What About Bob? Tour—Republican Newcomer Tries New Approach in Campaigning
By Sherri Schloss
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Any candidate knows how important it is to get your name and message out to your constituents. This can be especially challenging when the candidate enters into the race late in the election cycle—just ask Bob Morain. Bob’s late entry into the 52nd House District race came as a result of him seeing a need and stepping in to fill a vacancy when the initial nominee was unable to seek election as planned.
Working with his campaign team, Morain decided to take his message to the people with an old fashioned whistle-stop type tour of his district—the ”What About Bob?” tour. No train stations on this tour, however. An RV, known as the BobMobile, decorated with banners, bumper stickers, and all things Bob, transports him to various precinct tour stops throughout the district. Neighborhood supporters of Bob invite their friends and neighbors to come enjoy pizza while they meet with Morain. This personal approach to campaigning allows voters to hear Bob’s views and gives them an opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns. “The initial response has been impressive! My desire is to meet more of the voters. I understand, their lives are busy -that is why we decided to go to their neighborhoods. We park the RV by a park or a street corner, have a little pizza, and listen to your concerns. It’s great!” explains Morain.
With strong grassroots support, Bob has also organized teams of walkers who give of their time on Saturday mornings to walk neighborhoods distributing campaign literature. Some walk throughout the week. “Walking for Bob makes me feel like I am making a difference in my community—plus, it is lots of fun meeting new people,” says Lynette Hanks, a Morain supporter. “Our supporters are the phenomenal! We have been able to do more than expected with limited expenses,” states Morain. Last election, over $250,000 was spent campaigning for the District 52 seat. “That is ridiculous!” says Rheid Schloss, another of Bob’s supporters. “It is hard for me to listen to candidates talk about putting an end to poverty when I know their campaigns spent hundreds of thousands of dollars bashing their opponents when that money could fill the pantries at the local food bank or keep the doors open at a local rescue mission.” For every 300 flyers walked in a neighborhood the Morain campaign saves about $100 in mailing costs. With over 52,000 voters in his district, mailing costs can quickly eat up any reasonable campaign budget.
The “What About Bob?” tour is to educate, inform, and provide voters with a face to face experience with their candidate. “Campaigning this way requires a lot of hard work,” explains Bob, “but it is important for voters to have a chance to meet their candidate. After meeting me, I think they know I will work just as hard after the election.”
As Bob Morain, a new voice for Fort Collins, continues to campaign up until the November 2nd election, watch for the BobMobile cruising the neighborhoods near you. Stop and talk to him, so you can answer “What About Bob?”
