What I Would Do Differently on the Campaign Trail

There are a few things that I would do differently or better on the campaign trail to guarantee a win in November:

• Make usable, sensible campaign paraphernalia like pens, pins and bumper stickers (not combs, nail files and nasty-looking candy).
• Connect to the targeted audience by putting yourself in their shoes and realize their concerns, troubles and problems.
• While speaking to the public one-on-one (for example, canvassing), let the public speak and truly, whole-heartedly LISTEN to what they are saying! Write their quotes down; it will be useful information later.
• While canvassing, never read from the script; use it as a guideline. No one wants to be lectured on their own front porch.
• Before you go out canvassing, prepare yourself! Read and educate yourself on both sides of the issues. Do not be caught off guard; however, never bullshit an answer. Be honest if you do not know.
• Campaigns must work with other campaigns. Help each other fundraise, advertise, canvass, etc. Winning is a team effort.
• If you work on a campaign, support the candidate on his/her record and values. Do not blindly follow the blue banner. Make sure your candidate represents you.
• While putting up lawn signs, make sure you put them in the RIGHT LOCATIONS! Know where your district, town, county or state lines lie.
• Make the candidate a "household name" like Barack Obama, Derek Jeter or Donald Trump.
• During the campaign, have the candidate engage in community service and outreach.
• During the campaign, remain updated with recent news, polls, issues, updates, etc.
• On the campaign trail, use quotes by important people who believe(d) in the same values and principles as your candidate.
• Be honest, cannot stress that enough.
• Use grassroot-efforts to win elections.
• Relate candidate to well-liked political figures IF the comparison is accurate.
• Have your candidate go to fairs, rallies, school functions, community days, local events, protests of issues that he/she is campaigning for, etc.
• Have qualified people running the campaign office(s).
• Do not be over confident leading up to and on Election Day.
• The campaign does not end until the last ballot is counted. Remember that for Monmouth County Freeholder Amy Mallet's case.
• Order lawn signs and campaign materials early. So therefore: fundraise early and often!
• Emphasize the important issues at hand, not the nonsense ones!
• Make your candidate's campaign a positive one. Avoid negative campaigning as much as possible!
• Never robo-call! Everyone hates it and I do too!
• Have your candidate explain HOW he/she will achieve their campaign promises.
• Have no campaign material, literature, posters or signs in the campaign headquarters by the time the polls close! Get it to the people; just a waste sitting in a pile.
• Unite targeted groups: Unite the youth in supporting your candidate. Unite the senior citizens. Unite the unions. Unite the working class. Unite the upper middle class, middle middle class, lower middle class and the poor. Unite the minorities. Unite the majorities. Unite either the town, district, county, state or country as a whole.
• After the campaign, make sure your candidate follows his promises in office.
• After the campaign, do not be a sore loser, nor a sore winner; be a productive citizen.