INDEX PAGE
1. RECRUITMENT OF CANDIDATES
2. CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT
3. CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT
4. VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT
July 11, 2000
Dear NFRA Friend and Conservative Activist:
The National Federation of Republican Assemblies is dedicated to the return of the Republican Party to our constitutional principles and the cause of freedom. For too long the Power Wing of the Republican Party has cared more about winning than about governing. To that end we are publishing short hints for activists. The RINO's (Republican In Name Only) spend millions to promote their candidates we don't have the money to compete on that level. So, we must be smart in our political action. Hint for the Week is Candidate Development:
Our recruit will be fueled with our experience and support. We grassroots activists will now act as political consultants to the novice.Part of our original sales job was to convince him we have the experience and organization to elect him. That's another reason why we must develop strong precinct organizations.We also chose a prospective candidate who met our standards but not everything is ideal. We had to make compromises, so part of our job is to bring the candidate up to snuff in a variety of ways. I should note that good candidate development takes at least 12 months before an election, two years would be even better.
1. The Candidate needs a road map (in some cases literally) - a candidate information kit.
a. The Candidate requires basic data like the boundaries of the Candidate district.
b. The official office title and duties of the office we interested him in.
c. The salary and benefits if any. This could become an issue in the campaign.
d. The filing schedules, the filing fees, and how to fill out those reports. Ouch!
2. The Candidate needs to see the office in action.
a. If it involves public meetings, The Candidate needs to attend those.
b. If there is a Republican incumbent in a similar office, the Candidate needs to visit with him and pick his brain.
c. If there are Grand Jury Reports on the office from past years, The Candidate needs to study these with great care and know which issues are likely to be significant in the next election.
3. The Candidate needs to know the issues important to the office by means of the following:
a. Newspaper clipping files and archives.
b. Visits to web-sites of the office holder or government entity, or those of the other concerned entities.
c. Access to 'experts' in various aspects of the issues and functions of the office.
4. The Candidate needs informal introductions to the people and organizations concerned with and affected by the office. This activity will make the candidate not only more likely to get speaking engagements with these groups, but make them more productive.
5. The Candidate needs position papers on the various issues.
6. The Candidate needs stump speech Candidates of various lengths.
7. All speeches should have a humorous opening. Make three main points (at most) and a closing asking for the vote.
8. The Candidate needs practice debating.
9. The Candidate needs to understand the character of local media and to meet with all reporters who might cover the race, well in advance of the race. The purpose of the meeting is to make the Candidate a human being and appear to be accessible.
10. The Candidate needs to know the Candidate costs in time and money. The Candidate needs a budget and a plan.
11. The Candidate needs access to people with money. If your unit has done effective work in the Candidate past, this will be MUCH, MUCH easier.
12. The Candidate should be introduced to a variety of grassroots, community leaders, whether conservative or not.
13. The Candidate will need help with his web-site. YES, THESE ARE NECESSARY NOW! If you've done a good job with your own RA Web site, you'll be better equipped to help the Candidate.
14. The Candidate needs to meet the religious community in the district. This helps in understanding the needs of the community, but also in voter registration and get out the vote ...
Finally, there is one question that is always asked of a candidate, and if answered wrong, will make the whole effort a loser.The question raised is this, "Why are you a candidate for this office?" - a good answer must be developed that is the same for all audiences.
All of this is just PREPARATION for the Candidate marathon sprint that is a campaign. It is key that the candidate get out to as many community groups as possible, to learn about the needs of the district and to show that the candidate cares about the office and really wants to serve the people of the community. All of this is of course for naught if the successful candidate won't follow Conservative principles in office and in later offices. Power is corrupting and many people are not expert at reducing principle to practice.
Next week the Hint will be on Campaign Development.
For more information on the NFRA, www.nf-ra.org
To contact me directly, steve@nf-ra.org
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