Big Red Tent is an effort to put the tools of the Internet into the hands of our grassroots members so each member can do the most good for the Republican candidate(s) of their choice.
The Big Red Tent community will build a slate of candidates through dialog, what we calling stumping, and voting. Users in our community will be able to contribute -- and raise -- money for all of the candidates on the Big Red Tent slate.
Users will also be able to build their own slate by selecting candidates, for philosophical, geographical, or any other reason, from the Big Red Tent slate.
We hope that members will communicate openly and directly with each other about candidates and about who they think should be on the Big Red Tent slate. This virtual town hall will extend beyond geographic boundaries by banding together Republicans of all shades and stripes.
1. How a Candidate Gets on the Slate
We want our community to identify candidates who have clearly stated policy positions that matter to Republican voters. Regardless of whether the candidate is an incumbent or a challenger, we will let the community decide if the candidate should be part of the Big Red Tent slate.
If the community shows enough interest in a candidate, then Big Red Tent will ask the members to vote 'Yes' or 'No' on inclusion of that candidate in the "official" slate.
2. What the Community Can Do with the slate
Big Red Tent will promote this slate of candidates to the community, and encourage online activism -- including facilitating online contributions and other grassroots activities -- in support of these campaigns.
Big Red Tent members can build their own slates by selecting candidates from the "official" slate.
For example, a Big Red Tent member who is concerned about taxes can build a slate of federal candidates who support measures to reduce income taxes. Then, that user will be able to promote their chosen slate of candidates to their network of friends, and to collect donations for these candidates.
The Big Idea
The big idea here is that Big Red Tent is creating a unique space on the Internet where voters can support and promote candidates that reflect their values.
Comments
Suggestion
When it comes to the Presidential candidates, I think it's important that we include a wide number in that slate. If you look over at actblue, you can raise money for numerous campaigns. They expand, not limit the choices of their constituents, and so should we.
Re: Suggestion
Yep. We plan to allow as many candidates as the community will support. That includes multiple Republicans in the same primary, as well as political action committees working in many races.
How Limited are the Options?
Will users only be able to select candidates from the official slate, or will we be able to raise money for other Republicans as well?
www.republicansenate.org
Re: How Limited?
Users will only be able to raise money for candidates on our Big Red Tent slate.
The process to build the slate is community driven. It starts with a Stump speech. Once the Stump speech gains sufficient attention, through comments and participation, Brad and I will put the candidate to a 'Yes' or 'No' vote to the Big Red Tent community.
Once the candidate passes the vote by getting a majority, the community can raise money for the candidate.
The only limit on who is eligible for the slate is whether the candidate is a federal candidate and whether our community has enough interest in the candidate. We'll allow primary challengers, candidates with exploratory committees, other political action committees and relatively unknown candidates onto the slate.
So long as the interest is there at the grassroots level, we'll help the campaign raise money.
Here's a good Q & A we did with Matt Lewis at Townhall on this subject:
http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/abc640a1-0120-446c-8a51-3884a...
Out of Cycle?
Sorry to harass you with so many questions. I'm just poking around and trying to find/get as much info as possible. Is there any policy on raising money for candidates who are not in cycle? I think raising money out of cycle could spark contributions that otherwise might not be there by enabling participants to reward those going over and above the call of duty, such as Sen. Coburn fighting earmarks or Sen. DeMint figting the immigration bill. It would also be early money, which would help to deter challengers.
www.republicansenate.org
RE: Out of Cycle
Good question, Sean. We appreciate your enthusiasm and thoughts, which force us to answer questions and inform the community.
We want to help raise money for any federal Republican candidate or officeholder. This includes senators who are not on the ballot in 2008.
It all starts with a Stump speech.