the blimp in Boston on Dec. 15th, 16th, and 17th... that would be amazing!

it's such a wonderful idea because it makes such a great story for the media. it will give tv networks something to show for video footage when they cover the money bomb. so you've got me sold... but i can't afford to give much more than $100 or so.

it's a great idea, but you're going to need so much more money in such a short amount of time, i really don't think this current course of action will generate enough funds to make this a reality.

when would we have to have the money collected and payed for by? because surely it will take a while for them to decorate the blimp with a ron paul design. it will also take a while to fly it to boston... so when does this have to be done by?

i have a suggestion that could be a solution:

1) see if the ron paul campaign will endorse it and pay for it. donations are supposed to be used for advertising anyways, and i think it will get on so many tv stations around the country, that the 350k will be well spent.

2) as much as i hate to say this, if there is no other solution... sell the other half of the blimp to a big company to use for their advertising. try and find a company that is in line with ron paul's message and values. for example, if the liberty dollar place hadn't been raided, i bet you they would have paid a lot of money to get on the other side of that blimp.

so one side of blimp says "Ron Paul 2008" or whatever... the other side has a McDonalds logo. (McDonalds will just be used as an example). For McDonalds, 350k in advertising is a drop in the bucket to them, and you can pitch them the idea because there will be large rallies wherever the blimp goes, and the blimp is likely to get national media attention for the 16th.

One company that would be possible off the top of my head would be something like "party poker" or "poker stars" ... ron paul wants to leave the internet alone and not make it illegal to gamble on online sites. these sites spend lots on advertisement ...

hell, you could probably charge party poker .5 million, since you tell them that the media is likely to mention their name during the stories. the stories will mention how ron paul is against regulating the internet and that american's are free to spend their money in their own homes however they want. it's extremely positive marketing for party poker because the ron paul revolution is such a feel good story... it is the exact kind of marketing that businesses love. (i play a lot of online poker, so that's why it came to mind for me).

but i feel that corporate sponsorship may be the only way to make this thing possible, and it should pay for itself, if not possibly even generate extra revenue that could be donated back to the campaign or used in a future event.

[Ozwest]

at first i thought the blimp idea was a little impractical. however, if we could have the blimp in Boston on Dec. 15th, 16th, and 17th... that would be amazing!

it's such a wonderful idea because it makes such a great story for the media. it will give tv networks something to show for video footage when they cover the money bomb. so you've got me sold... but i can't afford to give much more than $100 or so.

it's a great idea, but you're going to need so much more money in such a short amount of time, i really don't think this current course of action will generate enough funds to make this a reality.

when would we have to have the money collected and payed for by? because surely it will take a while for them to decorate the blimp with a ron paul design. it will also take a while to fly it to boston... so when does this have to be done by?

i have a suggestion that could be a solution:

1) see if the ron paul campaign will endorse it and pay for it. donations are supposed to be used for advertising anyways, and i think it will get on so many tv stations around the country, that the 350k will be well spent.

2) as much as i hate to say this, if there is no other solution... sell the other half of the blimp to a big company to use for their advertising. try and find a company that is in line with ron paul's message and values. for example, if the liberty dollar place hadn't been raided, i bet you they would have paid a lot of money to get on the other side of that blimp.

so one side of blimp says "Ron Paul 2008" or whatever... the other side has a McDonalds logo. (McDonalds will just be used as an example). For McDonalds, 350k in advertising is a drop in the bucket to them, and you can pitch them the idea because there will be large rallies wherever the blimp goes, and the blimp is likely to get national media attention for the 16th.

One company that would be possible off the top of my head would be something like "party poker" or "poker stars" ... ron paul wants to leave the internet alone and not make it illegal to gamble on online sites. these sites spend lots on advertisement ...

hell, you could probably charge party poker .5 million, since you tell them that the media is likely to mention their name during the stories. the stories will mention how ron paul is against regulating the internet and that american's are free to spend their money in their own homes however they want. it's extremely positive marketing for party poker because the ron paul revolution is such a feel good story... it is the exact kind of marketing that businesses love. (i play a lot of online poker, so that's why it came to mind for me).

but i feel that corporate sponsorship may be the only way to make this thing possible, and it should pay for itself, if not possibly even generate extra revenue that could be donated back to the campaign or used in a future event.

Troll.

[Sojourner]

The big advantage of the blimp, is the related press spin off.

Wishful thinking and extremely unpredictable.


It is probably easier to get people to donate to a project like this, because it's very cool.

'Coolness' does not equal quantifiable success.

[eric_cartman]

what's your problem ozwest?

i can't throw an idea out there? you don't say what it is that you disagree with, you just feel that you can label people "Troll"'s without any rationalization.

[Sojourner]

If you do not have anything nice to say...

Reality is harsh.

[Chibioz]

This is starting to seem like a pretty cool idea. Pledged $25.

[Sojourner]

TV stations will put blimp sightings on the local news.


I assert this is pure speculation and a pipe dream.

Please provide some examples of this. :confused:

[Man from La Mancha]

Reality is harsh.
My Mom always told me if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything. I assume it is too difficult for you to come up with a good idea to finance this so you just have to tell the cats.:( Thanks for bumbing this thread:)

.

[Ozwest]

what's your problem ozwest?

i can't throw an idea out there? you don't say what it is that you disagree with, you just feel that you can label people "Troll"'s without any rationalization.

Maybe Ronald McDonald and Ron Paul can discuss foreign policy with the Hamburgler.

[cien750hp]

if only google was less well known, it could be
"GOOGLE RON PAUL"
of course they don't need advertising, and im sure this is violation of some FEC rule somewhere, so.. everyone donate!

[Sojourner]

feature articles written about this in magazines

With the exception of the newsweeklies, magazines have at least 45-90 day lead times, generally speaking. Feature articles? :confused:


video segments aired on the News

Pure speculation here, no guarantees whatsoever.

[Ozwest]

eric cartman, Ron Paul will only accept donations from private donors, lobbyists know better than to seek favors from him in Washington, and his platform revolves around eliminating corporate fascism.

Surprised at my response?

[eric_cartman]

you know... for a ron paul supporter, you really are a sarcastic asshole. just because you've posted 1700+ posts, doesn't give you the right to crap all over other people's ideas by ridiculing them with sarcasm. as a senior forum member, you should be nicer to new people who join the forum. you should welcome new ideas and opinions even if you disagree with them. but if you do disagree with them, explain yourself respectfully. no need to be such a smug fuck about it.

[Sojourner]

My Mom always told me if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything. I assume it is too difficult for you to come up with a good idea to finance this so you just have to tell the cats.:( Thanks for bumbing this thread:)

.

Some folks have an issue accepting the facts of the matter and prefer the surreal. And unfortunately they would like to persuade others to fund their surreal ideas.

If the owner of the blimp company is a supporter of Ron Paul, why not get him to donate the blimp??? The owner of an executive jet charter business offered the use of one of his best jets for Ron's use at absolutely no cost, why can't the owner of the blimp step forward like that???

[Man from La Mancha]

With the exception of the newsweeklies, magazines have at least 45-90 day lead times, generally speaking. Feature articles? :confused:



Pure speculation here, no guarantees whatsoever.
Oh mr god tell me how you know it won't work or that you will be alive tommorrow. Look in your kmarrt crystal ball and tell what the close of gold will be monday or the next eartquake . You have no idea that this won't work just like you probably never thought the Nov 5th bomb would be 4mil. And hadn't you heard that there are no guarantees in life.




http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/3471/001bz2.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2PUZoukfA)..http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/665/007ep7.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2PUZoukfA)..http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9435/blackwsmallyh7.gif (teaparty07.com)..http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8947/brighton7gs5.gif (teaparty07.com)..copy,paste,linked to teaparty07.com, last 2, put the sample faces anywhere and men will click on them, or make up your own hooks.

[eric_cartman]

this is not a donation to the ron paul campaign. ron paul and his campaign has no control over what an individual can or cannot do. the blimp project is totally independent of the official campaign.

if the other big candidates use corporate money to finance their campaigns, why should we not even the playing field?

[Midnight77]

This campaign is about trying new things. This will be one of the most unique campaigns of all time, given that it has been done primarily all over the Internet. Thus far, I'd say we've been doing a pretty damn good job and what we've been doing has worked extremely well, given our uphill battle in the Media.

[Man from La Mancha]

I was thinking could a lot of volunteers cut out large vinyl letters and attach them to the ship with some kind of removable glue approved by the airship people? Or have a lot of volunteer painters and use removable paint? I think with a little planning and lot of free labor we could put big letters on it very quickly like a Amish barn building project.

.

[Sojourner]

Oh mr god tell me how you know it won't work or that you will be alive tommorrow. Look in your kmarrt crystal ball and tell what the close of gold will be monday or the next eartquake . You have no idea that this won't work just like you probably never thought the Nov 5th bomb would be 4mil. And hadn't you heard that there are no guarantees in life.


There is a lot of supposition associated with this blimp idea, and the facts just don't support it, one example being the CPM (cost per thousand impressions) and another being that the media will cover it.

Light planes flying banners generally only fly banners when and where people are gathered in an area or otherwise mostly outside and moving about (e.g. ball games, parades, crowded beaches, during rush hour, festivals, events, etc.) for good reason.

Do local TV stations cover airplanes flying banners?

In wintertime do you really think you're going to get that many impressions in less than moderate weather?

IMO this is the biggest waste of money idea yet, but no doubt someone can top it.


.

[Ozwest]

you know... for a ron paul supporter, you really are a sarcastic asshole. just because you've posted 1700+ posts, doesn't give you the right to crap all over other people's ideas by ridiculing them with sarcasm. as a senior forum member, you should be nicer to new people who join the forum. you should welcome new ideas and opinions even if you disagree with them. but if you do disagree with them, explain yourself respectfully. no need to be such a smug fuck about it.

Settle down sonny boy! Go study Ron Pauls positions, and while your at it, look up the defenition for "sarcasm" in the Websters.

[wisconsinite]

Light planes flying banners generally only fly banners when and where people are gathered in an area or otherwise mostly outside and moving about (e.g. ball games, parades, crowded beaches, during rush hour, festivals, events, etc.) for good reason.


You bring up a good point.

When planning the blimps movement, we should try to have it travel during rush hour as much as possible flying parralel to the largest freeways to get the most views from commuters. :)

Also try to be in the air near a few NFL games and other large events.

[Man from La Mancha]

Light planes can't hover for 3 hours over a game and give a free platform for ESPN to use that will occasionally show it and talk about it during the game and mention Ron Paul nationally. There arn't enough blimps around to cover all the games so they should welcome the oppertunity. I don't think planes can tow banners that can be seen for 3 miles. Yes local stations will sometime show airplanes towing banners but 200ft blimps are much rarer so they make more of a story. Ever time I saw a blimp I tried to get in a better spot so I could see it and what it said. 100's to thousands of Ron supporters will show up where ever the blimp parks for a rally and that will pull more local media. This is only one of a dozen ideas i have mentioned on multiple threads. Of course one can't think up any on one's own when one is just trying to piss on some ones parade.

.

[Sojourner]

You bring up a good point.

When planning the blimps movement, we should try to have it travel during rush hour as much as possible flying parralel to the largest freeways to get the most views from commuters. :)

Also try to be in the air near a few NFL games and other large events.

I read somewhere that this blimp is limited to only 100 hours a month of actual flying/exposure time. How much does that come to per hour of exposure? And how many people are REALISTICALLY going to actually be able to be in range to view it well enough to read it AND actually make the effort to look up - in wintertime?

[Midnight77]

I read somewhere that this blimp is limited to only 100 hours a month of actual flying/exposure time. How much does that come to per hour of exposure? And how many people are REALISTICALLY going to actually be able to be in range to view it well enough to read it AND actually make the effort to look up - in wintertime?

Having the blimp on the day of the Boston Tea Party with Paul there and in New York City for New Year's Eve would be Huge. Imagine all the cameras for the New Year's Eve celebration capturing it.

[Man from La Mancha]

I read somewhere that this blimp is limited to only 100 hours a month of actual flying/exposure time. How much does that come to per hour of exposure? And how many people are REALISTICALLY going to actually be able to be in range to view it well enough to read it AND actually make the effort to look up - in wintertime?
They said its possible to get 120+ hrs. and on new years NY again it could be a TV platform for some media hovering for hrs overhead of one of the largest group of parting people at times square.. with a well paced searched light on the blimp at all times.


.

[walt]

They said its possible to get 120+ hrs. and on new years NY again it could be a TV platform for some media hovering for hrs overhead of one of the largest group of parting people at times square.. with a well paced searched light on the blimp at all times.


.

I still haven't had the - is it lit and can it be seen at night question, until this is answered that contention is suspect. :confused:

[Sojourner]

Light planes can't hover for 3 hours over a game and give a free platform for ESPN to use that will occasionally show it and talk about it during the game and mention Ron Paul nationally. There arn't enough blimps around to cover all the games so they should welcome the oppertunity.

A good friend is a commercial airline captain for a major airline - his lives, eats and breathes aviation. He recently told me that the networks have moved away from using blimps to cover football games in favor of light planes due to cost. A friend of his flies a Heliocourier light plane for various networks over football games which he can fly as slow as 30something knots, depending upon conditions, even slower with a good headwind.


I don't think planes can tow banners that can be seen for 3 miles.

An opinion, and everyone is entitled to an opinion. When selling something it is best to avoid opinions and stick to the facts.


