tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post4147261800050616588..comments2023-09-25T05:59:04.926-07:00Comments on Michael Patrick Leahy: Mike Duncan Utterly Unqualified to be Republican National Committee ChairmanMichael Patrick Leahyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02682711779511069175noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-17873189425568486842009-01-02T13:24:00.000-08:002009-01-02T13:24:00.000-08:00The RNC needs a leader who has the organizational ...The RNC needs a leader who has the organizational and institutional skills that Mike Duncan appears to have due to his experience -- BUT, in a walk through the wilderness, the party ALSO needs a leader that has national political standing, not just experience of the inner workings of the RNC.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps Mr. Duncan should retain a different, behind the scenes roll (general counsel again comes to mind) and let's get someone with some charisma, someone who is used to punching out the press, getting attention for the Party, and rebuilding the enthusiasm of the grass roots.<BR/><BR/>I highly suspect that that person is NOT Mike Duncan, regardless of how much respect and gratitude he deserves for his work at the RNC in a number of positions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-29557401573437610982008-12-24T22:13:00.000-08:002008-12-24T22:13:00.000-08:00Thank you to everyone on TCOT for creating a new w...Thank you to everyone on TCOT for creating a new way to connect with fellow conservatives. I hear great voices and will do well in future work for the RNC.<BR/><BR/>I would like to comment on Mr. Leahy's article and voice my opinion irenically. I echo KY GOP Chairman Robertson, who I greatly admire having served in previous elections. Every person running for RNC Chair is capable of the post and each candidates' vision for the party makes me very excited for the future! Endorsing no candidate at this time I will, however, stick by my fellow Kentuckian and speak well of him. If you don't know Mike Duncan, then I'll tell you some of the things he's been up to in the past couple years. Most importantly, my perspective as a campaign staffer give me unique credibility to do so.<BR/><BR/>First, Chairman Duncan must not solely bear the blame for any campaign loss. While each of us worked hard, we must realize all could have done better in our particular responsibilities. Our elected officials largely forgot the reasons for which they were elected, and betrayed the public's trust. Our candidates could have run better campaigns by staying on message, defining the issues, and controlling the arguments. Chief among these faults though is exactly the grassroots organizations that Mr. Leahy maintains stood ready to win. While grassroots volunteerism may have been established and "ready to go" frankly, I never saw the cadres that were supposedly out there. County and Town GOP chairs were elected because of their leadership and recruitment ability, but when asked when their organization wanted to get involved, few answered the call. In the last 100 days, RNC leadership held meetings with key GOP leadership to rally grassroots efforts, McCain held 4-5 events, Palin held 3-4 events, surrogates flooded the state, and NH still stayed blue, losing a crucial senate seat and both congressional districts. RNC and McCain operations stood ready to assist grassroots volunteers but instead staffers spent nearly a month pleading with previous volunteers and activists for help. Whatever extensive grassroots base there was either washed away in the liberal flood of 2006 or wasn't there at all. Quickly we had to grow our own organization or face certain failure. GOP and McCain town chairs misunderstood the strategies Karl Rove and others developed for success. The organization was there to the credit of the campaign, but not to many GOP chairs and other leadership. I'm sure the results would have been drastically different had GOP and McCain Town Chairs done their jobs and let the campaign do theirs.<BR/><BR/>Second, Chairman Duncan technologically led the streamlining of the entire party. On rnc.com, any Republican can sign up for his/her own website to fundraise, blog, and recruit volunteers at the grassroots level. Impressively, YouTube and new media is now used to spread our values in ways never before used by RNC, NRSC, and NRCC. Each state or commonwealth party's website is now updated to reflect a standard "feel" and includes blogging and use of Twitter if deemed necessary to the state party.<BR/><BR/>Third, all that matters in politics is securing at least %51 of the vote during an election. If Twitter, Blogging, and Facebook can do this, by all means, use them. While Blogs, Twitter and Facebook are great ways to reach people, these three mediums are still too new to cast a wide enough net to win elections. Of my 25-30 colleagues on the campaign, only 3 politicos even know what Twitter is. I have told many politicos about twitter because I use it (does that qualify me to run as RNC Chair?) None of us blog although it's becoming a staple in everyones' news diet. What matters most is voter contact through word-of-mouth campaigning from locals in all walks of life passionate about getting their candidate elected. Status updates and articles written on WordPress can't really make someone vote. Some people still don't have internet. A phone call or knock on the door by a supporter asking for someone's vote paired with an effective get out the vote effort usually will. Therefore, Chairman Duncan's development of Campaign College shows he is genuinely concerned about developing all aspects of campaign technology. For example, New Media Campaign School trains staffers in aspects of websites, blogs, opposition research, and other tools necessary for successful E-Campaigns. Campaign Victory School trains staffers in crucial phone banking, door to door, volunteer recruitment, and GOTV work. Keep in mind, Chairman Duncan has developed all this with the understanding that there will be a well established "militia" rising up to take advantage of the resources available during election cycles.