The one area in which Republicans consistently trail Democrats is GOTV. We need some competent, knowledgeable political organizers to learn the Democrat methodology and employ it at every election. I think we assume we can win the hearts and minds on our message and we likely do. Getting those hearts and minds to the polls is another thing entirely. Let’s acknowledge what Democrats consistently do better than us, replicate it verbatim (at least the legal parts), double and triple the effort and see what can be accomplished.
I know there was a GOTV organization in PA with Corbett and Toomey - but the Dems surpassed that in SE PA and almost overtook Toomey as a result (Onorato was such a lame candidate that it did little for him). The Dems were able to motivate against Toomey because of his conservatism - so right there is an object lesson - if we are going to push for conservative candidates in purple states, we must get out and volunteer to help in the GOTV efforts (I heard the day before the election that that SE Philly GOTV center for the GOP was thinly staffed - while the Dems were pulling out all stops during that time).
I know there was a GOTV organization in PA with Corbett and Toomey - but the Dems surpassed that in SE PA and almost overtook Toomey as a result (Onorato was such a lame candidate that it did little for him). The Dems were able to motivate against Toomey because of his conservatism - so right there is an object lesson - if we are going to push for conservative candidates in purple states, we must get out and volunteer to help in the GOTV efforts (I heard the day before the election that that SE Philly GOTV center for the GOP was thinly staffed - while the Dems were pulling out all stops during that time).
I agree we can learn from them. But because they are working in urban, high density Dem areas, GOTV will always be easier for them. They can send in paid union guys and knock on apartment doors more easily that we can drag people in from the fields. But we must do better!