Q: Dear Dr. Bob, I’m a fist time candidate running for the state legislature. My kitchen cabinet has been debating what color our signs should be for several weeks now. They’re also debating what the sign should say. What’s your suggestion? Color Blind in Phoenix
A: Here’s a few thoughts. First, put a time limit on how much longer you’re going to allow the “color” debate to continue. I suggest 3 days. After that you pick a color. What color doesn’t really matter all that much as long as the signs are readable by someone driving along at 35 – 45 mph.
Your name should take up virtually the entire sign. First name small. Last name huge. If they really must have a ‘slogan’ it to about 6 words or 30 characters. When they squawk about it, remind them that people are communicating with each other the world over on Twitter.
Try to resist putting your face on the sign. You and your loving family, maybe.
Just try to remember that it’s just a sign and its purpose is to hammer your name into the voters’ heads day after day. The result is “name ID” and you want as much of that as you can get.
Have a question? Send it to: DrBob@bobgrossfeld.com
Q; Dear Dr. Bob, I was talked into running for a legislative seat and now I’ve found out that my party has a 18% deficit in the district. What should I do? Fine Print in Flagstaff
A: Yeah, don’t you just hate when that happens. Ok, first you are ahead of the game. You understand that you don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of actually winning. This is a good thing. So sit back. Relax. And take it all in as an excursion that few people ever take. Just one thing; Do NOT under any circumstances put a dime of your own money into the campaign.
