Tenacity as a tactic.
Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 09:29:51 PM PDT
People have been appropriately focused on making sure that every available monetary resource is put into play this election cycle.
People have been appropriately focused on getting as much activist participation as possible in GOTV efforts and campaigns this election cycle.
People have been appropriately concerned about potential voter fraud, vote suppression, and outright theft.
I want to raise a tactical issue I hope will get appropriate attention. I'm talking about planning for the prospect of long lines, long wait times, and the need for serious staying power the evening of Nov. 7th. I suggest we hope for the best, but prepare for the worst...
Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal.
My strength lies solely in my tenacity.
-- Louis Pasteur
I've done voter registration work. I've done GOTV work. I've done canvassing and cold calling. I recognize how much effort goes into the street presence. I also recognize the importance of a motivated electorate. We need to plan, and I would say
budget for the likelihood that voters in key precincts will face long lines, few machines, and long wait times. It is going to be cold in most of the country.
Some people have talked about the need to march in the street if the election is stolen. It would be a hell of a lot better to sit down in line and refuse to move out of line BEFORE the election is stolen. Marching AFTER the fact is a distant second option.
People need to be emotionally prepared to stand on line and refuse to give up. Supporting that effort is a significant logistical problem. We need to really think about the resources needed to provide comfort to those who will stay in line come hell or high water (people/food/beverages/etc).
Based on my experience, it is extremely powerful both in terms of news coverage and recruiting people to vote if there are long lines where people refuse to leave. As we approach the finish line, strategy will have to give way to tactics. We've got to build a presence early and keep it strong all day long.
We did it in Philadelphia back in the 80s when Wilson Goode ran for mayor the first time. It was historic. The lines in predominantly black voting precints went around the block in many locations. They basically put markers at the end of the line at 8:00 PM. If you were already in line, you could not be denied the right to vote. We were lucky the weather was mild that night. We didn't finish voting in some precincts until after 11:00 pm. But no one was complaining. People were celebrating. We knew we had won. If we are gong to turn things around this time, I think we have to repeat that sort of experience.
Given Rove's "72 hour program" approach to "just-in-time" voter mobilization of the base, I think it is likely going to be an end-game of inches and hours. We alll know how short the time is. We all know how high the stakes are. I'm just hoping we can communicate this to the right places because in the long run, making sure people stay in line will be more effective, and less costly, than anything else.
I honestly don't know where to turn with this concern for all the races going on, so I am posting this here in the hopes that the right eyes will see it, and the right folks will grab this. My hope is that if this finds resonance here, it will be heard by the people who can help us the most.
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