While they may not be new tactics, something has just clicked for me. I have just realized that Barack Obama’s campaign has taken the advice outlined in Mousepads, Shoeleather, and Hope Lessons from the Howard Dean Campaign for the Future of Internet Politics by Zephyr Teachout and Thomas Stretter, et al.
Within the first few pages of this book, the authors stress the importance of highly tactical specific actions when asking for support. An example is that with every email sent, the action or link to a specific action (give money here, sign this petition) was put right up front. Two great examples of the way the Barack Obama campaign is calling supporters to action:
The first example seems simple, but I think could be underestimated. Take a look at the number of times a specific action is listed on the campaign’s home page .
Any voter can find something they can contribute within a few clicks, whether it is making friends and connecting with other supporters or hosting events or fundraising—there is always something to be done. Specific actions made very easy for the average American voter.
The second example is the 50 state strategy. Obama often asks for not only support of his campaign, but also support of the democratic party as a whole. With the 50 state grassroots movement, Obama is taking another pointer from the Dean campaign and is working to have a presence in all 50 states to advance the Democratic party’s goals as a whole. The reach has surprised everyone, the fact that he has staff in every state of the union is extraoridnary. “Grassroots movements are the most powerful way to bring about lasting change”
Barack Obama is doing an amazing job reaching out to American voters about the importance of taking action and as recently yesterday (even though he is traveling to Europe and the Middle East) he reminded supporters of the tools available to allow them to become involved. He reminded youtube viewers of things such as my.barackobama.com. Yet another way for them to act—these tools are a way of acknowledging the value of the smaller, local supporters. The importance of handing power over to the individual voters to make changes on a national level.
