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Chances are, those "spontaneous activists who were frustrated by the lack of response from the Angle campaign" were the complainers who were always waiting around for the campaign to do something for them, because they didn't have the vision or the drive to do it themselves.

That is horsehockey. I took over parts of the logistics on my own accord during the primary when the guy they hired fell flat (and was let go after the primary). But in a well-run campaign, you find things for volunteers to do because you have structured things where there are lots of productive tasks to be done, and you don't want your volunteers striking out on their own - everything I did was at the approval of the campaign managers, I NEVER just did stuff on my own as to possibly do something that contradicted with the direction and message of the campaign.

It’s a two-way street, man. At best, campaigns, especially at that level, are controlled chaos.

But in a well-run campaign, you find things for volunteers to do because you have structured things where there are lots of productive tasks to be done, and you don't want your volunteers striking out on their own - everything I did was at the approval of the campaign managers, I NEVER just did stuff on my own as to possibly do something that contradicted with the direction and message of the campaign...

This is true in any organization...is anyone blessed with a sufficient workforce of self-starting, seasoned volunteers?

Is McDonalds successful because they only hire such standout individuals, then wait for them to figure out what should be done?

But in a well-run campaign, you find things for volunteers to do because you have structured things where there are lots of productive tasks to be done, and you don't want your volunteers striking out on their own - everything I did was at the approval of the campaign managers, I NEVER just did stuff on my own as to possibly do something that contradicted with the direction and message of the campaign...

So true. I was the volunteer coordinator for a US Senate campaign once. People WANT to work for you and your job is to find good work for them to do. There is nothing worse than saying "We'll call you when we need you" and never getting back to them. They then are put off and really have no concern for your candidate. Call them often - even with small jobs to do that further the effort. People volunteer because they want to work - they are enthusiastic. Don't dampen that by ignoring them because you have tons of money for ads. The last two cycles I have contacted many campaigns trying to volunteer - telling them I will do mailings, walk precincts, make phone calls. To a campaign, no one gets back to me. Campaigns love donors, but they have forgotten that boots on the ground make the difference. I'm in Colorado, and I think that's why we're losing the big elections - we're being out-hustled by the dems.