﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><ttl>60</ttl><title>Gop Logo</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com</link><language>en</language><copyright /><itunes:subtitle> </itunes:subtitle><itunes:author>Michael Merrick Crooks</itunes:author><itunes:summary /><description /><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Michael Merrick Crooks</itunes:name><itunes:email>hello@goplogo.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Arts" /><item><title>Lack of Republican Backbone Hurts GOP Challengers.</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/07/06/lack-of-republican-backbone-hurts-gop-challengers.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>Here's the main message,&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;
&lt;font size="4"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(147, 8, 51);"&gt;If your message is
change, don't just tell me we need change. Tell me WHY we need change
and how I'm going to benefit from that change. Cause
if you don't ... I'm, sticking with what I know, the Status Quo.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;font size="3"&gt;With the 4th of July parades over, it's time to review the campaign literature I collected. By and large, there's no substance in most of the lit. Republicans are scared to take a stand. No one has any backbone, yet candidates try to convince voters that they will be , "fearless leaders and fight hard for the issues we care about most." &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For example, I have a piece from a guy who is running for Sheriff. He wants to bring change. Says it's time for accountability and time for change. Problem is, in my mind, things are fine at the Sheriff's office. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This piece was paid for by the local county party, but they've done an EXTREMELY POOR job of setting the stage ... of creating a notion in my mind that there's a problem in the Sheriff's office. That's what the local party should do. Create perceptions that the candidate can use as a springboard. Problem is, most political types understand politics, but they don't understand marketing.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;And since this new guy offers no specifics and his lit piece doesn't urge me to his website to find out the "Real Truth" about why we need change so bad ... I'm gonna probably vote for the current Sheriff.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Effective Republican campaign marketing is no different than regular marketing. It's most effective when you are able to convey a BENEFIT to the consumer ... in this case voter. But make no mistake. Voters and consumers are the same thing. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;So I will repeat:&lt;br&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;font size="4"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(147, 8, 51);"&gt;
If your message is change, don't just tell me we need change. Tell me &lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;WHY&lt;/span&gt; we need change and how I'm going to benefit from that change. Cause if you don't ... I'm, sticking with what I know ... the Status Quo.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;font size="2"&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 8);"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com"&gt;Visit GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt; for Republican campaign marketing articles and tips that will help you.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 8);"&gt;Warm Regards,
&lt;br&gt;Michael&amp;nbsp;
Hello@goplogo.com&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com"&gt;www.goplogo.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;</description><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/07/06/lack-of-republican-backbone-hurts-gop-challengers.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">8cfea650-1eef-47b8-9b04-2970f93e86ab</guid><pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:21:42 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Why Identification Statements In GOP Campaigns Are Important</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/07/02/why-identification-statements-in-gop-campaigns-are-important.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>In the race for campaign superiority Republicans must ensure that they are not in violation of campaign finance law. This means ensuring that your identification statement, "Paid for by"&amp;nbsp; and any required disclaimers (authorized by, not authorized by ... etc.) are on every item that requires one.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Being able to report an opponent for campaign finance violations makes the opponent utilize resources (time, personnel, money) to deal with the report. But too often, a Republican campaign cannot bring up campaign finance violations to knock a Dem campaign off focus, b&lt;u&gt;ecause the Republican is also in violation&lt;/u&gt;. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;It's sort of hard to sell yourself as a lawmaker if you're a law breaker! It's also hard to rat-out your opponent when you're doing the same thing! &lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This also points out why Republican campaigns should turn to vendors that have &lt;u&gt;Republican campaign experience&lt;/u&gt;, like we do at GopLogo.&amp;nbsp; Let the Dems utilize the uninformed vendors who don't have a clue. &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com"&gt;GopLogo&lt;/a&gt;, the Republican Campaign Support Services arm of Crooks Advertising Alliance, has 18 years experience in Republican Campaign marketing. 18 years experience to bring to bear on your behalf and help keep you out of trouble. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Following is a list of exempted items, items that do not require an
identification statement. This list is specific to Michigan. If an item
is not on this list you either must get written exemption from the Bureau of