Yes local stations will sometime show airplanes towing banners

Please give some examples of this. TIA


but 200ft blimps are much rarer so they make more of a story.

Blimps are not as rare as they were 30 years ago, therefore blimps are not nearly the novelty they once were.


Ever time I saw a blimp I tried to get in a better spot so I could see it and what it said.

Apparently you are an exception, most folks don't care enough to bother. Signs, banners, newspaper ads, TV and radio spots are another matter entirely since all of those are directly in front of people and it is virtually impossible to avert the impression. To get the impression from a blimp you're expecting people to go out of their way and make an effort to see it, which I think is highly speculative and a pipe dream. People do not register on that which is not directly in front of them, and with the use of a blimp you're expecting them to step out of their own little world which is against their nature (outside their comfort zone). That is wishful thinking IMO.


100's to thousands of Ron supporters will show up where ever the blimp parks for a rally and that will pull more local media.

Again, I think this is highly speculative. I don't think this will happen as much as you'd like to think it would.


Of course one can't think up any on one's own when one is just trying to piss on some ones parade.

Are you suggesting that I should attempt the record for the most wasteful use of OPM (other people's money) yet???


.

[Sojourner]

Imagine all the cameras for the New Year's Eve celebration capturing it.

That is definitely not something you can count on. The networks are extremely protective and discriminating about what they broadcast. Case in point: the coverage of NASCAR with the Ron Paul supporters getting in the background with banners - once the network advised the Ron Paul supporters what they intended to do to them if they persisted with the banners and signs in the background the Ron Paul supporters immediately packed it and did not attempt to do it again.

[Sojourner]

They said its possible to get 120+ hrs

And 120 hours costs how much?


on new years NY again it could be a TV platform for some media hovering for hrs overhead of one of the largest group of parting people at times square.. with a well paced searched light on the blimp at all times.


And the cost of making impressions on an inebriated crowd of systemites is $200K - $300K?

[walt]

NFL

Dec 16 1PM EST - NYJ at NE
Dec 22 DAL @ CAR 8:15 PM (tight timeline - can it be seen at night?)
Dec 23 1PM EST - OAK at Jacksonville (we need to hit Florida hard due to good weather, population density and heavy outside travel)

Dec 30
DAL @ WAS 1:00 PM
PIT @ BAL 1:00 PM
BUF @ PHI 1:00 PM
start the day in DC, then migrate north - 3 maybe 4 games hit

KC @ NYJ 8:15 PM - can it be seen at night?

[BeFranklin]

Having the blimp on the day of the Boston Tea Party with Paul there and in New York City for New Year's Eve would be Huge. Imagine all the cameras for the New Year's Eve celebration capturing it.

I think this is true, question is just a matter of donating. Remember, kids like blimps, better then Christmas presents! Ok, no, but at least your kids will understand this donation :)

Can give away presents off of blimb for Christmas too, with Ron Paul Santa Claus. All I want for Christmas is freedom!

[Ozwest]

I still haven't had the - is it lit and can it be seen at night question, until this is answered that contention is suspect. :confused:

It has a huge rolling screen of LED's pumping out your message.

[Benaiah]

//

[BeFranklin]

I think this is true, question is just a matter of donating. Remember, kids like blimps, better then Christmas presents! Ok, no, but at your kids will understand this donation :)

Can give away presents off of blimb for Christmas too, with Ron Paul Santa Claus. All I want for Christmas is freedom!

FYI: I really think we can use this for the teaparty. Can we start a money bomb for this, are we willing to support this? We can raise 250k in one day if we want to do this.

[Ozwest]

Or it could go to Vegas for New Years. I think 500,000 people flock to Vegas for New Years.... PLUS, it's an early voting state.

It's not de-flatable and is considerably slower than a big jet airliner. It would need to stay out east. However, if successful, it could cruise the western states when the primaries hit there.

[Ozwest]

FYI: I really think we can use this for the teaparty. Can we start a money bomb for this, are we willing to support this? We can raise 250k in one day if we want to do this.

There's work going on behind the scenes right now to spread this around the NET and upgrade the site. Stay tuned to this channel...

[walt]

It's not de-flatable and is considerably slower than a big jet airliner. It would need to stay out east. However, if successful, it could cruise the western states when the primaries hit there.

It needs to stay out east until NH is over - the logistics don't work.

Maybe we need a west caost and east coast blimp? :cool:

[Midnight77]

I would rather have the Blimp in New York as opposed to Vegas anyway, due to all the Media attention.

[Ozwest]

It needs to stay out east until NH is over - the logistics don't work.

Maybe we need a west caost and east coast blimp? :cool:

Use the same blimp. There's enough time between Eastern and West coast primaries.

[Ozwest]

I don't mean Nevada or Wyoming etc...

[troyd1]

When we do this, we need to do many press releases that children will see. They will bring their parents out to see the blimp.

[BeFranklin]

When we do this, we need to do many press releases that children will see. They will bring their parents out to see the blimp.

Done right, this might make the Boston tea party a celebrated event, again.

[Ozwest]

Done right, this might make the Boston tea party a celebrated event, again.

Well said. Need a little icing on the cake!

[BeFranklin]

I think this is true, question is just a matter of donating. Remember, kids like blimps, better then Christmas presents! Ok, no, but at least your kids will understand this donation :)

Can give away presents off of blimb for Christmas too, with Ron Paul Santa Claus. All I want for Christmas is freedom!

FYI: If the teaparty and Christmas celebration make anticipation of the Ron Paul New Years blimp high, the likely thing is that a "no fly restriction" over New York will be found to occur to prevent it from flying for the New Years celebration.

If thats true, I don't think anyone should say anything until it happens. That will allow time for anticipation to build up, and it will emphasize the madness that is Rudy and the war on terror

[Sojourner]

A much better use of resources IMO would be to hire light planes all over the country. By day a banner could be towed, and by night one of those planes with the scrolling light display under the wings would be the ticket.

The advantages of using light planes instead of a blimp:

*Much cheaper, money goes far, far further, meaning a much better CPM impressions

*Can be done in multiple locations, even two or more in one area, simultaneously,

*No per month contract, therefore no paying on the contract when days are missed

Yeah, it lacks the imagined 'coolness' factor, but using light planes on an 'as needed' basis is far more practical than a blimp which can only be serving one area.

Does anyone supporting this blimp idea think in practical terms?

[happyphilter]

A much better use of resources IMO would be to hire light planes all over the country. By day a banner could be towed, and by night one of those planes with the scrolling light display under the wings would be the ticket.

The advantages of using light planes instead of a blimp:

*Much cheaper, money goes far, far further, meaning a much better CPM impressions

*Can be done in multiple locations, even two or more in one area, simultaneously,

*No per month contract, therefore no paying on the contract when days are missed

Yeah, it lacks the imagined 'coolness' factor, but using light planes on an 'as needed' basis is far more practical than a blimp which can only be serving one area.

