Talk:Message

I like what has been added here, especially the Hatch quote. However, I'm not sure it readily fits into "message" as a short list. Any suggestions on how to classify these other ideas?--pashdown 08:55, 28 November 2005 (MST)

I'd take the quote starting with "we need new faces". The "story of my life" bit leaves me cold. Additionally, I favor phasing the term "open source" into "open access" - especially where it applies to arenas outside of the software world. -- Rick Davenport

Strong Families

Strong Communities

Strong Nation

Then tie your laundry list of positions on individual issues to these three themes. Beat the opposition about the head and shoulders with these three themes. Show how their policies hurt these three themes.

• This campaign wiki has sections for individualized policies and for a short summary. That is exactly how most Democrats run their campaigns, and that is how most Democrats lose their campaigns. You are forgetting the most important step - how the individualized policies fit together. The prior commenter is exactly right with this--what are this campaign's themes? You need a new wiki entry for themes. And your message needs to incorporate the themes-not the individual policies. And who is the audience for this message? I understand what open source is, and the sentiments involved, but they are not going to resonate with the majority of the people of Utah. Your health policy will. Your strong belief and message with regards to intellectual property issues are important to your campaign-they (1) infuse you with passion, a very important commodity; (2) give a stark contrast to Orrin Hatch; (3) will resonate with a large group of people; and (4) provide you a safe ground to talk about in interviews and debates where you can display your knowledge and passion. But my guess is that in the message that you provide to the people of Utah, it will be a part of whatever themes you come up with, maybe even a centerpiece of a theme-but not the centerpiece of your campaign. What could this theme be? I really like the three above, but especially strong families. Strong families will resonate strongly with the Mormon majority of Utah, and you have alot of fodder to attack with--tax cuts, health care, bankruptcy bill, etc. Privacy would also work here. Another suggestion would be charity-again striking a chord with Mormons and providing a contrast with Republican legislation of the last 10 years. Maybe fiscal responsibility-a huge weakness of Republicans (although not in perception), and one in which conservatives and liberals agree.-Eric
• I also do not like the quote - don't wind up, start with your strongest stuff. Use primacy to put something in the mind of the audiance. I do like the quote as a quote, but it should not be the beginning of your message.-Eric

This would be a great platform, if you were running for president of the Salt Lake Slashdot users club. Civil libertarian linux geeks are outnumbered by right wing, meth snorting drywall contractors in Utah by about 300:1. So I would tone down the polisci theory and computer privacy talk. In particular, I would refrain from using the term "open source" in any context, but especially when meant as an analogy to social or political institutions.

"..like my heroes in the open source software world--I also believe that new technologies must be submitted to the principles of democracy and open society." What? What the **** does is that supposed to mean? Are you proposing that we vote in elections on iPod Nanos?

Some comments based on info collected at Opposition research and What the public wants:

• It seems like Hatch's solution to every problem is to "put more juveniles in jail." Utah has one of the highest birthrates in the nation, why should Utahns support throwing children in jail? How will it solve problems to put impressionable kids into a system filled with hardened criminals? We need better solutions than that!
• Growth is a major issue, which is impacting Utahns through Transportation and Urbanization problems, and consumption of agricultural and wilderness areas is a concern. Messaging that targets these issues may be well received.
• Utah is very conservative and Republican, so winning over a good chunk of LDS Republicans (without alienating the Dems) will be a key to achieving victory.
• Utah is number one in personal bankruptcies per capita in the US, but Hatch is in favor of cracking down on personal bankruptcies. This can't be good for hard working Utahns that have fallen into extreme debt through no fault of their own.
• The state is overwhelmingly young, white, and Christian, so minority rights issues may not be very compelling to the mainstream.
• Hatch can be pretty easily characterized as extremely pro-corporation. Find a way to demonstrate "corporatism is bad".
• Hatch's support for tax cuts plus increased defense spending means he may have a weakness in supporting a balanced budget. If he thinks personal bankruptcy is bad, what does his profligate spending policy say about his principles if it results in national bankruptcy?
• Do Utahns value their privacy? If so, they'd be troubled to learn how much Hatch favors having Big Government spy into their personal lives, tapping cell phones, controlling what they do on the Internet, and watching their sex lives.
• Hatch's voting record and public stances demonstrate that he is against public education. He favors education controlled by the Church and funded by the Federal government. Yet couldn't this be abused? Imagine one day the Federal government decides to fund only religious schools that follow evangelical protestantism, and denies funding to LDS schools?
• Hatch has shown himself a friend of Big Corporations wishing to build nuclear waste repositories or destroy pristine wilderness in favor of short term profits by oil and nuclear power companies. If the US Government stops protecting our wilderness, Utah's natural treasures will certainly suffer as well, and with them will go the income to Utahns from tourism. What will future Utahns have to be proud of if the state's environment is wrecked for short term corporate profits?

