2008 Primaries, Events, Leadership, Messaging, Speeches • August 28th, 2008

DNC: Days three and four (and a little bit more)

by Chris Lato

Day three of DNC went by without any apparent hitches in Denver Wednesday. Joe Biden and Bill Clinton delivered what they had to in their speeches, with Clinton offering a persuasive address that offered stronger words of support for Barack Obama than Hillary C. was able to muster.

Obama is seeing the expected bump in the tracking polls. His address tonight is being billed as The Speech of a Lifetime, one that has to seal the deal with disaffected Hillary Democrats, independents and Republicans who believe that change would do America good.

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2008 Primaries, Speeches, Views on News • May 21st, 2008

How to draw a rock-star crowd

by Chris Lato

You probably saw the photos. They were amazing. Barack Obama, speaking on a sunny Sunday before an estimated crowd of 75,000 in Portland, Oregon (which is said to make Madison look like Waukesha on the liberal sliding scale). If you didn’t see the picture, gaze in awe.

However, it appears some members of the press didn’t tell the whole story behind that huge turnout – which any politician in the country would kill for. Obama apparently had some help in getting that big crowd out to see him, in the form of the music group known as the Decemberists.

Now, I don’t know the music of the Decemberists (I’m enjoying some Foreigner as I write this, so I’m not exactly the hippest cat in the room). But they have released critically acclaimed albums, are a touring national act, are from Portland, and are said to be popular there. Popular enough to draw 75,000 people? No way. But I bet the combination of a bright, sunny afternoon in Portland with some free music by a popular local act surely lured a percentage of the crowd out there. And if the biggest rock-star politician of 2008 was also there to speak, all the better.

This definitely carries a whiff of, at the very least, incomplete reporting. For example, when John Kerry rolled into Madison late in the 2004 campaign with Bruce Springsteen in tow, the press was quick to acknowledge the presence of a rock star at the rally. That was an important part of the story. Obviously, Kerry was going to draw a huge crowd in the final days of the election regardless, but Springsteen certainly helped seal the deal. And I acknowledge Springsteen is a lot higher on the rock-star totem pole than the Decemberists…but still…

Acknowledging all the factors that go into a gigantic turnout for a political candidate should simply be par for the course in telling the whole story. Working with reporters from first contact forward is one way to develop a relationship that helps ensure fairness, thoroughness and accuracy. Cooperate with them and generally speaking, you have every right to expect that you will get a fair shake.

Reporters are paid to be skeptics. I’m not going to bash reporters as one giant left-wing conspiracy, because that is ridiculous. I’ve been a reporter. If anything, reporters generally thrive simply on conflict and controversy. Many are non-partisan in that regard. But some bad apples can spoil the bunch, as the cliché goes.

Unfortunately, in this case it appears that some reporters in positions of authority, whose stories roll out nationally and will be forever treated as the unassailable truth, are in the tank for Barack Obama. And that does no member of the press any favors.

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2008 Primaries, Messaging, Speeches • May 20th, 2008

Obama doth protest too much

by Chris Lato

It may not be the oldest political trick in the book, but it definitely belongs in an elder care facility.

It’s the “Say what you will about me, but don’t pick on my wife/family” chestnut.

Barack Obama is trotting it out now. Funny how Sen. Obama, who says it’s a new day in America and we’re all sick of politics as usual, is trotting out this ancient and extremely political ploy for anyone who will listen.

You can find a summary of what’s happening here but, basically, Obama’s wife commented on the stump that “…for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.” An internet campaign from the Tennessee Republican Party is responding to those comments.

Sen. Obama, if you don’t want your wife to be criticized, um….don’t let her go out and speak on the campaign trail. Simple as that. As long as she chooses to be out on the stump, Michelle Obama is absolutely fair game. That goes for any and all family members who want to get up and speak. The once-quiet Chelsea Clinton got a taste of it recently, when she was peppered with questions about her father’s extra-marital relations. That is to be expected. It is a legitimate part of the Clinton’s political history. Grow a thick skin and deal with it. If she had chosen not to step into the spotlight, Chelsea never would have faced that public questioning.

Also, consider the substance of that Obama comment. Instead of empty protests, I’d love to hear the Obamas explain what is meant here. Was it hyperbole, because she’s proud of the response her husband is receiving on the campaign trail? Or is there something deeper? It’s fair to draw your own conclusions, because apparently the Obamas aren’t going to offer any details on what they’re really trying to say.

