INDEX PAGE
1. RECRUITMENT OF CANDIDATES
2. CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT
3. CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT
4. VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT
July 5, 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 them holding office is the greatest good. To the NFRA the greatest good is family and our constitutional rights.
To that end we will be 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.
Here is the Hint for the week:
Unless you are part of the national country club set, I doubt if any of us will be recruiting candidates for President, Senator or Governor.
But, each of us could be on the look out for candidates for school board, County Commissioner, Board of Supervisors, State legislature, City Council, water board and other special districts.
As conservatives and Republicans we need to know what the liberals, unions and Democrats know; there are no non-partisan offices. All offices are partisan, conservative versus liberal if not Republican versus Democrat.
Local offices are also a great place to prove if a candidate is worthy of support for higher office. If a candidate runs with our support on a platform of no new taxes then votes for a surcharge on utility taxes, then you know this person won't stand tall in Congress.
And, there are no small offices to begin. In 1960 a man ran for the Malibu/Las Virgenes Resource Conservation Water Board in the Los Angeles area, and won. That was the first elective office held by Ronald Reagan.
1. Go to the source. For school board go to board meetings and see whom speaks out.
2. Find retired teachers and administrators who interfaced well with parents and stood up for values in education. PTA leaders who stood against the national or State PTA and instead stood for the needs of children, not unions or government.
3. Look toward churches to find people who care about young children and are willing to spend the time learning about the status of government education.
4. Community leaders who have been complaining about the quality of graduates of local government schools.
5. People who have been writing letters to the editor about government schools.
In many places only one person runs per office. And when two run, it is a "turkey shoot"--the voters have no idea who is running or what they stand for as an office seeker.
1. Somebody interested in the office and willing to become an expert in the subject.
2. You need someone who has the time to run a campaign and do their homework as a candidate and as an office holder.
3. Not only do they have to be "good" on the direct issues of the office, but other Constitutional office. What good is it to have someone good on education issues, who would use our schools for health clinics, anti-gun rhetoric and policies and loves to pass school bonds instead of accountability for the current budget?
4. Both spouses must want to do this. If a candidate has a spouse that is opposed to the race, then the candidate will not have the full heart to run.
5. Unlike Hillary, you need someone who is somewhat known, and knows, the community, via activities, religious work, school activities, a well-known business person or sports figure. The best candidates are those well known in the community and already trusted and respected.
At this time during the summer, the filing for office is beginning to open for the Fall elections for local offices. Now is the time to assure responsible, conservative Republicans challenge every office. Let's build the bench for the future!
Even in a loss, by running someone for an office you have the opportunity of getting into public debate about policy, finding others who believe as you do, and creating a coalition for better government, consisting of new people.
A challenge for office always creates new activists. A victory always provides opportunity for responsible government.
Next week the subject is for Candidate Development.
For more information on the NFRA, www.nf-ra.org
To contact me directly, steve@nf-ra.org
Feel free to forward this to your lists, with full credit the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, The Republican Wing of the Republican Party - With a vision of a grass roots campaign to battle the entrenched forces of Big Government and Big Money, the Republican Victory Fund is the means to give a voice to the people by giving them the finances to bring people of conscience into power.
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Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends as long as full attribution is given to the supporting organizations.
The National Federation of Republican Assemblies and The Republican Victory Fund.