ONCE AN ORGANIZATIONAL ARMY, TEAM SANDERS NOW SKELETON CREW (HRC GP)
In the early part of the presidential primary calendar, Bernie Sanders’ organizers were a fierce, effective force.
A corps of 150 staffers ventured to the nooks and crannies of New Hampshire searching for votes. Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina each boasted at least 100 paid organizers.
There was also a vibrant base of volunteers, including loyal crews of community members in the first two nominating states of New Hampshire and Iowa. The Vermont senator energized these supporters during a series of pre-candidacy trips in the summer of 2014, and the organically cultivated volunteers began spreading Sanders’ message before offices even opened.
The campaign paid special attention and ponied up major resources in these two states, including a plethora of offices, hordes of organizers and tens of millions spent on advertising.
The theory was that big, early wins would create a bandwagon effect and bring media attention, money and more supporters.
As thousands of fans attended Sanders rallies, headlines were made and the money flowed.
A few weeks before the Iowa caucus, in order to accommodate a growing list of employees, staffers set up computers and desks in a second, semi-secret office in Burlington, located above the Burton Snowboards shop on College Street.
At the height of the game — back in February when Sanders had plenty of money to spend and a world full of possibilities — more than 1,000 people were working on his promised political revolution.
But as the calendar dragged on and Sanders lost states, problems popped up — problems that have continued to this day and hobbled the campaign’s organizing prowess ahead of the last 11 nominating contests.
VTDigger spoke to five current and former Sanders staffers for this article, all of whom served prominent national roles for much of the campaign. They were all granted anonymity to speak frankly and because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
Top officials in the Sanders campaign did not return multiple phone and email requests seeking comment about recent layoffs and the organizational strategy moving forward.
The staffers reflected on their proudest moments, as well as the lessons they would bring to future campaigns. While frustrations emerged, all of them expressed amazement at what an impact the Vermont senator’s campaign has made.
NOT THE CAMPAIGN THEY EXPECTED
Several issues with the campaign emerged. Among them:... more in link....
http://vtdigger.org/2016/05/16/once-an-organizational-army-team-sanders-now-skeleton-crew/
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