On the Keys to the Nomination

So you’re running for president–join the club! There are about twenty other competitors for the job. How are you going to beat them all?

Here are the keys to the process:

  1. STAND OUT: With so many candidates saying so many similar things, this is your most difficult and important task. If you look different than your competitors, that’s a huge advantage. Otherwise, you need to do and say things to get as much attention as possible. Bashing Trump in colorful ways will be particularly helpful, and make sure to bring a large supply of zingers to the debates, which are going to be extremely important in separating the contenders from the also-rans.
  2. MONEY–IT’S A CRIME: Back in the day, raising money was a relatively straightforward process. Now, you have more options: large numbers of small contributions on the internet; individual sugar daddies; personal wealth, in some cases; or sucking up to large numbers of influential rich people. The internet approach is the least risky, in terms of public perceptions, but if you can’t raise enough money that way, you’re going down the tubes. The other alternatives leave you exposed to claims about undue influence. There are no risk-free options here.
  3. GROUND GAME: The ground game still matters, particularly in the first few states. Put plenty of resources into organization. That’s how Obama won in 2008.
  4. ANTICIPATE AND MINIMIZE YOUR SKELETONS: You’re going to be facing ferocious attacks on anything in your record that smacks of a departure from current party orthodoxy. Be prepared with convincing responses on all of them.
  5. POLICY POSITIONS: In a perfect world, this would be the most important of the five items; in the real world, it is the least important. Nevertheless, you can get some traction by taking eye-catching positions, and the support of idealistic wonks is worth something in the primaries.

In the very early stages of the campaign, where do the candidates stand? Harris wins on #1; Biden and Sanders will start out with advantages on #2 and #3 if they run; and Warren is probably ahead on #5. #4 is TBD.