This is the last section on Campaigning Basics. These are a few tips for how to always be prepared when you’e in the heart of your campaign and focused on Election Day. These few tips will make a difference between being “just some guy running for office” and being an electable, professional and credible candidate. It will make all the difference in the world for the success of your campaign.
Being Candidate Ready:
If you’re canvassing in the Summer, a campaign Polo and dressier shorts / light summer slacks
If you’re at a volunteer type of situation, a campaign t-shirt (if you’re doing habitat for humanity or walking dogs at animal shelter) or a campaign polo with dressier shorts / slacks depending on how dirty you’re getting your hands
For a debate, business clothes:
Men: Suit with solid color shirt and solid color tie
Women: Business Dress (probably a darker color) or pant / skirt suit with solid color blouse
Be prepared to be “Candidate Ready” from 7AM to 11PM - You never know if another candidate might back out of an event and you’ll get called up with little / no notice and you need to be able to say “yes”
Have a change of clothes with you
Makeup / brush
Toothbrush
Crisis Management:
There’s generally a 24hour cycle
If the news hasn’t picked up on something within 24 hours, it’s likely that they won’t pick it up
You don’t have to respond immediately to a crisis, and sometimes it’s best to try to ride it out just a little to see how it will play out so you only need to respond 1 time
There’s always an October Surprise - You won’t know where it’s coming from, but if your campaign team is disciplined and running well, the October Surprise might be difficult, but it won’t be campaign-ending.
Thanks for being with me during this series on campaign basics, I hop you’ve found some value in it.
