With Obama Enroute, Deeds Shifts To The Grassroots
Hours before Pres. Obama's scheduled arrival in McClean, VA, state Sen. Creigh Deeds' (D) camp, which had been focused on rural VA for most of this week, returned its attention to the state's natural Dem base.
In combination with Obama's visit, Deeds launched a decidedly Obama-like push for grassroots support. The "Join Deeds" campaign, as the Deeds camp calls it, centers around "a steady stream of information about campaign activity through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr" as well as text messages, tools Obama used successfully to win VA twice in 2008.
Deeds mgr Joe Abbey on the new effort: "President Obama became the first Democrat to win Virginia in 44 years because of a grassroots network driven by a strong online presence in every community. Creigh Deeds' come-from-behind victory in June produced double the usual turnout for a statewide primary. With less than 90 days remaining, we are ramping up our online capacity to organize and activate the grassroots in every community of the Commonwealth toward victory on November 3rd."
The organizing effort includes more traditional means of persuasion as well. In addition to the online tools, Deeds launched two new radio ads today aimed at the state's minority populations.
Details on the ads:
The first, a Spanish-language ad aimed at Latinos, features Gov. Tim Kaine (D). Listen here.
Full script (translation provided by the Deeds camp):
Hi, this is Governor Tim Kaine. I'm proud of the work we've all done together - building bridges and expanding economic and educational opportunities for families just like yours. Now, it's time for the next step: supporting my friend, Creigh Deeds as the next Governor of Virginia. Creigh knows rebuilding our economy starts with innovative solutions to reduce local traffic and keeping our schools strong. That's why his education plan expands access to early childhood learning and opens the doors to college for everyone. And Creigh Deeds is the only candidate for Governor who supports giving small businesses a tax credit for every new job they create...and his jobs plan includes new incentives to help minority owned businesses grow and expand. So please join me, Governor Tim Kaine, in supporting Creigh Deeds' campaign to move Virginia forward.
The second ad is aimed at African Americans, a population Deeds struggled with in the primary, and that recent polls show is still largely undecided about him. Deeds tried to aim squarely at that credibility gap with ad that shows his camp's knowledge of African American issues. Listen here.
Full script:
In the last election we learned that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when working together. This holds true for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Creigh Deeds campaign for Governor. We want you to join our campaign along with other Virginians to tackle the issues that affect you. We can't improve education without your help. We can't change African American unemployment, which is nearly twice that of the general public, without your help. We can't stop the foreclosing of homes in your community without the help of you and your neighbors. We can't make sure unemployed workers are able to purchase emergency health insurance without your help. This campaign is about ordinary people - doing extraordinary things. Creigh Deeds is looking to people like you and I - to join Creigh Deeds' campaign for Governor. Because the one thing we can do - with your help - is to avoid taking a step back to the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration. Our Campaign will be strong because of ordinary people. To join us text DEEDS TO 94553.
The ads are both currently running on commercial radio in VA.
(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)
Join the Discussion
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus