By Andrew Boucher (Partner)
Listen, politicos, and you shall hear
Of the campaign advice, we’ll try to make clear
On this eighteenth of April in Twenty-Five:
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers this famous day and year?
Huzzah for the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride, and a hat tip to Longfellow for the opening.
Today, we will shamelessly twist ourselves into knots and use Paul Revere and his ride as a teaching opportunity for first-time candidates. (Revere did, after all, successfully get his message out.)
All of the quotes (with the exception of the Longfellow intro and the Gen X epilogue) are from The Paul Revere House website (www.paulreverehouse.org.
“Revere took part in meetings that planned the destruction of East India Company Tea in December 1773. The next day, he spread the word of the Boston Tea Party to New York and Philadelphia.”
Lesson: First-time candidates should get involved at the activist level before running for office.
Yes, Paul Revere was a renowned silversmith, but he was also involved in the early liberty movement. If you’re a first-time candidate, you need to know the personalities, language, and issues that drive the grassroots. Pay your dues. Immerse yourself. Listen.
“His silver shop was the cornerstone of his professional life for more than 40 years.”
Lesson: Get your finances in order before putting your name on a ballot.
Make sure you understand how your candidacy will affect your income and your professional life. (Also, business experience matters with voters.)
“Revere’s community and social involvements were extensive.”
Lesson: Have a footprint in your community.
If you invited everyone you know to a campaign kickoff meeting at your house next week, how many people would show up? Are you active in your community and your church? Do you have multiple networks – beyond work and politics – that you can draw on for support?
“On the evening of April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren summoned Paul Revere and gave him the task of riding to Lexington, Massachusetts, with the news that British soldiers stationed in Boston were about to march into the countryside northwest of the town.”
Lesson: Listen to your consultants and let your campaign team do its job.
You’re Paul Revere. Your consultant is Joseph Warren. Your job as a candidate is to deliver the message. Leave the strategy, campaign planning, and logistics to the campaign team.
“Revere contacted an unidentified friend (probably Robert Newman, the sexton of Christ Church in Boston’s North End)…
Lesson: Faith outreach matters.
Faith leaders are often involved in activities beyond the walls of their church.
“The two lanterns were a predetermined signal stating that the British troops planned to row “by sea” across the Charles River to Cambridge, rather than march “by land” out Boston Neck.”
Lesson: Internal campaign communications are critical.
Nobody likes endless memos, emails, Zoom calls, and staff meetings, but they’re there for a reason. Seamless, rapid internal communication within your campaign infrastructure is critical.
“…and proceeded the short distance to Boston’s North End waterfront. There, two friends rowed him across the river to Charlestown.”
Lesson: Your best campaign volunteers are always your closest friends.
Too often, candidates make the mistake of not asking their friends to help.
“After informing Colonel Conant and other local Sons of Liberty about recent events…”
Lesson: Coalitions matter.
You need to make the rounds to all local events, political parties, and activist groups. Identify someone in each group that you can rely on.
“Revere borrowed a horse from John Larkin, a Charlestown merchant and a patriot sympathizer.”
Lesson: Don’t overlook in-kind contributions.
One of your supporters probably has office space for your campaign. (But stay wary of campaign finance laws.)
“At about eleven o’clock, Revere set off on horseback.”
Lesson: Be ready for long hours on the campaign trail.
Make sure your family understands what they’re in for.
“He then alarmed almost all the houses from Medford, through Menotomy (today’s Arlington)…”
Lesson: Door-to-door campaigning works.
But:
“…carefully avoiding the Royall Mansion whose property he rode through (Isaac Royall was a well-known Loyalist).”
Lesson: Data and targeting are critical.
Don’t waste time knocking on the doors of the people who are against you. It does more harm than good.
“Revere almost certainly did not shout ‘the British are coming’ on his ride.”
Lesson: Have a message that resonates.
Okay, while Paul Revere may not have actually shouted “The British are coming” on his ride, his core message – the succinct phrase that everyone remembers about the earliest GOTV campaigns in American history – has lasted 250 years.
Epilogue:
Now, here’s a little story I’ve got to tell
About three bad brothers you know so well
It started way back in history
With Adrock, MCA, and me, Mike D
I had a little horse named Paul Revere
Just me and my horsy and a quart of beer
Riding across the land, kicking up sand
Sheriff’s posse’s on my tail ’cause I’m in demand
