Q: First of all, tell me about DraftNewt.org.
DraftNewt.org is the website and blog portion of the overall Draft Newt '08 movement. Our movement has blossomed to a great grassroots presence and the website/blog is an online gathering portion of that presence. DraftNewt.org is a blog for everyone to participate in and we always have great links to youtube videos, facebook and myspace pages and other interesting news as it relates to Newt.
Q: How did you manage to get your position with the movement and what exactly do you do?
I got the position by literally being a lifelong fan of Newt Gingrich and getting involved with the Draft Newt movement early on. When the original founder of Draft Newt found himself overwhelmed with the positive response to Draft Newt, he needed to hand it off to someone who was as devoted as he was. I am the National Chairman for Draft Newt '08 which basically means I am a campaign manager on a national level. I coordinate with all of our leaders across the country, and some of those overseas, to make sure things are getting done that further our cause. I also work to make sure all those leaders have the things they need to be successful.
Q: I know there are many, but give me some reasons why you think Newt should be our next President?
I think Newt, with his knowledge of world history, has a vision and a knack for finding not just the problems, but the solutions, to some of the biggest issues of our time. I appreciate his intellect and his wit.
Q: What can you tell me about the size and awareness level of the movement?
We are growing everyday and we have volunteers all over the country and even some overseas.
Q: Are there any trends that you have noticed between the people that have joined and where they are from? That is, does there seem to be certain geographic areas where membership and activity seems to be concentrated?
I have been pleasantly surprised that we have had folks from all over the country, and even overseas, who believe in Newt and this movement. There is not one particular region more popular than the other.
Q: What is DraftNewt planning to do if/when Speaker Gingrich announces his candidacy?
We will hand over our information to the Newt Gingrich folks and they can do with it what they like. We will have prospective e-captains, activists, fundraisers, students and workers ready to go for Newt should he get into the race. Then we will all get to work, as a team, to elect Newt President.
Q: What, in your opinion, makes the Speaker stand out and tower above the other candidates?
Like from a previous question, I think Newt, with his knowledge of world history, has a vision and a knack for finding not just the problems, but the solutions, to some of the biggest issues of our time. I appreciate his intellect and his wit. Though I would add, that Newt didn't recently come to conservatism, he has always been a voice for everyone who wants
Q: What kind of things is DraftNewt doing to spread the word and build support?
We are advertising on the internet. We also have some Draft Newt fliers on our website that people are posting in coffee shops or on campuses and places like that. Once we get people to the website, they get signed up and we get them in contact with the Draft Newt leader in their area.
Q: Is DraftNewt affiliated with other websites or with anyone in particular?
No. Draft Newt is one of a kind.
Q: Without getting into the amount and sizes of contributions, what do you do, if I may ask, with the donations?
We take care of our internet site fees first. After that, we do web advertising and that sort of thing. We have not spent most of our money, though there were some fees involved with getting started.
Q: What are your plans for DraftNewt and what do you intend on doing to further increase and expand the movement’s reach?
I plan to have solid teams built all across America so that if Newt gets in the Presidential race later this year, he will have a team of volunteers ready to work so that on
Q: Do you have members from all 50 states? Which one(s) seem to have the most?
Yes we do have people in all 50 states. Like from an earlier question, I have been pleasantly surprised that we have had folks from all over the country, and even overseas, who believe in Newt and this movement. There is not one particular region more popular than the other.
Q: Any celebration plans if Newt is successful in 2008?
Q: What kind of advertising products and merchandise do you have or plan on working on for the movement?
We have a Cafe Press store where a person can get just about anything. We do plan to carry our own line of t-shirts and bumper stickers soon. We might add additional products based on demand.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to say? Any questions you think others might ask that you might want to answer?
We are open to everybody who wants to get involved. There is something for everyone, we are more than just a website. Folks who want to help us reach a wider audience are invited to contribute to Draft Newt though DraftNewt.org where they can use PayPal or a secure credit card system. This helps us insure that Ideas Today become Solutions Tomorrow. Thank you for your time.
And thank you for your time, Steve ;) Steve has also had various other interviews, including http://2008central.net/?p=428 and http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/05/gingrich_remains_a_speaker_but.html#more I'll be back tomorrow with a new podcast ready to be uploaded. Until next time!
~CreepyNerd