Elections/Secretary of State office or you put the identification
statement on it. Period!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Aerial banners &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Ashtrays&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Badges &amp;amp; badge holders&lt;br&gt;Balloons&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Bingo Chips&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Bumper Stickers (4" x 15"&amp;nbsp; or smaller)&lt;br&gt;Brushes&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Candy wrappers (1 ½" x 2 ½" or smaller)&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Buttons&lt;br&gt;Cigarette lighters&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Campaign stickers (3" x 1 ½" or smaller)&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Clothing&lt;br&gt;Clothes Pins&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Coasters&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Cloth pot holders&lt;br&gt;Cups&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Combs&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Earrings&lt;br&gt;Drinking glasses&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Envelopes&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Emery Boards&lt;br&gt;Erasers&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Fortune Cookie Message (1.2" x 2" or less)&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Frisbees®&lt;br&gt;Glasses&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Golf balls&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Golf tees&lt;br&gt;Hats&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Horns&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Ice scrapers&lt;br&gt;Jar lid openers (5" or smaller)&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Key rings&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Knives&lt;br&gt;Labels&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Lapel pins/stickers&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Magnifying glasses&lt;br&gt;Matchbooks&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Nail clipper&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Nail files&lt;br&gt;Noisemakers&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Paper and plastic cups&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Paper and plastic plates&lt;br&gt;Paper weights&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Pencils&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Pennants&lt;br&gt;Pendants&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Pens&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Pinwheels&lt;br&gt;Plastic tableware&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Pocket protectors&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Pot holders&lt;br&gt;Refrigerator magnets&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; Ribbons&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Shoe horns&lt;br&gt;Staple removers&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Sun glasses&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Sun visors&lt;br&gt;Sweatshirts&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Swizzle sticks&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Whistles&lt;br&gt;t-shirts&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Wooden rulers (12" or smaller&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Wooden nickels (size of 5¢ coin)&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Need to discuss this issue? Call us at 517-589-0008.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;</description><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/07/02/why-identification-statements-in-gop-campaigns-are-important.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">db3929b6-b808-4eb9-b67d-3e026e0aea1d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:08:53 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Poor Planning will Put My Children Through College</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/06/28/poor-planning-will-put-my-children-through-college.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>Poor planning will ultimately put my children through college.&amp;nbsp; Not MY
poor planning, mind you. Rather, the poor planning of my Republican
political clients.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It happens every campaign cycle. A candidate
will come to me at the last minute ... in dire need of something. They
know they want a banner, but they're not quite sure what it should say.
Or, they want stickers, but they're not sure what size or how many
colors. Or they want a post card, no wait ...&amp;nbsp; a flyer ... but they're
not sure how many. Heck, they're not even sure what they want it to say
— but they need it Friday and today is Tuesday. Oh yeah,&amp;nbsp; how much?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;First
of all, if your world is going to end if you don't have... whatever it
is ... does it REALLY matter how much it costs? All I know, is that it
will cost more than it should. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It's just not a cheap trick to rip a hole in the time/space continuum, slip though and produce your stuff last week. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The
best way to save money in a Republican political campaign is to get
with me EARLY. Let's plan something out so you order 40,000 lapel
stickers&amp;nbsp; or Republican Logo Waterless Tattoos all at once and save
money ... instead of ordering 5000 at a time, eight different times and
always at the last minute.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Time&lt;/span&gt;
will allow us to engineer your banners correctly - so they they will
function as properly in a parade as they will hanging on the wall. Your
name will be spelled correctly and the identification statement will be
legal.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Time&lt;/span&gt; will ensure that you have "sign off "of every photo used in the brochure. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Time&lt;/span&gt; will ensure that you spend your time effectively campaigning instead of putting out fires.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Rest
assured, if your bacon needs saving at the last minute, my team and I
can do it. We did it for Bush/Cheney&amp;nbsp; .. we can do it for you. Sure, it
will cost you. But look on the bright side. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;When my kids go
off to the college of their choice, you'll know you did your part to
help educate a new generation of bright, educated Republicans.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For more Republican campaign marketing articles, tips and unique Gop Logo'd items visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com"&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@goplogo.com&lt;br&gt;517-589-0008&lt;br&gt;</description><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/06/28/poor-planning-will-put-my-children-through-college.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">0338b5ef-f588-4f3a-8454-5a77d255718b</guid><pubDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:05:05 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Limited Edition: Republican GOP logo Patriot Polo</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/06/09/limited-edition-gop-logo-republican-convention-shirt.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;font size="4"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Only 100 available worldwide. Scroll down for the BIG picture!&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;img style="width: 80px; height: 107px;" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/103789-96617/IMG_0677.JPG" border="0"&gt;&lt;br&gt;Stand out respectfully at the Republican National Convention in September!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This exclusive GopLogo.com Gop Logo design is unavailable ANYWHERE else in the world. We snapped up the last the wholesaler had and customized 50 large and 50 extra large with an exciting design on the left chest.&lt;br&gt;


&lt;br&gt;1) This Antigua Stars and Stripes shirt is no longer available from
the wholesaler —&amp;nbsp; they don't make it anymore. &lt;br&gt;2) The embroidered
GOP Logo with circular stars is of our own design.&amp;nbsp; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This is&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; thee&lt;/span&gt; shirt to wear at the Republican Convention. Only 100
exist. We snapped up the last of the stock and had them embroidered
with our custom design.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Check out &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com"&gt;GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt; This
limited edition shirt is on sale for $50 each. &lt;br&gt;


Visa and MasterCard accepted. Contact us at 517-589-0008.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;


&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Sizes available:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;


Large = &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Neck:&lt;/span&gt; 16-16 1/2, &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Chest:&lt;/span&gt; 42-44&lt;br&gt;


Extra Large = &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Neck:&lt;/span&gt; 17-17 1/2,&amp;nbsp; &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Chest&lt;/span&gt;: 46-48&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;img style="width: 421px; height: 560px;" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/103789-96617/IMG_0677.JPG" border="0"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This is the shirt only 100 of the best dressed Republicans in the country will be wearing. Will you be one of the few?&lt;br&gt;Act now, just 100 exist worldwide. Supply your own gun.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><category>GOP Logo Products</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/06/09/limited-edition-gop-logo-republican-convention-shirt.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">344aa711-fb3e-412f-aa69-1dff45bc9f3c</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:20:03 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>GOP Campaigns: What Works For Pizza Will Work For You</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/05/26/gop-campaigns-what-works-for-pizza-will-work-for-you.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;font style="font-weight: bold;" size="3"&gt;What can we learn from pizza delivery dudes?&lt;/font&gt; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;That a lit sign on top of your vehicle at night is "Brilliant" advertising.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Republican campaigns from sea to shinning sea should be utilizing customized, lit "pizza signs" to advertise and promote their campaign at night. This can be VERY effective if your vehicle (s) are strategically placed when any night event lets out be it the movies, sporting event, bowling alley you name it.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;These signs aren't cheap. However, the benefits far outweigh the cost.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If you'd like more information on how to put lit vehicle top signs to work for your Republican campaign, just give me a call at 517-589-0008 or e-mail me at hello@goplogo.com.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;img style="width: 83px; height: 110px;" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/103789-96617/MichaelCrooks.jpg" border="0"&gt;&lt;br&gt;Visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com"&gt;www.goplogo.com&lt;/a&gt; and sign up for my free GopLogo Campaign Marketing Newsletter.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><category>brilliant ideas</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/05/26/gop-campaigns-what-works-for-pizza-will-work-for-you.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">b5147e56-919c-42f0-853a-e340ec751811</guid><pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 01:45:11 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Republican Pride: Why Aren't WE Dieing To Show OUR Colors?</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/02/04/republican-pride-like-a-fart-in-a-hurricane.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>I recently attended a District Republican meeting. I was wearing one of my Republican logo'd shirts. And there I was, in a room FULL of Republicans .... and I was the only one who seemed proud enough to be a Republican to show it. Save for the GOP Flag, there was not one other Republican Logo in the room. Well, except for a Republican logo on a guy's binder — that was facing left.&amp;nbsp; (Logo faces right, friends.)&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;New Slogan:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;The Republican Party: The Invisible Party.&lt;/span&gt; Oh yeah. Go to the convention and wear your Elephants. Sing to the choir. That'll get the message out there. "&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-family: Georgia;"&gt;Oh, but that's where the TV cameras are. The whole country will see that we have Republican spirit and we are alive and well&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: Georgia;"&gt;!&lt;/span&gt;" If that's what you think, let me tell you a story.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I have a stockbroker. I never, EVER hear from the guy. But once a year I get a Birthday card from him. And you know what that card does? It only serves to emphasize the fact that I NEVER HEAR FROM HIM! (I'm gonna fire him, directly.)&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Same goes for the state and national conventions. Suddenly, people will see Republican elephants on their TV screens. And it will draw attention to the fact that they &lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;never&lt;/span&gt; see it the rest of the time. "&lt;span style="font-style: italic; font-family: Georgia;"&gt;OK, everyone. Conventions over. Back in the closet."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;What We Can Learn From Gang-Bangers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;Inner-city gangs know pride and they know branding. If you're a Blood, you wear Blood colors. If you're a Crypt you wear Crypt colors. Gangs have pride ... and they show it. They display their brand on jackets, overpasses, the sides of buildings and buses. All across this country, kids are literally dieing to show their colors. While Republicans are scared to put a pin on their lapel. Do inner-city gang-bangers really have more pride than do we?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Who wants to be a member of a party where the members don't have enough pride or commitment to wear the brand? &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Sure, some Republican business owners may have to "keep a low profile" for business reasons. But what about the retirees? And the millions of others who aren't going to loose their job or an account because they dared wear a pin or button or put a bumper sticker on their vehicle?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I'm sure everyone has their &lt;span style="text-decoration: line-through;"&gt;reason&lt;/span&gt; excuse. But excuses don't build brand identity ...&amp;nbsp; and they sure don't win elections.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Wear/display the Gop Logo Proudly. Together, We Can Beat Dem!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@goplogo.com&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;By the way, , if you'd like a 100% silk GopLogo-designed tie or scarf, visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.GopLogo.com%3C/a%3E."&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;. While you're there, be sure and sign up for The GopLogo Campaign Marketing Newsletter.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><category>Republican Campaign Image</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2008/02/04/republican-pride-like-a-fart-in-a-hurricane.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">f7797af7-2a42-4259-8ec9-5bb796b03d94</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:32:59 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Republican Campaign Marketing: Personal Pleas Get Greater Response</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/12/31/republican-campaign-marketing-personal-pleas-get-greater-response.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>I recently told a Republican County Commissioner that I'd never been asked to join the local county Republican party. He said he'd take care of it.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Soon, I received an envelope from said county party. Inside was a "Dear Friend" letter. At that point I realized, 3 months earlier, I’d received the same “Dear Friend” letter and threw it away.&amp;nbsp; I did the same to this “Dear Friend” letter.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;My point is, the impact and the effectiveness of the most recent mailing would have much greater had the person who sent it jotted a short note such as; &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: italic;"&gt;"Michael, Jerry told me you were interested in joining. Glad to have you among our ranks. Look forward to your membership. Sincerely, Frank."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;First of all, friends don't send friends "Dear Friend" letters. A “Dear Friend” letter is only slightly better than, "Dear (Your Name Here)". Do you get all warm and fuzzy about a Dear Friend letter?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Second of all, A "Dear Friend" letter isn't being personally asked. There's nothing personal about it and many people like me, aren't thrilled to spend their money to be treated like a number.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Each Republican county party needs to assess if their "outreach programs" are truly impersonal and uncaring ... then change them.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Your Republican county party needs to write down all the reasons (manpower, money, office space etc...) why you can't do a better job of marketing and building your local party. Why you can't send out effective mailings that include personalized membership pleas.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;At that point, you will have a nice list of what you must overcome, fix or change in order to be more effective marketers of your Republican party.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Sure, personalized Republican marketing outreach efforts cost a little more in time and money. But personalized efforts are also more effective.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Remember: "Together, We Can BEAT Dem!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@GopLogo.com&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;"&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/a&gt; and sign up for my free newsletter "GopLogo Campaign Marketing Newsletter" with more Republican campaign marketing tips, tactics and insights&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><category>Republican Campaign Nuts &amp; Bolts</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/12/31/republican-campaign-marketing-personal-pleas-get-greater-response.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">e802253c-f765-4e06-a7a3-d34b5373fcb8</guid><pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:08:42 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>A Lesson In Personal Responsibility</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/12/02/a-lesson-in-personal-responsibility.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;There is a lot to be learned from children. They have simple solutions to seemingly complex problems. They have simple perceptions. You mention a bag lady to a child and they'll likely conjure up an image of a shopping bag with arms, legs, a neck, a head and long hair. But mention bag lady to an adult, and they conjure up images of destitute old women with deep socio/economic and psychological problems with enough complexity to fuel a conversation all day. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For some reason, as we grow older, we're not satisfied with the "simple solution". As adults, we approach every problem as though the more complex a solution we can find for it … the better the solution. Not so. If I've learned anything is 23 years as an advertising professional, it's that life's simple pleasures are only surpassed by life's simple solutions to complex problems.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Lets look at television. Many parents are concerned about what their children are able to watch on tv. Many feel that the government should step in a "do something about it." But before we go down that path, lets consider if there isn't a more simple solution.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;By way of illustration, let's think about church for a moment. What each of us believes is acceptable for our children to watch on tv is as personal as our decision as to what church to attend. The difference in attitudes and beliefs is why Baptists go to a Baptist church, Catholics go to a Catholic church and the Jewish go to a Synagogue.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Now, if you didn't like or agree with what they were teaching at the Church or Synagogue you were attending … what would you do? &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Would you gripe that the government should do something about it? Probably not. Most people, would go find another church. Simply put, they'd change their religious channel.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Why is it then, that parents believe they need government regulation to prevent their child from getting the wrong kind of influence from television —when they can simply turn the channel? The answer to that is also simple. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;We don't need more government inter&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;vention&lt;/span&gt;. We need more parent/child inter&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;ACTION&lt;/span&gt;.&amp;nbsp; If we wish to remain a free nation, we must take personal responsibility for that which we CAN control. For not everything in our society can or should be regulated by law. Because to do so is not realistic or conducive to a free nation to remain free. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If you want what your children are watching to be regulated … do it yourself. Turn the channel. Be the parent. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Every day we are faced with finding solutions to problems at work and at home. But how many of these problems can be solved if we look for the simple solution first? Often, you'll find the solution staring you in the mirror.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Encouraging personal responsibility is vital to being able to reduce the size and expense of government. The more people take care of themselves and responsibly solve their own problems, the less government will have to do for them. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;And that's an ideal Republicans can wrap their ams around. Ahhh …&amp;nbsp; to think like a child … simple solutions to complex problems.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michal Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@GopLogo.com&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;font size="4"&gt;For Republican Gifts and Republican Campaign Marketing Insights, visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><category>Core Values</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/12/02/a-lesson-in-personal-responsibility.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">1cf161c0-8a8b-4c99-8d12-7f358e34f1c4</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:08:37 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Joe Six-Pack Speaks:  Republicans Can Win In 2008, IF ...