These are my thoughts on what is needed for the Florida Democratic Party moving forward. With the change in leadership coming, these are realistic steps that can be taken to make our party stronger and deliver tangible results. For the record, I was recently the campaign manager for Heather Beaven in Florida's 7th congressional, have worked for a state Democratic Party, a progressive national consulting firm (ISSI), and on campaigns in VA, MO, GA, and FL while serving a few months on Capitol Hill in between...
2010 Proposed Strategic Plan – The New Florida Democratic Party
OBJECTIVE:
To expand, identify, unify and mobilize the “base” of the Democratic Party; to build and maintain an effective voter database statewide; to reform the function of the State Party; to implement statewide grassroots programs; to recruit candidates willing to work to win and contest all 67 counties; and, to deliver victories in the 2012 General Elections, specifically picking up seats in the State House and Senate...
I. Expand, Identify, Unify and Mobilize the “base” of the Democratic Party
This is the most important role of the State Party and Chair. The Democratic Party has failed in Florida to do any of the four actions. In order to accomplish this objective and to move the Party forward towards victory, we must have a base. Our base is diverse, varied and under a big tent, but we can unify the party through grassroots, voter databases, and clear goals. The first step in doing so will fall under the “2011 Plan” which will be to rebuild the Party and prepare for the 2012 General Election. If the Party can identify, unify and mobilize the “base,” the 2012 General Elections will yield victories across the state as Democrats can catch the conservative Republican Party at surprise and capitalize on the redistricting. There is an opportunity here, but a small one that must be seized immediately, and it begins with Party Building.
Briefly, the Party must first identify its “base” through an aggressive grassroots plan to “find Florida Democrats,” unify those Democrats on the Party’s message (starting in 2011 a year prior to the 2012 General Elections), and begin to prepare a plan to mobilize them immediately in the next election cycle. From there, the Party will be able to constantly expand its base as more IDs are made, the message develops into a larger vision, and the Party can target swing voters to bring them into the New Florida Democratic Party.
II. Build and Maintain an Effective Voter Database Statewide
This goes hand-in-hand with the first objective. This is the tool that can make everything a reality. VAN/VoteBuilder provides the party with the comprehensive campaign tools we need to win and the state party must build, maintain and extend the services to every DEC around the state effectively.
Through an effective voter database statewide, the Party would be able to target voters in every race, and in top ticket campaigns, have access to thousands of supporters at the start of the campaigns. All campaigns and DECs must be trained to collect data and be held accountable to that task. This is the only way to win elections. By identifying your voters, you save time, can turnout your supporters and not your opponent’s, save money, and effectively target the undecided voters. We also build a database statewide that would allow the Party to know where the Democrats are, where the Undecided voters are, and where the Republicans are as to not waste time or money but most importantly, where the gaps are from campaign to campaign. It also allows campaigns and the party to target their messages to specific areas and demographics. VoteBuilder wins elections and builds the party. This is a must.
III. Reform the Function of the State Party
The State Party’s role and functions must be reformed immediately. Democrats around Florida look to the Party with mistrust, frustration and incompetence. The State Party should be the leader for Democrats and must begin to work that way. The role of the Party is to build the base, mobilize the base, and help all its candidates and members. Without effective communication, training, and access, the base will be discouraged, there will be lower voter turnout, but more importantly, there will definitely be lower volunteer support. The State Party must recognize it is the hub for all Florida Democrats and can easily unify our Party.
Trainings must take place statewide and not just before elections. Access must mean returned phone calls, emails, completed tasks and face time. The State Party should rally Democrats not discourage them. The Party must reinvent its role as the leader and must work harder, care more, and act as if this was all that was important to them; because it should be that way. In return, the base will unify and expand, the Party will define itself, and victories will be achieved.
Reform must equal cleaning house in the current State Party. We must start fresh completely.
IV. Implement True Grassroots Plans Statewide
This is the only way Democrats will ever retake the state of Florida. Effective grassroots campaigns deliver results and win undecided voters. Grassroots allows you to define yourself. And, it opens an element that voters are craving: a positive vision for the future and not pure negative campaigning. Through grassroots the Party will accomplish numerous goals.
First, the Party will be able to bring a specific message to the doors and phones of all voters. Second, the Party will expand its function and capabilities by involving fellow Democrats in worthwhile activities that make them see the importance to the message, the movement and the Party. Also, the Party will quickly identify voters statewide on issues, stances and candidates and save time, save money and win.
Volunteers want something to do. They don’t want to waste their time and the Democratic Party should not waste their time either. However, grassroots campaigning is not only the most important, effective tool in winning campaigns, it is also the most engaging and meaningful work that a volunteer can contribute to. There are Democrats statewide waiting to get to work if they think it will help in victory and with the overall goal (healthcare for children, fully funding schools, etc.) The Party must find these supporters (through IDs of their base) and expose them to real grassroots movements.
However, this must be done correctly. The Party may only have one chance to win over a volunteer or supporter that what they are doing is effective, well-managed and worthwhile. One bad experience can make it much harder to get them back. After the 2010 elections, the coordinated campaign efforts were laughable in some parts of the state, and frustrating at best in most areas.
The State Party must be the center of all grassroots training, questions and leadership. Through an open and clear strategic plan, the state party can lead and inspire through grassroots action.
V. Recruit Candidates Willing to Work to Win and Contest All 67 Counties
The State Party must also work aggressively to recruit candidates that can win and that will work throughout the election cycle. This must happen in all 67 counties if possible. The candidates should be made aware that they will be held accountable for the work they put into their campaigns, but that the Party is there for them.
No promises of money. No promises of victory. However, the State Party will not lie to candidates or members. The Party will fight for them. The State Party must be there in the form of grassroots campaigning, training, financial support (however, it should be made clear candidates must rely on themselves to raise the needed funds), and volunteers.
Also, through an effective complete voter database, it will be easier to decide on contested areas and districts based on the “base” Democrats in different areas around the State.
Also, by recruiting and running candidates in every county and district, the Party accomplishes another necessary objective. It will stunt the spread of Republican money throughout the State. If Democrats ran contested races statewide, Republicans’ financial dominance would be equated by grassroots and their party would have to scramble to figure out a plan of action. Also, many Republicans statewide have never run “real” campaigns, and a grassroots plan statewide could shift the momentum and cause turmoil in the opposition party. If we only had 50 more Democrats running in unopposed seats around the state in 2010, and each one only brought 1,000 more Democrats to the polls, Alex Sink would be Governor. We can not leave seats uncontested and expect to win, and the buck stops with the Party.
VI. Deliver Victories in the 2012 General Elections
Finally, the main objective the State Party and Chair is to deliver victories in the 2012 General Elections, period. Now is the time to accomplish this more than ever, as Republicans hold majorities of their greatest numbers and all of the statewide offices. Even minor victories and gains in the State House and Senate will equate to major Democratic victory in this very red state.
The “2012 Strategic Plan” must demonstrate more of how this objective can be accomplished; however, the State Party should use the Presidential and US Senate election as their main focus in a “branch out” method statewide to local campaigns. Knowing that President Obama will have quite the operation and funding, the party can really focus on local races and building our party in every county to support candidates up and down the ticket. Capitalizing on building all these campaigns can generate money, volunteers, interest, and messaging for the State Party.
A true coordinated campaign.