"Organize the whole state so that every Whig can be brought to the polls... Divide the county into small districts and appoint in each a sub-committee. Make a perfect list of all the voters and ascertain with certainty for whom they will vote,keep a constant watch on the doubtful voters and...have them talked to by those in whom they have the most confidence, and on Election Day see that every Whig is brought to the polls." -Abraham Lincoln 1/21/1840.
This is as important now as it was then. I do not know how well these tenets are being implemented by the Democratic Party, but it seems to be the main reason Democrats keep losing elections. A get out the vote GOTV and precint operation should be a year round permanent operation of the party to protect its incumbents and to prepare challenges to opposition incumbents. Bloggers in every precinct would be invaluable in coordinating and setting up these permanent year round campaigns.
There is a vast majority of voters not interested in national, state, or even local politics in a regular basis. They may be registered or not, many vote, completely uninformed, and probably mark the ballots with the first candidate named in each list. Many potential supporters do not bother to vote at all. These voters believe every politician is a crook and are not interested in framing, issues, political sheenanigans, and the corruption and incompetence of our leaders.
If these voters somehow were persuaded to vote, they could be that 4-6+% difference in total votes that could win many elections. How can this be accomplished?
At the local level sort of between friends and family, "have them talked to by those in whom they have the most confidence."
The trick is to have an operation that on a permanent basis, at the precint level, identifies favorable voters, keeps them up to date about our platform, informs and persuades the undecided, and makes sure that our supporters go to the polls on Election Day.
Accomplishing this work a few months before the election does not help much since many voters have decided weeks or months before the election and worse-many vote early.
Admitedly this may be expensive, but it is the foundation of a succesful campaign. It is the footwork of the fight that will deliver that extra 4-6% total votes in an election. Proselytizing for a few months before the election and pouring millions in TV ads, advisors, etc., and still lose elections is not an alternative. Forget framing, issues, or expecting the opposition to implode under the weight of its corruption and abuse of power. The base is already won. The informed are either with or against us. The battle is decided at the Precint Level, possibly years before the election, by getting to know our voters.
It may be difficult but not impossible. Republicans are doing it and look how well it has worked for them. We may not like their policies but we should need to implement their strategies to sow the field and get winning crops on election day.