**FREE TRAINING IN KENTUCKY & W. VIRGINIA THIS SATURDAY** GOP Plans Grassroots Push to Keep Majority

The Washington Times ^ | 06-05-02 | Stephen Dinan

[Skeet]

Congressional Republicans are creating a political operation designed specifically to register and turn out Republican voters to protect their majority in the House in November's elections.

In the past such efforts have been led by the Republican National Committee, but this year House Republican leaders are implementing their own push, which they call STOMP

[diotima]

Thanks for posting the summary. It's great that you went!

[lodwick]

bttt

[MadelineZapeezda]

Thanks, m.......curious, how many others were there attending? Any plans to bring some big name Repubs thru the state?

[mountaineer]

There weren't too many in attendance, maybe 40. Many of those were Capito staffers, to be honest. I think this thing should have been better publicized, with more advance notice. I received an e-mail from the RNC just a little over a week before the event, which isn't much notice to plan a trip to Chuckstown. On the other hand, several attendees were Kanawha County people who had never really been involved in grassroots politics, but received a postcard or something and had their interest piqued.

No one indicated whether there would be another one held in W.Va. - this is an entirely new program and Saturday's meetings in WV and KY were the first, apparently.

[RFP]

Thanks for attending and posting this. I am forwarding your comments to Jay Wolfe's campaign manager.

Did they talk at all about "earned media?" This is free media attention that a candidate gets by having friends in the media and supporters who write letters to the editors mentioning them which get published. It's basically FREE publicity to gain much needed name recognition. Very Useful technique!

BUMP !!

[Endeavor]

What's a "Capito staffer?" Is there an organized follow-up to this? Or is someone coordinating plugging in to the 40 or so of you who came? If not, that's kinda funny in a sad way.

[Skeet]

Were there any candidates or elected officials in attendance?

[Skeet]

Were you able to attend Saturday's session in Kentucky? Can we get a follow-up report?

[Skeet]

Here is some basic information I found regarding STOMP:

The NRCC is initiating a party-building project call STOMP (Strategic Taskforce to Organize and Mobilize People). Started by ARMPAC, STOMP is a “nationwide network of dedicated volunteers who have committed to assisting Republicans in our most competitive districts. Volunteers will travel to districts near their homes where help is most needed.”

“Even as campaigns change, nothing can replace face to face contact. Statistics consistently show that personal contact with voters is the deciding factor in close elections. As a nation at war amidst a troubled economy, leadership of our nation is especially critical. Republicans have been successful at passing significant legislation to improve both the economic and personal security of all Americans. Victory in our most competitive districts will ensure the type of leadership that will continue to strengthen our nation.”

How does STOMP work?
* Train Volunteers – STOMP members share their knowledge of grassroots with others and members learn new ways to become empowered to make a difference.
* Regional Rallies – Meet national leaders and energize other Republicans to act
* Travel – Free to STOMP team members with same day or overnight trips to nearby districts
* Laying the groundwork for victory – Voter registration drives and door-to-door canvassing
* Mobilize Republicans on Election Day – Door-to-Door canvassing and phone banks

Why is STOMP important?
* The entire House Republican Majority – six seats – was decided by only 9,500 votes in 2000 elections
* Some key races decided by less than 200 votes
* Grassroots and GOTV can swing races in the last 3 days
* Democrats and Big labor allies are perfecting their ground game
* Grassroots makes the difference between victory and defeat
* Mid-term elections are known for their low turnout (in 1998 Voter turnout nationwide was 36.4%)

[the irate magistrate]

Did you go there with all the Weasel's purple cool aid drinkers?

[Fred Mertz]

Did you go there with all the Weasel's purple cool aid drinkers?

Negatory. Which weasel?

[mountaineer]

A Capito staffer is someone working for WV's only Republican congressional representative, Shelley Moore Capito. Grassroots involvement in getting her re-elected was more or less the focus of the meeting, though the things discussed were general enough to be used in any election race. I told them that as I am not in Shelley's district, I would hope to help out with Jay Wolfe's efforts to unseat Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV.

[mountaineer]

The only one I can think of in attendance was a former state delegate from Kanawha County who lost her seat in 2000 and was trying to regain it in 2002. As noted, several reps from Congresswoman Capito's office were there, as were the chair and director of the state GOP.

[Endeavor]

Oh, I get it now. Can you believe that rat Rockefeller is such a rat? Well, yeah, you can believe it. His namesake would roll over in his grave if he saw the way "the cousins" are acting.

The old man was no saint, but that doesn't explain why the relatives have gone around the bend, politically. I wish there was some way to harness all that self-motivating liberal guilt and "guilt" them into conservatives. But of course, that would require a functioning brain.