Posted on 11/04/2004 10:41:12 AM PST by crushelits
no, the site didn't, but the members who worked out in the field to make calls did...
If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand how.
Simple answer: YES
Not that I'd ever admit to under oath...now go away.../joking :)
As someone who does communications and media relations consulting for a living, I can say without a doubt that Free Republic had a major impact. I got most of my campaign information here (as well as from the campaign directly) and forwarded the information I received here to hundreds of people. Folks were gratified to get the information without the media bias. I think Free Republic also brought like-minded individuals together and gave them a opportunity to be organized in their efforts. It also gave us an opportunity to support, console, and encourage one another. It was amazing to see a diverse group of people with the same political beliefs being so productive.
Great tag line...can I take it??
Also you cannot discount the Rather scandal. Would it have happened otherwise? Who knows, but it DID happen.
Thanks to all the Freepers who have agrred and disagreed with me. We all have one thing in common, a GREAT President!
Does a moose sleep in the woods?
We busted the dims when they needed busting and we got off our butts and went out to work on the campaign.
bttt
FR=GOP Viagara? LOLOLOL
I consider my efforts an honor to G-D. Nothing more to say.
And as part of the right-wing alternative media, FR helped spread stories the MSM media didn't want people talking about. Drudge, Rush, and FR are the "Radio Free America" of the right. We get information out, into the water cooler discussions and whatnot.
And while the 60M2 fraud almost certainly have been found out with or without Buckhead, it was a very good catch. The talent pool here makes FR a tremendous resource for the right.
Personally speaking - I would cut and paste Today's Toons from pookie18's daily thread and send them in an email to a few hundred people every day (included quite a few libs and fence sitters) for two months prior to the election. The Toons provided truth thru humor and, opened quite a few eyes, especially during RatherGate.
Also - when Diogenesis would post his Gotta See This thread - I would email a link to the same list so that people could see that good things were actually happening in Iraq.
These emails were my way of informing people that they need to open their eyes and pay more attention to what was going on. I can't tell you how many people have thanked me for doing this and made sure I kept them coming because they then were forwarding those emails to their contacts. Viral marketing, if you will.
I am submitting this vanity for all Freepers to show how much of a different every one person can make. I call this a “Freepers Tale.” Please read the whole thing and I sweated over this.
I am a conservative attorney from New York with a strong accent who was so furious this past year, that I contacted the RNC to do my part. I attended a meeting in September in NY where lawyers were asked to sign up to volunteer to go to the battleground states to support the President. The reason for not staying in New York is obvious.
I considered this election to be personal. I live around too many liberal jerks. I live in NY and know about 9/11. I was so upset over Michael Moore and lies. I broiled in anger about the unfairness towards GWB. I knew in my heart that GWB was the right man for this job and that I had to do something. Additionally, I was fearful about the message a Kerry victory would send to our veterans and soldiers alike, not to mention the terrorists and Europe. Therefore, I considered this election to be my chance to contribute to the effort.
Anyway, around October, 2004, I received notification from the RNC that I was going to Duval County in Florida to gear up for a contested race. This New Yorker has never been to Duval County before, but was eagerly waiting my chance to do my part.
On October 29, 2004, I flew down to Jacksonville Airport to meet some of the other attorneys who I would be working with in Duval County. These were Charlie (Atlanta GA attorney), Phil (Attorney from Atlanta and Fellow Freeper), and Gene, a paralegal from Alabama. We all met and were excited for the days ahead.
On October 30, 2004, we went to the Duval County Canvassing Board to monitor the counting on absentee votes and ballots with disputed signatures. Upon our arrival, we met with Chris (DC Attorney), John (DC attorney, and Margaret (Florida attorney). We monitored the counting and kept tabs on the angry Kerry/Edwards people. There was also Ryan (Freeper lawyer from Atlanta), Marty (local counsel), Olivia (Texas attorney and Freeper), and one other great lady whose name escapes me right now.
Later that day, we attended a meeting and got to know each other better and made plans for the days ahead. We had another meeting on Sunday, where we got “Voting Rights Counselor” shirts, buttons, and hats. These looked very official and were given to attorneys to where. I thought we looked extremely professional when compared with the Kerry Edwards people.