<BR/><BR/>It seems to me that Chairman Duncan is being made a scapegoat for major losses experienced in a "perfect storm" of political opposition. Instead of blaming our chairman for our losses, we should take a look in the mirror and see where our failures may have been, and correct them in 2010. If each of you didn't go door to door, make phone calls, recruit other volunteers, and tell your friends, neighbors, relatives, and coworkers to vote for your candidate, you are equally to blame. All our technologies stand ready to win, but are not used well in some areas. I look forward to a bright and successful season of campaign wins because we have corrected the errors, and have exposed the destructive policies championed by the Obama administration, and members of the house and senate.<BR/><BR/>Yours,<BR/>Jonathan D. Gaby<BR/>Frankfort/Franklin County Youth Chairman<BR/>McCain/Palin 2008<BR/>twitter: jdgabyJonathan Gabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803969935713890245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-85214233048248408202008-12-23T21:41:00.000-08:002008-12-23T21:41:00.000-08:00A good thought, Michael, but people in power don't...A good thought, Michael, but people in power don't surrender it. <BR/><BR/>The only way we're going to take back the party is to get the grassroots activists working on the local level and building a true mass movement. <BR/><BR/>We need to build the infrastructure to get out our message, find candidates who can speak intelligently and honesty to the American people, and make sure that those who cannot lead get out of the way. <BR/><BR/>We should focus our efforts on building up our base, and pouring attention on those with vision. <BR/><BR/>The idea that Duncan is an effective leader is laughable. Life is unfair, but when your team goes 0-16, you fire the coach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-31059793552213566032008-12-22T09:01:00.000-08:002008-12-22T09:01:00.000-08:00Philo,You should read my article more carefully.I ...Philo,<BR/><BR/>You should read my article more carefully.<BR/><BR/>I call for Duncan to withdraw from the RNC Chair Race for the next term immediately, not resign from his current term.Michael Patrick Leahyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02682711779511069175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-87300632493297547702008-12-22T08:04:00.000-08:002008-12-22T08:04:00.000-08:00With due respect, this is a silly argument. In Jan...With due respect, this is a silly argument. In January, we can either vote for Duncan or not. The Party would gain nothing if he were to resign now, but could in fact be negatively impacted by such a move.<BR/>Im my opinion, this is a straw man argument that Leahy is making, and seems peculiar and manic. Duncan isn't the problem, nor is he, nor whomever else might head the RNC, the solution.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17377300459673019987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-56359450688014435822008-12-22T06:44:00.000-08:002008-12-22T06:44:00.000-08:00I am sorry Mr Robertson but the Republicans were n...I am sorry Mr Robertson but the Republicans were no where technology. Obama had people on Twitter constantly shilling for him the day before and of the election. <BR/><BR/>The level of ignorance about things online at all levels of the party, even among the young, is breath-taking. The fact that the media reported when Sen Collins appointed a media guy says it all really. (I might add that unlike some peddling their new media wares in DC, Lance Dutson knows his stuff.)Andrew Ian Dodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16293965494182995460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-4096983151564364702008-12-21T19:04:00.000-08:002008-12-21T19:04:00.000-08:00You know what is really sad is he does not have th...You know what is really sad is he does not have the dignity to quit on his own after these horrible losses. I think it speaks to his character.<BR/><BR/>I would quit if I had done as much damage has he has done but than I have morals!<BR/><BR/>JadedByPoliticsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36623192.post-47811944766722037312008-12-21T18:32:00.000-08:002008-12-21T18:32:00.000-08:00First, thanks for the opportunity to speak with yo...First, thanks for the opportunity to speak with you and #TCOT followers on Twitter. Second, I want to be clear that EVERY individual running for RNC Chair would be a capable leader for the Party. <BR/><BR/>As you and I have discussed before, I am supporting Mike Duncan for re-election as RNC Chairman. I have reasons that go far beyond personal friendship.<BR/><BR/>We need an RNC Chairman that will continue to build the Party. Mike Duncan understands that the RNC Chairman is not just a spokesperson, but someone who will work behind the scenes to the benefit of the Republican Party - even if that work is not recognized publicly.<BR/><BR/>You note that we need an RNC Chairman that will focus on technology. I couldn't agree more. Despite the media's charge of a GOP technology deficit, Mike Duncan has focused RNC investments on technology that helps win elections. Does the GOP have further to go? Absolutely. And Mike Duncan will maintain his focus on pushing the GOP forward on this. The RNC has proven that its technology helps win elections by reducing campaign costs, increasing volunteer productivity, and leveraging new media to deliver targeted messages to voters.<BR/><BR/>I hope your readers will work diligently to learn more about all of the quality individuals aspiring to be the RNC Chairman, including our current Chair, Mike Duncan.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again and I look forward to the discussion.<BR/><BR/>Best regards,<BR/><BR/>Steve Robertson<BR/>Chairman<BR/>Republican Party of Kentucky<BR/>Twitter: steve_robertsonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com