Does anyone supporting this blimp idea think in practical terms?


I agree with you on all those points, but, having a HUGE slow moving banner that has a 'cool factor' would be the biggest advantage.

[BeFranklin]

I agree with you on all those points, but, having a HUGE slow moving banner that has a 'cool factor' would be the biggest advantage.

I don't think we want to think in 'practical terms', practical terms are boring and don't grab attention, we need to 'think outside the box'.

Sounds like we could use this all Decemember. From another thread (joke comment reminded me of a super hero comic book), we can give away Ron Paul comic books about the original Boston tea party. Think blimp should be in the comic book too :)

[Benaiah]

Plus when Bill and Ted's excellent adventure part 3 comes out, they will say "hey look, it's a Ron Paul blimp."

[happyphilter]

I don't think we want to think in 'practical terms', practical terms are boring and don't grab attention, we need to 'think outside the box'.

Sounds like we could use this all Decemember. From another thread (joke comment reminded me of a super hero comic book), we can give away Ron Paul comic books about the original Boston tea party. Think blimp should be in the comic book too :)

haha yeah thinking in practical terms IS boring.

What is the last newspaper ad you saw?
The last TV commercial you can recall?
The last billboard you passed on the highway?
The last blimp you saw flying in the sky?
Could you answer them all?
Even if you could, now ask yourself this: how long ago did you see or hear them?

Comic books would be way over the top but really fun to do if possible too =p
Hope this isnt too over the top

[Ozwest]

A much better use of resources IMO would be to hire light planes all over the country. By day a banner could be towed, and by night one of those planes with the scrolling light display under the wings would be the ticket.

The advantages of using light planes instead of a blimp:

*Much cheaper, money goes far, far further, meaning a much better CPM impressions

*Can be done in multiple locations, even two or more in one area, simultaneously,

*No per month contract, therefore no paying on the contract when days are missed

Yeah, it lacks the imagined 'coolness' factor, but using light planes on an 'as needed' basis is far more practical than a blimp which can only be serving one area.

Does anyone supporting this blimp idea think in practical terms?

F*ck practical. There's nothing practical about supporting Ron Paul, or haven't you noticed?

[Man from La Mancha]

I have seen both and the blimp is much more easier to read and is more news worthy. I have always enjoyed seeing the planes over sporting events. They are being done now by local meetup groups now and will continue. The blimp will garner much more as a free platform for media over big sporting and other events. I wish there was a Pilots for Ron Paul that would use their own planes to pull banners. If I still had my Cessna 182 I would do in a minute. I'm surprised out of all the above average people on this forum that a bunch don't have their own planes. GO BLIMP

.

[jrich4rpaul]

This is good news, and I think getting Ron Paul to Boston on the 16th is equally important.

[Man from La Mancha]

Vermont is the blimp companies headquarters but where the blimp is I don't know, but Vermont is sure a good starting point for NH and NY.



.

[Flirple]

I don't think we want to think in 'practical terms', practical terms are boring and don't grab attention...

Yeah I think the thing that makes the blimp extremely practical and pragmatic is precisely that it is so impractical and ridiculous. Because this is a product of neophyte grassroot people this will just capture the hearts and imaginations of the public and the media. For that reason most of the benefits that will come from this will be indirectly by the buzz and media coverage of this. I don't think any official conventional campaign could ever justify this or make the numbers crunch. If they could they would have done this by now. But because of who we are and our circumstances I think this will prove to be a bargain. Lets go for it.

[BeFranklin]

I just got off the phone with the owner of the blimp and he said we can have it in Boston by December 15th!!

I just pledged $100. Well worth it in my opinion.

(FYI I wish totals were kept in real time on site)

[joeu]

I just got off the phone with the owner of the blimp and he said we can have it in Boston by December 15th!!

Can it fly over downtown Boston for the rally on the 16th...?

http://ronpaul.meetup.com/68/calendar/6622547/

[Ozwest]

Can it fly over downtown Boston for the rally on the 16th...?

http://ronpaul.meetup.com/68/calendar/6622547/

As far as I know, that is the plan.

[Sojourner]

F*ck practical.

So essentially what you're saying is "We don't care about being practical with other people's money."

[idiom]

Could Ron Paul fly into Boston Harbour on the Blimp?

[BeFranklin]

So essentially what you're saying is "We don't care about being practical with other people's money."

I don't know, it makes me happy. Is happiness practical?

[Ozwest]

I would rather give my money to Richard Branson or Donald Trump, and benefit from their "impractical" use of my money.

I'm not an Ostrich burying its head in the sand. Stay focused for a second, use your senses, and breath in the atmosphere.

[Man from La Mancha]

So essentially what you're saying is "We don't care about being practical with other people's money."No offense but you have that all wrong, everybody that is giving money has decided with our hard earned cash that is what WE WANT TO DO, it is not other peoples money. Certainly not yours.

.

[BeFranklin]

FYI: If the teaparty and Christmas celebration make anticipation of the Ron Paul New Years blimp high, the likely thing is that a "no fly restriction" over New York will be found to occur to prevent it from flying for the New Years celebration.

If thats true, I don't think anyone should say anything until it happens. That will allow time for anticipation to build up, and it will emphasize the madness that is Rudy and the war on terror

FYI: I think in the comic book, an arch villain should try to prevent Freedom Flying on New Years. There seems to be a lot of people that can draw good comics, maybe we can find someone to donate some time. This is pretty doable in itself.

[BeFranklin]

FYI: I think in the comic book, an arch villain should try to prevent Freedom Flying on New Years. There seems to be a lot of people that can draw good comics, maybe we can find someone to donate some time. This is pretty doable in itself.

Let Freedom Fly!

[Sojourner]

No offense but you have that all wrong, everybody that is giving money has decided with our hard earned cash that is what WE WANT TO DO, it is not other peoples money. Certainly not yours.

.

My money is being better leveraged elsewhere to support Dr. Paul, so my money is definitely out of the question. My point is, you have to 'sell' the concept to others who most likely don't understand specialized matters such as marketing and don't appreciate the finer points such as cost per impression, etc., and when the concept is flawed from the get-go... :eek:

The dead of winter is probably the worst possible time to do a blimp based advertising campaign, which makes a weak proposal even weaker, IMO.

I assert that money can be better leveraged in several different applications. But hey, I'm all in favor of freedom of choice, and if people want to waste money I think they should knock themselves out, even if that means a diversion of resources (although to the determent of the grassroots support IMO).

