Thank you for filling in the details…that’s really interesting and it makes sense. Why not ask for volunteers to come into the state to help? Is that possible? I would imagine there are people who would do that…and it also seems like it would/should be something that the Democratic party (NOW here I am wanting the party to get involved…LOL) would be able to provide? I just remember during the primary in 08, there were lots of volunteers who went to other states to help. Maybe it’s not allowed in actual caucusing areas?
I think this is a real no-brainer where the national Dems could have a large impact for relatively little cost, and help the little low-Dem states to build their parties and run their caucuses. Ideally IMO the national Dems could provide evidence-based advice about how to structure caucuses to best cost effectiveness, and maybe some fill-in-the-blanks caucus and candidate website and advertising media, and then provide some funding for those struggling shoestring party orgs. The KS Dem party isn’t lazy, at least near me, but man, what an uphill battle with an empty purse! It wouldn’t hurt if some really well-heeled Dem or three would donate a slush fun earmarked for state and local party organization expenses.
I’m sure KS is not alone with this problem. The low-pop/delegate states are largely ignored when it comes to national party support. We’ll never have enough Dem state and local officers without a solid party structure, and that is vital to the nation, as we’ve seen. Us little states just get overlooked at all levels, and that’s how we end up with the likes of Brownback, Kobach, Roberts (the non-resident Senator) and rubber stamp Moran, not to mention some of the most fanatical RWNJ congressmen out there, like Huelskamp.
As for roving phone and foot volunteers, those never hurt if they’re properly used, especially in the general election. I don’t know offhand if out of state volunteers could be used legally in actually running a caucus but that’s worth investigating. I hope that 4 years from now we have something better in place.
It seems like if the DNC was as organized as the Republicans are they’d do what you are saying…and the Republicans have been brilliant at down ticket elections…it’s just smart strategy to focus on state and local elections.
From the 2008 campaign, I know that there were many ways that wealthy Dems supported the campaign…gas cards for volunteers, buying food for campaign offices, subsidizing buses to take volunteers out of state to knock on doors, and feeding them. I had to spend my own money during the primary to have fliers printed…I was in NYC, and wealthy people were helping volunteers from our local office go to other states…I took 11 people to Ohio for a week and we stayed at my grandfather’s house. The volunteer situation there wasn’t as strong (it was also a highly Republican part of the state…but there WERE field offices and people WERE painting their barns for Obama which was cool and nuts at the same time. I also know people who were phone banking several times a week and calling other states.
While the experienced professionals definitely have their strengths, it was my observation that the locals really know their areas…and it always worked best when this knowledge was respected. Obama’s campaign did an incredible job training the people who ran the field offices all across the country…I reported to so many of them and they were all different and all a pleasure to work for. But they do need and welcome help…canvassing is really important and can be really powerful.
We should figure this out…maybe someone has already and we just don’t know about it.
there are DEFINITELY races in other states that I would be thrilled to help with…I think there are plenty of people who would.
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