As I noted in my book, “Best of Campaign Hot Tips: Volume 1,” more races are lost because of bad campaigns, not bad candidates
When I hear someone say “we need to recruit better candidates,” I just shake my head.
I’ve seen PLENTY of great candidates on the ballot – qualified, experienced, intelligent, well-funded, dedicated, hard-working, articulate, etc. – only to go down in flames on Election Day to a clearly inferior opponent.
Why?
Because the superior candidate ran an inferior campaign and the inferior candidate ran a superior campaign.
Old-timers will remember that, back in the early 80s, Betamax was considered a far superior video format than VHS.
But the public overwhelming chose the “inferior” product when they went to Blockbuster for movie night at home.
It’s not necessarily the best candidate who wins. It’s the candidate who runs the best campaign.