[BeFranklin]

My money is being better leveraged elsewhere to support Dr. Paul, so my money is definitely out of the question. My point is, you have to 'sell' the concept to others who most likely don't understand specialized matters such as marketing and don't appreciate the finer points such as cost per impression, etc., and when the concept is flawed from the get-go... :eek:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_marketing

[Ozwest]

My money is being better leveraged elsewhere to support Dr. Paul, so my money is definitely out of the question. My point is, you have to 'sell' the concept to others who most likely don't understand specialized matters such as marketing and don't appreciate the finer points such as cost per impression, etc., and when the concept is flawed from the get-go... :eek:

The dead of winter is probably the worst possible time to do a blimp based advertising campaign, which makes a weak proposal even weaker, IMO.

I assert that money can be better leveraged in several different applications. But hey, I'm all in favor of freedom of choice, and if people want to waste money I think they should knock themselves out, even if that means a diversion of resources (although to the determent of the grassroots support IMO).

Give it a rest, you pompous turd.

[Man from La Mancha]

My money is being better leveraged elsewhere to support Dr. Paul, so my money is definitely out of the question. My point is, you have to 'sell' the concept to others who most likely don't understand specialized matters such as marketing and don't appreciate the finer points such as cost per impression, etc., and when the concept is flawed from the get-go... :eek:

The dead of winter is probably the worst possible time to do a blimp based advertising campaign, which makes a weak proposal even weaker, IMO.

I assert that money can be better leveraged in several different applications. But hey, I'm all in favor of freedom of choice, and if people want to waste money I think they should knock themselves out, even if that means a diversion of resources (although to the determent of the grassroots support IMO).No leafs on the trees to block the view. Unlimited source of money just more ways to get it out of people. Don't limit ones self. If you build it they will come.:)

.

[Sojourner]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_marketing

If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make any noise?

[Sojourner]

Give it a rest, you pompous turd.


Your post is like the flawed concept of the blimp - an inexcusable failure to exercise intelligence or sound judgment.

[Ozwest]

If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make any noise?

Your pompousness drowns out all noises.

[Sojourner]

Your pompousness drowns out all noises.

Considering the source, thank you for your kind words. :)

[tfelice]

200K to fly a blimp in a late primary state that is primarily Democratic and where less than 15% of registered voters show up at the primaries?

Frankly, it's foolish.

[Ozwest]

I'd leverage your ass big time you pompous git.

[Sojourner]

I'd leverage your ass big time you pompous git.

Ok, I'm clueless there. What does that mean? :confused:

[Man from La Mancha]

200K to fly a blimp in a late primary state that is primarily Democratic and where less than 15% of registered voters show up at the primaries?

Frankly, it's foolish.If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
- Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD), Serendipity


The point of living and of being an optimist, is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come.
- Peter Ustinov (1921 - 2004)


For God's sake, give me the young man who has brains enough to make a fool of himself”
Robert Louis Stevenson quotes

When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.”
Cynthia Heimel quotes


.

[Sojourner]

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
- Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD), Serendipity


The point of living and of being an optimist, is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come.
- Peter Ustinov (1921 - 2004)


For God's sake, give me the young man who has brains enough to make a fool of himself”
Robert Louis Stevenson quotes

When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.”
Cynthia Heimel quotes


No problemo here with anyone being foolish on their own, but the issue is that you're wanting to persuade others to be foolish alongside you, IMO.

[Ozwest]

It means, don't be a pompous shit, pretending to be the font of knowledge, when those amongst you can spot a small time grifter.

[Man from La Mancha]

No problemo here with anyone being foolish on their own, but the issue is that you're wanting to persuade others to be foolish alongside you, IMO.
Yes, although you aren't on board I will have to admire your Ron Paul attitude to keep your discourses civil and even keel. Good day to you sir.

.

[Sojourner]

It means, don't be a pompous shit, pretending to be the font of knowledge, when those amongst you can spot a small time grifter.

You're a grifter???

[tfelice]

No problemo here with anyone being foolish on their own, but the issue is that you're wanting to persuade others to be foolish alongside you, IMO.

Agreed.

With this and various other threads I have looked at today, I feel like I am beginning to watch the beginning of a train wreck.

[Sojourner]

With this and various other threads I have looked at today, I feel like I am beginning to watch the beginning of a train wreck.

Yeah, me too, and I have an extreme dislike for train wrecks, especially when in close proximity.

[Ozwest]

You're a grifter???

No, you're a wannabee. Role playing only goes so far... Sooner or later you're going to get busted.

[Sojourner]

No, you're a wannabee. Role playing only goes so far... Sooner or later you're going to get busted.

I haven't been soliciting funds for some ill-conceived project, OTOH you are, so it appears you're the one who's busted. :p

Persuading others to participate in your own folly is pretty lame.

I'm all in favor of an aerial campaign with light planes pulling banners and the ones with scrolling light displays for nighttime use. Now that I could support and it would be a very effective use of resources, since multiple locations could be worked and on a 'just in time' schedule, as in very little notice and the planes are up. Quick response to transpiring events when and where necessary is essential.

With this blimp concept, there is absolutely no evidence to show: 1) the impressions actually received will amount to anything near assumed projections (we are talking the dead of winter here); 2) there will be media coverage to amount to a hill of beans (pardon the pun, being that we're talking about Boston in this thread); and 3) the blimp company will be able to meet it's schedule in wintertime.

[Primbs]

"Paid television advertising is the last refuge of the unimaginative."

In 2004 a dollars worth of supplies became worth millions of dollars of news coverage. A band aid, a purple felt tip pen were all that was needed to get national news coverage.

John Kerry's purple heart bandaid.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/30/gop.purple.hearts/

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38341

The whole point of the blimp is to be so different that we get massive television coverage. Planes with banners are becoming common place and do not warrent news stories. A blimp warrants a news story or passing coverage on TV. Not many people even have to see it live. But the media will make it a huge event.

[cien750hp]

Guys, its unconventional marketing.
it's a risk.
this might end up being huge and gets millions in publicity
this might end up being ignored by the media
who knows, but if you offer them it free i'm sure they'll take it

this is the free market
no more fighting and bashing over what to do
let people do what they want
so. this is the end of all the bashing over tv commercials vs. blimp
don't post anything else unless you are talking about the blimp, like its route, graphics, etc.
this is supposed to be a thread about the blimp, not blimp bashing

[speciallyblend]

will pledge another 10 ,just to shut everyone up. if you dont like me pledging then so be it,im not using your money. We all get it some of you dont like the blimp idea,guess what i dont care. drop it move on start your own idea or donate to www.ronpaul2008.com or produce radio ads or flyer cars,but drop it.

[Chibioz]

Guys, its unconventional marketing.
it's a risk.
this might end up being huge and gets millions in publicity
this might end up being ignored by the media
who knows, but if you offer them it free i'm sure they'll take it

this is the free market
no more fighting and bashing over what to do
let people do what they want
so. this is the end of all the bashing over tv commercials vs. blimp
don't post anything else unless you are talking about the blimp, like its route, graphics, etc.
this is supposed to be a thread about the blimp, not blimp bashing

Seconded.