And besides, how is a critique of what someone says on the campaign trail a negative slam? That’s one of my biggest pet peeves. I have never, ever bought that ‘woe is me, they’re picking on me’ line of reasoning – and the Obamas should be called on it. Michelle Obama said something debatable and controversial in a very public forum, and has said it more than once. It is certainly worthy of examination and, potentially, criticism.

Sen. Obama had best suck it up, because this is just the beginning. I’d spend more time worrying about the mixed messages being sent by him and those campaigning on his behalf, and less time playing the victim.

Assuming they are truly saying what they mean, the Obamas should also start explaining the substance behind their rhetoric – otherwise the criticism that there’s little of substance to Barack Obama beyond awesome speechifying skills will start looking awfully legitimate.

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Branding Politix, Messaging, Speeches, public relations • May 1st, 2008

Mission accomplished?

by Chris Lato

I bring this up not to argue about Iraq – plenty of bloggers across the political spectrum do that daily.

This is a question of communications, public relations, and event management – an example of a colossal misfire that really could have been avoided had cooler heads prevailed.

I’m talking about one of the less illustrious anniversaries for the Bush administration. Remember the ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner flown five years ago today on the USS Abraham Lincoln? President Bush made his dramatic entrance on the aircraft carrier and declared that “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.”

Oops.

Again, I’m not arguing Iraq here. But let’s break down the communications missteps.

#1 - That damn banner. The administration’s opponents have embraced it as a sign of arrogance and hubris, and rammed it down their collective throat for five years now. It’s hard to argue the point. It was an overreaching PR blunder on an occasion that called for restraint.

Was it a bad decision? You betcha. An administration that generally understands and adheres to message discipline really stepped in it, with the perception being that the war was over way, WAY before it really was. It was politically tone-deaf.

#2-The post-banner mangling. The White House offered a string of reasons for the banner, none of which rang true. The more excuses and contradictory reasons you offer, well, the less truthful and forthcoming you appear - especially if you can’t offer a definitive response ASAP and be done with it.

That won’t stop your enemies from frothing at the mouth, but at least you have put your response out there, quickly and on the record, and can point to that every time the issue comes up again. You have the force and clarity of your argument on your side.

#3-The speech. What can I say? I’m sure President Bush didn’t write it, but clearly his staff was all charged up over what they saw as a big victory and overreached wildly.

Again, considering the setting and what should have been a fairly solemn occasion, it was treated as a rah-rah moment that, to this day, we’re still talking about in a less-than-favorable light.

One poorly conceived press event that resonates for years. You could make the argument that no one could have predicted where things would be five years later, but good PR consultation offers a sense of where things may go, the positives and negatives behind what you do to engage the press. For whatever reason, that apparently didn’t happen here, but the price for that shortsightedness is still being paid.

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Messaging, Speeches, Views on News • April 18th, 2008

The honeymoon is over

by Chris Lato

Wednesday night’s debate on ABC proved what many knew was coming: the press is falling out of love with Barack Obama.

As Obama’s front-runner status inches closer to certainty that he will be the Democratic nominee, the worm has turned.

There are questions (legitimate, as they speak to his character and judgement) about Obama’s ties to the radical Weather Underground. There are questions about whether Obama is the 2008 wimp candidate (see: John Kerry 2004, Michael Dukakis 1988). There are questions about whether Obama is safe speaking in public without a TelePrompter.

Obama can, and will, continue to say that these issues are examples of the sorry state of the media, that our discussion should focus on issues, not (in his view) trivial matters, etc. However, that will only carry him so far.

Better Obama tackle these ‘trivial’ questions head-on, address the lingering issues and then get back to what he wants to talk about. At some point, his protests begin to sound like stonewalling, and the press will step up and define him, rather than the other way around.

Until recently, Obama has been admittedly masterful at writing his own script in this campaign. But in such a closely scrutinized race, that cannot last and all the high-mindedness in the world won’t keep the wolves at bay forever. Take them on, answer with clarity and forcefulness in a setting that gets the proper coverage, and then move on. Once that is done, Obama is well within his rights to say he has answered the questions and has other things to talk about. Until then, he can’t help but look like a guy who has something to hide.

