Unity 08 "Trailblazers" -- why is this so effective?

by hubbird, Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 03:40:49 PM EST

Some time ago I registered on the Unity 08 website and created my "dream ticket". Since then, despite asking not to be kept on their list, I have received periodic updates from their "campaign".

Normally I file dispatches from this bizarre little astro-turf group of ego-tripping consultants  promptly in the wastebasket without giving them much of a look, but just last evening one arrived that caught my attention. It asked me to be the Captain of the Trailblazers!

Now I'm from Portland, so Trailblazers hold a special spot in my heart (DRAFT ODEN!), but this wasn't about basketball. No, it was about Unity 08's newest plan to engage these grassroots they've been hearing so much about:

Dear Ben,

Last week we asked you to reach out to friends across the aisle and find common ground. Your response floored us. Many of you told us you were ready to do more!

We'd like to invite you to become a Captain in our new Trailblazer Program.

Unity08 has created the Trailblazer program to help our most active members start a Delegate drive, organize a local chapter, create a draft movement for an unannounced candidate, or simply reconnect with old friends to talk politics.

A Trailblazer Captain makes two promises: to find eight new Unity08 Delegates over the next two weeks from friends, family, and associates. And, ask two of them to be fellow Trailblazers. We'll give you all the tools you need: a website to track your team, conversation talking points, handouts, customized emails, website badges, and printable sign-up sheets.

Sign up to be a Unity08 Trailblazer Captain today!

We look forward to working with you.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Will Fogel and the Unity08 Web Team

Well.

The point I want to make is this: I know that Unity 08 is a silly astro-turf campaign by a group of corporate, centrist consultants. They admit as much themselves. But for a second I caught myself actually thinking about signing up for this thing.

Maybe it's just that my tender and massive ego was stroked by them asking me to be a Captain (a Captain! With a capital C!) but I found myself inexplicably drawn to this idea. It was strangely intriguing.

In other words, although I like close to nothing about the politics of this group, I found myself attracted to their campaign simply by virtue of their tactical savvy. That's pretty impressive when you think about it, especially considering that I possess an above average political IQ and would like to think of myself as immune to this sort of chicanery. What is it about this action that makes it so appealing?




Tags: Unity 08, 2008, elections, organizing (all tags)

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Re: Unity 08 "Trailblazers" (none / 0)

Unity may very well help put the Democrats in the White House in 2008 if they have a credible ticket such as Bloomberg, Hagel, Lieberman, etc.


BlueSunbelt.Com Netroots for the Sunbelt states robwire.com My personal blog
by robliberal on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 04:08:08 PM EST

Re: Unity 08 "Trailblazers" (none / 0)

I'm glad to see some discussion of the Unity 08 "movement". Not much is said about it, and nothing may come of it, but it is hiding in the shadows and could transform this whole election if a ticket actually emerges.

The only votes a Unity ticket would get are from low-info suckers who like to glorify "bipartisanship", as if it was anything more than a distraction from the very really ideological struggle that is being waged in this country. Don't fall for that crap, even if they do want you to be a Captain!


www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com
by LandStander on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 04:24:08 PM EST

Re: Unity 08 "Trailblazers" (none / 0)

Obviously, I'm not buying the farm.

What I am more interested in is WHY this particular formulation of bland, corporate centrism is so appealing, even to a grizzled (ok, not so grizzled, but active) progressive like myself.

Is it just the flattery? Or to put it another way, does the progressive movement have a problem with respecting it's volunteers? I guess it feels sometimes like if you want to make things happen in the progressive sphere, you're largely on your own, and props (if they come) come after you've been successful. I think one of the appealing things about that Unity 08 email was that they were respecting my abilities (or seemed to be...) and were asking me to take responsibility and ownership over the campaign. That's something the Democratic party, and almost every progressive group, has still not seemed willing to do.


by hubbird on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 04:33:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Bloomberg/Hagel (none / 0)

These wouldn't qualify, right?  Isn't one of the stipulations that the two on the ticket have to be from different parties, both cannot be R's can they?


by Leviathan on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 05:23:02 PM EST

Re: Bloomberg/Hagel (none / 0)

I think the assumption with a Bloomberg/Hagel ticket is that one or the other of them would leave the Republican party before the election.


by hubbird on Wed Jun 13, 2007 at 05:26:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I Don't Know What You Found So Appealing, But... (none / 0)

I have this email from Nigeria you might want to take a look at.


by Paul Rosenberg on Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 10:53:09 AM EST

Re: Unity 08 "Trailblazers" (none / 0)

First of all, thank you for writing about Unity08 and allow me to introduce myself as the new U08 VP of Online Marketing, Bob Roth. I apologize for the lag on posting a comment as I have been traveling.

I believe the most important thing we can do is have a conversation. And, I look forward to having them with all of you.

Many believe that a bipartisan Unity ticket will draw away votes from one party or another, simply to be the "spoiler" party. We don't feel that will be the case. This spoiler model is not similar to recent third parties. 2008 is a Moment of Truth because the country is on the line -- like 1860 itself, when a third party candidate named Lincoln was elected president and saved the union.  Unlike recent elections, most voters consider 2008 the most important election in their lifetime.  They understand that there is a potential cataclysm of issues (terrorism, economy, immigration, health care, environment, etc.) on the horizon. We need to end paralyzed politics in Washington and start finding solutions now.

To respond to the question about Bloomberg/Hagel... the Unity08 ticket does require bipartisanship, so one of them would have to run as something other than a Republican.

I apologize for the lengthy post. I felt there were a few things to cover. As stated previously, I look forward to continuing this conversation!

P.S., I've instructed my team to go forth and create a "Spurs," Chiefs," "Patriots," and other appropriate mascot-related sites since you've stated that "Trailblazers" struck you and ALMOST made you register. :-) OK, just kidding!


by unitybroth on Fri Jun 15, 2007 at 09:08:03 AM EST

Re: Unity 08 (none / 0)

My first time on the famous My DD!

As to the seductive appeal of Unity08, maybe you are suffering from some kind of poltical anemia and are temporarily susceptible to 'suggestion'.

If you are still feeling a little "wobbly" by all means peruse the "debate" with 'Unitybroth' in the comments of my little blog, here at

href="http://at5thestate.blogspot.com/2007_07_ 01_archive.html/"  

(I'm not begging for traffic, it's just that Unibrow08 or Unicorn08 or whatever his name has expended more effort at my blog than anywhere else--which is quite revealing just on its own :D )


by Britisher on Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 06:53:22 PM EST


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