Campaign ’12
How to Get the Most Bang Out of Your Campaign Buck
Donating to your favorite candidate or party can be rewarding — if you go about it right.
P BY JOHN MERCURIO
olitical scientists say the 2012 election will off er voters one of the most dras- tic contrasts between the
two parties in modern history, per- haps determining what course Ameri- ca will follow for generations to come. Small wonder that polls suggest
voter intensity is running high, especially on the GOP side following President Barack Obama’s “Teddy Roosevelt” speech in which he declared free-market economics “doesn’t work. It’s never worked.” Obama has served up that raw
meat to the Democratic base in a bid to recapture the “Obamamania” that swept him to power in 2008. But it
30 NEWSMAX | FEBRUARY 2012
appears to be energizing conservatives as well. So with the battle lines drawn, Newsmax thought the moment was ripe to explain how ordinary folks really can make a diff erence in this year’s campaigns. Believe it or not, you don’t have to write a six-fi gure check to make an impact.
SELF-ASSESSMENT Step one, clarify your goals. Deter-
mine whether you are more driven by an issue-oriented agenda, or by a specifi c candidate. That will tell you whether you should join forces with a group focused on a specifi c legis- lative mission — repealing Obama’s healthcare reforms, for instance — or whether you should get involved in a
candidate’s campaign. “There is no best way to donate money,” says politi- cal science guru Dr. Larry Sabato. “If you are a dedicated ‘R’ or ‘D,’ give to the party. If you’re excited about a specifi c candidate, give to him or her.”
HOW TO VOLUNTEER Once you know what you hope to
achieve, consider following Woody Allen’s advice: “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.” Nothing gets poli- ticians’ attention like people willing to show up. Unless you have an inside contact who can introduce you, call and ask to meet someone in person. Don’t be surprised if they’re slow to
respond, as campaigns by defi nition can be chaotic. You may have more
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