2008 Primaries, Views on News, wispundits • July 21st, 2008

When life gives you lemons…

by Chris Lato

If the polls hold (and keep in mind a LOT can happen between now and then), our next President will be Barack Obama. And if the idea of ‘President Obama’ comes to pass, I am nearly convinced Governor Doyle will get a job offer to join the Obama administration. I would be shocked if Doyle refused such an opportunity to get out of Wisconsin as the economy continues its slow, painful slide, with marquee businesses like GM saying ‘adios’ to the Badger State.

I wrote about this scenario a while back but wanted to revisit this after Scott Milfred wondered what Doyle’s departure would mean for the GOP.

There are many factors to consider: what if the Dems take over both houses of the Legislature this November? The game’s not over yet but GOP is definitely nervous. (By the way, you can hear my take on that by visiting Wisconsin Public Radio’s website – I appeared as a guest on Joy Cardin’s show during the 7 o’clock hour this morning).

Also: what kind of governor would Barbara Lawton make? Is she ready for prime-time after the years spent in Doyle’s shadow? Would two years of all-Dem control with Lawton at the helm prove that Dems really are the better party to lead Wisconsin forward, or would it be a disaster of biblical proportions?

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Leadership, Views on News • July 10th, 2008

Chopping Wood

by Chris Lato

How convenient.

Rep. Jeff Wood of Chetek decided to kneecap the GOP just in time for the deadline to file nomination papers.

In a calculated move, Wood waited till the last minute to make his declaration, in order to leave the field free and clear for him. The major parties can field a write-in candidate – which the GOP, in particular, would be wise to do.

The theory that Wood cut a deal with the Democrats is being floated around. The Assembly Democrats’ blog entry on this flap doesn’t exactly dispel that notion - notice how Rep. Mark Pocan drops the little bombshell that Wood expressed interest in caucusing with the Dems.

Regardless, Wood has a challenge ahead - there hasn’t been anyone elected to the Legislature who wasn’t affiliated with the Democrats or Republicans in more than 60 years.

(By the way, I suspect some of the same people who will praise Wood for his ‘independence’ also reject the idea that John McCain’s unwillingness to march in lockstep with the GOP is ‘independence’ - but that is a topic for another day.)

The reasons for Wood’s defection, as listed in the newspaper article, suggest disenchantment with both the national and state parties. So the question becomes: is it better to leave the party entirely or try to work from within to change things? Considering Wood was only a card-carrying Republican for less than six years, it appears he preferred to simply cut and run.

The fact that he was a Libertarian who declared himself a Republican to make his first bid for the Assembly is enough to raise questions about Wood’s sincerity and dependability.

Interesting, too, that the only other declared candidate in the district is a declared Libertarian. Part of Wood’s problem is that he’s neither fish nor fowl at this point. Unless the district decides in the current political climate that ‘independent’ is the way to go, Wood is a man without a country.

Wood’s high-minded rhetoric about his defection will likely ring hollow for disenchanted constituents who could fairly wonder if he is guided by conscience and an independent spirit - or political expediency. It is up to Wood to justify his move and be clear in outlining his principles – something he hasn’t done convincingly thus far.

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2008 Primaries, Views on News, public relations • July 3rd, 2008

Children of the corn

by Chris Lato

In the corn-growing Midwest, members of Congress are picking sides over ethanol. This is shaping up to be a serious campaign issue, but one presidential candidate is walking a tricky line that will be tough to maintain as anger over high gas and food prices grow, and the public gets restless and demands solutions.

To set the stage, U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner recently sent a piece out to his constituents with the headline: “Ethanol Mandate Must End.” He makes the argument that record prices for gas and groceries can be traced back to a great extent to the mandate, which subsidizes the ethanol industry and gives incentives for farmers to grow more corn to use in fuel. more »

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Branding Politix, Grass Roots Organization, Views on News • June 26th, 2008

Shameless self-promotion…and another take on Twitter

by Chris Lato

After a couple days in sunny L.A. to work with one of my finest clients, I am back in Wisconsin with this commercial announcement: turn your radios to Wisconsin Public Radio this Friday, June 27 at 8 am to enjoy yours truly on the ‘Week in Review,’ with host Joy Cardin and fellow guest Matthew Rothschild of ‘The Progressive.’ I anticipate more shouting than your average episode of ‘Hannity and Colmes.’ As always - if you call in, be kind.

Since we’re in the middle of a promotion break, ever heard of ‘Twitter?’ A techie genius I work with tipped me off to this…and its possibilities as a promotional tool for political campaigns. more »

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2008 Primaries, Messaging, Views on News • June 19th, 2008

Feingold still hearts McCain

by Chris Lato

He’s backing off considerably, and falling into line like a good Democrat, but it’s clear Russ Feingold still thinks John McCain is a force to be reckoned with this fall.

This has to be giving Democrats heartburn. It wouldn’t be the first time Wisconsin’s senator has said things that get the DNC’s teeth gnashing, but in a charged and competitive election year, Feingold’s continued words of praise for McCain as a colleague and candidate have to sting. They should also be admired by any reasonable person who’s not on the extreme fringes of either party – which represents a good chunk of Wisconsin voters.

Feingold’s intelligence and political instincts deserve respect. That said, his comments about McCain should give pause to those who think Barack Obama is simply going to have his way with McCain this November. It’s just not shaping up to be that easy, and Feingold can read the tea leaves as well as anyone.

McCain and Feingold have both positioned themselves as ‘mavericks,’ but while they can articulate the decisions and stances they take in a well-reasoned manner, they are also political animals who understand when they can take a calculated risk by stepping away from their parties.

McCain is paying the price for that this year, however. His already strained relationship with conservatives means they have been slow to embrace him. At the same time, as Feingold understands, the current political climate favors someone like McCain, who holds appeal beyond the established base. It’s a tricky balance McCain has to strike, but it can be done. Beating the ‘McSame’ drumbeat is disingenuous and won’t fly – and Feingold has to know that.

The connection between McCain and Feingold is striking. It’s a combination of political savvy and native intelligence that makes them spiritual blood-brothers. They are both very good at navigating shark-infested waters.

It must be tough being a communications manager for either one – the endless challenges and headaches would be enough to write a book. But the way McCain and Feingold operate, on policy and in public, works for them. John McCain and Russ Feingold are their own best PR managers.

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Branding Politix, Views on News • June 17th, 2008

MoveOn sounds off

by Chris Lato

What do you think of this ad, from the always-reasonable MoveOn.org?

There are two ways to look at this one, I suppose. One way is to consider it a powerful argument for how the Iraq war threatens to bog America down in a quagmire for decades to come.

On the other hand, I’ve watched it a few times and come to the conclusion that it’s a shameless play for the heartstrings that oversimplifies the content and intent of John McCain’s comments to the point that it’s laughable. It is the ultimate example of taking one brief comment out of context, twisting the meaning beyond recognition and attempting to build a campaign around it.

Will anyone, other than those who are in the tank for MoveOn’s extreme and distorted way of viewing things, actually buy into this one? Maybe I’m naïve - and I’m not above giving MoveOn props when they do something effective (the recent John Cusack propaganda piece is one example), but this smacks of manipulative desperation. And it’s only June.

When in doubt, bring in a baby and suggest that John McCain is a bloodthirsty monster looking to take away America’s babies for a hundred-year war in Iraq. Really, it’s a deeply silly and obnoxiously smug ad.

Besides, what if little Alex grows up and wants to join the Army, if for no other reason than to MoveOn from that domineering mommy of his?

The ad does have some discussion value: is it OK to use kids and babies in campaign ads? Is it a wise thing to do, or simply a cheap and revolting ploy? Some might say, whatever works is fair game. Consider ‘Daisy’ from 1964…

This ad must have scared the bejesus out of millions of Americans when it aired. It is undeniably riveting and unsettling. Who knows how many people it swayed?

Nuclear war: the ultimate negative ad. But the idea of John McCain taking America’s babies to turn them into cannon fodder isn’t very far behind.

On a related topic, the man credited with creating the infamous ‘Daisy’ ad, Tony Schwartz, has died. He is also credited, or blamed depending on your point of view, for ushering the era of the ‘negative’ political ad. Since then, many have happily taken the baton and run with it, but Schwartz is undeniably a pioneer.

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2008 Primaries, Branding Politix, Creative, Report from the Field, Views on News • June 12th, 2008

Notes from the silly season

by Chris Lato

In the “Herding Cats” department, some party leaders are straying from the pack – and it’s happening on both sides of the aisle.

Democrats don’t like Barack Obama. Republicans don’t like John McCain. Hillary supporters are saying they’d rather vote for McCain - “Anybody but Obama.”

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2008 Primaries • June 10th, 2008

Noooooo!

by Chris Lato

This is not a winning strategy for John McCain if he plans to take Wisconsin.

For some reason it reminded me of Carl Spackler…it’s so easy to mix up ‘golfers’ and ‘gophers.’

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2008 Primaries, Grass Roots Organization • June 10th, 2008

Are McCain’s Wisconsin ground troops MIA?

by Chris Lato

At first blush, this doesn’t sound good.

What has John McCain been doing these past few months? Is an opportunity now lost? Has Barack Obama laid the groundwork for an unstoppable juggernaut of a campaign in Wisconsin?

Hold your horses a moment. In past columns I have discussed the need to have a strong ground game, and the importance of field organization in winning races in Wisconsin. It’s not the sexiest part of the campaign, it doesn’t get much attention, but it is absolutely vital, especially in a battleground state such as ours. And the Trib article suggests McCain is already falling behind. more »

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2008 Primaries, Messaging • June 6th, 2008

The air war begins

by Chris Lato

Wisconsin is about to see a new round of presidential campaign ads, courtesy of John McCain. If you needed a sign that Wisconsin will be a battleground state this year, this is as sure a sign as any – TV ads in June signaling the general election campaign is here in earnest.

It’s a character piece, intended to remind people of McCain’s bona fides on issues related to war. It offers no specifics but sets the tone of seriousness with which McCain would presumably approach Iraq, while subtly distancing him from the cavalier ‘cowboy’ image President Bush’s opponents have tagged our current president with. Iraq, the word and the war, is never mentioned directly in the spot.

The unmistakable undercurrent: John McCain is seasoned and tested by experiences the vast majority of us are lucky we will never have to face…and Barack Obama is not.

We’ll see the messages Obama chooses to focus on. The economy? The war? Fuel prices? There are plenty of issues on the table in this summer of discontent.

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