Reply #24: I'll say it: I think that you are simply in "attack mode" today

[Lorien]

Tell me about the election HQ that you worked for that year; didn't they have the t-shirts, mugs, ball caps and other fundraising "goodies" for sale? Our t-shirts were $35 each, ball caps $25, Mugs $10- a steep profit margin and we could barely keep them in stock (they, like the signs, were often out of stock for weeks at a time). TRADITIONALLY election signs, stickers and buttons ARE free promotional tools for supporters. What made me give up my working hours to work that front desk were two things:

A.) The elderly woman working the front desk told callers and people coming in that the promotional items were expensive "cause that's just what they cost". No other explaination. No comment about donations needed, no comment that they aren't free to produce, just "Because that's just what thy cost". It made us look like profiteers.

B). I was standing by the front desk one evening when a middle aged couple came in for signs and button. They were told that that would be $25.00 for one of each. When the wife was given the "because that's just what it costs" explaination, she said "it DOES NOT cost that much to make signs and buttons! We just want a sign because our neighbors have Bush signs up all over the place. Our neighborhood doesn't have a single Gore sign in it"! "Well, that's what it costs. You'll have to talk to Jared if you have a problem with it". They went in the back to talk to Jared, and when they came out they were talking to one another "Well, it is pretty expensive" said the husband" "They don't care about Gore here! They care about MONEY!" exclaimed the wife "If they don't care then why should we?? This is so stupid..." obviously Jared had made a very bad case for our operations and turned off at least one voter. We can't afford that. Losing a voter is more costly than producing promotional items and selling them for what they cost to produce, or giving them away for free. Promotional items spark debates, and hopefully fence sitters will join our team if engaged in a positive debate. EVERY tool needs to be employed during a close election, and public relations are of the utmost importance. Jared was a piss poor leader who was disorganized, rude,and unimaginative when it came to fund raising (early on concerts, bake sales, BBQs, and rummage sales were proposed to raise funds. He nixed every idea). He had a clear personal agenda. It cost us votes.