Republicans took a hammering this past election across the board. We want your opinion on what worked – on the national, state and local levels. We also want to know what didn't work. Then finally what should change for Republicans – to appeal to more people. To convince those that are on the edge to look to conservative ideas and ideals.
The hammering that the party took ends with this election. We need to learn from what happened with this election so that it does not happen again. Republicans need to market themselves better. We want your thoughts.
Please comment here or email us at RepubliCANofME@gmail.com
There is a little over 1400 days until the next election.
There seemed to be poor communication. Web info on candidates was all over the map- no central go-to spot. with links Some candidates seemed to neglect to post upcoming events in places where anyone could see them. There is a need to think how to use online services. Regular media- a disaster for Republicans!
ReplyDeleteI would agree - In looking for information I was amazed by the lack of information that is out there. Some candidates were great in getting pics and blurbs up about what they were or had done. Others no so. I was able to find more information from the Democrats web sites. Brainstorming needs to happen to come up with worthwhile ideas.
DeleteBasic issueS, as I see them: Can't run any enterprise without clearly designated leadership. Who is the functional "CEO" of the Maine Republican Party? Webster or LePage or somebody else? Can't run any business without a "management team". Who is on the "team"- is there one? Can't win a political campaign, if your "troops" are involved in a bitter, internal "civil war". Can't win without a team of salesmen/women working to engage the public- and sell the public the Republican "product", Can't get a winning message to the public, if there are too many confusing messages: my way, no my way! No, my way or the highway!
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> These are our perspective on some of the important issues for a post-election problem solving agenda. Not to say there aren't other issues. Clean up our act time.
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The voting numbers tell a story, give devastating feedback to the Republican Party of Maine: "Don't want your product", with some exceptions. There is a need to study the product and those important exceptions that got voter approval. What went wrong? What worked?
ReplyDeleteAfter the election it is clear to me that the Republicans have a problem where they are appealing to a more narrow base. In arguments with my facebook friends that are staunch Republicans they are saying no to any change that the party needs to stand by their "values". What that is going to do is push even more away to the independents or democrats. If the Republicans want to be and exclusive party of like thinking people then they will continue to lose. Only when the party decides to broaden the base will Republicans see an increase in the ranks. This past election was/ is a wake up call to the party. The marketing of the ideas need to change or the party runs the risk of collapse.
DeleteWhere is the Maine Republican "civil war"? This party was fragmented. It makes it hard to know which fragment you might be supporting. Who wants to vote for a party that is split by a fight? The state convention and the actions of delegates in Florida were not attractive to voters.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion there is a great need to let all sorts of people into the Maine Republican "tent".
ReplyDeleteHow can the party say, "we like people, all kinds of people"? Rich man, poor man, beggar man thief, doctor, lawyer, indian chief. Saving money, cutting programs, paying back the debt are all important issues, but they have no grass-roots "sex appeal" in the midst of an economy that is barely scraping by. On our list, but not just now.
How can we help? How can we make government more user friendly, more functional, less intimidating? How can we expose and eliminate corruption that is felt by and in the awareness of ordinary people? These are the immediate things that might "win friends and influence people". "Let's work together to help friends and neighbors." Let's make friends with the public first, before we talk about government efficiency, cuts, etc. Let's get the public involved- it's called democracy.
Ok Maine Republicans, What Happened?
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> Clearly, something (or somethings) went wrong, badly wrong. But before offering theories or speculation- a favorite "post-game" recreation, we need to gather data, facts, research. Just guessing isn't enough. Guesses reflect one's favorite theories, favorite scapegoats and favorite perceptions. And the skew from all of these "favorites" leads to targeting wrong strategies for future action
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> Our suggestion is that there needs to be active "brainstorming" in high and low places by a collection of very diverse viewers of the election scene. We can suggest topic headings that we feel need brainstorming, and other people- we hope- will have additional ideas to add to ours. Here is a sampling of topics:
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> - The Republican "Message" to the public. What was it? Who created it? Did it have voter "sex appeal"? From voter feedback it would appear not. What are Republicans all about in 2012 or going forward? Why would anyone want to endorse the Republican party? Are there demographic turn-offs in the Republican message by age, by social class, by gender, by ethnicity? Voter feedback, election feedback seems to say, "No like!" "Prefer the other "brand". There is feedback from voters, "You need to improve your core product!"
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> - Marketing the Republican "Message". Was the message more or less OK, but there was a marketing failure. Didn't get the message to the people, who switched to another program, turned us off. Or were both the "message" and its "marketing" failed deliveries? Was "marketing help"- both in terms of technique and also finance- available to all candidates?
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> - Were there organizational or structural deficits that failed to deliver the product to the right people at the right time and place? Was there even an 'ad hoc' "war-room" with ongoing management oversight of all Maine campaigns? For many of us there was a frustrating absence of a one stop site, online, with a numerical list of all senate and representative districts, who was running (both parties) with links to activities, happenings, events of interest. Was there campaign resource prioritization? Which campaigns were of great strategic importance? Which were strong or weak (needing more help)? There seemed to be moments of great spirit, and other times and places where things were "dead in the water".
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> - Last but by no means least- Media. Extreme, very obvious media bias against all Republicans is a HUGE, very troubling problem. Not only do candidates have to spar with Democrat opponents, they have to be eternally vigilant for sabotage, ambush and lynchings from the media. This is a topic that needs in depth study and strategy development. It strikes us that there are several sub-topics that might be considered:
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It would be nice for grass roots members of the party to know: who are the people being nominated for Chairman on December 1st. What do they propose to do to grab the imagination of the public? More of the same, just bear down harder with a radical conservative message? Do we need another market "test" to see if the message was right- just needed MORE? How badly does the party need to be pounded before we "get" the message from the public, "No like".
ReplyDeleteThe message is critical for selling the Republican "brand" to the public. It needs careful thought, broad input, field testing. The party in Maine is in danger of becoming the "Edsel" of the political industry! Great car, no customers, an interesting antique!
In any big business if one wished to improve consumer interest and improve "product" sales, a market survey would be one tool that would help to target sales activities based on what consumers want. No point in selling a product where sales are declining, no point in pursuing a falling trend line. A survey might say trouble ahead, or full speed ahead, depending on data.
ReplyDeleteAn election is a fairly broad market survey that gives a binary response: like or don't like. But, if these results don't seem valid to some, why not conduct a more refined survey, seeking the answers to a more complicated set of questions. What do people want? What has appeal? What is a turn-off?
When it comes to a product that explodes when you use it, try Charlie Webster! Will he blow members and Independents with Republican leanings right out of the party. The party needs to do what any corporation would do when something they sell damages the public: (a) emergency "damage control", and (b) withdraw the product from the market until it can be evaluated and corrected.
ReplyDeleteLook at J& J and how they dealt with products that got huge, negative media publicity. The Maine Republican needs professional public relations consultation. Then it needs to look at succession leadership. Candidates need to be screened for "loose lips, sink ships!"