Bouncing an idea off of you guys.

[6_Time_Momma]

Okay, here's the thing. My dad is running for city council. He is running against some folks pretty well known in the community. So we were trying to come up with some ways to boost his name recognition. One of the things we thought of was... at Halloween, passing out single Reese's cup (in the wrapper, obviously) with a wrapper on the top of the Reese saying something like "XXXXXX for city council"

Now, I realize most kids would just rip it off and throw it away and the parents would never see it. But, on the off chance that a parent did see it, my question to you is this:

Would you be upset/angry/offended at this (that someone "politicized" your kids' candy)? Or would you be indifferent about it? Would it make you more inclined to look into that candidate and possibly vote for him? Or would it turn you off from voting for him?

If it's a bad idea, don't shoot me, I'm just tossing the idea out there!!

 

[yeartolate]

I think it is a bit tacky. But a sign outside your home that would be visible to the parents would be fine. (IMHO)

 

[aprild]

i agree with yeartolate

 

[MsLeFever]

The minister at my old church always handed out Reese's cups with Sunday school information on it.

I think that it is a fine idea! Especially since it will be the folks in your neighborhood and they SHOULD know that a neighbor is in the race!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I think it is a bit tacky. But a sign outside your home that would be visible to the parents would be fine. (IMHO)

"Tacky"....that's the word I was trying to think of!!! (as opposed to offended/upset, etc). I couldn't think of what exactly I was trying to ask! aw:

 

[reddixie]

Tacky isn't even the issue here. I would say why waste so much energy which is needed in other avenues right now. You should put up the sign and think of another way to get the word out and start doing that. You will get more bang for your buck.

 

[WDWAurora]

My dad helped someone with a campaign and they did something similar...labels on 5-packs of chewing gum that said "CHEWS XXXXX" It was really cute, but they didn't give them to kids. I think a better bet would be to find a way to give them to adults, even as they walk into the polling place the morning of the election (I assume it's legal in other states to be outside the polling place in a certain area handing out info). I think some people might find it tacky to be pushing the kids to get votes from the parents. The sign in the yard for Halloween would be really good though!!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't think that it is tacky so much as it is putting the advertising in front of people (children) that can't vote.

 

[Missy1961]

Do parents in your area look at the candy before they allow the kids to eat it? Then they'd see it, but I think you'd be spending money on something that would miss the target. I do like the idea of the candy, how about handing it out by a local diner, or train station?

 

[LoraJ]

Here is how my city councliman won against a good ol' boy.

He sent every registered voter a postcard asking what their main issues were that they would like to see him work on. He also provided us with an email and website. I emailed him and told him my concerns and he emailed me back with some of his visions.

Just the fact that he took the time to personally email me, he got my vote. And he's been great. He sends me emails after every city council meeting and informs me of what happened. I have a major issue with parking in the area and he has invited me to become a part of a parking task force in the city.

It's not about handing out candy bars, it's about reaching out to the concerns of the commuinty and being available to the people.

 

[grlpwrd]

Here is how my city councliman won against a good ol' boy.

He sent every registered voter a postcard asking what their main issues were that they would like to see him work on. He also provided us with an email and website. I emailed him and told him my concerns and he emailed me back with some of his visions.

Just the fact that he took the time to personally email me, he got my vote. And he's been great. He sends me emails after every city council meeting and informs me of what happened. I have a major issue with parking in the area and he has invited me to become a part of a parking task force in the city.

It's not about handing out candy bars, it's about reaching out to the concerns of the commuinty and being available to the people.

 

[hugsquared]

Just my .02 worth here, but yes, I think it would put a bad taste in my mouth to have a childrens event littered with political garbage. I loved the gum idea for the adults, and the post card thing...great way to learn the peoples concerns and reach a multitude of voters. I would steer far away from labeling candy. But if you want to do a halloween thing, maybe buy a huge pumpkin and have it painted with you dads slogan and put it in your yard, or any other signs for the parents to see, but leave the kiddies alone.

 

[cardaway]

Very tacky. What happened to the good 'ol fashioned button idea? I still have my grandfather's campaign buttons.

 

[nativetxn]

I don't think I would put a label on the kid's candy asking for votes. I would probably shake hands with the adults, though and tell them about my father's campaign. Heck, give the adults a peanut butter cup with a political announcement on it. They are the ones who can vote.

Katholyn

 

[va32h]

Sounds too much like a 6th grade student council idea to me.

Target registered voters, not anyone who sends their kid out trick or treating on Halloween.

I would probably shake hands with the adults, though and tell them about my father's campaign. Heck, give the adults a peanut butter cup with a political announcement on it. They are the ones who can vote.

I see your point with this, but I myself wouldn't want to be interrupted whilst taking my kids trick or treating. Lots of parents wait on the sidewalk, too, so you'd have to go out to them.

Having a sign in the yard is a subtle way to get the candidates name out there, without attempting to shoehorn a political message into a holiday.

Are there any community festivals or fairs coming up that your dad could rent a vendor space in? We have one practically every week out here, from Sept to Christmas. That would be a way for him to hand out campaign literature, discuss his platform, and get some face to face contact.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

My advice as a former a political fundraiser is NO NO NO.
My advice as a mother who has a child with life threatening peanut allergies is also NO NO NO.

Leave Halloween alone, don't politicize it. I'm don't know your budget, but my favorite name recognition item is "bottled water". Print sticky labels on your computer with your candidates name, stick them over the name brand and give them out for free at a community event such as a fall fest. For $100 you can get 500 bottles of water if you shop the sales.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

just a general note


Our law apparently restricts campaiging within a certain number of feet of the voting booth. Where I vote, the parking lot is apparently far enough away that we get bombarded with people handing out flyers as we get out of our cars and walk into the building. I find that REALLY annoying. Often, I find it annoying enough that I make it a point to vote against them.

 

[barkley]

whatever he does tell him not to leave information on my front doorstep! i detest coming home every day during election time and finding flyers on my welcome mat-they go right into a small trash can that i keep there for just this purpose.

i like the water idea-go to the soccer fields on saturday and talk to the parents, hit the supermarket parking lots during the morning (when most of us sahm's are shopping)...

 

[CookieGVB]

Do parents in your area look at the candy before they allow the kids to eat it? Then they'd see it, but I think you'd be spending money on something that would miss the target. I do like the idea of the candy, how about handing it out by a local diner, or train station?

I was going to suggest that, too. That way he gets to "press the flesh" and make a lot of women happy, too!