Campaigns buy into 'swag factor' as volunteer push

Posted at: 06/19/2012 6:48 AM
By: Associated Press | WHEC.com

Think of them as frequent flier programs for political action.
    
Instead of a free flight, the reward for loyalty to a political campaign can be as simple as a T-shirt or a pin - and as special as preferential seating at a rally when the candidate swoops into town.
    
The campaigns of Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are intent on mobilizing tens of thousands of people to spend hours of their spare time swaying friends, neighbors and relatives. Few of those activists will land on the campaign payroll, so the giveaways are taking on extra importance.
    
The president of a Washington-based tech company, Patrick Ruffini, says it comes down to making people feel appreciated and invested in the campaign.

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