Archives for Drew McKissick

Those Who Can, Do

August 15, 2025 by Drew McKissick in Grassroots Tips | Leave a comment

It’s a shame how politics seems to cultivate more people who care about opining, trading rumors and being recognized as a political/social media celebrity, than it does people who are actually experienced and competent at political organization, running campaigns or even serving in public office.

We desperately need less of the former and more of the later. Less show horses and more work horses.

Less people chasing likes and clicks and a guest spot on Fox, than people helping elect candidates to office that can help change policy. Fewer people in the cheap seats yelling at the players, and more people who are willing to go down on the field, do some work and get their hands dirty.

Ignore the Show Horses

Of course social media itself can be useful. It can help communicate a message and encourage organization. But there’s a difference between using social media, and “being” social media. A difference between making a difference and just seeking attention, but that’s the currency that too many people seem to be after in politics today. Ignore them. Don’t feed the beast.

It’s the age of the social media celebrity politico. And we’re worse off for it. The political version of reality TV; people who are famous for being famous, and otherwise useless.

Find the Work Horses

To modify a familiar phrase: those who can, “do”; those who can’t, (or don’t), become social media celebrities.

All of which is to say that our challenge is to build a bigger, better reservoir of experienced political talent that can organize effectively, help candidates win and then go on to help elected officials implement policy. Not more people who want to keep the focus on themselves.

Identify those who truly care and actually want to make a difference. Help them get the political training and experience they need. Then help them find opportunities to “do”!

We’ll be better off for it.

Run Unopposed, or Run Scared!

June 24, 2025 by Drew McKissick in Grassroots Tips | Leave a comment

It’s been said that there are only two ways to run a political campaign: unopposed or scared. But just what exactly does that mean?

It means that before you get in race (or as soon as you do) you do everything that you can to freeze out any potential competition in the campaign, or if you do have competition, you go 110% all-out, all the time and do anything and everything that you need to do in order to win and leave no stones unturned.

Run Unopposed

Having competition can be expensive, and it makes winning more problematic.  It’s better to invest time and effort early on in order to avoid it rather than having to spend the extra time and money it will cost later.  It’s why so many candidates and elected officials will focus so much on fundraising and putting as much money in the bank as possible, as early as possible, in order to scare off potential competition.

It means working to pick off as many critical allies and resources as early as possible and to leave nothing (or no one) that might encourage a potential competitor, (from major donors to big name endorsements or critical volunteers).  Anything that could help their ability to successfully organize or raise money. Leave them discouraged from even thinking about running.

Run Scared

If you can’t avoid competition, then commit to running all-out like you’re being chased by a pack of wild dogs.  Leave nothing undone and no resource unutilized.  Be as fast and overwhelming as possible.

It doesn’t mean that you’re fearful of others, it just means that you’re flat out doing everything that YOU have control over.  That you’re NOT going to let anyone outwork you. That you’re going to leave it all on the field.

That kind of commitment attracts others.  Whether it’s volunteers or donors, people like to be with someone who looks like a winner.

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Whichever way it works out, the larger point is that if you’re going to run, RUN!  Anything less invites defeat.

 

Politics is Spelled P.E.O.P.L.E.

June 12, 2025 by Drew McKissick in Grassroots Tips | Leave a comment

Politics is all about people. People agreeing, disagreeing and how they do it. Successful politics is about identifying MORE people that agree with you and working together to get something done on the things that you care about.

Without people, you have no organization. Without organization, you have no campaign. Without a campaign, you have no victory. Without victory, you have no ability to change policy. You just have more stuff to complain about.

More people means more opportunities to get stuff done. It means more man-hours (time) and more skill-sets. More people means more relationships to grow the network (and bring in even more people). In short, more people can mean a bigger, better, more productive organization and greater chances for success.

Work to bring in more people, then empower them to “do”, and watch the results. Put out the “buffet table” of activity and let them find what they like, (and they’ll keep coming back).

Are your meetings the type that more people would want to come to, or run away from? Do you have social opportunities that might attract more people? There are a lot of other important things to know and do to be successful in politics, but PEOPLE are the most important element.

What are you, your organization or campaign doing to bring more people in the door? This should be your top priority.

If you do it well, you’ll be successful!

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