Towards a 120 County Campaign (for internal use only)
Primary Date: May 19, 2015. This gives Geoff exactly 16 weeks, starting from January 28th, to reach every eligible registered voter, and possible new register, in the State of Kentucky. That's 112 days, which is 8 days less than 120, the # of counties in Kentucky. 8 days will have to hit 2 counties per day, to cover all counties. Also a schedule, to publicly post, and a map would need to be developed immediately.
There's 3,105,349 people in Kentucky whose registered to vote. http://elect.ky.gov/
There's 3,379,980 adults who are eligible to register to vote, which leaves 274,631 adults who need to register to vote.http://quickfacts.census.gov/
I'm not so sure the unregistered voter number is that low, but that's a hopeful sign. That means most Kentuckians aren't going to vote, and a massive registration voter drive isn't needed. Kentuckians are sitting on their asses on election day. Most are registered to vote, so a massive GOTV effort is needed, probably for the full month of October. Kentucky... just go fuck'n vote!
For each county, Geoff would need a place to speak, and a place to sleep. Plus transportation, and a crew.
Media Strategy:
We have the Internet all to ourselves. A massive wellspring of creative potential can be unlocked with the computer people in Kentucky. A huge focus should be using the Internet to getting our message out. It's our most powerful medium.
With traditional media, maybe:
Speak on the 4 issues outlined by the campaign. Letters to the editor, calling into radio stations, having political conversations with your neighbors, etc. Perhaps demonstrations? A well organized 120 county campaign won't have issues with media, because local media will want to pick it up, as with a youtube guy, or a member of the crew documenting it all, and posting online. From our own people, to local media, the bigger media will have to learn to catch up, and will be forced to readjust their holier-than-thou stuck-up attitudes.
Debate:
Geoff should write to Conway inviting him to several Lincoln-Douglass debates throughout Kentucky. If Conway agrees to 10 debates throughout the State, those take priority, because a debate is the best way for Geoff to get some necessary exposure, and it “legitimizes” his campaign.
The Lincoln-Douglass Debates should happen. Mitch offered this to Alison, and it was rejected, and so Kentucky, even though $100 million were spent on Kentucky's election, we the people were deprived of having a serious conversation about fixing Kentucky's problems with concrete common sense solutions. Young and Conway should have these debates, and they can avoid being personally contentious, and just focus on the issues at hand. Conway and Young can show the Kentucky people how civilized folks discuss issues. It may be boring, but a necessary conversation, with both candidates agreeing prior to the conditions of the debate, format of the debate, and how the questions will be read. I think having the moderator choose their own questions, the audience asks them, like in a free townhall forum style, would be best. But also have the candidates ask each other questions too. Less preparation is needed, and can make the debate happen easier, instead of being snagged up on some minor details.
Titles:
Everybody in the facebook page needs a job to do, some title to call themselves, or be promoted to. Each entitled person should be given specific expectations. Geoff has full discretion over who stays in the secret campaign fb page and who else comes in. The secret campaign fb page should be the focal point for your Committee to getting you elected. At least online.
Fundraising:
Inside Sales:
Right now, the campaign structure is a bit chaotic. There's several folks making phone calls to try to get donations from folks who support Geoff's candidacy.
Kafoury Emails:
One of the best tools for getting lots of donations was Jason Kafoury's emails on the Ralph Nader campaign in 2008. Kafoury, speaking from a central location on the campaign, could write informative emails about the goings-on of the campaign, to brag on, and a reminder of the issues Nader was fighting for. They were upbeat, energetic, exciting, reminded people of the issues Nader was for, what the campaign staffers of Nader's campaign was doing (mostly ballot access petition signing, but in different cities), sharing exciting stories about the campaign trail, documenting people's stories, and asking for donations from every single email. $20, $10, or $5 donations were usually asked for, though some emails got more ambitious than that.
Social Media Outreach:
Youtube Channel
Twitter Account
Facebook Public Page
To maximize potential reach for Geoff, all of these websites should be used, and nothing else. They have staying power, and have become institutions so far. I'm not convinced of any other platform's staying power, such as Snapchat, or Instagram, or any of them offering a different service than what these 3 websites offer.
