The PickensPlan needs a 50 state strategy

So far I've been really impressed with PR push associated with the PickensPlan. I've seen the commercials on TV and heard them on radio. Pickens has been all over the major networks. The results are promising. As of now, more than 90,000 have signed up on the website. Pickens has had been received by congressional committees, political party leaders and even the White House. At the same time, the campaign is building from the bottom up thanks to the social network aspect of push.pickensplan.com. It has come to closely resemble the grassroots primary campaign of Barrack Obama, which is a good thing.

However, I can't help but feel that there is some opportunity that is being lost in the process. So far Pickens' army hasn't been given a lot of direct orders, mostly just "sit tight and wait for instructions". Our supposed mission is to put pressure on Washington to end the deadlock, but as of yet we haven't really been utilized. If I were Pickens I would do the following:

1. Identify specific legislation that needs to be passed by congress. When critical votes come up either in committee or on the floor, call the army to action... phone, email, letters to law makers, letters to news papers, demonstrations with picket signs, what ever it takes. Target specific members of Congress that have not yet endorsed the legislation in question, especially those law makers are facing a contested re-election in November. Where existing legislation is lacking, Pickens should work with sympathetic law makers to draft new legislation, and then call the army to action to push those bills through.

2. Build out a middle tier in the PickensPlan "army" (this would be the Majors and Colonels to continue the analogy) Prior to each Primary, the Obama campaign dispensed a flood of paid and volunteer field organizers to the states involved. The mission of the field organizers was mobilize the grass roots army. They would hold get togethers where they would explain the process, how to use the tools of the campaign to reach potential voters, and communicate critical information up and down the command chain. The PickensPlan needs a similar on-the-ground presence in each state, both to mobilize the troops, help recruit more foot soldiers into the army, and to focus efforts at the local and state level to support the plan. This is especially true for wind and solar rich states that stand to benefit the most from the PickensPlan.

3. Draft some well known surrogates to lobby on his behalf (think brigadier generals). As much as I love Pickens, he can't do it alone. Pickens would still command the army, but It needs to become clear to the public and lawmakers that this is not just a one man show. Celebrities, other business leaders, politicians and even athletes need to get on board. Just as Obama has Tom Daschle, Bill Richardson etc., Pickens needs some other voices to echo his message.

4. Create a non-profit organization that could raise money from the army. The money raised could be combined with Pickens' own money to make the PR drive go further.

Maybe I'm just impatient, and Pickens' organization is already putting these steps in motion, but so far I haven't seen the campaign reach it's full potential.

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Comment by Gary C. Boldt on September 29, 2008 at 5:29pm: Jerremy,

I hear what your saying but we can't wait to take action and have no reason to wait for direction from about. The great power of the internet is ours. If everyone takes there contact list and send a link to the PickensPlan Pledge, we will see the word spread like wildfire. I started a Meet-Up group LRGV PinkensPlan to expandthe band width available since the PickensPlan is geatting so many hits; and just another way to spread the word. Everyday I go out and talk to about 40 or 50 people. I've people who stair back like their wonder who this cook is, and others who are deply concerned about what foreign oil is costing this country, there future and the future of their children and grandchildren. The majority get what I'm saying; those who have seen the adds have looked t the PickensPlan. I make sure I'm where many other people can hear me talk about Pickens Plan. Some stop and lsten. All good! The most important thing we can do is simply spread the word and get those pledges signed and faxed in to headquarters. I,ve suggested to T. Boone that we create a way to sign the pledge electronically and increment a counter for each member. It was a suggestion giving to me by one of my Meet_Up members who knows whaat hew is talking about when it comes to the internet. Today I,ve been advised that the idea has been considered already. I haven't given up although I'm told it would be difficult to issue a link for each member to email to people on their contact list. Age related memory impairment is a problem I've got and can't remember who it was I talked to. I don't have time to wait for the email message from him, so I'm forging ahead to contact whoever is in charge of these considerations. We each have our "My Page" with umique info about each of us. That information is in a database, which has a record for each of us with fields containing specific data. It seems to me easy to just add one more field, a counter, indicating how many pledges were generated off of the link each of us use in our emails to contacts. That info can be included on our "My Page" for us and all to see how well it is working. Members can have contests to see who is doing better, and what a wonderful way to see how effective our effort is. I'm eaging anyone reading this to comment and let T. Boone now that this would be the most efficient way to spread the word. I do not believe, despite the large number of members that a unique link can be given to each member that would allow a short CGI program to accomplish this step forward. All those member out there that are programmers let me now if or not you agree that this can be done. I, personally, do not care for the recognition for what I do for the Pickens Plan. This problem with foreign oil is so important that their is no time for looking for kudos. We need to speed the rate at which we reach out to every American and get them to join this effort. I appreciate the effort you are expending with this group and will help generate activity for this group. Texas is the leader in wind power here in the States. We've got a lot to talk about and be proud of.

The way I see your breakdown above:

1) Get the word out and get the pledges in, contact your congressman and urge him/her to pledge. Your suggestions here should all be what we should do. I agree whole heartedly.

2) It is essential to organize groups of members who are interested in those ideas you indicate with the main objective to get pledges signed and submitted. the current website tools as they are setup are what we must use NOW! I started the Meet-Up group for the valley just for the reason you state in two above. I've just begun and have had people join in. I'm hoping for momentum to build quickly. Like you said T. Boone can't do it all that why he asked us to join in. There is a lot to do. Help I need more people! is my slogan. Each of us needs to build that on-the-ground presence!

3) I'm confident that those types will come forward and contribute. Just view some of the new adds with new faces supporting the Pickens Plan. I've seen businessmen here working on the plan. Everyone in the business of alternate energy, contractors who own large fleets of trucks, etc, are interested and coming aboard.

4) The hardest to accomplish! Having been the President of a J.C. Chapter, I've seen both side of the coin; those that do community projects and those that generate revenue for those community projects. It all has to be not for profit; all cash in goes out to the community. Local groups can do this on a small scale.

I'm impatient just like you. Seek out people of like mind willing to help! The more people you contact, the more likely you'll find the help you need. I'm a firm believer in the Proverb, " Knock and the door will open, ask and ye shall receive. I wish you all the success and if I can help in any way ask. I'll do my best to give you a hand.