Vermont's 10/10/10 Plan

by Hardy Machia

Posted December 11, 2005

In July of this year, the Vermont Libertarian Party implemented a plan to achieve state house victories in 2006. Vermont has small, low-cost state house districts. $5000 is the cost of an average race. There are 4000 voters in the districts which means most of the campaigning is knocking on neighbors doors and asking for votes.

We have some good candidates lines up and new ones approaching me. The sifting of the candidates still has to occur, but there are a couple members that I'd really like to convince to run. For instance, one owned the local paper and another owned the local store for 30 years. The store owner is a shoe-in if he can be talked into running. Strong support from around the county might just make that happen.

Below are our first two fund raiser letters which explain what Vermont is trying to accomplish. This fund raiser is our most successful by far. We've raised more than 5 times out previous best. We've had members who have never donated giving $30/month for a total of $640.

Fund raiser letter 1

Will you give our plan a “10”?

July 2005

Dear _________:

I hope you recently received a postcard in the mail that alerted you to the “10/10/10 Plan” that the Vermont Libertarian Party would be unveiling soon. Well, that moment has arrived!

The VTLP State Committee met this summer to strategize about the 2006 Election. Even though November 2, 2006 seems far away, it is only 16 short months from now. The Committee wrestled with many issues, but at the end of this session, a fundamental question emerged: how can the VTLP maximize its impact on the election to best advance freedom and liberty?

The Committee took at look at past election results for some of our top candidates. David Baker received 19% of the vote in his House race in 2002. Larry Curtis received 35% of the vote in his race for the House in 2002 without running an aggressive campaign. Neal Randall won a seat in the House in 1998 by obtaining the Libertarian and Republican nominations. Historically, the Party has had its most promising success in House races. The question then became, “How do we capitalize on these positive results?”

The answer came in the form of the “10/10/10 Plan.”

10 Candidates

The VTLP State Committee is working to identify 10 quality candidates who are committed to running a serious, professional, and aggressive campaign for the Vermont House of Representatives. In addition to the analysis mentioned above, House races are the most cost-effective and represent a realistic opportunity for a serious Libertarian candidate to win.

10 Thousand Dollars to Fund Aggressive Campaigns

It takes money to have a serious impact on elections. We have seen independent candidates and advocacy groups in recent years make significant strides because they had the dollars to back up their efforts. A “war chest” of $10,000 would attract attention and also more dollars; other groups have already approached the VTLP and spoken with some of our potential candidates, looking to provide financial support for promising Libertarian races.

10 Dollars a Month

We have 16 months until Election Day. That gives us plenty of opportunity to plan for success. We need at least 60 supporters to pledge $10 a month from July through November 2006 to turn this plan into positive action for advancing the cause of liberty and freedom in Vermont. Our most promising candidates need to be given the same resources as winning candidates from other parties–about $4,000 each. We need to raise a good amount from our members in Vermont so that other funders know we are serious.

We need you to step forward and put your money where your principles are. Never before in the history of the VTLP has there been an effort of this magnitude. Think of the benefits of having those who believe in liberty and freedom stand up and accept this challenge: focused media attention on our issues and principles, increased voter interest (and members!) in our Party, and the chance to elect one, two, three, or more Libertarians to the Vermont Legislature.

I believe that this plan will work. In fact, I have personally stepped up to the plate. I have committed $1,800 up front to kick off this fundraising campaign. The State Committee is making detailed plans of the support we will offer the candidates, from training sessions at the end of 2005, to shared professional campaign management. I now ask you to do what you can to support this important, historic effort.

Will you commit $10 a month for the next 16 months to advance liberty and freedom in Vermont? You probably pay more than that each month in sales tax!

The VTLP State Committee is steadfast in its support of this ambitious plan. We can certainly expect 2006 to be a year full of excitement. But more importantly, with your help, 2006 will also be a year full of success for liberty and freedom in Vermont.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Hardy Machia

Chair, 2006 VTLP Candidate Committee

Former Libertarian Candidate for Vermont Governor

Chair, Grand Isle Libertarian Committee

(802) 372-9512 | hardy@freevermont.org

P.S. Please make your pledge today...the sooner you support this effort, the faster we can realize the goals of the 10/10/10 Plan. Fill out the enclosed pledge form or make your pledge online at www.vtlp.org.

P.P.S. Why not consider being a candidate yourself in 2006? The major parties are already looking for 2006 candidates; we must, too if we want success. I’d be happy to have an open-ended conversation with you (or someone you’d like to suggest) about running for office. Please give me a call as soon as possible!

Follow up fund raiser

Dear ___________ November 9, 2005

We're doing it!

The thermometer says it all. (image shows thermometer at $8900) Our "10/10/10 plan" to help fund 10 serious Libertarian candidates by asking supporters to donate $10 per month has almost reached the goal of $10,000!

We created a realistic plan to elect Libertarians so they can promote smaller government, lower taxes, and more freedom from inside the state house in Vermont.

The donations coming in show the enthusiasm for the plan. Thank you, donors and pledgers!

Over the past few months, I have had meetings with potential candidates, donors, and allies. I've talked with accountants, lawyers, teachers, small business owners, farmers, and others about running for office. We have quality candidates in Vermont. By helping them organize and run efficient campaigns, we'll have a chance at some state house victories in 2006.

You might be thinking that electing Libertarians to the legislature isn't possible.

But, ask yourself: what if we are able to elect one, two, or three candidates to office? Wouldn't it be worth making a donation? Vermont was the last state in the country to elect a Libertarian to its legislature. It's time we do it again!

What if your donation helped buy the yard sign or brochures that swung just a couple citizens to vote for our candidate and which allowed them to win a close race?

Here's how having elected Libertarians in Montpelier could benefit you:

1. Credibility: Libertarian House members will be invited to speak to various groups around the state. Groups will ask us to speak instead of us begging them.

2. Megaphone of Liberty: Each bill that is debated will have have a proponent for the pro-liberty side, every time.

3. Stepping stone: The State House is the farm team for the State Senate, which is the farm team for US Congress, etc.

4. The Numbers game: One less Democrat, Republican or Progressive in the state house voting away your liberties!

We need to raise about $1,000 more to reach our goal. We are so close! Please make your best donation online at www.vtlp.org or mail your donation to:

Vermont Libertarian Party

PO Box 5475

Burlington VT 05402

Sincerely,

Hardy Machia

10/10/10 Plan Coordinator

P.S. Thanks again to those who have already made a pledge or donation to this important effort. Even if you have already made a commitment, I would respectfully ask you to consider an increase in your pledge to help us hit the $10,000 mark. We can do it if we stretch a bit more to make it happen

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