</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/12/01/joe-sixpack-speaks--republicans-can-win-in-2008-if-.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;What Republicans really need to do to win local, state or the Presidential race in 2008, is to clearly define what Republicans stand for in the mind of the public.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;We need to get away from "lifestyle" issues such as "gay" anything and abortion. We need to focus on what people really care about when they are in fear of losing their jobs or not being able to afford college or a trip to the doctor. To that end, we must convey to the public how the core Republican concepts of:&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;1) Less Government&lt;br&gt;2) Less Taxes&lt;br&gt;3) A Commitment to Personal Responsibility&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;will make their lives better. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It will be a tough row to hoe because we've failed at it. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;We do not have less government. We do not have less taxes. And, the concept of personal responsibility is a distant memory in this litigious society. And while Republican insiders can spin the numbers talking about "inflation adjustments", and "net tax decreases"&amp;nbsp; …&amp;nbsp; the average working person looks in his/her wallet and says, "I'm not convinced."&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Those in charge of setting the political tone of our Republican campaigns must get in touch with "Joe Six-Pack".&amp;nbsp; I suggest skipping a few of those prayer breakfasts and city council meetings and dropping by a few soccer matches, high school basketball games, festivals and blue collar bars. There, you'll get the "Non-Rose Colored Glasses" view of what's on the minds of real voters. It's not politics ... it's survival.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Local party people need to get this insight and trickle it UP to the next level and so on until State Republican Party leadership finally gets the message and passes it on to national Republican leadership:&amp;nbsp; Real people don't care about politics. They care about survival and a better life.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;By and large, most people don't mind working for a better life. But Republicans have done a poor job of allowing them to keep more of what they work for. Why? Because we've failed on the 3 core principles outlined above. The three core principles that, if actively pursued, could make a real difference. The kind of difference that would make people feel safer about their future. The kind of difference that would make them once again, be willing to contemplate other Republican issues such as abortion, gay rights and 2nd amendment rights.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It's time we as Republicans rethink, regroup and refocus on making good on the promises of our core values. I believe I speak for many when I say, "I don't want hope for the future. I want action today …&amp;nbsp; that will lead to results for the future."&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Republican's need to get in touch with what's on the minds of everyday folk. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Focus on everyday folk. If we can convince &lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;them&lt;/span&gt;, we can beat &lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;DEM&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@goplogo.com&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;"&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/a&gt; for Republican Gifts and Campaign Marketing Insight&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><category>Theroy</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/12/01/joe-sixpack-speaks--republicans-can-win-in-2008-if-.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">742df355-11fe-4d2e-a04f-f67b451181e3</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:11:01 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Republican GOP Campaign Dress Code</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/15/republican-gop-campaign-dress-code.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Republican presidential campaigns all have nice campaign material. Each campaign wants their candidate to look the best. They print up nice cards, nice brochures, nice signs and bumper stickers ... then they give them to a dude in jeans and a t-shirt and say, "Here, go represent who, we believe, will be the next president of the United States."&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;As the campaign cycle revs up, I hope candidates, whether it be presidential or state rep, will want the people representing them to look at least as good as their campaign materials. Hygiene, grooming and dress are all factors that can work for you or against you. Lately, I've seen plenty of campaign volunteers that, apparently, don't know that.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Hey, there won't be a place for most Republican campaign volunteers on a candidate's payroll should the candidate win. However, as a campaign volunteer you will meet many, many people. People with contacts, people with influence ... people who can "hook you up". And yes, you will also meet many, many people who can't do anything for you. However, it will serve your best interests and those of your candidate, not to look like a bum.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Bottom line, there's too much at stake for all of us NOT to put our best foot forward.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Republican Volunteers:&lt;/span&gt; When people look at you, will they be at all impressed by what they see?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Republican Candidates and Republican campaign managers&lt;/span&gt;: Do your volunteers look like a bunch a rag-tag, sloppy looking drop-outs? Or do they look like a well put-together group of your candidate's representatives?