Carter Campaign “Strategy” #6

Honesty is the Best Policy

After nearly two weeks of suspense, Candidate Carter’s campaign web site was finally launched. Riddled with typographical and grammatical errors, “www.bobcarterdistrict5.com” provides a telltale testament of Candidate Carter’s credibility.

Carter Campaign “Strategy” #5

Mobilize the Internet

Candidate Carter campaign signs began sprouting up along Chisago county roadsides on 9/8/08 bearing the brief message, "Bob Carter Commissioner" followed by "www.bobcarterdistrict5.com."
Lured by the expectation of lofty campaign promises and endless personal accolades, a quick glimpse at the web site revealed all. A simple, three-line message read, "Vote For Bob Carter for Chisago County District 5 Commissioner. We are working hard to bring you an informative and complete website. Check back soon."

Carter Campaign “Strategy” #4

Mass Marketing

“Dump the Good Old Boys. Elect Bob Carter” was the message printed in bold, half inch letters on a private publication of the “South County Epitaph” recently distributed in the Rush City area. Why its author Jonathan Glassel, a District 3 Chisago County Commissioner candidate, would team up with District 5 candidate, Bob Carter, is unclear. What is clear is that Glassel suffered a major defeat in the District 3 primary election on 9/9/08 and will not appear on the general election ballot in November. Not only did Glassel finish last in a field of six District 3 primary candidates, he garnered only 5% of the vote (77 of 1496). Apparently Candidate Carter hitched his wagon to a falling star.

Carter Campaign "Strategy" #3

Rebuild Burned Bridges

The Precipitous Event
When Fish Lake Township (FLT) Board Chair and Supervisor Bob Carter voted to re-key the town hall and outbuildings and change the “key holder” policy in April 2007, he had no foresight or vision of the future. Supervisor Carter’s angry, knee-jerk reaction came in response to a “Letter to the Editor” published in the Cambridge Star newspaper titled “Special Treatment for Special People?” Supervisor Carter blamed new-elected Supervisor O’Keefe for “leaking” information to the letter’s author and audaciously challenging his integrity and authority. Supervisor Carter vowed to prevent any further access to township documents and records by Supervisor O’Keefe.

The Conundrum
With only four months to go before the November 2008 Chisago County District 5 Commissioner election, candidate Carter needs all the political support he can muster to unseat two-term incumbent Mike Robinson. How can candidate Carter regain Supervisor O’Keefe’s trust, but more importantly his voter-based support?

The Solution
At the June 2008 FLT monthly meeting, the unwritten township “policy” of key holders was discussed. Supervisor Carter suggested that he and Clerk Andrea Nekowitsch purchase and install a large, new safe in the town hall at a cost of ~$2500. All township records and documents would be assembled and locked inside for “safe-keeping.” Supervisor Cupit agreed and made a motion to re-distribute keys to the town hall and outbuildings to all three supervisors (including O’Keefe) once the safe was installed. Supervisor Carter seconded the motion. The caveat; only Clerk Nekowitsch would have keys for the new safe and retain sole access to all township documents and records locked inside.

Carter Campaign "Strategy" #2

Amass the Anti-Incumbent Vote

Candidate Bob Carter initially challenged incumbent Mike Robinson for the District 5 Chisago County Commissioner seat in 2004. At that time, the anti-incumbent sentiment netted Carter 1083 votes against Robinson’s 2692. Surely after serving two consecutive terms, Commissioner Robinson will have accumulated more dissatisfied voters in 2008 than in 2004.

Carter Campaign "Strategy" #1

Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

This year there will be no primary election in the District 5 Chisago County Commissioner race. Candidate Bob Carter missed his window of opportunity to mandate a primary election by soliciting a third party to enter the race. Instead of procuring two opportunities to unseat two-term incumbent Mike Robinson, candidate Carter has only one, in the November 2008 general election.

......try, try again.

Once again Robert “Bob” Carter is challenging (second-term) incumbent Mike Robinson for the District 5 Chisago County Commissioner seat. Carter’s first attempt in 2004 resulted in a dismal defeat by Robinson (1083 to 2692). In fact, Carter even failed to carry his home township of Fish Lake (405 to 562).
What audacious campaign strategy will Carter employ to succeed over Robinson in the November 2008 election?