The Lever And the Fulcrum Say what???

• Everyone has a lever, the fulcrum is politics. • With a push from a long lever and big fulcrum you can really move public policy. • With a push on a short lever and small fulcrum you may not move much public policy…but… • You can if there are many of you pushing on one Tuesday in November….

But how do you gain more leverage? • $$$$$$$$ is one way • Okay, if you did not win the Power Ball… • What do elected officials care about? • Avoiding controversy they can’t control • Moving up the political food chain • Giving them campaign money is just one way to gain influence • Get your ducks in a row…it can be done

Is there a another way besides than money? • Yes, there are other levers and fulcrums • Lunch • Go to Bob Evans or similar locally owned • Why? • No alcohol implies no romance • You are waited on by your grandmother wearing a gingham apron with gingham tablecloths More dark secrets…

• Take two other people and sit in booth • Pick up the check and spend $12 • Have an “ask” and for the first meeting have it be small; include us in discussions • Take a member of your board who is a member of the central committee of the party of the elected official • Why? The appointment process.

It is an impact of term limits

• The four caucuses prefer to avoid primaries. • They will find place often in a different spot on the food chain for termed out member. • The member leaves early in their last year. • Creating a vacancy. • Caucuses usually defer to local central and executive committees for recommendations. Monkey Move Up

• Paul Gillmor has a heart attack and dies. • moves from House to Congress • Randy Gardner moves from Senate to House. • Mark Wagoner moves from House to Senate • Barbie Sears moves from Sylvania City Council to Ohio House • Some person I forget who moves to Sylvania City Council And who has the biggest levers?

• Central and Executive Committee members of the GOP local parties in NW Ohio. • If you live in Youngstown, the power is in the D Central and Executive Committees. • So join the party structure of whatever party you feel close to and is the power in your area. • 1976- 25% landslide 2004 50% landlside Does Money Matter?

• $100 will do it. • Duane Van Dyke • HB 149 • State Historic Tax Credit • Oh…the $100 is “free” or maybe $50 How do you talk to them?

• Give them a short slogan that sums up the issue in 8 words or less • Give them a paragraph that explains the issue in more detail • Give them some data • And give them real solutions…not “should promote and support downtowns…” • But be careful of your data; not boring stuff

What to Remember…

• Most of the chattering class view you as a means to the end. • Tall men get more votes than short men • Men with hair get more votes than bald men • Thin people get more votes than fat people • Men with beards do 5% less than clean And finally… •Cupp versus O’Neill

So in summation…

• Look to the tax credit donation; eat free • Involve your board, and seek board members who are one or the other central and executive political committee • Be nice to everyone, as monkey move up happens • Eat lunch at rather un-hip places • Develop an “ask” You have a lever and a fulcrum

• Not as big as the President • Not as big as the Governor • Not as big as a member of the GA • But you can move policy • Get a bigger lever • Upgrade your fulcrum • Get on a TV show or in the print media