public relations, wispundits • February 20th, 2008

BlogNetNews adds Wispundits

by wispundit

BlogNetNews, an aggregator of blogs by state for easier access in a central location, announced it will add Wispundits.com to its blogroll. Typically, BNN requires 90 days of continuous blogging to qualify. We are grateful for the nod ahead of schedule.

In one place, in one minute, according the BNN’s site, you’ll get an update on what’s going on across the blogosphere. And your readers will be able to find the best Wisconsin content, not based on random voters or some editors choices, but based on the real actions of Wisconsin bloggers and their readers. Check it out.

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2008 Primaries, Views on News, wispundits • February 20th, 2008

Great minds think alike

by Chris Lato

Milwaukee talk radio’s afternoon chieftain Mark Belling has a new column up about the potential for Jim Doyle to cut bait and head for D.C. if Barack Obama is elected President.

Great minds think alike (Lato blogged with great humility).

Prospective Republican candidates for governor may want to brush up on their Barbara Lawton opposition research, just in case.

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2008 Primaries, Grass Roots Organization, Views on News • February 20th, 2008

McGee scores win from jail cell

by Chris Lato

This one just fascinates me. Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee Junior has survived a major-league challenge in Tuesday’s primary.

The caveats: Michael McGee Jr. is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, etc.

What blows me away is this: McGee clearly understands his Milwaukee constituents, what they respond to, how to connect with them so deeply that they will stand behind him even while he’s sitting in a jail cell facing a host of criminal charges.

Lots of politicos would feel blessed to have this kind of connection with the voters.

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Grass Roots Organization, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News • February 20th, 2008

The Wisconsin post-mortem

by Chris Lato

Well, I can’t say I’m shocked. Turnout appears to have been impressive, especially for the Democrat presidential candidates. In such a hotly contested race, that is not surprising.

What is intriguing: the margin of victory for Barack Obama. The numbers are still rolling in as I write this, but all indications are that Obama really swamped Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin.

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Messaging, Views on News • February 19th, 2008

Bowling for votes ………. Wisconsin’s national brand

by wispundit

Salon.com’s Edward McClelland reveals how the rest of America views Wisconsin in his post today entitled Bowling for votes in Wisconsin. For better or worse, this is the equivalent of our brand. Does this position us well in the grand scheme of things or not? Before you answer, a few quick notes on Branding 101.

What is a brand?
Sum total of all of an audience’s experiences.
Promise/commitment to produce a specific experience .

Brand Identity
What does an audience think of when they hear your name?
Do different people think the same thing?

Cheeseheads, let your voice be heard. How would you like to see Wisconsin branded?

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2008 Primaries, Messaging, Strategic Blueprints, Views on News, public relations • February 19th, 2008

The battle in the badger state

by Chris Lato

First, the horserace and where things stand in Wisconsin. If you believe this poll (and putting actual percentages aside, I think this is where things stand), then it’s McCain and Obama who will be standing tall Tuesday night.

The interesting thing is on the GOP side, where Mike Huckabee has started moving the numbers in his direction. To his credit, Huckabee recognized the public relations opportunity here – to score a whole lot of free press in Wisconsin. Consider the amount of time he’s spent in Wisconsin. Still, too little too late.

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2008 Primaries, Views on News • February 19th, 2008

The Doyle-Obama connection

by Chris Lato

OK, let me state for the record this is speculation and nothing but.

With that in mind, play along with me for a minute: why did Gov. Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett endorse Barack Obama so early? Other than what they will say for the record (Obama is inspiring, the new JFK, etc.), do they have designs on potential appointments in an Obama Administration?

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Views on News • February 19th, 2008

Wow

by Chris Lato

Oh my. I will say this: members of Congress really ought to know better.

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wispundits • February 18th, 2008

Veteran editor joins Wispundits… Sykes, Shook top online poll

by wispundit

An online poll conducted at Wispundits.com shows Charlie Sykes and Dennis A. Shook leading speculation about who will join Wispundits.com. Sykes captured 56 percent of the votes with Shook registering 31 percent. James Rowen and Jay Weber shared equal parts of 12 percent. And, no one believed Bill Christofferson would become the next Wispundit.

For more than 30 years, our next Wispundit’s award-winning journalism on issues, politics and government has graced the pages of the Journal Sentinel, Wispolitics, Waukesha Freeman, Kenosha News, Racine Journal Times, Shepherd Express and numerous others. For 10 years, he worked at the Waukesha Freeman where he became part of the fabric of the western suburbs.

Now, Dennis A. Shook will be contributing to Wispundits.com, offering commentary on issues from the local municipalities of southeast Wisconsin to the state house to the White House. Wispundits.com provides insightful, interactive commentary on what is working to differentiate political and issues campaigns in a crowded field of ideas in Wisconsin.

Dennis has appeared on Charlie Sykes’ Sunday Insight television program, anchored radio news and served as a legislative policy analyst for state Sen. Robert Wirch, focusing on transportation and environmental issues. Dennis is described by notable media, politicians and policymakers as one of the most knowledgeable sources of information on Wisconsin politics, government and issues dating back to Gov. Patrick Lucey.

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2008 Primaries, Grass Roots Organization, New Media • February 18th, 2008

New tech on the campaign trek

by wispundit

Many people may not have decided on a presidential candidate, even this close to the Wisconsin primary. But they would likely agree that the 2008 election has spawned an entirely new style of political campaigning. There are several key reasons for this.

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