Leadership, Research & Ideas, Uncategorized, Views on News • November 20th, 2008

Part-time lawmaking

by Chris Lato

Well, here’s something I never thought I’d be saying: Dave Zweifel is on to something in pushing for Wisconsin to go back to a part-time Legislature.

I disagree some of his points, including the notion that we should judge the success of a legislative body by how much legislation they pass. This idea of ‘laws by the pound’ will, almost by necessity, lead to a lot of idiotic laws. And I’m sure making such a serious change in how the Legislature does its business is far easier said than done. Decades of bureaucratic buildup won’t be washed away overnight.

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Branding Politix, Research & Ideas • July 24th, 2008

Minimum markup madness

by Chris Lato

I stopped for gas yesterday and was downright elated to be filling my tank at a paltry $3.93 a gallon. Boy, times change. News that oil prices are dropping a bit causes us to all breathe a sigh of relief. Now, we’re learning the truth about an arcane practice that artificially heightens the cost of gas in Wisconsin (no, not the gas tax). It is intended to keep ‘predatory pricing’ from driving smaller competitors out of business.

Christian Schneider with the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute debunks the myths surrounding the continued need for a minimum markup on gas in Wisconsin. The bottom line: drivers could be saving a lot of dough in this time of sky-high gas prices by doing away with the minimum markup (hereafter referred to as MM) in Wisconsin.

Credit the Petroleum Marketers in Wisconsin for effectively lobbying against repeal of the MM for so long now. Politicians in both parties have been hammering away at the MM for ages, without success. The idea that mega-sized gas stations would drive the little guy out of business has been a truly powerful PR incentive to keep the MM in place. The notion that corporate giants would sweep in and drive ‘mom and pop’ shops out of small-town Wisconsin has been the strongest case that could be made. It’s a potent hook that still resonates for some.

Trouble is, Schneider points out it’s not necessarily a relevant argument, or even true anymore. Remember, the MM is based on a Depression-era model. The MM is really little more than a form of profit protection for gas stations and interferes with free market forces. That profit goes up as wholesale fuel prices rise, according to Schneider. The MM is so high now that it threatens to eclipse the gas tax.

If government was in the business of protecting the ‘little guy’ then McDonalds, Walgreens, Culver’s and Wal-Mart would be out of business. Like it or not, shoppers choose to go where they can save money, especially in economically challenging times.

As a young(er) reporter, I was covering anti-MM news conferences back in the mid-1990s. That’s how long this issue has been kicking around. Back then, Republican Scott Jensen joined Democrat Shirley Krug (truly an historic and rare pairing) to call for an end to the MM by holding a press briefing outside a Madison gas station. I recall Petroleum Marketers officials on hand as the loyal opposition. To be fair, here’s where they stand on the issue.

But now is the time when repealing the MM could really make a positive difference. For once it could be a bipartisan victory on behalf of Wisconsin consumers to see at least a modification of the minimum markup law, if not an outright repeal - which in the current climate seems to be the better option. Talk about a great issue for politicians to take back to constituents this fall – it hits the sweet spot for struggling families and shows that both sides can work together for the common good.

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Branding Politix, Fundraising, Messaging, New Media, Report from the Field, Research & Ideas • April 8th, 2008

It’s a millennium thing. Get used to it.

by Greg Batiansila

For years, American culture – from politics to entertainment to our interpretation of law – has been under the influence of the Baby Boom generation. Boomers will continue to enjoy considerable power and sway even while they gray and retire. But Americans will now have to reckon with a new force – the Millennial Generation.

Millennials – the name given to those born between 1978 and 1996 – boast Boomer-like numbers, education and clout. Researchers are finding this new generation is very different from previous generations in their view of the world and how they vote. For example, almost 50% of Millennials identify themselves with the Democrat party while only 35% align themselves with Republicans.

Laying claim to the media platforms where Millennials communicate, shop and visit is an essential part of today’s and all future campaigns. McCain’s may be the last of the dinosaur campaigns that ascend almost solely through traditional fundraising and media. Look for all campaigns in the future to use the web – perhaps exclusively – create and enhance community, and raise money.

In 2008, close to 50 million Millenials will be eligible to vote. How many actually vote, and how they vote, and what moves them remains to be seen. But you’re already seeing the beginning salvos…like here and here and here…in a battle for the heart, soul and vote of the Millennial generation.

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2008 Primaries, New Media, Research & Ideas, Strategic Blueprints • February 15th, 2008

Rising star, part 1

by Greg Batiansila

When notable conservatives are comparing Barack Obama’s presence to Ronald Reagan’s - you’ve got a rising star.

And when you’re creating pieces like this for your campaign… if you haven’t seen the video I’ve dropped in below yet, watch it. And, frankly, if you’ve seen it before, watch it again. This is a scintillating product, moving art, remarkable. No other candidate would try to make something like this - and if he or she did, we’d wonder why they’re trying to imitate Obama? Check and mate.

Not to say we wouldn’t try to emulate it. I sat and watched it with the head of our video department and he was genuinely impressed with the timing and the vision. He mentioned that a novice might figure someone turned a camera on and let people kind of “riff.” But it’s not. This has been lit and shot and planned, planned so immaculately that it looks effortless. And it doesn’t hurt that you’ve got Scarlett and Kareem involved. But honestly, the power of this piece has less to do with who is in it than how it’s shot and edited, and the focus on message.

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