The Political Campaign

THE NEWTOWN GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Cast of Characters of the Campaign Policy Group:

Clarence Barton, City Leader of a Political Party in Newtown

Wallace Kramer, Campaign Manager of Barton’s Party for the general election

Ellis Low, Candidate for Mayor

Patrick Schmidt, Candidate for City Council

Bill Menefee, Candidate for City Council (incumbent seeking reelection)

Joe Ryan, Barton’s party leader in Ward 2
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Clarence Barton, the city leader of a political party in Newtown appoints Wallace Kramer campaign manager on August 1 for the general election. Kramer has been a precinct leader for the party and has served on the finance committee. He has been active in politics for 4 years.

Councilmen are elected on a city-wide basis (as opposed to the practice in some cities of having the voters in each ward elect a councilman from that ward). Their term of 4 years is staggered, two running every two years.

Nevertheless, it has been the custom to select nominees for the council on the basis of one from each ward, so that each of the 4 wards would have at least one man representing it on the City Council.

The Mayor’s term is two years.

Here is how the City Council now appears in terms of party representation:

NEWTOWN CITY COUNCIL

Voting Statistics. In the last election, the voting statistics in round numbers for each party, aside from variations between individual candidates, was about as follows:

Ward Barton’s Party Opposition Total Vote
Ward 1 (13 precincts) 2,000 3,700 5,700
Ward 2 (10 precincts) 1,100 3,400 4,500
Ward 3 (9 precincts) 2,400 2,100 4,500
Ward 4 (8 precincts) 3,300 2,000 5,300
8,800 11,200 20,000

Candidates. In the primary Barton’s party organization backed Ellis Low for Mayor, Bill Menefee of Ward 4 for another Council term and Patrick Schmidt of Ward 3, also for the Council.

Ordinarily, the organization would have selected a Council candidate from Ward 2 instead of Ward 3, because of the custom of having one councilman from each Ward. However, the party leader in Ward 2, Joe Ryan, had insisted on a completely unacceptable candidate. Since Barton had been unable to find a good man in Ward 2 who would “buck” Ryan, he put up Schmidt from Ward 3. Low and Menefee were unopposed in the primary, but Ryan contested Schmidt with his candidate. Their primary fight was bitter, but Schmidt won easily.

In addition to candidates for local office, there are county elections for District Attorney, Sheriff, and County Clerk. There are two state representatives, part of those district lie in the city; a State Senator whose district covers the County and two other counties; a Congressman whose district covers 15 surrounding counties; a U. S. Senator and a Governor. All of these are incumbents and of Barton’s party. All are reasonably good candidates, except the Governor, who is unpopular because of his handling of certain matters affecting Newtown.

Low, Schmidt, and Menefee are generally conceded to be outstanding candi­dates: capable, successful, forceful, and appealing. They are all active in a number of civic groups. All three are vigorous and experienced campaigners.

This was no accident. Barton was out to win, had started preparation early, and saw to it that each man received a good publicity build-up well in advance of the primary. All three had been speaking at least once a week before various groups for almost nine months.

Organization. Barton’s political organization is in fine shape in Wards 3 and 4 where most of his party’s votes come from. In Ward 2 he has the problem with Ryan. In Ward 1, the quality of the leadership is only-average, and there are same precincts without leaders.

Strategy. The policy group, composed of Barton, Kramer, Low, Menefee, and Schmidt, sit down to thrash out strategy on August 10th. Kramer has already appointed and briefed his chairmen of publicity, finance, research, speakers, headquarters, volunteers, and others. Barton would handle coordination and supervision of precinct work himself.

They rapidly cover the following points, making decisions where they can:

  • Play down the. Governor race, emphasize the local election since local candidates are strong, but the Governor is not popular.
  • Open main headquarters downtown in Ward 1 on the day after Labor Day and simul­taneously begin the campaign. All ward and precinct leaders are to be gotten to the opening. The candidates would define the issues to the workers, and then Kramer and Barton would brief and exhort the workers. Barton and Kramer would stay on after the meeting to meet with workers who had grievances, problems, or other things they wanted to be heard on. Asked whether he wanted publicity or not for the opening, Barton hesitates, then says, “No.”
  • Concentrate on Wards 3 and 4. Work hardest on precinct organization there. Have each candidate spend some time in every precinct in those wards talking with the precinct leaders and voters at tea or coffee parties, neighborhood gatherings, super-market visits, etc.
  • Set up a working “Citizens for Low, Schmidt and Menefee” group. Kramer had found enough support among civic-minded citizens to assure this would be successful. It was decided to ask them to set up their headquarters in a store (with display window) in Ward 2, even though most members would come from Wards 3 and 4.
  • Set up letterhead groups of prominent doctors, lawyers, merchants, dentists, etc. Attempt to have at least one person in each group who is prominent in lay activ­ities of a religious faith in town.
  • A rally is planned, though no date set. The governor’s schedule calls for an appearance in Newtown on October 23. The governor’s staff is pressing for a decision.
  • Kramer reports that the finance picture is good. Contributors have faith in the ticket and its chances. The finance chairman has a three-pronged drive going to get funds — through personal solicitations, a mailing, and a fund-raising dinner scheduled for September 15. Kramer is assigned to sit down with the “Citizens for Low, Schmidt and Menefee” to decide who that group should solicit for money and which regular contributors should be reserved for the standard party money-raising efforts. Barton is authorized to request a reduction in the finance quota for Newtown to go to the County Committee before the County Committee could call and ask them to raise the quota.
  • A tentative decision is made to buy a certain amount of newspaper space, radio and TV time, and billboards. Budgets are worked out for a paid staff, head­quarters rent, literature and mailing costs, phone bill, funds for election day precinct workers, etc.
  • Kramer pushes through a proposal to set up two training schools for precinct workers and leaders: one evening school for registration-drive training, a second school four days before election on getting out the voters. The usual school for poll watchers and clerks is planned.
  • Plans are made for a central telephoning operation to cover selected precincts in Wards 1 and 3 that are known to be weak. A citizens group will be asked to set up a similar operation in Ward 2 to cover the whole ward.