[Elijah]

For every negative comment a person leaves they could be out leaving a Ron Paul plug in another forum letting other people know about Ron Paul. All of us have one goal in common, we have want Ron Paul to be president. Anyone who does anything else may possibly be direct competition with Ron Paul being president.

Spread the love!! We will win this election! So if you are going to spend a minute bringing this down (and are not a troll) try and spend a minute in another forum letting people know about Ron Paul and getting a person who would never have donated anyways to maybe watch a YouTube video.

We are going to try and put a gyro stabilized broadcast camera system on the blimp to film the Boston Tea Party reenactment. We have let the Boston Tea Party reenactment group we will be bringing the blimp!

It's gonna happen!! You either can help us or you can promote our future president to the people who didn't know about him!

Lets do this everyone!! Put everything behind and go forward with it.

[Shii]

I live in Boston and I can't wait to see this!

[torchbearer]

What will the trolls do if they weren't bashing on people and causing hate and distractions in every thread?
The whole point of trolldom is to distract, destroy, and to hate. Take all that away..and well you get a productive forum again. we wouldn't want that now would we?
chum set, proceed.

[Elijah]

The best way to stop a troll is to not know its there. ;)

[Ozwest]

What will the trolls do if they weren't bashing on people and causing hate and distractions in every thread?
The whole point of trolldom is to distract, destroy, and to hate. Take all that away..and well you get a productive forum again. we wouldn't want that now would we?
chum set, proceed.

Good to have a serious dude on board for this. Cause I don't know mate, but I think I've got BLIMPMANIA!

[Primbs]

Make no small plans for they do not excite men or womens souls. By using a blimp we will energize and maximize our base of support. We need to inspire our donors and inspire our volunteers to achieve great things.

[Mckarnin]

For every negative comment a person leaves they could be out leaving a Ron Paul plug in another forum letting other people know about Ron Paul. All of us have one goal in common, we have want Ron Paul to be president. Anyone who does anything else may possibly be direct competition with Ron Paul being president.

Spread the love!! We will win this election! So if you are going to spend a minute bringing this down (and are not a troll) try and spend a minute in another forum letting people know about Ron Paul and getting a person who would never have donated anyways to maybe watch a YouTube video.

We are going to try and put a gyro stabilized broadcast camera system on the blimp to film the Boston Tea Party reenactment. We have let the Boston Tea Party reenactment group we will be bringing the blimp!

It's gonna happen!! You either can help us or you can promote our future president to the people who didn't know about him!

Lets do this everyone!! Put everything behind and go forward with it.


PS--Love the graphic you put on the blimp on the site but do you think it should say "for president" somewhere?

Katharine

[Ozwest]

The best way to stop a troll is to not know its there. ;)

Are you working on the all-important contribution cu de gra ?

[peacemonger]

I don't like the blimp. Activist republican voters listen to Rush on the Radio. Activist Democrat voters listen to Air America. Activist Libertarians and Independents listen to all kinds of stuff on the radio.

Please!!! use the money you have raised to buy more CREATIVE radio ads on conservative, liberal, and any other kinds of talk radio programs. 350K is too much for a Blimp. For that amount of money you could fill every radio ad slot from now until election day.

Activists are addicted to talk radio and only Activists vote in Primaries. Think about it.

[steph3n]

For that amount of money you could fill every radio ad slot from now until election day.


this is way off, 350k won't buy much radio space.

[stefans]

just pledged 50$.
I think you need to make it more clear that this is not for one event or one day but a month.

and I think we shouldn't concentrate on the early primary states too much with this. getting the name out there is much easier with radio ads and direct mail.
but a blimp over highly populated areas and sport games is guaranteed to get free msm coverage.

[torchbearer]

Good to have a serious dude on board for this. Cause I don't know mate, but I think I've got BLIMPMANIA!

Get out there and get some money for it! I want to see you riding around in a blimp..in fact, charge airfare to keep enough gas in the tank.

[Ozwest]

Get out there and get some money for it! I want to see you riding around in a blimp..in fact, charge airfare to keep enough gas in the tank.

Shhh, I'm a secret benafactor.

[Ozwest]

just pledged 50$.
I think you need to make it more clear that this is not for one event or one day but a month.

and I think we shouldn't concentrate on the early primary states too much with this. getting the name out there is much easier with radio ads and direct mail.
but a blimp over highly populated areas and sport games is guaranteed to get free msm coverage.

Thanks for getting on-board!

[T206]

Get out there and get some money for it! I want to see you riding around in a blimp..in fact, charge airfare to keep enough gas in the tank.

I just realized that this:
http://www.joinsanders.com

is you...I think? Right?

[hillertexas]

Can you imagine a bunch of those small 10 ft blimps show up the same day as the big blimp arrives over a city. From then on when anybody see a blimp they won't even half to read it they will think a RON PAUL blimp. A mother and all little baby blimps. We could even have RON Paul balloons shape like blimps as a RON PAUL symbol. The ideas are endless. I have bought lottery tickets and I swear if I win the big one I will pay for the 1st month of the blimp myself. So help me GOD.


.

-brilliant

[torchbearer]

Thanks for getting on-board!

I'm serious, you should auction off tickets to fly on the blimp as part of a way to fund raise for it.

[torchbearer]

I just realized that this:
http://www.joinsanders.com

is you...I think? Right?

Yes, that is me. Brent Sanders, a.k.a. Torchbearer.

[Ozwest]

torchbearer, What kind of music do ya like from the 70's? I'll give you some options if you'd like. Not That It will make a fu*ck of a difference at your end. hehe

[T206]

Yes, that is me. Brent Sanders, a.k.a. Torchbearer.

awesome, not to derail this thread, but I see a link for donations on your site, how is that going? I may have to see if I can set aside a little cash for your campaign too.

[Elijah]

Make no small plans for they do not excite men or womens souls. By using a blimp we will energize and maximize our base of support. We need to inspire our donors and inspire our volunteers to achieve great things.

True dat!

[Jaykzo]

Good to have a serious dude on board for this. Cause I don't know mate, but I think I've got BLIMPMANIA!

ROFL

This blimp craze is cracking me up. I love it!

[Elijah]

just pledged 50$.
I think you need to make it more clear that this is not for one event or one day but a month.

and I think we shouldn't concentrate on the early primary states too much with this. getting the name out there is much easier with radio ads and direct mail.
but a blimp over highly populated areas and sport games is guaranteed to get free msm coverage.


Sports games are gonna be huge. We are gonna have trucks with searchlights mounted and light up the blimp above the stadium as it flies!

[OptionsTrader]

edit:
nevermind :)

[llamabread]

Sports games are gonna be huge. We are gonna have trucks with searchlights mounted and light up the blimp above the stadium as it flies!

