Florida GOP hits 'panic button.' Offers free gas cards to McCain/Palin volunteers.

[flpoljunkie]

October 11, 2008

Republicans pour gas on grassroots effort

Jim Greer is either one swell guy or a step away from the panic button*. The Florida GOP chairman just sent out an e-mail trying to lure volunteers with free gas cards and a chance to meet John McCain or Sarah Palin.

"Volunteers must make a minimum of 500 phone calls, or knock on 100 doors to qualify. The volunteer who makes the most phone calls and the volunteer who knocks on the most doors will meet Senator John McCain during his next trip to Florida. The volunteer who comes in second in each category will meet Governor Palin. Additionally, any volunteer who makes 1000 phone calls will earn a $100 gas card. Volunteers who knock on 100 doors will each receive a $50 gas card. Click here to register today."

*No way, says Republican Party spokeswoman Erin VanSickle, noting that gas cards have been a common incentive used in many elections. "We are talking about volunteers who are making hundreds of phone calls and knocking on hundreds of doors -- grassroots campaigning at its best." The party had a previous contest to meet the candidates, she added, and it was a great motivator.

Posted by Alex Leary

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/10/republicans-pou.html

[PBS Poll-435]

1. So the GOP is very publicly paying upper-class "street money?"

interesting.

[saltpoint]

2. And when the gas cards don't draw enough volunteers, they go

to Plan B -- blow jobs and booze.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. hey, where do I sign up?

[saltpoint]

4. LOL!

[rateyes]

5. First time I've ever seen a contest where every person involved hopes to

come in second. :rofl:

[TlalocW]

9. Just what I was going to say... and...

If that's the case, won't people not try as hard then in hopes of meeting Palin instead of McCain?

Methinks there might be a lot of people tied at various numbers over 500 in hopes that 520 calls, for example, is good enough for second place.

TlalocW

[NightWatcher]

6. 50$ and 100$ gas cards = employees not volunteers. Post should read: McCain has to buy support

the only thing I've ever taken from a campaign was doughnuts and breakfast from other volunteers.

[cags]

7. LOL, How long does it take to make 1000 calls or knock on on 100 doors. Thats pretty cheap!!!!

[CitizenPatriot]

8. so they're not really volunteers anymore, Goppers.

they're very underpaid and over-worked.

More of the same slave-owner mentality the GOP specializes in -- "Iffin yer real good, we'll let youse meet the masta!"

Pathetic.

Gas card. Oh, the irony.

[NYC_SKP]

10. FAIL, everyone will be competing for Second Place!!! to meet Palin!

I wonder how that's gonna work out?

[patrice]

11. That's one thing they ought to have PLENTY of.

[CatsDogsBabies]

12. Wasn't there another post here yesterday

about how the McCain campaign is paying $10 an hour to people if they will do canvassing? McCain's campaign must be in really bad shape.

[nichomachus]

13. Here's what you do

Sign up and knock on 100 doors, get your gas card. Don't tell them you were promoting Obama.

[april]

14. Are they also throwing in a 6 pack ?

[BlooInBloo]

15. Wow - what a way to burn through your money!

:rofl:

[demo dutch]

16. Is that legal??????