Facebook is worldwide, and popular in America. A public page for Geoff Young's candidacy needs to be made, if not already done.
Twitter and Facebook has many crossover activities. Twitter can post things publicly, and with the hashtags, we can get some them trending. I'm liking #kygov2015.
Youtube is great for videos. For campaign commercials, for interviews, speeches, shaking hands, smiling, etc.
Rand Paul uses these 3 platforms. Plus email. And he gets on talking head television shows frequently.
A Dream “120 County Campaign”:
It's already impossible to get a 120 county campaign where each county can have Geoff's presence for the entire day. If we did a 1-day-to-1-county ratio, we'd only reach 112 counties. On 8 days, Geoff will need to reach 2 counties. Perhaps that's a good way to start the 120 county campaign.
With a 120 County Campaign, Geoff can speak to as big of a crowd of citizens that can be gathered. Enthusiasm and excitement can be built as Young carries on the noble quest of fighting for working class families, and does so, by going to each and every county in the entire state of Kentucky.
And it doesn't have to be a crazy barn burning speech either. Just talking would do wonders. Organizing better Democratic parties... this advice in invaluable, for anybody, who wants to progress, and get better.
A schedule for which counties are going to be hit on which day. This should be developed before the 120 County Campaign begins. With the crew, if we had speakers, especially ones that didn't need to be plugged in, but most likely will need to be so, and a podium, then a press conference, or a public speaking event can be held in the front of the courthouse lawns of each and every county in Kentucky.
With this schedule already made, folks can get ready for Geoff's appearance. Maybe have a designated “County Coordinator” for each and every county. Or make this a part of the Campaign Manager's job.
In each county, Geoff can speak to all of the media there, getting as many quotes as they can, and people's reactions. The campaign strategy for the media should be a creative way to get them to see us, without being subordinate to them. Obama handles the press corps impeccably. He handled the fawning media during his 2008 campaign well too. “You're off-topic” he said to somebody asking him a question he didn't want to talk about.
There's going to be a Lt. Gov candidate, Chief Fundraiser, lots of individual fundraiser contractors, General Campaign Manager, so far, are the positions that Geoff has declared available. Paid positions are desirable, but it would take lots of donations. All campaign operatives should be working on, and thinking of, ways to make money for the campaign. Fundraisers pay for themselves.
Does Geoff have any books to sell? Can we sell stuff? Make it separate from the campaign itself? For some independent media group, which gets exclusive access to Geoff? Just thinking outloud here.
All folks can help, and all hands on deck. Those who can't do, can donate. Those who can't donate, can do. Asking somebody for $5 isn't that hard, especially since it goes to a good cause. Receipts should be given out. I guess some form has to be filed out for big donations. Or all donations? Even $5? Perhaps.
I think the secret group should be the central location for the gathering of the campaign staff around the State.
The 4 issues have already been cut, and decided (Energy policy, Abortion, Racism, and Class war), and will remain throughout the campaign, including past the primary. Geoff's website young4ky.com talks about the specifics of those 4 issues. Surely more will be generated as time goes on. All campaign staffers should have these memorized.
If debates are going to happen, I wouldn't hold my breathe for it to, they could have to meet us on our schedules. They had a chance to debate Young, but Conway intentionally ignored his emails because he's a coward.
Merchandise:
It would be better to fund raise on the road, with selling merchandise. There's always problems with campaign finance issues in Kentucky, and so a closer look is needed on the knowledge of these laws, to make sure no boundaries are crossed.
Can a campaign sell merchandise? How about a PAC? Individuals?
$5 or $10 donations from lots of poor people is what made the Ron Paul Revolution.
And house parties. House parties are where citizens hold house parties in order to get a bunch of people to throw a bunch of money into the candidate of their choice's pockets.
Topics to Talk About in Each County:
Tips on how to strengthen up the local Democratic Party.
Tips to Increase Tourism?
Tips to Increase Commerce?
Economic Tips?
All of the above, and then some?
