Campaign Crawlers
Virginia 2009, GOP 2010
Tips for the Republican class of eager new candidates lining up to win next year.
Energized by the momentum of resounding GOP victories in Virginia and New Jersey, Republican candidates are lining up in throngs to run for offices across the country in 2010. Having worked with multiple Virginia Republican campaigns in 2009, we offer two insights that could prove invaluable for Republican candidates, party chiefs, and operatives in 2010:
In a center-right electorate, the center is holding — to the right.
One year ago, the independent voters of America put President Obama in the White House and delivered Congress overwhelmingly to the Democrats. But oh, how times have changed.
As renowned political pollsters Scott Rasmussen and Douglas E. Schoen asserted in their Wall Street Journal-Opinion Journal article, “Obama Is Losing Independent Voters,” it’s these very same folks — independents — who are now telling the President to govern “in a more fiscally conservative, bipartisan manner.” Whether or not the past election cycle was truly a referendum on President Obama himself, it’s clear that Americans, particularly independent voters, are growing restless with the Administration’s statist policies (e.g., Obamacare, cap-and-trade, corporate bailouts, etc.).
Given the continuing dismal state of the economy, Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s chosen path to victory holds great promise for GOP candidates in 2010. Dubbed the “McDonnell Strategy” by Politico’s Jonathan Martin in his recent piece, “GOP eyes McDonnell Strategy,” 2010 Republican candidates would be wise to “run on economic policy, downplay divisive cultural issues, present an upbeat tone, target independent voters and focus on Democratic-controlled Washington — all without attacking President Barack Obama personally.”
So, how does a 2010 GOP campaign actually translate this “McDonnell Strategy” into a meaningful plan? The obvious first step is to address the important local issues of the district and determine which national themes can be localized. The even more important second step is to tell voters what you specifically plan to do for them. As the voters in 2009 demonstrated, they are very aware of the problems. What they desperately want are leaders who are really listening and who are willing to offer solutions — not just slogans — that make sense. This need to communicate with voters brings us to our second point.
Social media matters.
Matt Drudge may regularly trumpet the continuing circulation and audience declines of traditional media, but he won’t be covering your campaign unless you do something scandalous. With thousands of offices up and down the ticket on ballots across the county in 2010, unless you are running in the top-line race in your state (e.g., Governor or Senator or maybe Congressman), you are going to have a difficult time attracting media coverage and getting your message out to voters through traditional news channels.
If you’re lucky, you have a hometown paper that still sends a reporter to political events. Most candidates, however, will end up emailing press releases to a drop box at a paper that no longer even has a reporter to cover your county, much less your campaign. Fortuitously, there is a political blogger network (in a very loose sense of network) that is growing to fill this gap left by the decline of traditional media. The trick for campaigns — large and small — is to figure out how to connect effectively with this proto-network of bloggers.
These bloggers are just one aspect of the larger network of online activity that is often referred to as “social media.” Email, web2.0, video, social networking, micro-blogging, social bookmarking — all are different aspects of a larger approach to distributing information and encouraging activity. The common thread woven throughout these concepts is the distributed self-service nature of the various activities.
Traditional media relied on the paid efforts of gatekeepers (reporters, editors, producers, etc.) whom campaigns could easily identify (even if they were not always receptive to your message) to reach specific audiences. In the social media environment, the audiences are fractured, transient and often desiring of being active participants in the communication process. The campaign that can apply a sustained effort to harnessing these participants will have a significant advantage over opponents who stick with a more passive approach designed for a bygone era.
It would be too easy to dismiss social media and digital campaigning as the province of well-funded top-of-the-ticket campaigns like those contesting the recent Virginia Governor’s election.
The truth is: effort, creativity and focus are better indicators of success in this realm than dollars invested in technology. Done properly and consistently, social media can provide campaigns up and down the ticket with three significant payoffs — Money (online fundraising), Messaging and (voter) Mobilization. At best, a campaign that ignores social media or takes half-hearted attempts is leaving lots of opportunities unrealized. At worst, ceding the social media field to an opponent (even an under-funded third-party candidate) could leave a campaign vulnerable to all manner of unanswered attacks.