Thanks for all the work you've been doing so far. Your really making this idea ...FLY.:p

[Midnight77]

I don't like the blimp. Activist republican voters listen to Rush on the Radio. Activist Democrat voters listen to Air America. Activist Libertarians and Independents listen to all kinds of stuff on the radio.

Please!!! use the money you have raised to buy more CREATIVE radio ads on conservative, liberal, and any other kinds of talk radio programs. 350K is too much for a Blimp. For that amount of money you could fill every radio ad slot from now until election day.

Activists are addicted to talk radio and only Activists vote in Primaries. Think about it.

If you're not donating for this cause, then it really doesn't concern you, now does it?

Why don't you go elsewhere and raise $350,000 to do the things you want to do?

[Elijah]

We are trying to get Broadcast cameras with a downlink to news stations and a loudspeaker set up as well.

This is all coming together and it is gonna happen because I am the optimist from hell!!

[torchbearer]

awesome, not to derail this thread, but I see a link for donations on your site, how is that going? I may have to see if I can set aside a little cash for your campaign too.

We haven't started a big fundraising push yet, I've raised about $5000 so far this year, but that is getting all my operations started... we have a fundraising goal of $300,000. Once we get the funds, I will take that congressional seat for the good guys!
People on the forum have been very generous! What I really want to get is a donation widget like Ron Paul has... but i don't have the money or technology to get it done right now.
Not sure if chipin would work with my website, but it would be cool for everyone to see how close we are getting to my fundraising goal.

If we raised 4.2million for Ron Paul in one day, I'm sure we can raise $300,000 for my campaign in a few months... people just need to know about it, and get excited about it too.
I'm no rookie at this game... and with the right money to hire the right campaign manager, we can take this congressional district.

[torchbearer]

torchbearer, What kind of music do ya like from the 70's? I'll give you some options if you'd like. Not That It will make a fu*ck of a difference at your end. hehe

How about some Velvet Underground.

[T206]

We haven't started a big fundraising push yet, I've raised about $5000 so far this year, but that is getting all my operations started... we have a fundraising goal of $300,000. Once we get the funds, I will take that congressional seat for the good guys!
People on the forum have been very generous! What I really want to get is a donation widget like Ron Paul has... but i don't have the money or technology to get it done right now.
Not sure if chipin would work with my website, but it would be cool for everyone to see how close we are getting to my fundraising goal.

If we raised 4.2million for Ron Paul in one day, I'm sure we can raise $300,000 for my campaign in a few months... people just need to know about it, and get excited about it too.
I'm no rookie at this game... and with the right money to hire the right campaign manager, we can take this congressional district.

$300k sounds like a lot, but Im sure it can be done. Ill be sure to do my part once I take care of Nov. 30th and Dec 16th. :)

Based on your "Issues" page and how they pretty much align to Ron Paul's I for one wouldnt be opposed to having a special sub-forum on here to help you out, and other candidates like yourself. Im sure that if it didnt take away the focus on Ron Paul, people would be willing to help you out with stuff like the widget and funding. I for one have been contemplating the question "Whats the next step after Paul is in office?" and I think the answer is having people like you also elected along side with him for added support in Washington.

Anyway, just my two cents, not sure how we would petition or request getting a sub-forum on here for you and others like you as I see it being a positive for the Paul campagn overall.

[torchbearer]

$300k sounds like a lot, but Im sure it can be done. Ill be sure to do my part once I take care of Nov. 30th and Dec 16th. :)

Based on your "Issues" page and how they pretty much align to Ron Paul's I for one wouldnt be opposed to having a special sub-forum on here to help you out, and other candidates like yourself. Im sure that if it didnt take away the focus on Ron Paul, people would be willing to help you out with stuff like the widget and funding. I for one have been contemplating the question "Whats the next step after Paul is in office?" and I think the answer is having people like you also elected along side with him for added support in Washington.

Anyway, just my two cents, not sure how we would petition or request getting a sub-forum on here for you and others like you as I see it being a positive for the Paul campagn overall.

See. thats the beauty of my campaign... It is also promoting Ron Paul. In fact, I will have a GOTV organization that will double as Ron Paul's GOTV(get out the vote).
If we did this in every congressional district we would win easily.
$300,000 is the minimum, my opponent spent $1.2million beating me in 2006.

[T206]

See. thats the beauty of my campaign... It is also promoting Ron Paul. In fact, I will have a GOTV organization that will double as Ron Paul's GOTV(get out the vote).
If we did this in every congressional district we would win easily.
$300,000 is the minimum, my opponent spent $1.2million beating me in 2006.

Wow, $1.2M? Yeah, we need to get a sub-forum on here to help you out. :)

[Ozwest]

Grateful Dead ,Rolling Stones, The Doors, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Talking Heads, Joe Walsh, Heart, Van Morrison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ry Cooder, J.J. Cale, Jethro tull, Little Feat, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Gary Moore, and the music of choice for blimp officionados: LED ZEPPELIN

Choose one of those torchbearer. If we get this puppy off the ground, I will send you every CD played.

[torchbearer]

Wow, $1.2M? Yeah, we need to get a sub-forum on here to help you out. :)

Check out this thread, i have a lot of info posted on it already, but if you have any other questions, please pm me!
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=7993

[T206]

Check out this thread, i have a lot of info posted on it already, but if you have any other questions, please pm me!
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=7993


Awesome, thanks...I just bookmarked it to read later...just getting ready to head out for dinner now.

[torchbearer]

Grateful Dead ,Rolling Stones, The Doors, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Talking Heads, Joe Walsh, Heart, Van Morrison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ry Cooder, J.J. Cale, Jethro tull, Little Feat, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Gary Moore, and the music of choice for blimp officionados: LED ZEPPELIN

Choose one of those torchbearer. If we get this puppy off the ground, I will send you every CD played.

Pink Floyd. indeed.

[Ozwest]

Check out this thread, i have a lot of info posted on it already, but if you have any other questions, please pm me!
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=7993

I'll go dig up some more, if none of those suit you, you picky bastard. hehe

[Ozwest]

Pink Floyd. indeed.

Ahhh good choice.

[tremendoustie]

Holy goodness, where did all that money come from all of the sudden?! We're over 1/5 of the way there! :D

[T206]

Holy goodness, where did all that money come from all of the sudden?! We're over 1/5 of the way there! :D

$42k is 1/5th of $350k?:confused:

[tremendoustie]

$42k is 1/5th of $350k?:confused:

Ah, nevermind, last I had heard it was 200K. Still, impressive numbers so far, here's hoping it happens. I'll pledge $100 now.

[Ozwest]

Pink Floyd. indeed.

This thread will be documented for posterity. I've got several hundred CD's. We'll burn them and ship em on the Rewards Program for BLIMPMANIA!