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For more campaign marketing insights, visit &lt;a href="http://www,goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.Goplogo.com%3C/a%3E"&gt;www.Goplogo.com&lt;/a&gt; and sign up for my free GopLogo Campaign Marketing newsletter. You'll also find information on Republican Waterless Tattoos and Republican Merry Christmas Gift Wrap.&lt;br&gt;</description><category>Republican Campaign Image</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/15/republican-gop-campaign-dress-code.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">423236ba-e8d9-4adc-a109-45b60db9443b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:11:31 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Identity Theft On The Republican Campaign Trail</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/10/identity-theft-on-the-campaign-trail.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;div&gt;I was at a State Committe meeting recently. I found a forgotten bag after everyone left that contained a laptop and a day planner. Inside the front cover of the day planner, where you can list persoanal information, the guy had his name, social security#, driver's license # and address listed.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;That's all the information someone needs to totally screw your life up.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Be careful, friends. First, it's a bad idea to put that kind of info in your day planner. Second, the one bit of information I really needed to get his stuff back to him, his cell phone #- wasn't listed anywhere.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;1) Don't put sensative info such as personal information in teyh front of your day planner.&lt;br&gt;2) Do put your phone number in there so someone can get your stuff vack to you.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Someone knew the guy and he did get his bag back. But the outcome could have been very different.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;517-589-0008&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Be sure and visit &lt;a href="http://www.GopLogo.com"&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp; and sign up for the GopLogo Campaign Marketing Newsletter.&lt;/div&gt;</description><category>Security/Common Sense</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/10/identity-theft-on-the-campaign-trail.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">159a3e2b-6ddc-4ac2-8510-6c1fd83daa84</guid><pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:46:40 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Reaching Republican Voters: Go Where The Voters Are.</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/05/reaching-voters-go-where-the-voters-are.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;I read recently in The Week magazine that 44% of people surveyed couldn't name one Republican presidential candidate. That means if 44% of those surveyed can't name a Republican candidate, that also probably means that that same 44% has absolutely no idea what the Republican Party is all about.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;#1)&amp;nbsp; Define your Republican Campaign Message so that it's meaningful to your target audience.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;#2) Deliver that message where the target audience is. Apparently. 44% of those surveyed aren't watching the news or reading a newspaper. Big mobile billboards around indoor and outdoor soccer venues, baseball diamonds, football fields, parks and recreational areas is something to consider. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Remember, people don't buy a drill because they want a drill. What they want is a hole. Likewise, many voters don't care about politics. What they care about is being safe, having a job and being able to provide for themselves and their families. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Talk to them from those points of view and you'll have a better chance at getting their attention. Get out there in the field and find out what's on their mind.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Merrick Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@goplogo.com&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.GopLogo.com%3C/a%3E"&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt; and sign up for the free &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com/GopLogo_Campaign_Newsletter.html" target="_blank"&gt; GopLogo Campaign Marketing Newsletter&lt;/a&gt;, published twice a month. It's full of campaign marketing tips you just won't find anywhere else.&amp;nbsp; Also, be sure and view our fine selection of Gop Logo Republican gift ideas including Republican Merry Christmas Gift Wrap.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><category>Republican Campaign Nuts &amp; Bolts</category><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/05/reaching-voters-go-where-the-voters-are.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">094fd515-5776-4a23-a70b-0d8580992889</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:13:17 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Republican Campaigns: The Ant &amp; The Grasshopper: A new Moral To Ponder</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/05/republican-campaigns-the-ant--the-grasshopper-a-new-moral-to-ponder.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Very seldom, someone forwards me something that actually warrants the minimal effort it takes to view it. This is one of them. I didn't write this. I wish I did because the point hits waayyyyyyyy to close to home.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;font size="3"&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;The Story of the Ant &amp;amp; the Grasshopper&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;font style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;" size="2"&gt;TRADITIONAL VERSION&lt;/font&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br&gt;The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs, dances and plays the summer away. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter and dies out in the cold.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;MORAL OF THE STORY:&lt;/span&gt; Be responsible for yourself!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;font style="font-weight: bold;" size="2"&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;MODERN VERSION:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;br&gt;The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. (FOX is the only network that covers the fact that the ant worked his ass off all summer.) America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.' &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake. Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry &amp;amp; Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity and Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer! The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government. Hillary gets her old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges that Bill Clinton appointed from a list of single-parent welfare recipients. The ant loses the case.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in,&lt;br&gt;which used to be the ant's house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The ant has disappeared in the snow.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The grasshopper is later found dead in a drug related incident. The house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;MORAL OF THE STORY&lt;/span&gt;: Be careful how you vote in 2008.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Remember: Together, We Can Beat Dem.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Merrick Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@goplogo.com&lt;br&gt;Visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;"&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/a&gt; for Republican Campaign Marketing Tips and great GOP Logo Republican Gift Ideas. Be sure and sign up for the GopLogo Campaign Marketing Newsletter.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/11/05/republican-campaigns-the-ant--the-grasshopper-a-new-moral-to-ponder.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">87c306de-156b-4102-a74a-437bb6ced5ad</guid><pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:48:01 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Poor Campaign Planning Makes For Rich Educations</title><link>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/10/30/poor-campaign-planning-makes-for-rich-educations.aspx</link><dc:creator>Michael Merrick Crooks</dc:creator><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Poor planning will ultimately put my children through college.&amp;nbsp; Not MY poor planning, mind you. Rather, the poor planning of my Republican political clients.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It happens every campaign cycle. A candidate will come to me at the last minute ... in dire need of something. They know they want a banner, but they're not quite sure what it should say. Or, they want stickers, but they're not sure what size or how many colors. Or they want a post card, no wait ...&amp;nbsp; a flyer ... but they're not sure how many. Heck, they're not even sure what they want it to say — but they need it Friday and today is Tuesday. Oh yeah,&amp;nbsp; how much?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;First of all, if your world is going to end if you don't have... whatever it is ... does it REALLY matter how much it costs? All I know, is that it will cost more than it should. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It's just not a cheap trick to rip a hole in the time/space continuum, slip though and produce your stuff last week. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The best way to save money in a Republican political campaign is to get with me EARLY. Let's plan something out so you order 40,000 lapel stickers&amp;nbsp; or Republican Logo Waterless Tattoos all at once and save money ... instead of ordering 5000 at a time, eight different times and always at the last minute.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Time&lt;/span&gt; will allow us to engineer your banners correctly - so they they will function as properly in a parade as they will hanging on the wall. Your name will be spelled correctly and the identification statement will be legal.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Time&lt;/span&gt; will ensure that you have "sign off "of every photo used in the brochure. &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Time&lt;/span&gt; will ensure that you spend your time effectively campaigning instead of putting out fires.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Rest assured, if your bacon needs saving at the last minute, my team and I can do it. We did it for Bush/Cheney&amp;nbsp; .. we can do it for you. Sure, it will cost you. But look on the bright side. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;When my kids go off to the college of their choice, you'll know you did your part to help educate a new generation of bright, educated Republicans.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Warm Regards,&lt;br&gt;Michael Crooks&lt;br&gt;hello@goplogo.com&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;PS: NOW is the time to order your GOP Merry Christmas Wrapping Paper. Visit &lt;a href="http://www.goplogo.com" target="_blank"&gt; &lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.GopLogo.com%3C/a%3E"&gt;www.GopLogo.com&lt;/a&gt; for details.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description><comments>http://blog.goplogo.com/2007/10/30/poor-campaign-planning-makes-for-rich-educations.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">bc1d60de-5142-4499-83d3-1c030936f6ff</guid><pubDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:57:14 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>