Some Campaign Finance Notes:
Individuals are limited $1,000 donations. PACs can also donate $1,000 maximum. Candidates can receive zero dollars from corporations. Corporations can't donate to PACs either. Or to Party executive bosses.
Corporations may establish a PAC and fund the PAC with voluntary contributions from employees and members, including through the use of payroll deductions. The PAC must reimburse the corporation for the costs of administering the PAC. http://bolderadvocacy.org/wp-
Corporations can contribute to in support of a constitutional amendment, a public question which appears on the ballot, or position on an issue of public importance. For example, a corporation can contribute to a political issues committee.
Contributors to candidates, PACs, and party or caucus committees must be at least 18 years of age by the General Election to contribute more than $100.00.
The role of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance is to assure the integrity of the Commonwealth's electoral process by making certain there is full public access to campaign financial data and financial disclosure reports, and by administering Kentucky's campaign finance laws.
The Registry ensures that information reports pertinent to election campaign financing are filed on a timely basis and reviews this information for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with campaign finance laws. The Registry's regulatory function includes tracking of candidate and committee election finance activities, audit functions, investigations, review of and response to requests for advisory opinions, and adjudication of administrative charges of violations of campaign finance laws.
Under KRS Chapter 121, Kentucky's campaign finance laws apply to all candidates for office, including gubernatorial slates, judicial, statewide, legislative, city, county, and school board candidates, as well as political issue committees, permanent committees (PACs), unauthorized campaign committees, contributing organizations, inaugural committees, state and local party executive committees, and caucus campaign committees.
If someone feels a person violated Kentucky campaign finance law, the first step is to file a complaint with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. The Registry investigates all complaints. If there is probable cause of a civil or a criminal law violation, the complaint is referred to the Kentucky Attorney General. All violations involving the Kentucky Code of Judicial Canons are handled by the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission. http://judgepedia.org/
All individuals, political action committees, and other organizations are limited to $1,000 per election cycle.
3 Campaign Reports are filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
A 60-Day Post-Election Finance Statement will be due if the 30-Day Post-Election Finance Statement reflects a surplus or debt owed by the campaign. An Election Finance Statement (Form KREF-006) is provided for your use. You may copy this form as needed. See the Reporting Schedule for specific due dates.
Candidates and committees are prohibited from accepting cash contributions in excess of $50, in aggregate, from any one contributor per election.
James Comer filed to run for Governor with Kentucky Director of Administration and Elections Mary Sue Helm for his candidacy for governor Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 in Frankfort, Ky.
An interesting opinion from the Registry (of Kentucky, of Election Finance):
“Finally, while not specifically requested, due to the US Supreme Court's recent decision in McCutcheon v. FEC, 134 S.Ct. 1434 (2014), the Registry views KRS 121.150(10) as unenforceable to the extent the statute imposes a $1,500 per year contribution limit to all registered permanent committees. Although the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals previously upheld the $1,500 aggregate annual contribution limit to all permanent committees in Kentucky Right to Life v. Terry, 108 F.3d 637 (6th Cir. 1997), McCutcheon makes clear that such aggregate limits – in this case restricting how much an individual contributor may give to all permanent committees – are invalid under the First Amendment.”http://kref.ky.gov/Permanent%
Lt. Gov.
Since there's no duties for Lt. Gov, it seems like you should get one who wouldn't plot revenge on you, to overthrow you, who you can trust to not wish harm on you, just to get power. I'd be tickled to death, just to be able to work on crafting important legislation, and help with getting your legislation passed, it would be enough power for me. It would also a fine opportunity to set an example. We see a man's character when he has power, Lincoln had said. And I could use the position for other things, after it was over. I'd have my pick of the jobs after 4 years of a job well done. Also, using Lt. Gov as a proxy would be a fine idea. Also, as a peacemaker, or a cheerleader, in any way. So, I'd be the best goddamned Lt. Gov. in Kentucky's history. My motives are pure, and I want to see Kentucky thrive, just because I was born here, raised here, gonna bury my grave here, Nappy Roots had said.
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