Strategy To Win Primary

In less than one week, we will know if Mike Ciresi is jumping back into the race. We have thought long and hard about whether this would be a good idea or a bad idea for both Ciresi and the DFL. We think you know how we have decided.

The following is briefly what we believe Mike Ciresi would need to do in order to win the primary:

• Conduct opposition research on Al Franken and himself (Ciresi, that is).
• Communicate with and gather support of DFL party leaders who are concerned about Franken.
• File with Secretary of State's office.
• Hold announcement/press event to declare reentrance into race for US Senate. At the event should be major supporters and family standing behind in support of Ciresi.
• Take advantage of the Supreme Court's ruling on the Millionaire's Amendment.
• Conduct a massive media blitz; meaning give interviews with every TV station, radio station, newspaper, and blogger.
• Launch wave of ads; themes of ads would be family values, Minnesota roots, getting things done by working together, taking on special interests (hopefully he could steal Coleman's moderate look). The ads would have no attacks or political rhetoric; they would only serve to reintroduce Ciresi to the public.
• Campaign across the state, etc.
• Push elected supporters to actively campaign for Ciresi.
• Allow outside groups to hammer Franken with the piles of opposition research; primarily through blogs that would eventually reach the press.
• Franken would need to be under constant assault by the press and blogs for his 'satire' while Ciresi pushes forward with his positive message and focus on Coleman

It is easier to reintroduce someone who is unknown than to reintroduce someone who has high negatives. Ciresi CAN win the primary, DFL leaders just need the courage to stand up for what they believe, not what gives the appearance of unity.