Looking to 2014: California Assembly District 73

Well, just when you’ve recovered from the 2012 election, it’s about time to start studying for 2014.

Yep, I said it. The first election (*cough* primary *cough*) is June 3, 2014. That’s one year away (and not very long to build up your Twitter following, by the way).  The top two contestants (I mean candidates) will go to the final round in November.

Assembly District 73 looks pretty full already according to the post I read from “Around The Capitol.”

#AD73 Probables: @SteveBaric19 @Anna_Bryson @bill_brough @JessePetrilla and @paulglaab bit.ly/YTZPJf via @scottlay #OCGop—
Bridget Willard (@gidgey) May 14, 2013

Of the five listed there, four are city council members.  This is a good reminder that we should pay attention to local politics.  Every vote counts in local elections and these people always seem to move up the food chain.

For example, Diane Harkey (termed out for AD73 but running for BOE, District 4), used to be my mayor (Dana Point).  She ran for Assembly after it was vacated by Mimi Walters (who was the mayor of Laguna Niguel and is now a State Senator).

I’m not sure what your deal breakers are but I am interested in someone who is a fiscal conservative.  After all, this is a person we’ll send to the California Legislature who, in my opinion, already overtaxes and overspends.

Although our current Assemblywoman has a social media presence, albiet a glorified RSS feed, I would like to see the next person reach out more on social media (40-18 year old demographic, hello?).

It’s my understanding, though I am no Ron Nehring by any stretch of the imagination, that this has been considered a safe Republican seat.  However, its boundaries were recently changed and although Diane Harkey won easily with 64.3% in 2012, I’m not sure it’s wise to underestimate the Latino vote that must have increased.  Only 41% of the registered voters in Orange County, in 2012, were Republicans (pdf here). That doesn’t sound “safe” to me.

Political Tweeting: Effective Candidate Support Methods

These video tutorials were published on Youtube on Sep 24, 2012 but I realized I never put them on my blog.

See also:  ”An Open Letter to Politicians New To Twitter.“

Political Tweeting: Effective Candidate Support Methods
1. Avoid the Retweet Button
2. Use Campaign Hashtag
3. Setup Search for Campaign Hashtag
4. Setup Search for Candidate Name
5. Tweet from Candidate’s Website With Style
Bonus: Setup Google Alert for Candidate’s Name & Tweet

Whole playlist http://bit.ly/gidgeypolitics

Avoid the Retweet Button

My Name is Bridget Willard and I’m A Republican

After the disappointing result of the 2012 election, I realized that the Republican Party has a huge public relations problem.

However, the Tea Party / Social Media movement that got us all fired up in 2010 taught me something:

If there’s going to be change it begins with me.

So I tweeted:

We can't just keep complaining about media bias on RC. The #GOP needs to start producing COMMERCIALS like the Mormons did. #iamarepublican—
Bridget Willard (@gidgey) November 09, 2012

If Rush is right and everyone thinks that Republicans are old white men, then why don't we all make Youtube videos. #iamarepublican—
Bridget Willard (@gidgey) November 08, 2012

I am a daughter, sister, college graduate, dog lover, step mom, employee… #iamarepublican—
Bridget Willard (@gidgey) November 08, 2012

Here is my offering.

I Am a Proud Supporter of Emken – It Was a Great Year

Election 2012 party. Yep. I actually went and wore “Emken Blue.” It was a great event. I enjoyed the prayer to start, the Pledge of Allegiance, Pete Wilson’s speech, and mingling.

I was interviewed by a UCI student with my reaction, so that was fun, too. Oh, and I got to stand on stage holding an Elizabeth Emken sign with all of her people at the Republican Party of Orange County’s party.

This was a huge step for me personally and regardless of the outcome, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished this year both for myself and for the campaign.

3.5 Million Californians is no small thing. Those votes came from radio and social media. That’s quite a feat.

Congrats to Elizabeth Emken for making DiFi uncomfortable.

I’m proud to be a conservative and proud to be a Republican. I will not simply roll over. I’m going to do all that my mind and body allow to be “Salt and Light” both here in California and Nationally.

Here’s a short video I recorded November 5 to thank everyone who have put up with my tweets.

You haven’t heard the last of Elizabeth Emken and my Twitter feed will, by no means, remain stagnant.

Go check out my new series of tweets with the hashtag #iamarepublican.

“2016: Obama’s America:” My Reaction

This weekend some friends took us to see 2016: Obama’s America.

I left the theater with my mind blown.

After watching this movie, I realize the issue with President Obama is beyond the partisan dimension.  It’s not about Republican or Democrat.  It’s not about Conservative or Liberal.

Dinesh D’Sousa takes you through President Obama’s writings and speeches in such a way that you understand his perspective, and, therefore, what his world view is.

