Verdict on the Kerry campaign in MN?

[Krupskaya]

Paying for lawn signs. Waiting for lawn signs. Reinventing the wheel on the precinct and county level. Sending in kids from Brooklyn to run the campaign in rural MN.

It seems to me there's a lot that the campaign should be doing, but I've gotten some resistance on the county level here and am feeling frustrated. It's not big stuff -- getting their shit together on the lawn signs, dispensing with the stupid P.U.C.K. crap, etc.

I realize this is kind of a trolly post, so I apologize. How do you all feel about the campaign workings?

[kikiek]

1. Where are you at?

[NWHarkness]

2. It's the usual stuff

I'm not from Minnesota, but I've worked on a lot of campaigns, both winners and losers and , in my experience, the sort of thing you are complaining about is just par for the course, no better or worst than usual.

[wheresthemind]

3. Lawn signs...

The campaign seriously needs a break on the lawn signs. They ordered more lawn signs then any campaign in Minnesota EVER, and cannot hold on to them when they get them.

I was at HQ on Saturday and there were people waiting outside at 9 AM for the 10 AM opening so they could get lawn signs. They are putting them out there as fast as possible.

As for reinventing the wheel... Considering how organized the DFL, especially on the precinct level is, I don't blame them at all. The campaign made a concise effort to enlist precinct chairs to be Kerry-Captins, but many of them refused or would not commit. The Kerry captain system has been working pretty well so far, and in the 5th this weekend there was an organizing convention that was unbelievably organized.

[Krupskaya]

4. I'm in the 8th district...

Southern part thereof.

What I don't understand about precinct chairs not wanting to serve -- all I heard all year was how freaking re-energized we were and how we have all these new people falling all over themselves to help, and when it comes down to it, all of a sudden we can't get anyone going.

I know a lot of people who have bad feelings because of the signs. They were going to put a sign up in their yards for the first time ever and they're annoyed because they feel like they're getting the runaround. I did some doorknocking yesterday and had three complaints of "YES, I'll host a sign! I've been saying that for a month!"

We are the only people in the county with 4x8s. A friend of ours finally went out and ordered his own signs as well (with "Paid for by Friend's Name" at the bottom).

I know this is a multi-million person organization and nothing is going to go smoothly. It just seems like the people who have come to my area have a tin ear when it comes to trying to get things done here.

[no name no slogan]

6. I think more folk are working locally this year

I know many people who were quite enthused during the primaries, but have been very disappointed with Kerry's positions on many issues, particularly the Iraq war. Many of those folks will still be voting for Kerry, but they are not as actively involved in Kerry's campaign as they were in the other candidates'.

Also, many of them have focused on local races for state house or Congress. Or else they're doing voter registration for new voters.

Kerry never had much of an organization on the ground in MN before the caucuses, so they've had to depend mostly on the existing DFL infrastructure, which has been in pretty sorry shape for the last four years. However, it's building back up again this year, and they're doing what they can-- and doing a pretty decent job IMHO, too.

[dodger501]

5. I signed up for lawn signs at the Fair

Still waiting.
Not only that, I see NO K/E lawn signs anywhere . . .
I live in Roseville but have not seen them anywhere else, either.

[grannylib]

11. Seeing quite a few down here in Mankato; of course, we also have

to put up with the major Chimp fund-raising machine, FLS (fear lies and smear) and their whole fucking building is plastered with chimp/dick signs, it's disgusting.
Make your own! I have seen some really creative pro-Kerry and
anti-Bush signs in people's yards.
Mine says "ReDefeat Bush/Cheney 2004 - Count Every Vote"

[ButterflyBlood]

12. you live in Mankato too?

I live at Highland Hills just across from campus. So far I've see one Kerry/Edwards sign, but countless for Dorn and Pomeroy. I wonder if there's a shortage of some sort.

[hermetic]

7. Haven't seen any around St. Paul either

Maybe everyone's just waiting for October?

[Nobody]

8. I'm getting a free lawn sign next week

Call campaign HQ for your senate district. They can tell you where to get a sign or bring one to you. They're scarce because so many people are snapping them up. It was the same way with the Wellstone campaign. Everyone wanted one.

[GRocky]

9. Where I live...

Kerry signs are torn down, burned or otherwise defaced as quickly as they're put up. So much for compassionate conservativism.

FWIW, I live in the South 'burbs of the Twin Cities Metro Area.

[Supormom]

10. The same is true in the Western Suburbs

The only way to keep your lawn sign is to bring it inside at night.

[question everything]

13. This is sad. The neighbor across the street put a bush cheney

sign and I was counting on have a Kerry Edwards sign on our but reading your posts I am very disappointed.

When we went to the State Fair I saw many along Snelling and Hamlin and along the East-West street leading to the main entrance - not sure of the name of that street...

I am not sure about phone banking, calling and polling people. Most of the calls that I made were answered by an answering machine and I was not surprised. We rarely answer the phone any more. Family or friends who want to talk to us leave a message and if we are at home and hear their voices - we answer.