DFA-NJ Training - Day Two

thanks Clammy (4.00 / 2)

for helping us live vicariously through you.  p.s.
pics?  gossip?  

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 12:49:53 PM UTC

hey man.... (0.00 / 0)

so far, nothing much - just "reviewing homework" today, and I had to miss the party last night for a family 8th grade graduation.....

But a certain someone is walking around with sunglasses this AM :-)

Scott Garrett - on the wrong side of, well, everything.

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by: Adam L @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 12:55:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pix (4.00 / 1)

We've got some pix I'll post in a bit, maybe during lunch.


It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 15:05:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Working with the Media (0.00 / 0)

John Rowley or Fletcher, Rowley, and Riddle is starting a session on the media and political campaigns.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 13:17:18 PM UTC

the pivot principal: (4.00 / 2)

it doesn't matter what the question is or what the other candidate wants to talk about, the conversation needs to be turned back to your message.  

To win the campaign needs to be about your candidates message.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 13:24:13 PM UTC

looking forward to it (4.00 / 1)

and to seeing some old friends.

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by: Juan Melli @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 13:45:02 PM UTC

Getting ready for the new media sessions (4.00 / 1)

Checking out the projector and making sure everything works.

Right now, before the session starts, Morris Twp. Councilman Jeff Grayzel's asking Juan the best way he can use new media for his own campaign.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 17:14:42 PM UTC

Juan is explaining Twitter..... (4.00 / 2)

and why Cory Booker is good at using it.  

"I don't have to go through the media to reach people anymore"  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 17:40:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Are you using new media effectively? (4.00 / 1)

Your on-line strategy needs to supplement your campaigns overall goal, which is to get people to vote for your candidate.  Field, finance, and communication strategies need to be interconnected to be most effective.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 17:56:04 PM UTC

How should candidates use blogs? (4.00 / 2)

Find the political blogs in your geographic area and engage the on-line community there.  Post your issues, your policies, and cross post it with your web-site to drive traffic there.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 18:03:24 PM UTC

The Twitter Debate (0.00 / 0)

varying opinions on its relevance, who (age/demographics) is using it, and if it effective.  Also, if it is good for our society to be limiting our thoughts to 140 characters.  

Very lively. Any thoughts on Twitter's impact and effectiveness?    

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 18:15:14 PM UTC

Councilman Ron Rice.... (4.00 / 2)

explains to a participant why politicians should get the benefit of the doubt when posting on Twitter that they are being authentic with their "tweets."  

Juan thinks the most effective way to gain a following on Twitter is to have the politician control the content, and not have it go through staff.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 18:19:20 PM UTC

Cory (4.00 / 3)

Cory Booker has been texting Ron Rice all day, and Ron keeps walking over and showing me the texts. The Mayor is in Los Angeles right now, at LAX.

And he just texted Ron that he's psyched that Ron's going to start tweeting. Wants to know what Ron's username is going to be.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 18:23:59 PM UTC

Crap (0.00 / 0)

"RonRice" is taken!

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by: Jeff Gardner @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 20:20:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

how about (4.00 / 1)

Ron_Rice or use his middle initial with it?

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by: Jason Springer @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 20:31:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

New Media is extremely important in New Jersey.... (4.00 / 3)

because of our position between New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey politics does not get covered like it should.  

That makes places like Blue Jersey is even more important than it is in other places.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 18:24:16 PM UTC

Text Messages..... (0.00 / 0)

are a good way to increase GOTV efforts, however it is still expensive.  

May increase voter turnout by 4%, which is huge.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 18:26:31 PM UTC

Interesting question (0.00 / 0)

From a staffer for an assembly race:

If you've got two people running together, should they be tweeting individually or as a slate?  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 19:53:33 PM UTC

It is tough, on several levels (as the staffer who just asked this question) (0.00 / 0)

You need to keep a uniform front and stay on message between the 2 candidates, but you also want to make the "tweets" personal and build that personal connection with people and voters.  

Juan's suggestion of building a way to indicate through the tweet which candidate is speaking seems to be the best route, but there are pitfalls that could occur.  

This is not a question with a simple answer, and I think several strategies could be effective.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 19:58:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

New York (4.00 / 2)

I'm knocked out by the number of candidates here who are running for office in New York. Really glad to see that.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 19:54:22 PM UTC

Like my friend (4.00 / 1)

This guy.

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by: Jeff Gardner @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 19:57:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Deconstructing Twitter (0.00 / 0)

Almost getting it.

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by: Jeff Gardner @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 20:04:45 PM UTC

Juan Melli: (4.00 / 1)

Voters crave politicians that aren't politicians

Very true, we need to humanize our candidates, especially in Republican areas.  It is the only way to not be branded as a "Trenton Democrat" or corrupt because of things that have happened to other Democrats in the State.  

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by: Matthew Jordan @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 20:19:21 PM UTC

I just got home (4.00 / 2)

from  the training. I think it is fair to say that a good time was had by all and the amount of information we got was on the border of being overwhelming. Kudos to Matt, Chris Montana, Apa and Rowley for outstanding content. Many thanks to all those at DFA on the national and local levels for their hard work in making this all possible. A shout out to Rosi, Clammyc and everyone from Blue Jersey for being part of the event. Afer a good night's sleep, it will be time to get back to work with our new tools to make for a successful November on the municipal, county and state levels!

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by: brettski55 @ Sun Jun 07, 2009 at 21:58:18 PM UTC

Great event! (4.00 / 2)

Hey Blue Jersey! I don't think the training could have gone any better. Thanks for being so accommodating. See you around.

 

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by: Mike Tracey @ Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 01:07:46 AM UTC