- Upcoming Events
- TOP REASONS VOTERS CHOOSE A CANDIDATE
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- Upcoming Events
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
- 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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