Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1248IR // #c1248Synthesis

"…I said that we were building a “nominee-neutral presidential campaign” in Wisconsin. She laughed and responded that her goal was to build a campaign that was nominee- proof."

— In our words · Source: This Is the Plan (Ben Wikler)

[Use when]

A big decision is still pending and you could start building the capability any outcome will need.

[Why it matters]

Wisconsin and Michigan kept organizing teams running before the nominee was chosen. They were the only two states where the Biden campaign kept the existing infrastructure for the general election rather than building something new in the final stretch.

Filed under situations:When it’s day one and nothing exists yetWhen a rival’s move changes your game

More from This Is the Plan

#c1233"Here’s the operating principle: All other things being equal, you’ll be most persuasive to the people with whom you have the closest…You want to change minds and are about to start with the widest, least personal channel available. #c1234"Keep a CONSTANT WATCH on the DOUBTFUL VOTERS, and from time to time have them TALKED TO by those IN WHOM THEY HAVE THE MOST CONFIDENCE."You need to win over a wavering group and are deciding who should deliver the message. #c1235"Whenever a new way to reach someone unsolicitedly and cheaply pops into existence—mail, texts, Facebook messages—it has a brief twinkling…Your team is excited about a new cheap outreach channel because early numbers look great.

Same situation, different book

#c1346Call every advertiser your competitors haveYou're looking for your first customers and your competitors publish who theirs are.From Cancel Me If You Can #c1330Make them try to be like youYou're the outsider in a field and feel pressure to imitate the incumbents.From Courage Can Save Us #c1297Stack new edges before the old one diesYour current advantage is working well and you've stopped developing a replacement.From Trade Outside the Box #c1227Simple boxes beat optimal packingExperts defend a custom process that performs well at one step and slows down the whole chain.From How to Take Smart Notes