Both the message and the medium are in play for 2010. For the future of our country, we hope that Republican candidates can master both.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (131) | Leave a comment
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Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 6:47AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Virginia 2009, GOP 2010 [spectator.o links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Dave | 12.2.09 @ 8:00AM
There's a chorus in the old folk song "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" that asks --
"When will they ever learn ...?"
My hope for next year's Republican candidates is that their answer will be -" We Did and We Won."
Of course, we may end up with more of the same-ol' John McCain, Bob Dole, Mitt Romney go-along-get-along kind of mentality that keeps so-called conservative candidates from connecting with those who brought 'em to the dance. If the same-ol' go-along-get-along happens again, refer back to the chorus in "Flowers." Then, keep asking the question until they finally ... do. If ever.
Derek Leaberry| 12.2.09 @ 8:21AM
The McDonnell message- say little other than bromides, exalt in blandness, run as a Republican, thrive as Democrats don't turn out.
ds80| 12.2.09 @ 9:15AM
Thanks for the analysis.
Your partisan, whiny pants sour grapes are showing.
Derek Leaberry| 12.2.09 @ 11:09AM
What did McDonnell run on? Tax cuts? No. Budget cuts? No. A social conservative agenda? No. Solving the unsolvable traffic woes of northern Virginia? Sort of but irrelevant to conservatives. Bob McDonnell won in Virginia because he was not a Democrat and Creigh Deeds was, not because he offered a conservative agenda.
Margie| 12.2.09 @ 12:37PM
Must be a paleo. You're definition of conservative is...? Let me guess. Non-interventionism. I suppose you'd prefer Obama for Pres. next time around?
Thomas| 12.2.09 @ 9:57AM
The mechanics of campaign have not changed, though the media may have undergone a transformation. What today's Republican candidates have to rely upon is truth. They have to speak the truth concerning their person stance on each and every subject of concern to their potential constituents. And the have to mean it. The days of I was for something before I was against it are over, as far as most voters are concerned. Lies likely will not get you elected.
Republicans need to positively identify their base. It is not independents or disillusioned Democrats, it is conservatives. If the party runs true conservatives for office they will win. But, voters, particularly conservative ones are no longer going to accept liberal moderates in conservative's clothing. Everything else is fluff.
Al Adab| 12.2.09 @ 11:53AM
NY-23 may be the best thing that came out of this last election. It seems even the RNC and Mr. Steele realize the import of that GOP mistake. They have published a candidate qualifying survey and propose that potential candidates not on board receive no national funding. A good start and perhaps a glimmer of hope (to borrow a word) for the Conservative movement. Would that one party hold to principle above all else.
Margie| 12.2.09 @ 12:41PM
You're absolutely right, Al Adab. I also heard Newt on Sean Hannity's radio program, and he's changed his tune. I say good!
They're listening.
Mattled| 12.2.09 @ 2:16PM
What every candidate has to be prepared for is the media onslaught that comes at every Republican candidate.
McDonnell survived a constant "thesis" barrage that fell flat.
Why? After the macaca incident and 60+ cover stories on it, WaPo readers were more than likely sick of that type of coverage.
They came hard at Foley in 2006 as well as Larry Craig. There were some 900+ cancellations of WaPo after the 08 election in one day.
CNN, who had a year earlier enjoyed record viewership preceding the election, are now in 4th place behind their own HLN.
That said, we have to keep up the momentum of keeping the MSM irrelevant.
They didn't cover the John Edwards scandal last year, but are still in Palin-Overdrive, manufacturing scandals like she flies on an airplane while saying she is "on the road".
They didn't cover the ACORN scandal, still haven't. They haven't covered WarmingGate either.
We don't need them , but Dems do. Obabuma's media gave him a 5 Billion Dollar PR campaign for free.
The candidates have to talk to local news stations BEFORE people watch their network news. The nets will lie anyway.
I recently had a conversation with a CNN relative and I said I don't watch CNN anymore because they just plain lie. The example was Michael Steele on CNN and the anchor read a poll backwards on healthcare. She said that 56% support ObamaCare and 38% oppose. I saw the poll the day before and it is the exact opposite. My CNN relative said that the woman was stupid and read it wrong.
Oh really? If it was deliberate, it was evil. If she is dumb and read the poll wrong and no one at CNN corrected it, then they shouldn't be in the news business. Then they are just plain irresponsible and do an injustice to their viewers.
