Keep your predictions on the down low for the time being

[davidhperry]

As we come up to the primaries in Iowa and NH, it's very tempting to make predictions about how we're going to do. While I love making predictions myself (most of us wouldn't be on this forum if we weren't political junkies), I think we should be very cautious about posting predictions.

We've seen a lot of attacks lately. In a way that's a badge of honor since people wouldn't be trying to bring us down if they didn't think we're going to have an effect - a big effect - on the outcome of these elections. Some of the opposing campaigns are just now beginning to realize how sizable our support is but it's too late for them to do anything about it at this point. That makes them feel threatened and the only thing left for them to do is lash out at us. We've seen examples of this recently.

Since the media and opposing campaigns are now publicly acknowledging our impact, I think we should expect them to start artificially raising expectations for how we're going to do in Iowa and NH. If they succeed in raising expectations too far, then they can bash us and marginalize Dr. Paul if we don't live up to them. Just like people tried to criticize us for "only" raising $4M and $6M in the money bombs when the goals were set at $10M.

So feel free to make predictions but please refrain from posting them publicly. We all know that people are in for a shock - let's not spoil the surprise for them. There are a lot of people browsing this forum who wish do harm and are looking for any angle they can find. For example, there are currently 426 anonymous "guests" lurking here and while most are probably casual RP supporters, I would bet money that at least 10-20 of them are reporters/bloggers/activists/etc. who are looking for ways to bring us down. We know what we're dealing with.

Please don't give them an inch.

[yongrel]

good point

[CelestialRender]

Aye, the time for posting predictions is over.

Now it's time to just give them a knowing smile.

[Original_Intent]

As we come up to the primaries in Iowa and NH, it's very tempting to make predictions about how we're going to do. While I love making predictions myself (most of us wouldn't be on this forum if we weren't political junkies), I think we should be very cautious about posting predictions.

We've seen a lot of attacks lately. In a way that's a badge of honor since people wouldn't be trying to bring us down if they didn't think we're going to have an effect - a big effect - on the outcome of these elections. Some of the opposing campaigns are just now beginning to realize how sizable our support is but it's too late for them to do anything about it at this point. That makes them feel threatened and the only thing left for them to do is lash out at us. We've seen examples of this recently.

Since the media and opposing campaigns are now publicly acknowledging our impact, I think we should expect them to start artificially raising expectations for how we're going to do in Iowa and NH. If they succeed in raising expectations too far, then they can bash us and marginalize Dr. Paul if we don't live up to them. Just like people tried to criticize us for "only" raising $4M and $6M in the money bombs when the goals were set at $10M.

So feel free to make predictions but please refrain from posting them publicly. We all know that people are in for a shock - let's not spoil the surprise for them. There are a lot of people browsing this forum who wish do harm and are looking for any angle they can find. For example, there are currently 426 anonymous "guests" lurking here and while most are probably casual RP supporters, I would bet money that at least 10-20 of them are reporters/bloggers/activists/etc. who are looking for ways to bring us down. We know what we're dealing with.

Please don't give them an inch.

While I agree with your proposal not to make predictions or heighten expectations, I really don't think the media will be raising expectations either.

They have spent 8 months repeating the "no chance" mantra, they are not going to risk people thinking he has any chance at this point. Sheeple might vote for him if they thought that.

I agree though, best to keep expectations low but still project confidence that we will do well. One thing I would predict to anyone that you are talking to about it is that we will outperform the poll numbers by a large margin. That's something they will remember when it happens, and maybe they will start wondering why the polls were so wrong...

[Menthol Patch]

We are going to reach 20 million dollars! We CAN do this. There is NO REASON we cannot!

[Michigan11]

We are going to reach 20 million dollars! We CAN do this. There is NO REASON we cannot!

A B S O L U T E L Y

[davidhperry]

Aye, the time for posting predictions is over.

Now it's time to just give them a knowing smile.

Agreed. We don't want to spoil the surprise.

[Dorfsmith]

Agreed. We don't want to spoil the surprise.

[FreedomFirst]

I really think low expectations are what motivates us. We wouldn't be working nearly as hard if we thought he was a shoo-in. If we don't get too cocky and keep working as hard - or harder - as we always have... who knows?

[davidhperry]

I really think low expectations are what motivates us. We wouldn't be working nearly as hard if we thought he was a shoo-in. If we don't get too cocky and keep working as hard - or harder - as we always have... who knows?

That's right - this isn't our race to lose. We have to fight for every inch of it.