Each candidate has secret weapons. Romney has delegated get out the vote to the party. But as reported by Politico, Koch brothers funded Americans for Prosperity, and other groups, are paying $15 per hour for canvassers and callers to supplement GOP efforts. These groups are spending, an estimated, 70 million on GOTV. Finally, Romney has a jobs plan.
The President's secret weapon is the cell phone. Much is said about Obama having many more campaign offices than Romney. But while the 800 to 300 edge in key states is important, in actuality, Obama has almost 6000 call centers. Traditionally, a campaign would set up an office with multiple, and often expensive, phone lines. Volunteers would have to go to the headquarters, which could be some distance, to make calls.
The President's campaign recognized the power of the cell phone. Almost everyone has unlimited minutes on weekends, and many have unlimited calling, even during the week. Any room or home with a few sockets for chargers can be a phone bank.
Obama's other secret ingredient is time. The canvassing operation has been developed through, and since, the last election. The campaign has a good model of who to contact, and where possible, neighbors are knocking on the doors of prospective voters.
Community organizing, pitted against paid help, is a fitting end to this campaign.
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