I haven't been commenting much about the Colorado Senate race recently but an e-mail from Mike Miles campaign manager this morning struck me as one of the worst examples of the many gaffs that are made too often in politics. The email is below but allow me to comment. Point by point.

Firstly, if you want be known as the "underdog" then turning to the dirty politicking of calling anyone who endorses your opponent a "cowardly politico" is probably not the way to get started.

The missive then goes on to describe the efforts the "grassroots" campaign is undertaking to win the election. The thing is they are all the steps of a professional politician. Visiting the the campaign's website it is obvious that plenty of money is being poured into a flashy site while real content or innovation are not to be seen... Oh yes you say there is a "blog" section... with a single post from nearly a month ago. Wow that is innovative.

There is also the issue of spell checkers. It is an unfortunate mistake when you send an email to people talking about caste instead of cast. Perhaps it is a sign of the real intentions of the campaign? There are equally unfortunate spelling errors like Seabiscuit being mis-spelled Seabisquit - not that the voting public would be so fortunate.

Listening to the campaign it really seems that what is most upsetting to them is to be out politicked by a professional politician. For all the "Be the change" lip service the Miles campaign is proving to be a second-rate very political effort instead of any kind of new grassroots campaign. What an unfortunate circumstance for the country if this kind of petty desperation is allowed to make the difference in control of the Senate. (But the electability of the candidate is NOT the main goal of the Miles campaign or they would have done the honorable thing long ago and focused on winning a victory for the people of Colorado and this country.

Dear Miles Team!

It's the eleventh hour…and we're facing some crushing odds.  We'll be out-spent, out-hired, and out-endorsed by a cowardly cadre of politicos who would put the Party ahead of the people it's to represent.  But take heart!

Even in the light of such obstacles, not a one of us joined the ranks of this movement thinking it was a losing proposition.  No amount of money, number of $10/hr mercenary interns, or Washington suits can overwhelm the passion or commitment that's brought to bear by the Miles team.  We are the “Little Campaign that Could!�

Let me tell you what's happening for the Miles Campaign across the state: 

Centrally, the campaign committee is working feverishly making the contacts we need to rally our numbers on August 10th. 

•         We sent out a powerful direct mail piece that is landing in the mailboxes of the voters who've applied for absentee ballots in the largest 10-12 counties. 
•   We're developing new literature to assure our message remains resonant, polished and representative.
•   Our Media team is readying for broad release radio and TV ads for a final media blitz prior to Primary Day.

Around the state, our volunteers are rallying support.

•         We've got teams statewide calling newly registered Democratic voters, and voters not on the absentee list who're most likely to caste a ballot in the Primary.  And reports from teams calling are truly heartening.  Many already Miles supporters, but most uncertain and looking for more information and an alternative to Salazar.
•   Our fundraising is increasing as word spreads about Mike Miles and voters hear about and meet a man they come to realize must be elected. 

Now…the game plan for the final kick locally:

I'm hearing from all sides that our people are ready to hit the ground and knock on doors to get out our vote, but might have been waiting for the go-ahead from the campaign team.  Please remember that the strategy our team laid out for our county coordinators is a suggested guideline, but the beauty of a grassroots campaign is the autonomy we allow for all our supporters. 

 
•       Start Canvassing.  If there are people on your teams locally who are chomping at the bit, rearing to hit the track…open the gates and let those horses run! 
•   One caveat: please re-emphasize with all members of our team that best results will always come from one on one conversations.  If we're already going to the trouble of walking those neighborhoods, make sure we knock on doors. 
•   Use phone banking information, as well as maps available from the campaign that identify higher performing precincts to focus our ground campaign in the neighborhoods where we have discovered the largest numbers of “undecidedsâ€? and where we know people are likely to vote in the Primary.
•   Continue phone banking.  While we're trying to identify people for follow-up with mailed information and canvassing, given the limitations on time and manpower, a call may be the only contact we're able to make with many of the people on our lists.  Many of our callers have responded “Well, I'll vote for Mike because you guys are the only one's that have bothered to call!â€?
•   Send “Only Oneâ€? literature.  Send literature to people locally as identified on voter registration lists. 

The underlying message here is let the volunteers working on your team do what they are most willing to do…any and all efforts will move us toward our goal.  If phone calls are favored by some, encourage phone banking right up to election day since many of the people on our lists will be unlikely to get any other personal contact.  If people are inclined to walk their precincts, let us know what literature/materials (signs, etc.) you need, and get out and Be the Change!  (Contact Dick Barkey—xxxxxxxxx , Larry Dunn—xxx.xxx.xxxx, or Bruce Barkey—xxx.xxx.xxxx for materials requests.)  Additionally:

•         Ask volunteers now to take Primary Day off, if possible.  We'll spend that day demonstrating, phone banking, and on GOOV (Getting Out Our Vote). 
•   Get Volunteers to take a pledge to get 10 people within their sphere of influence to support and vote for Mike Miles in the Primary, and then ask each of those 10 people to make the same pledge. If half of our 3000 supporters statewide are successful in this endeavor, we'll win by a landslide!
•   Continue to distribute yard signs & bumper stickers!
•   Organize street-side demonstrations.  Last Friday from 4pm to 6pm, we coordinated a “Miles of Signsâ€? effort where volunteers gathered on designated highway exits and busy intersections with t-shirts and signs in our respective communities.  We'd ask each county coordinator to select locations and get volunteers out each Friday afternoon (4-6pm) from now until August 10.  Remember to bring along literature, extra yard signs and bumper stickers.
•   Throw a fundraiser/house party for Mike.  We have debate footage, speeches and commercial footage as well as the ability to do a “virtualâ€? house party using the Internet to bring Mike into your home and to your party while he attends a party somewhere else in the state.  Contact Kim Phillips (xxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx, xxx.xxx.xxxx) for more details.

Lastly remember, we're making history here.  Just like Seabisquit, we've got a quiet and largely undeclared populist appeal among ordinary people.  People just looking for an invitation to cheer for an underdog; to cast a vote that really means something; and to “Be the Change!� Our role in advancing this movement is simply to extend the invitation.

 

Thank you all for the awe-inspiring effort and difference you're making!

 

Bruce Barkey

Campaign Manager, Mike Miles for Senate Campaign