LPM Online

Contents

1. Upcoming Events
   
   

   January 8, 2002 - 7:30 PM

   LP of Oakland County Executive Committee Meeting. All dues-paying members are welcome. Business begins at 7:30pm.

   Location: LPM Headquarters, 619 East Nine Mile in Hazel Park, just east of I-75.

   Contact: Chris Pellerito Phone: (248) 373-9411 E-mail: LpocChairChris@aol.com

   
   

   January 9, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   Libertarians of Macomb County monthly meeting. Drinks and dinner at 6:30 PM, business begins at 7:00 PM.

   Location: Miles World Resturant, 17689 Masonic, Fraser, MI 48026, 810-415-4500.

   Contact: Diane Barnes Phone: (810) 774-1625 E-mail: dbarnes98@aol.com

   
   

   January 9, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Kalamazoo Libertarian Party General Meeting

   Location: TGI Friday's Restaurant, 5650 W. Main St., Kalamazoo MI 49009

   Contact: Mickey Hall Phone: (616) 345-2455 E-mail: mickhall09@aol.com

   
   

   January 12, 2002 - 11:00 AM

   LPOC Strategic Planning Meeting. All our accomplishments for the year ahead begin with the goals we set at this gathering. We'll have lunch around 12:30 or 1:00. Please come and be a part of the planning process for an outstanding 2002!

   Location: LPM Headquarters, 619 East Nine Mile in Hazel Park, just east of I-75.

   Contact: Chris Pellerito Phone: (248) 373-9411 E-mail: chair@lpocmi.org

   
   

   January 14, 2002 - 7:00 PM

   Clare-Gladwin Libertarian Party meeting. We will kick off our Election 2002 activities.

   Location: Grant Township Hall in Clare County. West on Surrey Road from Old 27 one mile.

   Contact: Ghazey Aleck Phone: (989) 386-2699 E-mail: ghazey@alecklawfirm.com

   
   

   January 20, 2002 - 2:00 PM

   Candidate Training
   Stephen Townsend and Ghazey Aleck will provide a 3 hour training session for those interested in running for public office.
   No Cost! RSVP to Diane Barnes
   dbarnes98@aol.com or phone 586-774-1625

   Location: LPM HQ
   619 E Nine Mile, Hazel Park

   Contact: Diane Barnes Phone: (586) 774-1625 E-mail: dbarnes98@aol.com

   
   

   January 21, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   The Tri-City Libertarian Party meets the third Monday of every month at the Howard Johnson Restaurant (I-75 at M-84). Public is welcome.

   6:30 PM Dinner

   7:30 PM Business meeting

   For more information contact: www.lp.mi.org/tclp

   Stephen Townsend at (989) 631-4853 or president@makingfreedomring.com

   Location: Howard Johnson Restaurant (I-75 at M-84).

   Contact: Stephen M. Townsend Phone: (989) 631-4853 E-mail: president@makingfreedomring.com

   
   

   January 23, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   LP of Oakland County General Membership Meeting. Public welcome. Meet for dinner at 6:30pm, business begins at 7:30pm. We will be electing our 2002 Executive Committee at tonight's meeting.

   Location: Sila's Restaurant, 4033 W. 12 Mile Rd, Berkley. Sila's is 2 blocks west of Greenfield on Twelve Mile Road.

   Contact: Chris Pellerito Phone: (248) 373-9411 E-mail: LpocChairChris@aol.com

   
   

   February 5, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   Monthly Meeting - LP of Wayne County
   Optional dinner starts at 6:30pm
   Meeting with program starts at 7:45pm
   All are welcome to attend.
   Business: Nominations of new officers.

   Location: City Tavern
   14316 Michigan Ave
   Dearborn - between Greenfield and Schaffer

   Contact: Heather Pauli Phone: (313) 538-8208 E-mail: heatherpauli@hotmail.com

   
   

   February 13, 2002 - 6:30 PM

   Libertarians of Macomb County monthly meeting. Drinks and dinner at 6:30 PM, business begins at 7:00 PM.

   Location: Miles World Resturant, 17689 Masonic, Fraser, MI 48026, 810-415-4500.

   Contact: Diane Barnes Phone: (810) 774-1625 E-mail: dbarnes98@aol.com

   
   

   More

   For more events, see the online calendar at:

   http://www.michiganlp.org/lpmonline/events.php

   
   

2. TOP REASONS VOTERS CHOOSE A CANDIDATE by Ghazey Aleck

   The Top Reasons Why Voters Choose A Candidate

   Personal Familiarity: Personal friendship or knowing the candidate can overcome many obstacles that usually prevent people from voting for you. If you are easily likeable or respected, then the more people you can make personally familiar with you the better. However, if you have a hard time making friends with people, this can cut the other way. Know yourself and use your strengths to your advantage while hiding your weaknesses. Personal familiarity is increased by door to door knocking, meetings, and any other face to face type contact.

   Name Recognition: Name recognition is very valuable when voters have little information about the candidate. It is common that candidates receive a good number of votes just because they have been “heard of". Name recognition is increased by massive yard signs, prominent display of name on literature, ads or mail. Also, prominent display of name in media news releases.

   Party Affiliation: Party affiliation is the anchor that many people use when choosing their candidate. About 60% of the voters identify with one of the two major parties, leaving about 40% of the voters that vote independently. Voters, however, do understand that not all democrats or republicans are the same. They also believe, though, that generally a candidate from their party is more likely to reflect their views than one from the opposing party. This is the biggest challenge to overcome for a Libertarian candidate. A Libertarian candidate should consider working for a year before the campaign trying to create a higher base of support for the Libertarian Party in the district he will be campaigning. This creating and shoring up the “base of support" ahead of time is essential. In the campaign itself, de-emphasize your Libertarian party affiliation to republicans and democrats as you will need to take at least 10% of the vote from each party to win.

   Appearance: Candidates that look friendly, honest and trustworthy are likely to gain support simply due to their appearance. Think carefully about those first campaign photos. Dress appropriately. Maintain a pleasant demeanor and remember people are always watching. Get a professional photo and spend the time and money to get them exactly right. A friendly smile in all photographs is essential so practice it if you must.

   Issues and Positions: Having the same issue position as a voter on a view that is deeply held by that voter can move that voter away from their party and toward you as a candidate. Find those issues or frame the Libertarian issues in a way that helps the voting public understand them as one or more of their deeply held beliefs. This is the key to winning a tough campaign and all Libertarian campaigns are tough.

   Endorsements: While endorsements receive tremendous emphasis with campaigns and the media, voters usually do not rely on endorsements, unless they don’t have enough information to make up their minds. Endorsements can bring early credibility to a campaign as well as assist in fundraising, but be careful about putting too much weight behind them on election day.

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