Running A Campaign Is Hard Work, Not Glamorous

The curious thing about politics is that one cannot advance one’s ideological agenda without the power to do so, and at its core politics is about the accumulation and usage of power. We’ve known this for millennia; just look at the writings of the Greek philosophers. Heck, Cicero once published a pamphlet about winning elections back in 64 BC.

But there has been this sudden emergence of all of these new voices and their desire to pontificate upon the political process without any practical experience.

This caused me to rant about what I see as the main problems on Twitter the other day and I have decided (with much prodding) to share and expound upon my ideas with all of you.

You want more conservatives in office who share your beliefs? Learn basic campaign fundamentals so you can actually win elections.

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

This was the introduction and probably speaks for itself. Remember kids: the accumulation and usage of power is the name of the game.

Conservatives have become lazy, confusing blogging, talk radio & social media w/ campaigning while Dems flat out outwork us.

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

To me this is the heart of the issue. Those of us on the right side of the spectrum consistently lose winnable elections purely by being outworked. We think that messaging is enough and that should trump everything while the Left just outworks us. Which leads to my next point.

We train our young ppl to blog while Dems train theirs to do door-to-door grassroots. Then we're shocked when we lose winnable races

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

If you just wanna be lazy while keeping your principles safe and secure, I have an idea for you:

You want to do the sexy stuff like social media & messaging while ignoring the grunt work of campaigning? Join the Libertarian Party

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

That’s not intended to be a cheap shot at all but just a statement of fact. The Libertarian Party (such as it is) is entirely message-focused, believing that the right message trumps the most effort every time. Which is why they remain stuck at around 4% after 40 years of existence. Here is the reality of campaigning:

Campaigning is hard, grueling, exhausting work. It sucks. It isn't glamorous. Ppl don't notice you. But that's what wins campaigns

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

It really is that simple. But we live in a culture based around the idea that hard work is for suckers and that life should be made easier for everyone. That doesn’t square with the reality of campaigning.

Knocking on doors in the heat for 10-12 hrs each day wins campaigns. It sucks. No one wants to do it. I hate it. But it works

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

Do you think ppl work 100 hr wks for shitty pay in hopes of snagging an invite to Blogcon or speak on a panel?

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

But now everyone wants to be a celebrity. They wanna be noticed & be one of the cool kids. Sorry, that doesn't win races

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

New folks are attracted to the glamour, of hanging out with political celebs & wanna be one. They ignore the years of hard work.

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

If you're goal in life is to be well-known, popular or otherwise a celebrity, stay the f**k away from campaigning. It's serious work.

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013

Go host a podcast, be a blogger or a social media celebrity. Hang out with the cool kids. But don't ever confuse that with campaigning.

— Jacob Perry (@jacobperry) June 19, 2013