2008 Primaries, Strategic Blueprints • November 4th, 2008

When GOTV backfires

by Chris Lato

Oops. A get-out-the-vote effort that went south on the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

I emailed this around to a couple other former Wisconsin GOP’ers when I saw this piece – folks who used to work for the party, as I did – and one response was, “Same old RPW…when are they going to learn?”

I’ve been in the middle of these ‘volunteer-for-hire’ things before, and they rarely, if ever, turn out well. Particularly when they are last-minute scrambles that are shakily organized at best.

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Leadership, Messaging, Views on News • November 3rd, 2008

The curtain is falling…

by Chris Lato

What else can be said about election year 2008?

It will be interesting to see what kind of last-minute shenanigans pop up when the polls are clogged with voters. If turnout is as high as expected, the system will undoubtedly have problems.  

Polls are indicating a Barack Obama win, with the only question remaining: how big a blowout, and how long will his coattails stretch? So far that Wisconsin will have a Democratic legislature to go along with its Democratic governor?

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Speeches, wispundits • October 30th, 2008

Too much information

by Chris Lato

This is the danger of blogs: throwing your views out there for the world to see and your enemies to save.

Later, those enemies will undoubtedly try to turn those words against you if you decide to run for public office.

Jo Egelhoff, a Republican running for the Assembly in the Fox Valley, is getting a taste of that now.

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Events, Views on News • October 29th, 2008

Stick to the script

by Chris Lato

Is this causing the same level of outrage as the McCain campaign’s control over Sarah Palin’s access to the press?

The press is taking note of how Joe Biden has been put on a very short leash in the closing days of the campaign.

Biden’s muzzling is, to a certain extent, inevitable. Biden is commonly perceived as a gaffe machine, and he has caused his share of headaches for the Obama camp. The simple fact is Obama/Biden are seen as front-runners, and the more you wander away from the script, the more likely you are to say something controversial. It is the classic leader’s stance: play it safe, ride it out.

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Views on News • October 27th, 2008

Is it over yet?

by Chris Lato

Only 8 days left (that is, if there isn’t a recount).

Ready for it to be over yet?

By my count I have received at least four ‘early voting’ flyers and at least eight mail pieces from state Rep. Andy Jorgensen. By the way - Andy, if you are reading this, God bless - but feel free to take me off your list and save your campaign a few pennies.

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Views on News • October 23rd, 2008

In the tank

by Chris Lato

For those who believe Barack Obama has enjoyed exceptionally positive press coverage compared to John McCain… Here’s some new evidence to back up that claim.

The last paragraph is particularly interesting as it raises a “chicken or egg” argument – that is, a winning campaign generates winning coverage. So, if you’re not on top in the polls, apparently, you’re out of luck. Draw your own conclusions.

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Events, Promotions, Speeches, Strategic Blueprints • October 21st, 2008

Battleground state no more?

by Chris Lato

In another sign that Wisconsin is losing its ‘battleground state’ status, Barack Obama has cancelled an upcoming campaign appearance in Madison – where he surely would have been greeted as a soon-to-be-conquering hero.

The campaign has offered an excuse (sick grandmother) – and of course, we wish the Obama family well.  But, you know, read between the lines here.

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Views on News • October 20th, 2008

What is ACORN planting?

by Chris Lato

I’m a little late to the party on this one, but Christian Schneider’s latest piece is must-reading for anyone who wonders how it is possible to commit vote fraud in Wisconsin. It makes clear the tactics that are being engaged in this year - most infamously by ACORN – have the potential to gum up the works and lead to fraud.

The fact is that every fraudulently-cast ballot disenfranchises a vote from a legal citizen. The current system in Wisconsin has too many loopholes. Right now there is room for an organized effort to illegally cast ballots.

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries, Leadership, Messaging • October 17th, 2008

McCain feels the pain on ‘Letterman’

by Chris Lato

Give John McCain credit for having a bit of a sense of humor, and the willingness to walk into the lion’s den when necessary.

After cancelling an appearance on David Letterman’s show to address the financial crisis – and then granting an interview to Katie Couric at the same time he was supposed to be taping Letterman – McCain has incurred the wrath of Letterman ever since.

Last night, McCain was back on the show, and the result was absolutely compelling television. You can read an account of the appearance here and (supposedly) watch the entire interview here. (It wasn’t working for me when I tried it.)

more »

No Comments »

2008 Primaries • October 16th, 2008

Uh-oh

by Chris Lato

I have been wondering how this could possibly be seen as good for McCain. The answer: it’s not good – at least not in Wisconsin.

While I simply don’t believe Obama has a 17-point edge in Wisconsin, the RNC definitely sees things in its internal numbers that it doesn’t like. Suddenly, Wisconsin is being tossed aside after a whirlwind battleground-state romance.

The question now turns to how this will affect the campaigns in Wisconsin. If Obama is sitting on a pile of campaign cash, does he keep pouring it into Wisconsin, or does he begin to pull up stakes as well? Will McCain keep buying ads? Will the candidates stop showering love and attention all over the Badger State?

more »

No Comments »