Candidate booking for organization-opinions please

[xmas74]

I'm an officer in a local political club. I usually reach out to both candidates and to interesting groups, individuals, etc inviting them to speak. I try to book them a few months in advance so there are few surprises.

Several months ago I reached out to a candidate who is primarying a current US Senator. Her campaign chose to ignore our request. I chose to move on and have the entire summer schedule set.

Last night a few of her campaign workers chose to post a number of articles in our closed Facebook group, stating that The People have spoken and want her as a guest. This only happened after one of her biggest supporters sent an email to a number of Democrats in my state telling them to fuck off (not a joke-it started with those exact words), stated that they wanted to cut off Putins head with a sabre and if we did not support the candidate they would harass and dox us.

I said after that email that she would not be invited to speak. They are having tantrums on multiple pages, demanding I drop my current speakers and replace the with her. Supposedly by not complying I'm creating a hostile environment, I'm everything wrong with establishment Dems and I'm slandering them, which will force them to sue. I'm now the reason why Millennial feel isolated from the political process.

My response was to address me personally and privately since I was no longer addressing their tantrums in public and that I refuse to drop speakers that people are interested in for her.

How would any of you handle this?

[LisaM]

1. Well, for starters I'd put out a statement on your FB group summarizing the situation

in a neutral way, the way you did at the beginning of your post.

I mean, what else can you do but present the facts? If it persists, call the campaign itself and politely express your dismay.

[Sophia4]

5. Right. And we have to remember that she may not realize what her "supporters"

have done.

[xmas74]

6. She knows.

She said in a post she did not like the email but she agrees with the message.

[Sophia4]

11. Then you may be doing the right thing. I obviously don't know the whole story.

[xmas74]

10. She already knows.

I've found that she's addressede for several hours.

[RandomAccess]

2. Is this a Democratic party group?

Frankly, these people sound dangerous. Are they Russian trolls??? Seriously.

If it's a Dem organization, I'd definitely be contacting the state party, and I might even contact the incumbent campaign. I'd want to know what else anyone knows about them, and I'd want to share -- as dispassionately as possible -- my experience, and my concerns. After all, the Russians used all sorts of approaches to divide Dems in 2016.

Or if not Russian, are they Republicans in sheep's clothing?

In any case, their tactics are incredibly heavy-handed and raise HUGE red flags for me.

[xmas74]

7. She's running as a Democrat

And this is my county Democratic club.

[mercuryblues]

3. Do screen caps of their public posts

and keep the emails they send you. Print them out. Even you original request for them to join.

Go to the party HQ turn them over and make a formal complaint. Let them know in no uncertain terms you will not be treated like that and you will not associate with her campaign. If they persist you will go to the police and file a harassment complaint. Either they take care of it, or you will.


The angrier that campaign gets, the nicer you get. If she is so popular then why do they want you to start including her in events that she had no interest in a few months ago? Seems to me if she is so popular she should be able to fill her own events.

[xmas74]

8. The primary is in August

It's obvious she has no chance and now blames it on everyone else.

[Sophia4]

4. Invite them all and privately write a note to "her" telling her what happened.

She may disapprove mightily of the actions of her so-called supporters.

Honesty is the best policy, but it is good to allow all to be heard.

So allow her to be heard by your group, but let her know what happened.

Someone is not serving her well. After all, you had invited her originally and then not heard from her campaign.

[xmas74]

9. The primary is in August

We have monthly meetings. I have June and July already packed with candidates that also primary in different races. I also have someone addressing the medical marijuana bill on the ballot in November and someome AFL-CIO is sending to address us about Right to Work on the August ballot. Those topics hold more interest and will garner more visitors than she will.

I'm not burning bridges with NORML and the AFL-CIO for a nut.

[mercuryblues]

12. chances are she has treated others like this

Be prepared to put up with the harassment for 2-3 more months. I would still make a complaint to the party. Give them copies of what you have and retain the originals for yourself. She has workers on the campaign that may try to move over to the winners campaign. Do you want the elected candidate to be embarrassed down the line. These people don't have the temperament that is needed for well run and hopefully winning campaign. They need to be warned and if they choose to hire them, that is up to them.


Can you imagine if one of these people working on the candidates campaign said something obnoxious a week before the Nov elections? How guilty would you feel if you said nothing?

Keep everything

[xmas74]

13. My child is interning for the state party.

She's been in contact with her supervisor all day, passing along information.

The candidate claims to not be a Democrat but just wants to run as one. She is demanding that the party personally campaign for her during the primary season.