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2008 Primaries, Events, Leadership, Speeches • April 15th, 2008

Random campaign trail notes…

by Chris Lato

I see no exciting theme from today’s news feeds, but here are a few fun items of note:

• Union members picket DNC in Michigan and Florida. How low will Hillary go to sew up the nomination???? Actually, it’s just an educated guess that the Clinton team is behind it. Have fun working that little snafu out, DNC! Having said that, those states made their bed and now they have to lie in it, as my mama used to say.
• From the ‘Worst Kept Secrets’ File: McCain prefers to run against Clinton. No s**t, Sherlock, what was your first clue?…as an old buddy used to say.
• The “We’ll Pass, But Thanks for Playing” Award goes to Bob Barr, who is striving to become the Ralph Nader of 2008. Always aim higher, as my teacher used to say.
• The Idiot of the Week Award goes to this guy. Geez, racist much? Keep it up and I’ll wash your mouth out with soap, as my grandma used to say.
• Barack Obama is a liberal elitist who looks down his nose at Middle America. Paging John Kerry! He knows a thing or two about answering to this charge (belatedly). This line of attack pretty much writes itself and rest assured, you have not heard the last of it. As for Obama’s awfully misguided comments, never forget your audience, as some former bosses used to say.

Now get your butt outside and clean up the yard, as my daddy used to say.

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Messaging, Speeches, Views on News • April 9th, 2008

Capitol for a day

by Chris Lato

Today I had the pleasure of attending the kickoff breakfast for the ‘State Capitol for a Day’ event taking place in Waukesha (for two days, actually).

There really was an impressive gathering of just about every key Doyle administration cabinet secretary in one room, along with the governor himself. We sat with DNR Secretary Matt Frank and Revenue Secretary Roger Ervin, who’s a very friendly guy – even though he refused to give me an extension on my taxes* (I kid!).

There’s even been some news announced in connection with the Waukesha visit – an agreement has been hammered out regarding the Great Lakes compact. So, huzzahs all around.

The typical breakfast crowd can be a little lethargic – it’s tough to fire up the room. In a short amount of time, we were treated to a variety of different speaking styles. There was County Executive Dan Vrakas (low-key, down-home), followed by Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson (a guy known for his, shall we say, off-the-cuff speaking style) who used his past experience as a teacher to get the room going. He’s actually pretty funny, too.

Then there was Governor Doyle. Speaking without any notes that I could see, he knows his stuff and struck the right note of bipartisan cooperation that you could feel spreading throughout the room. We all know it is typically not that harmonious, but for a little while anyway, the dream of bipartisanship spreading across this great land of ours seemed within reach. Doyle understands the need to appeal to the (largely Republican) Waukesha-area crowd and handled this initial appearance accordingly.

*Due credit should go to Gov. Doyle on this one - I took his joke and ran with it.

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Leadership, Speeches, Views on News • March 25th, 2008

Oops!

by Chris Lato

Wow, Hillary Clinton really stepped in it this time. This video is positively damning.

I have no idea what Senator Clinton was thinking when she made these claims, but in a race this tight you have no margin for error - especially the kind of error that can be easily fact-checked.

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2008 Primaries, Messaging, Speeches, Views on News, public relations, wispundits • March 4th, 2008

Is this race over yet?

by Chris Lato

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you already know Texas and Ohio vote today, and the stakes are high indeed for Hillary Clinton.

The interesting thing is that the polls suggest Clinton has a shot to pull both out. Particularly in Ohio, where Barack Obama hasn’t yet laid a glove on her. In Texas, Clinton’s numbers have been trending upward while Obama’s are taking a downturn.

As always, take the polls with a grain of salt. They’ve been wrong a lot in this cycle.

How have the messages changed, or stayed the same? By and large, Obama has been able to stick with the high-minded rhetoric, although the worm is turning as far as the press is concerned. It was only a matter of time, and I’m betting he’s not quite ready for it. Meanwhile Clinton is alternately playing the victim and the victimizer. And she’s no stranger to scrutiny and tough questioning. Right now, when the going gets tough with the press, Hillary has the edge.

We’ll know more tomorrow, but reports of the Clinton campaign’s death may be just a bit premature. I still believe it’s Obama’s to lose, but there’s still a chance of this two-person primary continuing after Tuesday.

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Branding Politix, Speeches, Strategic Blueprints, public relations • February 25th, 2008

Defining McCain, defining Obama

by Chris Lato

This is weird- I was having a conversation at lunch Monday about this exact topic, only to find this article that articulates the issue well. Assuming it will be Obama vs. McCain this November (and I am getting close to making that assumption), this is what the race will be about.

Barack Obama is sending messages about who he is and what he wants to stand for. It is an appeal to emotions and feelings. That is the niche he has very successfully carved out for himself.

In contrast, John McCain’s messages are more about steady leadership. He is not about ‘hope for the future.’

Obama appeals to the heart, McCain to the head. On that basis, who wins in November?

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