Rent A Campaign Crowd? Politicians Admit Using Small Business Services

Want a big crowd at your coming out presidential event? Or maybe your political rah-rah’s just can’t get it up? Don’t be ashamed your supporters lack enthusiasm and cause the media camera to sigh and look away. Look no further than Crowds on Demand!?No kidding.

Political Crowd From Small Business Services. Courtesty: Fjolle Cunaku  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Otaulanthoti/sandbox#/media/File:Prishtina,Plisat.jpg
Political Crowd From Small Business Services. Courtesy: Fjolle Cunaku https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Otaulanthoti/sandbox#/media/File:Prishtina,Plisat.jpg

Just when I thought politicians could go no lower.?These aren’t your loser, amateur throngs. You get multi-talented improvisational actors?for your nickel to provide “I’m-in-love!” cheering for your candidate — true blue smoke-and-mirrors mobs.

Lobbyists, Lions, Bears – Oh My!

Crowds On Demans’s website?brags:

“Whether your organization is lobbying to move forward a healthcare, financial or other social initiative, we can organize rallies and get media attention for your causes and candidates.”

“A foreign government hired Crowds on Demand to help generate a positive reception for its newly elected leader during the UN General Assembly.”

Crowds On Demand CEO Adam Swart’s political clients have been congressional and senatorial candidates. He has only worked with one presidential candidate, so far (yet). His name rhymes with Crump. But, just wait. Once the others catch the scent of rising poll numbers, Swart will bring in the big numbers.

And as they say, ?Nothing draws a crowd,?like a crowd.? I wish I could say this is just a Republican sleight-of-hand, but Swart hawks his company to both Republican and Democrat candidates.

Swart does admit most of his clients are Republicans, however. Why does that give me small comfort?

Swart is all about numbers. His seemingly magical throngs can generate higher poll numbers – as in raise the margin of victory. After all, he is in the “fame business” – and boasts 10 of his imitation supporters are better than 100 of the real kind.

How Does It Work?

Here is how it works:

??A) Photo-ops at rallies. Having a diverse group of people (race/gender/age) around the candidate is critical especially for those who are constantly followed by reporters but even for those who only get a couple pieces per day.

B) Enthusiastic crowds bring more media attention and shift the narrative onto grassroots supporters. Press always want to understand why people support candidate x or candidate y. Giving them great footage of enthusiastic supporters speaking about their love for the candidate provides great quotations.

C) Gives a sense of legitimacy for the candidate among their existing supporters. When they see lots of enthusiastic folks at rallies, they feel like they’re backing the right horse.

D) Bolsters the candidates? self-confidence. Some candidates knew about the paid crowds and other times we have been hired by outside organizations. In both cases, seeing more supporters gave them the confidence to up their game on stage.?

Small Business Services

So, just about how many presidential campaigns will use these small business services? Let’s see, how many Republican presidential candidates are there?

Ironically, Swart’s magically appearing swarms are paid to give the candidate a ?sense of legitimacy.?

Does anyone else feel dirty? I need a shower!