[OptionsTrader]

...

[Ozwest]

So, what about the expression on Snofulugilisses face , when the $ millions are pouring in, and the Ron Paul Blimp is hovering over Boston, with thousands of supporters below.

Whew! That moment will blow the doors off anything, except for an innaugriation.

[Ozwest]

Start pledging. Now's the time to fly the blimp !

[Elijah]

Thanks for all the work you've been doing so far. Your really making this idea ...FLY.:p

You are so very welcome. We all share the same goal. To get the man elected and to make a difference in the world!

[Midnight77]

All we need is $10 from 30,000 supporters. Certainly everyone can afford this.

[TechnoGuyRob]

How exactly are we paying for this?

30,000 supporters are not exactly easy to mobilize. We might have to ask the campaign to run a one or two day fundraiser.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see people are putting up $5K. OHMAGAWD THIS WILL BE AWESOME.

[cien750hp]

How exactly are we paying for this?

30,000 supporters are not exactly easy to mobilize. We might have to ask the campaign to run a one or two day fundraiser.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see people are putting up $5K. OHMAGAWD THIS WILL BE AWESOME.

the campaign cannot be involved to not violate FEC laws, elijah has a plan. he'll let you know. the blimp is on.

and yes, this is going to be epic! :D

[fedup100]

I can see it now......check it out!!

http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=113826

[Man from La Mancha]

All we need is $10 from 30,000 supporters. Certainly everyone can afford this.70,000 meet up people just email your group and one next to you, once it is flying it will stay in the air till Ron's elected, it will be no trouble in getting 35,000 people giving $10/m once people see.



http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9435/blackwsmallyh7.gif (teaparty07.com)

[idiom]

You could let major radio personalities run their show from onboard the Blimp for an afternoon :)

Picture a running commentary from Rush Limbaugh (or someone more appropriate) as the Blimp flies into Boston on the 16th!

The trick is not to have gimmick floating around, that is a bad investment. But you can leverage a Blimp as a tool to massively enchance its ROI if you interlink it with the activites and other mediums.

[wisconsinite]

I did some research of the NFL schedule from Sunday, Dec. 16th through the end of the regular season. Here's what I found:

The good news is that the New England Patriots have a home game against the New York Jets on Dec. 16th. That would be perfect if the blimp could be in Boston for the Tea Party and also float around Gillette Stadium at game time.

Unfortunately, the Monday night game the next day is in Minnesota.

Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 22 Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, Dec. 23 New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans

I think the blimp could easily get from Charollette to Nashville in a day. Plus it could be in the sky over South Carolina in the weekdays before or after.

Week 17: A lot of exposure in New York is possible.
Saturday, Dec. 29 New England Patriots @ New York Giants
Sunday, Dec. 30 Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets

******Monday, Dec. 31 New Year's Eve countdown in Times Square NYC ******

It could then float around New Hampshire for a few days after New Year's Day.

After that, maybe it could go back down the East coast towards South Carolina and on to Florida, which also votes before Super Tuesday. You wouldn't hit Iowa with this schedule, but you might get more overall coverage.

(yes I realize that the Jets play in 3 of those games. Too bad they're doing so poorly this year. It's just a coincidence of the scheduling, but maybe it will be good repeat exposure if they show the blimp on TV for New Yorkers, who vote on Super Tuesday. On the plus side, the NE@NYG game on the 29th should be huge.)

[BeFranklin]

You could let major radio personalities run their show from onboard the Blimp for an afternoon :)

Picture a running commentary from Rush Limbaugh (or someone more appropriate) as the Blimp flies into Boston on the 16th!

The trick is not to have gimmick floating around, that is a bad investment. But you can leverage a Blimp as a tool to massively enchance its ROI if you interlink it with the activites and other mediums.

Great idea, don't forget its around the holidays and the kids either.

[BrianH]

Did the blimp get almost $50K today? It seems it got a huge jump making $350K now seem quite doable. This is so much fun to see such wonderful and ingenious grass roots political activity. I love it.
"Bravo, Bravissmo, Go Ron Paul" --Don Luskin speaking on Kudlow and Co CNBC - excellent interview here: http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/11/09/ron-paul-on-kudlow-company/ This is a must watch!! Share it around

[Petar]

This is a wonderful idea. It will become a famous curiosity. 15 minutes is all that we need folks!

[wisconsinite]

I did some research of the NFL schedule from Sunday, Dec. 16th through the end of the regular season. Here's what I found:

The good news is that the New England Patriots have a home game against the New York Jets on Dec. 16th. That would be perfect if the blimp could be in Boston for the Tea Party and also float around Gillette Stadium at game time.

Unfortunately, the Monday night game the next day is in Minnesota.

Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 22 Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, Dec. 23 New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans

I think the blimp could easily get from Charollette to Nashville in a day. Plus it could be in the sky over South Carolina in the weekdays before or after.

Week 17: A lot of exposure in New York is possible.
Saturday, Dec. 29 New England Patriots @ New York Giants
Sunday, Dec. 30 Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets

******Monday, Dec. 31 New Year's Eve countdown in Times Square NYC ******

It could then float around New Hampshire for a few days after New Year's Day.

After that, maybe it could go back down the East coast towards South Carolina and on to Florida, which also votes before Super Tuesday. You wouldn't hit Iowa with this schedule, but you might get more overall coverage.

(yes I realize that the Jets play in 3 of those games. Too bad they're doing so poorly this year. It's just a coincidence of the scheduling, but maybe it will be good repeat exposure if they show the blimp on TV for New Yorkers, who vote on Super Tuesday. On the plus side, the NE@NYG game on the 29th should be huge.)

If it makes more sense to keep the blimp in the Northeast until after New Year's, then I'd like to suggest the following change to possible NFL game fly-overs from what I'd written above. For week 16, on Sunday, Dec. 23, there are home games in Buffalo and New England. Of the two, I'd suggest hitting up the New England game because they might still be undefeated and I'd guess that a lot of New Hampshire residents are Patriots fans.

[lastnymleft]

I originally thought that this was a colossal waste of money, but I've just seen the Huffington Post Dems get their knickers all in a twist over the fact that it is being mooted. That, in itself, is good publicity - already. It might well just be so damn outrageous that it generates more publicity in and of itself, than it draws away from the teaparty. It's probably sufficiently good odds that is so that it is now worth the risk. Count me in for $200!

But make no bones about it: we need to max out to $2300, or go as close as possible to maxing out as we possibly can, on teaparty07 itself. Others will come forward after we drop off as official donors. It's THIS quarter's total official donations that will create the hugest impact on the primaries, from the 4Q FEC filings released just prior to Iowa.

All out, baby, all out!!

[Ron Paul Fan]

The blimp idea is so awesome. I really hope it comes to fruition. A blimp. LOL!