The American Spectator

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Campaign Crawlers

(Page 2 of 2)

RC: You've got to be able to buy direct mail pieces as well as advertising in such a way, and in such volume, that people begin to see your name.

LH: What about yard signs?

RC: I think we did a pretty good job. I had 3,000 yard signs printed, and all were given out. Yard signs you can get for about a buck a piece, a little more depending on quality and size. Then you have to add to that the cost of putting signs out, maybe up to another dollar depending on whether you use a wood or a metal post. We relied on local people to contact friends and neighbors about putting up signs. I held coffees and events in homes all across the district. That was a primary means of meeting people, recruiting volunteers, and finding locations for signs.

LH: You were an unusually experienced rookie for a national race.

RC: Money is the name of the game. It takes a significant amount of money. I had a full-time staff of three people who worked for me for five months. I believe Mr. McGovern had about 20 people. That makes a difference. I had one campaign office. He had four or five in the district. Money unfortunately drives the political process at that level. It's true I have run for office for state legislature in Georgia. It's a different league running on a national level. The district includes 28 towns. It's a hundred miles in diameter.

LH: How much did you work?

RC: A normal day was 12-15 hours, no exaggeration. I would begin often early going to a train station or an event, and then would end the evening at a coffee at somebody's home in the district. I would often spend too many hours in the car going from place to place. My wife left her job and would drive me, so I could use that time in phone calls trying to raise money. More radio spots would have been better, too. I did many an interview in my car.

LH: Overall, what advice would you give to prospective challengers for Congressional seats?

RC: Make sure you've got a financial base before you start. You have to have commitments from people to give or raise a given amount for you. Make sure you can raise $400,000-$500,000. You really can't run for less than that. In Massachusetts, realistically, because of the cost of media, you have to double that figure.