Most interestingly, issues2000.org lists Hatch's ratings on various areas:

• ACLU rates him as having an "anti-civil rights voting record"
• US COC rates him as having a 100% pro-business voting record
• CURE rates his voting record as anti-rehabilitation
• NEA rates his voting as "anti-public education".
• APHA rated his voting record 100% anti-public health
• SANE rated him 100% pro-military
• AFL-CIO rates his voting record 100% anti-labor
• ARA rates his voting record 100% anti-senior

Given how strongly conservative Utahns are, I think it's going to be a tough sell to get the to vote Democrat. Either the message needs to be worded to appeal to moderate conservatives, or moderate conservatives need to be educated to better appreciate the value of the Democrat message. The former is probably more realistic, but the latter would give a better long term solution. BryceHarrington 18:04, 4 January 2006 (MST)

From http://www.slweekly.com/editorial/2005/feat_2005-06-30.cfm:

• Need to simultaneously show Hatch is out of touch with the electorate while telling voters why Pete Ashdown is different.
• "You have to be tenacious and you have to offer substantial difference. Why should they vote for you as opposed to this guy that they’ve always voted for?"
• Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson suggests, “Pete needs to find two or three issues that will deeply resonate with the voters and then effectively communicate that message.” For example:
  • Pocketbook issues, such as opposing tax breaks for the rich when the country is facing historic deficits.
• Hatch is on thin ice with contituents due to his outspoken support of judicial nominations and advocacy for stem-cell research.
• "Ashdown is passionate about technology, health care, and free enterprise. He wants to break down barriers, open channels and stay in touch with the needs of local constituents. If elected, he plans on buying an apartment in D.C., and keeping a home in Utah."

Moved from article page

At this point in time, there is a tremendous struggle going on about the nature of personal liberty versus the power of corporations and the state. I feel that just as "the rich get more while the weak ones fade", personal liberty of the weak is in jeopardy today because the power elite consolidate their influence. Corporations now have the power to track and remember every transaction. The state now has the power to access this information without your knowledge and without a search warrant. Information age bureaucracy threatens to expose every aspect of our life to constant surveillance; this is a new development of which many observers have warned for generations!

I grew up and worked in the field of information systems, but--like my heroes in the open source software world--I also believe that new technologies must be submitted to the principles of democracy and open society. I am committed to ensuring that personal liberty is preserved. I understand that one's personal computer is a private and protected place and constitutes the modern equivalent of personal papers.

(Note that I did not author all of this.)

Thanks for the suggestions

I revised the whole thing based on your suggestions. About 70% of the old page didn't come from my hand and although I agreed with its sentiment, I am looking for simplicity above all. I welcome your comments on the new.--pashdown 13:38, 13 January 2006 (MST)

Zero discussion from the new page and I'm starting to feel its lack of shine. I've been running a single line on the campaign trail recently and its been received well, "Making our democracy democratic."--pashdown 23:44, 17 March 2006 (MST)

Pete just keep following those base guidelines I have been seeing and promise to REALLY push those when you are elected and you're guaranteed my vote and the vote of much of my family--Projektdotnet 18:00, 20 April 2006 (MDT)