We need to use billboards. Nothing like Charlie Rangels mug up there and a list of his tax evasions day in and day out.
Talk above the media----use Facebook.
As much as I think BOR on Fox is a jack***, he does a good job of getting people like George Stephanopoulos on his show and before he delves into a question, he says "OK, you're a Democrat, or you're a liberal", and they just sit there and nod.
If you are going to be interviewed by say a Chrissy Mathews, before they answer, they should say; Well, Chris you're a Democrat so perhaps you look at this through your political lens----then watch him squirm---then he will say----I am an objective journalist---laugh at him and remind the viewers he worked for Jimmy Carter----.
It's the media folks. Defeat the media---defeat the Democrats----and Obamubi.
The media will pull out every dirty trick int heir bag of cheap and tawdry tricks. We need to start making calls to local ABC, CBS, NBC affiliates and CNN.
EVERY time there is a biased story----get on the phone---thousands calling.
Margie| 12.2.09 @ 2:29PM
Excellent post and suggestions.
Love the Billboard idea. Speak in GIANT terms.
FaceBook for candidates as well as us, to pass on conservative posts, sites to other individuals.
Right about Bill O'Rielly. Use him as a platform.
Great ideas!
Pingback| 12.2.09 @ 2:34PM
World News » The American Spectator : Virginia 2009, GOP 2010 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Clay Barham | 12.2.09 @ 5:07PM
A new WPA for 2009 is a chain gang solution to joblessness. Obama said: the interests of community are more important than are the interests of the individual. He promised change. Change must then mean to abandon individual freedom. The chain gang is one way to do so. You can call his ideas left, socialist, communist, fascist, monarchist or any others that turn you on, but in reality, there are only two different political forms. The oldest is where the few elite rule the many, part of all those labels. They have always favored a chain gang. The newest is where the many rule themselves, guided by a moral consensus and written law, i.e., individual freedom. Conservatives and libertarians say the interests of individuals are more important than are those of the community. They believe when individuals prosper, their families and communities prosper and government works best staying out of their way. Modern Democrats believe community interests are most important. They claim they can better define and govern community interests. They expand the role of government to serve those interests and as a few elite, will rule the many. This is the center of Obama’s chain gang. Claysamerica.com
chanel j12 watch | 12.2.09 @ 10:06PM
Good post!
Thanks!
Pingback| 12.3.09 @ 1:30PM
JHI Residential Real Estate | Real Estate Finance Wisdom links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.3.09 @ 10:03PM
Virginia 2009 = GOP 2010? « Virginia Virtucon links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Blackwatch 5.56 Voter| 12.4.09 @ 9:31PM
Pick three bullet points and run on them:
1. The failed jobless OBAMA recovery is a disaster CAUSED by Congressional meddling in businesses. Elect a new Congress to clean house and put 2 million Americans back to work a year.
2. Reduce Govt. spending in all departments by 12% in 2011 and then another 12% the following year. There is tons of waste in Govt. spending. End the abuse of future generations. Period no excuses. End deficit spending.
3. Energy independence = National Security= Environmental Responsibility. We need to endorse the construction of 50+ new clean oil refineries----a new one for every state! We need to drill 10000 new gas and oil wells. (Not every hole is a gusher you know.) We need to build enough nuclear power plants to provide energy for the next generation. All of this can and will be done in a CLEAN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER. This will create millions of jobs and secure our future.
Yes yes I know the liar Al Gore will loose money on his "carbon offsets scam" but he is a piece of sh*t anyway.
Oh yeah forgot to wish you all a " Happy Friday!"
Pingback| 12.5.09 @ 2:21AM
Virginia 2009 = GOP 2010? | links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.5.09 @ 2:50AM
Tidy up your House | Virginia Real Estate News | Virginia Real Estate links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
norris hall| 12.7.09 @ 9:51PM
When you quote a Rasmussen poll you need to realize that his organization was a paid consultant to President Bush's re election campaign.
http://projects.publicintegrit.....;id=122002
That doesn't mean that his polls can't be neutral.
But generally bis polls generally score well for Republicans and less well for Democrats.
Scott Razsmussen , the man, is a religious conservative who is president of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association's.
So if you quote a Rasmussen poll, you might want to check out less partisan polls like Gallup too.,
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