In an effort reminiscent of past Democratic strategies, a conservative group is aiming to mobilize voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election by borrowing from a playbook famously used by Barack Obama.
Fox News reported that Turning Point Action, a conservative political group, is employing a community-based strategy to increase Republican voter turnout in key states like Wisconsin for the 2024 election.
The group has taken inspiration from Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, an approach once ridiculed by conservatives, to solidify their presence in battleground states.
Wisconsin is seen as particularly critical due primarily to its historical significance in presidential races. Here, Turning Point Action is focusing on a grassroots operation aimed at identifying and engaging conservative voters.
Turning Point Action's strategy involves not only organizing at the broad level but also honing in on local communities.
The organization is implementing a "ballot-chase program" which emphasizes the importance of "neighbors talking with other neighbors."
Brett Galaszewski, the group's National Enterprise Director, notes the focus on interacting with potential voters as community insiders rather than as external persuaders.
"It's about organizing at the ward level," Galaszewski explains, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing within neighborhoods as opposed to adopting a broader outreach strategy.
This methodology aligns with the successful community organizing model that Barack Obama famously used and spoke about during his campaign over a decade ago.
While the group once mocked Obama's experiences as a community organizer, they now see the value in this approach. Galaszewski admitted at the time that conservatives might have laughed at Obama's credentials, yet today they are applying similar techniques to achieve electoral success.
The strategy adopted by Turning Point Action involves engaging those voters who traditionally do not prioritize their voting opportunities as highly as regular voters.
This notably includes "disengaged and low-propensity conservatives" who may not frequently vote in elections. The group recognizes that while financial resources might be limited compared to Democrats, their ground game can compensate for this by focusing on personal voter engagement.
"We no longer see this as a war of persuasion among swing voters," Galaszewski reveals, pointing out that the key to their strategy lies in winning over those who might not initially see the value in casting their vote.
This nuanced approach can help Alter the political landscape in vital regions like Wisconsin, which is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the next president.
Wisconsin's operation is scaled to accommodate a robust voter outreach program where hundreds of individuals are involved statewide.
Some of these individuals are salaried employees dedicated to the cause, highlighting the commitment to the operation and the importance of the state in the overarching strategy.
The focus is less on mass door-knocking endeavors and more on targeted outreach to specific, pre-identified individuals.
This subtle but significant tweak in strategy is designed to create authentic engagement, fostering relationships that would indeed influence voter turnout.
"It's narrowing down our organizing to the ward and then mobilizing," says Galaszewski to describe the methodology of this approach. This demonstrates a shift in traditional approaches, emphasizing the effectiveness of local mobilization catered to community needs and dynamics.
This experience has shown conservatives the importance of certain focused strategies that have historically proven unpredicted success on different sides of the aisle.
"That's something that we know the left has really homed in on," Galaszewski notes about addressing potentially familiar, yet often overlooked, strategies.
With Wisconsin viewed as a numbers game, the strategy reflects a tactical precision aimed at driving turnout through enthusiastic and informed voter education. The approach emphasizes a personal touch, aiming to create a conversational dynamic between voters.
"It's a numbers game in Wisconsin," acknowledges Galaszewski. By leveraging grassroots power, the group strives to enhance conservative participation where it remains most crucial.
As Turning Point Action rolls out its concerted efforts in key states like Wisconsin, the implications of their strategic choices remain to be seen.
The 2024 election serves as both a testing ground and a battleground for innovative voter engagement strategies, potentially altering the political dynamic in more ways than one.