Not All Positions Are Created Equal ...

A maxim in politics is: If you're explaining, you're losing. Today's fix takes that maxim -- and puts it in current events context ...

The problem for McCain is that it is a far simpler case to oppose the legislation than support it. Decrying amnesty is an easy-to-understand political position that can be conveyed in a matter of seconds to a potential voter. Explaining why this bill is not amnesty takes far longer. Campaigns often hinge not on which candidate has the more nuanced position on a controversial issue but rather who has the more easily explained stance.

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Understanding Voters

Yes -- this was written by a liberal. But yes -- this is an important read (if you want to understand voter behavior, that is) ...

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Matt Lewis

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Happy Memorial Day Tuesday

Hope your Memorial Day was good. Mine was. Spent some time with good friends and had some good food and drink. And now, it's back to work.

Just a reminder of this coming week's events ...

This Friday, I'm speaking at The Leadership Institute in Arlington, VA.

Then, I'm giving a little talk at Campaigns & Elections Magazine's Campaign Training Seminar, on June 2. If you want to run for office, it's good to attend ...

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On Bad Voter Mail

Political consultant Carlyle Gregory has some good examples of bad voter mail:

One advantage of working in politics for 27 years is that I've been able to observe a lot of campaigns. I've seen really good work, and I've seen campaigns that are literally painful to watch. This page is devoted to memorably bad samples of this canon of the horrible. Enjoy, and please don't do this at home.

Click here to see his examples.

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Conservative Bloggers: "The Sky is Falling"

There's yet another story out today about how Republicans are being trounced online. Today's particular story is in the Washington Post. Of course, the best way for a conservative to be quoted in the Post is to criticize the GOP. This story is no exception.

Two years ago, I wrote a piece for Personal Democracy Forum called: Why Republicans are Winning at Tech. I stand behind my theory that the technology Republicans mastered is less "sexy" than the technology liberals have mastered -- but is actually more effective.

Please keep in mind that the same stories that we are reading now were also being circulated in 2003 (during Howard Dean's rise). Everyone thought that the Democrats technology was going to destroy Republicans. We all know how that ended...

The truth is that the audiences are different. Conservatives, who think they can simply copy the rhetoric and tactics of the Left, and be equally effective online, are wrong. Sure, some of the technology is philosophically neutral. To paraphrase Mayor LaGuardia, "There's no Republican way to set up a blog." But while the medium is the same, the messages are starkly different. For example, bloggers are keen to talk about the "Revolution". My suspicion is that talk of a "Revolution" -- even if it is being used metaphorically -- is more appealing to liberals (and may actually be a turn-off to conservatives).

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When Using a Sports Analogy ...

Make sure to use the local team ...

Remember when John Kerry referred to "Lambert Field"?

Well, Sam Brownback made a similar mistake on Friday when he used a football analogy in Wisconsin, and in the process, said that Colts star Peyton Manning was the "... Greatest quarterback, maybe, in NFL history."

... Of course, this didn't go over well in Packerland, where Bret Favre is still revered. (Note to political candidates: Make sure your football analogies mention the home team.)

Brownback was trying to make the point that focusing on families is "fundamental blocking and tackling... " That analogy also applies to public speaking, except, in this case, the fundamentals are to "know thy audience."

Were Brownback either an effete windsurfer -- or a serious contender for the nomination -- this mini-scandal would probably have been a bigger deal.

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Worth Reading

Communications Tips from Oprah Winfrey ...

How to Promote Yourself Without Ruffling Too Many Feathers

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A Political Spouse

There's an article in today's WaPost about Michelle Obama. It's a pretty good look at what it's like to be a political spouse.

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The Birth of a Movement

This article is about how Jesse Jackson's 1984 Presidential Run brought a lot of people into politics, and into the liberal movement.

Conservatives can learn this lesson, too. Sometimes you run for office and lose -- but you impact the movement by exciting and recruiting future leaders ...

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Where Does the Money Go?

So my talk at the C&E conference will focus on Campaign Budgets and Spending (not exacly the most exciting thing -- but a vital thing, nonetheless ...)

In preparation, I created this handout. Let me know what I'm missing:

Where does money come from?

Direct Mail (high overhead)
o Raised _____
o Net _____

Events (high overhead)
o Raised _____
o Net _____

Personal Solicitation _____
o Raised _____
o Net _____

Finance Committee _____
o Raised _____
o Net _____

PAC's _____
o Raised _____
o Net _____

Total Raised _____

Total Net _____


Where Should the Money Go?

0 to 15% - Consultants

- 0 to 15% - Staff and Overhead (Depends on Strategy)

- 0 to 10% - Research (Depending on the size of the race & Strategy)

- 60 to 70% - Touching Voters

Note: Percentages are based on Net money. A congressional campaign could spend 20% on fundraising (including staff and consultants). A state house campaign, which raises most of its money through personal solicitation, can spend 5-10% on fundraising.

Rule 1: You can only spend NET dollars.

Rule 2: No campaign should spend less than 60% of its budget touching voters, and should shoot for closer to 70%.

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DC and NYC Events ...

On May 18, I'll be speaking on a panel at the Personal Democracy Forum's conference. David All has 3 reasons you should attend. Seriously, if you're in NYC, swing by and say "hi."

I'm also giving a little talk at Campaigns & Elections Magazine's Campaign Training Seminar, on June 2. If you want to run for office, it's good to attend ...

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A Service for Candidates

How to pick a "favorite novel."

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How Hard is it to Say Moby Dick?

Is Mitt Romney's recent admission that his favorite book was an L. Ron Hubbard (founder of Scientology) book an example of sloppy staff work?

There are certain questions every candidate should be ready to answer. They include:

What's your favorite book?

Where'd you meet your wife?

Why are you running?

What's your favorite movie?

Do you own a gun?

What does a gallon of milk cost?

Would you allow your daughter to have an abortion?

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Are Hispanics Natural Conservatives?

Are Latinos natural Republicans?

Or is that boloney?

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Branding a Candidate

From OnCall blog:

Who has the best brand in presidential politics? We're kind of obsessed with that concept because it nicely encapsulates the idea that primary voters chose a package of attributes -- a brand -- rather than a package of issue positions.

More

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Ex-RNC e-boss: GOP losing web edge

Politico - "A former director of the Republican National Committee's Internet operations said thinks the party's commitment to the Web has slipped since the departure of former RNC chairman Ken Mehlman." More

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