US Congressman, Tim Murphy, R, (South Hills) beat another Doctor, Mark Boles, in 2004's general election to re-capture his seat in the US Congress. The district stretches from South Hills to Westmorland County.
Here is some of my advice that was posted to the Boles email discussion list:
Post election, there are a number of worthy efforts that need some attention.
First, where is the Mark Boles platform? The platform should be archived in public view. Any plans, goals, solution ideas need to be preserved -- and put in clear public view.
I think it is best to put them into the public domain as well.
If there are some original ideas and some original organization of those ideas, then the ideas should take on a life of their own. Give them wings. Set them free. The ideas can outlive the campaign by being picked up by others for the fights yet to come.
Second, on the heels of making the platform as something that is preserved, opened, visible, public, it needs to be evaluated.
What worked. What resonated?
What was a hinderance?
What delivery was effective?
Where were things too complicated, too simple, too miss-understood?
So, take some time and do a critical evaluation of the ideas (not the candidate) and how they played in the campaign, with the public, with the opposition, with the friends, with the party, with the running mates, etc.
Third, do a historical log and put that out in the open for public view and for others yet to come. Who helped organize the debate? Who came to a rally or worked hard on a rally. Why? What communities are out there that show concern over what issues?
Too often the collective well of knowledge runs dry. People come and go in the challenger's role, churning. Hence the ones in power get stonger. Sitting on things and insights and contacts is a sure way to give the others another win or three.
We have to have people take the extra steps after the election to make clear sailing for the next to come and then thrive. Where were beach-heads established? Those same areas should not be ignored nor should they be given back the next time without a fight. Too often the challenger is ignorant due to fault of the ones who ran the last three times in the past.
Case in point: The East Suburban UU Church played a pivotal role in the debate. They wanted to have a US Senate debate. Had to settle for US Congress race. But, ten debates are needed for the next race. And if the opponent only shows up for one, so be it. Who would host those other debates? Chamber, other churches, school groups, etc.
Third, crunch the numbers. Evaluate by ward and neighborhood. Find out the trends, the percentages. Make observations and talk about them to see if others agree or not. Look to see how Bush did in 2000 vs. 2004 vs. Congressional races vs. best districts and worst.
Case in point: GWB flew from Texas to DC on election day after he voted.
It was no mistake that his plane stopped in Ohio.
Be smart. Have details. Know the facts and have strong reasoning to support those facts.
Where did you do literature drops? Where were there victories, and why? How much did it cost to win certain districts? How did the candidate do in his own ward vs. how did the candidate do in the opponents?
Finally, I think it makes little sense to keep the lights on in a campaign here for 2006 when there are races in 2005. To say, I'm working for Boles -- or against Santorum -- is to say County Council is not going to get the attention it needs. What about school board races? What about municipal
races? You all should help two or three candidates in those efforts as dozens are running -- or thinking about it.
When relationships are built among communities and among the political junkies -- they pay off in the future. Often folks just need to show up. Mingle. Show up again.
Sparkle Season plans are out and the city is going to horse-drawn coaches.
A Pittsburgh friend, Judith Rubin, Ph.D., has made a new film, Art Therapy Has Many Faces. She did the 51-minute production on her desktop. Wonderful outcome.
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