Since the advent of television, campaigns have used theme songs and jingles as a way to keep themselves fresh in a potential voter's memory. From Eisenhower to JFK to the modern day, we look at what works and what doesn't.
Read MoreWhen you meet someone face-to-face, 90% of how you are judged is based on nonverbal data—your appearance and your body language. Only 10% is influenced by the words that you speak. Whoever said that you can’t judge a book by its cover failed to note that people do.
Read MoreToo many candidates fail because they have issues in their background that they don’t disclose soon enough. Campaign staff hate it when you are months into a campaign and negative information on you surfaces that they didn’t know about. Everyone is forced to scramble and do crisis management, you get sidetracked. In reality, an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure.
Read MoreMany candidates struggle with what role their spouse and children should play on the campaign. The answer is very simple: a flattering one. If they are not going to help or make you look good, don't use them on the campaign.
Read MoreThe news recently has been a steady drumbeat of disaster and tragedy. From the flooding in Colorado to the mass shootings in Washington DC, these events create a torrent of reaction from regular citizens, elected officials, and aspiring candidates. Ultimately, those in the public eye must react in a measured and respectful way in order to avoid the perception that they are exploiting a tragedy for political gain.
Read MoreEveryone loves a good scandal. Especially the media. Politics reliably provides salacious scandals mixing sex, money and power. Everyone is looking for their next big story and political scandal will always provide. Whether it is Congressmen sending naked pictures on twitter or hiding cash in their freezer, Mayors smoking crack with prostitutes, or Governors “hiking the Appalachian Trail,” the truth always comes out because someone will keep digging.
Read MoreThe unrivaled influence and effectiveness of telefundraising call centers is in their ability to coerce money from constituents who cannot afford to contribute. This cannot be overemphasized, especially with retired elderly adults on a fixed income. Relying on sheer volume of calls, these centers are sure to secure contributions purely based off of how many contacts one individual caller can make per hour.
Read MoreGeorge Washington didn’t have to read about his flub on Twitter. There was no Facebook feed on JFK’s relationship with Marilyn Monroe. Bill Clinton’s press conference didn’t get parodied on the internet or get songified on YouTube...well not in 1997 at least. Lets face it, if you want to be a political figure now a days, you have to prepare 100 times more than your predecessors even 10 years ago...PART 2
Read MoreGeorge Washington didn’t have to read about his flub on Twitter. There was no Facebook feed on JFK’s relationship with Marilyn Monroe. Bill Clinton’s press conference didn’t get parodied on the internet or get songified on YouTube...well not in 1997 at least. Lets face it, if you want to be a political figure now a days, you have to prepare 100 times more than your predecessors even 10 years ago...PART 1
Read MoreBeing the public eye brings a unique set of challenges to any aspiring candidate or elected official. Things that were once thought to be private are often laid bare for all to see, including business deals, financial holdings, personal relationships, and more. Countless examples have shown that even decades-old revelations can have a damaging effect on a campaign.
Read MoreIn Ethics for Political Managers at GWU's Graduate School of Political Management, we were asked to create a code of conduct for political operatives. I modeled mine off of the 10 Commandments, arguably one of the most successful codes of ethics around. The professor was not amused...PART 3
Read MoreIn Ethics for Political Managers at GWU's Graduate School of Political Management, we were asked to create a code of conduct for political operatives. I modeled mine off of the 10 Commandments, arguably one of the most successful codes of ethics around. The professor was not amused...PART 2.
Read MoreIn Ethics for Political Managers at GWU's Graduate School of Political Management, we were asked to create a code of conduct for political operatives. I modeled mine off of the 10 Commandments, arguably one of the most successful codes of ethics around. The professor was not amused...PART 1
Read MoreAs much as people complain about money in politics the two will always be linked. You cannot have a headquarters, pay staff, buy ads or have much of a campaign at all without money. This inevitably means asking friends, family, and supporters for donations. The most efficient way is through “call time,” where a candidate will make solicitation calls to supporters, people who regularly donate to your party’s candidates and recommendations from other donors.
Read MoreSocial media is an important tool in any campaign seeking to generate enthusiasm and engage with its supporters. Newark Mayor and Senatorial Candidate Cory Booker is an ascendant political celebrity for a variety of reasons. His ability to leverage social media to heighten his visibility and burnish his brand is a large part of his success, but a closer examination reveals the potential pitfalls for embracing such a twitter-friendly strategy
Read MoreAs a general rule in politics, if you are explaining, you are losing. Successful campaigns go on the offense with their messaging and policy issues. Focus on the issues where you are strong and avoid talking about the issues where you are weak. If your campaign talks about a certain issue, the press will report on it and your opponent will be forced to comment on issues in your turf. You are setting the terms of the debate.
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