  • Issues. On issues, the following breakdown is made:

    Barton asserts that: “Our best issue is flood control. Wards 1 and 2 were hardest hit by the recent floods, and if we can’t get the people down there to vote for us, at least it will discourage voting for the opposition. In the new housing developments in Wards 3 and 4 there is dissatisfaction over paving, sewers, garbage collection, street lights, etc. Hay can be made there. The only thing they can throw at us is taxes, and we can answer by pointing out their weakness in govern­ment economy and their inefficiency. Emphasize our strong points, hit their weak ones, and never go on the defensive.” Everyone agrees.

    It is also agreed to stay away from national and state issues.

    TIMING. As the campaign progresses, schedules are carried out well until the first week in October.

    Day After Labor Day: Headquarters opens. Campaign officially begins. Precinct leaders are on notice to get moving.

    September 17: Finances are reassessed by policy group. A little short, even after the dinner. Finance chairman comes up with last-minute new solicitation gimmick. Citizens club is asked to contribute. No luck. Some resentment.

    September 30: Opposition accuses Schmidt of shady real estate deal in connection with property being sold for delinquent taxes. Charge he had bribed tax official. Barton advised: “Don’t answer.”

    October 5: Schmidt real-estate deal on front page every day. Everyone furious at Barton. Barton calls policy group meeting at Kramer’s request. Barton says he originally thought it would blow over if they didn’t answer. Since it had grown to major proportions, they had better answer loudly, clearly, and quickly. The policy group decides to take time on radio and TV; ads in paper. Schmidt to appear on radio and TV. Barton warns Schmidt to answer clearly, summarize why he is innocent in not more than two main points, then go on to accuse opposition of delivering a low-blow, known to be trumped up. Further, accuse them of trying to cover up the real issues of flood control and services for newly developed areas. Day of broadcast, ad is scheduled saying “Schmidt on Trial — Tune in Tonight!” Next day’s papers to carry ads on flood damage with pictures — copy to read “Stop danger to life and property! Vote for Low, Schmidt, Menefee.”

    October 15: Club leaders called in. Women’s club assigned responsibility for setting up and manning central phone operation on election day. Young people’s club to start getting ready to man polling places in second ward if Ryan’s people walk out. Ryan, still angry over primary, is now mad at citizens group activity in his ward. “Citizens for L S M are offending the voters in my ward, driving them over to the opposition,” he says. “I may go with them.” Ryan emotional. No peace terms possible.

    October 17: Governor’s office delivers ultimatum on rally in Newtown. Either it is set for October 23 or it is cancelled. Barton has learned that the Governor is booked solid the week before election, so he tells Governor’s secretary he would like to have him that week, on the 28th. Says his local campaign timing won’t dovetail with a rally for the governor on the 23rd. The governor’s secretary explodes, tells Barton they can lose Newtown by no more than 300 votes if they are going to win the state. Barton says the governor will carry Newtown by 300 to 500. Conversation ends abruptly.

    Barton calls in Kramer. They schedule a rally for Tuesday, the 28th, featuring local candidates. Kramer has already booked high school auditorium for 28th. They map out assignments for clubs, citizens groups, ward and precinct leaders, and campaign committee chairmen so that each person working on the campaign has a responsibility for bringing a certain number to the rally. Speakers chairman is made rally chairman. Kramer is to supervise generally. Publicity chairman assigned to promote rally. Barton is to supervise ticket distribution.

    Barton issues orders to hold up all mailings, advertising, speaking en­gagements from Saturday until Wednesday and Thursday, the 29th and 30th.

    October 18: Opposition appears to be making headway with their record on schools and welfare. Candidates meet with Barton and Kramer, say that everything is going wrong, that they should shift and either find fault with the schools, say wel­fare spending is getting out of hand, or somehow cancel the opposition effect. Barton and Kramer soothe them; point out they are making headway on their own issues, more than they may realize. Say the opposition is definitely defensive on flood control. To shift the attack now would be to fight opposition on their own ground. Candidates reluctantly agree to continue original strategy.October 27: All city road equipment concentrated in 3rd and 4th wards. City has put on extra men. Pictures in paper. Barton says, “This is what we have been waiting for!”

    October 28: Rally. Low hits last-minute street paving in 3rd and 4th wards as obvious attempt to cover up in the week before election the sins of the past four years and an effort to buy the election by putting more men in the roads department. He calls this financing election with taxpayers funds. The overflow crown of party faithful cheer to the rafters. Rally on radio and TV.

    October 29 to Election Day: Steady stream of ads and radio and TV spots as far as budget permits. Monday night radio-TV half-hour show at 10:30 PM. Candi­dates and their families appear, issues summed up.

    Election Day: Candidates shaking hands outside polls all day. Ryan jumps on bandwagon at last minute when he shows up to collect money to pay his election day workers. Club workers man many polls in Ward 2 where Ryan’s people don’t show up. Central telephone operations successfully manned.

    Low, Schmidt and Menefee win, with Schmidt trailing the others about 150 votes. The following chart indicates, in round numbers, the margin by which Low and Menefee won:

    The governor ran well behind the local ticket, but carried the city by 250 votes. The U. S. 8enator and other party candidates carried the city with margins of 500 to 800 votes.