We took a ride by the Duval County headquarters to get ID’s and get more instructions. At a minimum, I was extremely impressed by the people volunteering for the Republicans. There were many many college kids there. There were even college students from Texas who came in to volunteer. They were awesome and went door to door and gave out signs, etc.
A group of people from Texas came to volunteer for the Republicans as well. They called themselves the “Texas Strike Force.” They were great and seemed to have an affinity for this NU YAWK “Yankee” who was working with them side by side. Particularly, “Glen” and “Skipper” were my favorites.
On Monday, November 1, 2004, myself, Phil, and Gene, traveled to the “Regency Library” to monitor the early voting. We wore our “Voting Rights Counselor” gear and brought a bunch of signs etc, to give out. The headquarters told us to expect heavy democratic turnout in this area.
We arrived at the site and the Kerry Edwards people had already set up shop right at the 50 foot line. They looked sort of surprised to see us, but we went and introduced ourselves to them nonetheless.
As voters arrived, we greeted them nicely and gave out GWB items. The Kerry people gave out buttons and fans. They also gave out water as if it were a marathon or something. As the turnout increased, the Kerry people brought in some additional bodies. Although they initially outnumbered us, the office sent us Skipper and the Texas Strike Force. They blew me away with their enthusiasm and Skipper had a huge sign that all voters could see that read “Who would Osama Vote For?” The other Texas people gave out B/C items. The people took as much as they could get and were very positive towards us.
Phil was great too as he mirrored the Kerry/Edwards guy giving out sample ballots and countering every statement made the Kerry guy. Gene, who is a female, laid on the Alabama charm to the people waiting in line.
Myself???? I am a big guy, very muscular, and seemed more like security and crowd control.
We completely demoralized the Kerry people. We outnumbered them, out charmed them, out spent them, and out politiced them.
After the day was over, we had another meeting, and all agreed about the great reception we received and how meager the Kerry people were. I am convinced that their claim of 10,000 lawyers was fabricated to scare us. It backfired! We had the manpower in place for anything they had, times three!
Ok. Now it is Tuesday, November 2, 2004, the big day. The local attorneys were stationed inside the polls and us out of state lawyers were part of roving quick response legal teams. I was teamed up with “Glen” a member of the Texas Strike Force. Although the two of us could not be more different, we both got along great and I think I made a good friend.
Unfortunately, we had to respond to an accident that one of our volunteers got into. I can’t give details for obvious reasons, but it took up some of our time. Glen and I responded to a number of problems with voters, mostly minor and nothing worth writing about. What is notable is the fact that our “Voting Rights Counselor” gear had a huge impact and made us look very official, organized, and professional. Some mistook us for actual election officials. I think that was the intent.
Throughout the day, the headquarters was busy with activity. There were many people being dispatched to places with little presence. It was great - it seemed like we had people all over the place!
I must admit, at one point during the day I got a chance to look at Drudge. I was very nervous and in fact was expecting the worst. Others were too.
As the day came to an end, we went over to the party arranged by the Republican party to watch the returns. It was a job well done on our part, and now hopefully would prove it. Once Florida was called for GWB, we all went nuts. It proved that average people can make a huge difference! In fact, Duval gave GWB a tremendous amount of votes to counter South Florida. As the night wore on, the mood increased. I became a little buzzed from too many beers, but we all knew we were sharing a great moment. I worked hard alongside the efforts of so many others with the same zeal and passion to keep our nation strong and get GWB re-elected.
I am so impressed with the caliber of the people of Duval county. After being somewhat down on the average voter, my faith and opinion has changed. The Duval County folks all came together and each contributed in his/her own way. Don’t get me wrong, Liberal New Yorkers are still scum and deserve Dante’s Hell.
My point is this, get involved! Your contribution will make a difference. This election has taught me that if we come together we will never lose, Never! Only if we get complacent will we lose.
I had a great experience and thank God GWB is our President. Although he is not perfect, he is a fundamentally good decent man and has only the USA as his priority.
Freepers - I love you all. This board has helped GWB and this nation!
WE OWNED THE GROUND WITH VOLUNTEERS OF ALL AGES!!!!
Buckhead/Howlin, support of the Swiftvets and helping them to raise money, helping to smash all of the lies from the MSM about GW the past 3 years are just the beginning.
BTTT!!!!!!!
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