He believes that his purpose is to continue the work of his father, Barak Obama, Sr., in righting the world’s wrongs against third world nations which had been colonized by the West.

President Obama subscribes to a world view that is anti-colonialist.

In his view, The United States of America is a colonial country and is, therefore, indebted to the world’s 99%.  This is why he told Joe the Plumber in 2008:

“I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”

President Obama supports the Occupy Wall Street Movement because he believes in the 99%. However, his perspective is global. In that light, all of the Americans are part of the 1%.

It’s a must-see.

More:

• Dinesh D’Souza: Fact-Checking AP’s Fact Check on ’2016: Obama’s America’

The anti-colonial world view that President Obama holds is beyond partisan politics. It's essentially anti-american. @2016TheMovie—
Bridget Willard (@gidgey) September 04, 2012

Voting is About Stewardship: An Open Letter to Fellow Believers in Christ

Open Letter to Fellow Believers in Christ,

In all seriousness, I hear from many people that they are simply Citizens of Heaven and that “this world is not our home.”

This is true; however, we have also been commissioned to be both ambassadors and salt and light.  We are to be the City on a Hill.

In this world, there are few nations that allow their people to vote as we are privileged to do so in this blessed Republic of ours.  Our silence doesn’t further our cause for Christ; more often than not, it is a default endorsement for the left.

Dear #Christians, You cannot remain politically agnostic; your silence is a default endorsement for the left.—
Bridget Willard (@gidgey) August 02, 2012

It is my firm belief that with the privilege to vote (women weren’t allowed to vote until 1920 when the 19th Amendment passed, for example) and with that comes the responsibility. It’s a stewardship issue.

An Open Letter to Politicans New to Social Media

Dear Politicians using Social Media,

Yes, you there, listen up.

I’m about to give you some free advice being the Social Media Guru that I am that will save you time.  Or, if you like, I can send you a bill.  I even made videos for you to watch. No charge.  The consultants may freak out but if you want to rock Twitter, maybe open your mind a bit.

I’ve noticed some newcomers to Twitter.  I look at their profiles and wonder:

1.  Are they Republican or Democrat?

2. What office are they running for?

3.  Why don’t they engage with anyone?

Here is some advice specifically to you:

Tweet as Yourself; Yes, you should be the one tweeting.

Yes.  You should have your @thisisme Twitter account.

** Note **

I recommend staying with your name on this one as opposed to @JohnDoe4Congress. Why? Simple:  Social Capital.  If you’ve spent the time to build up a following you have loyal fans and enthusiasts.  When you help your followers or even give them a shoutout, you build your social capital.

The reality is that you’ll run for something else if you don’ win or term out.  So it’s better to be ahead of the game.

For example, @ElizabethEmken ran for Congress in 2010 and then U.S. Senate in 2012. Because she kept the “@ElizabethEmken” account she’s built up social capital (her followers and fans) over the years.  Should she run in 2014, she doesn’t have to waste time rebuilding that account.

If you want staffers to tweet on your behalf, then start a @TeamVoteforWhoever account.  Authenticity is important; people can tell if it’s not you.

That said, you still need to proofread and use proper grammar.

Use a Photo for your Avatar

Yes, photos are important.  You want to be able to connect with people and for them to recognize you in the Twtiter feed.  People attach themselves more to photos than logos.

You also need a background, etc.  More specific advice is on my post over at “You, Too Can Be a Guru” entitled “Baby Steps to the Tweet.“

Identity Your Party Affiliation and Political Office

Dear Politicians with Twitter Accounts, Please identify your party affiliation and district in your bio. #kthxbye—
Bridget Willard (@gidgey) January 18, 2012

Yes, it matters.

By the way, you guys have trained us all to equate blue with Democrat and Red with Republican; keep that in mind when you design your logo, avatar, and background.

Feel free to consult the psychology of colors or appeal/pander to independents.  Just my two cents.

Dennis Prager Endorses Elizabeth Emken for United States Senate

What a fantastic interview Elizabeth Emken had with Dennis Prager this morning. I love the endorsement.

If you are a member on his site, you can hear the podcast by clicking on this link: http://pragertopia.com/

It’s “H3″ (Hour 3) 20120809

How You Can Help the California Senate Race in Three Easy Steps

Times are tough and a lot of us have lint in our pockets. But why let that stop you?

Getting out the message and helping the candidate get name recognition is a very useful way to help influence politics.

Don’t think you can? I do. Here’s why.

Everyone has a circle of influence which is often estimated at twelve.

Here are some plug-in-play ideas to help our current Republican candidate for the United States Senate: Elizabeth Emken.

Facebook:

1. Go to her Page and click the LIKE button.
2. Like, Comment, and/or Share at least one post on the page.
   • May I suggest this one?
   • Or this one?
3. Ask one of your friends to like her page, too.

You may use an un-altered version of this graphic on your social sites.