The Scarlet Letter
Campaign Insider
The next campaign finance challenge
by Jeff Brindle / Jul 06 2012
Another major challenge to campaign finance law has suddenly appeared on the horizon. The latest target: federal contribution limits.
The new challenge was filed just three days before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Montana law that banned corporate spending in its state elections. The judges decided the 100-year-old Montana Corrupt Practices Act and the limits it imposed were inconsistent with Citizens United v. FEC, the decision which declared corporations could spend
Fred Davis tells newspaper he regrets Rev. Wright pitch
by Danielle Kane / Jul 02 2012
In a lengthy interview with the Los Angeles Times, Republican media consultant Fred Davis expressed regret for the plan he put forward this spring outlining strategy for a potential ad campaign targeting President Obama’s association with his former pastor—Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
The New York Times got a hold of the proposal and published its contents, which included Davis-written language calling Obama a “metrosexual black Abraham Lincoln” and Sen. John McCain “a
Media strategists not sweating Dish’s AutoHop
by Dave Nyczepir / Jul 02 2012
Dish Network’s new AutoHop feature has resulted in a major backlash from TV networks, but political media strategists say they aren’t too concerned about the technology—at least not yet.
It’s the automatic ad-skipping feature in the company’s new Hopper DVR that has broadcast networks up in arms. CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox filed suit against Dish earlier this spring, arguing that ad skipping is tantamount to copyright infringement. The new DVR allows you
Messaging health care down the ballot
by Dave Nyczepir & Erika Spicer / Jun 28 2012
The Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the constitutionality of President Obama’s health care law is “the ultimate messaging gift” for Republicans, argues one GOP pollster.
The message for down-ballot Republicans this fall: “The only way to prevent ObamaCare's budget-busting healthcare tax is to elect a new president and give the GOP strong majorities in both houses of Congress,” says Chris Wilson, a Republican pollster who works for a slew of candidates at the congressional
Rally.org poised to expand global reach
by Danielle Kane / Jun 27 2012
Rally.org, an online fundraising platform that’s used extensively by candidates on both sides of the aisle, has raised some $7.9 million in new cash from investors. The injection of the venture capital money will help Rally.org expand its presence in Europe with the goal of extending the platform’s global reach. C&E asked CEO Tom Serres and Rally.org’s Nick Warshaw about the company’s plans.
C&E: What’s the focus in terms of using these
The rules of engagement on Twitter
by Erika Spicer / Jun 26 2012
Quick-tempered staffers locked in battle via Twitter is hardly the stuff of campaign legend just yet, but spats in the Twitter-verse—either spontaneous or calculated—are becoming increasingly common.
The reality, warn online strategists, is that plenty of damage can be done in 140 characters, especially if a candidate gets dragged into the fray. And at the very least, exchanges on Twitter can turn into an unwanted distraction for a campaign.
With
Democratic pollster Alan Secrest closes firm
by Shane D'Aprile / Jun 22 2012
Democratic pollster Alan Secrest is closing the doors of his firm due to financial concerns, he confirmed to C&E. The longtime pollster informed his current roster of clients that the firm was shutting its doors in an email, offering an apology for "any hardship it represents for the campaign and for you."
"It is my sad task to advise you that after 28 years of service to the full spectrum of Democratic candidates,
A revisionist view on high turnout elections
by Chris Palko / Jun 22 2012
No one can predict the turnout numbers for 2012, but the assumption that higher turnout will automatically help Obama win reelection is just that—an assumption.
It is traditionally thought that high turnout elections favor Democrats, and low turnout elections favor Republicans. The assumption is that those who come out to vote in exceptional circumstances are disproportionately Democratic voters—the young and racial minorities. This conventional wisdom is so pervasive, on both sides of the
Negatives will be 'uncomfortable' in 2012
by Dave Nyczepir / Jun 21 2012
Expect the best negative ads this election cycle to take risks early, two media consultants said at C&E's Art of Political Campaigning conference this week.
"I think the ads this cycle are going to make the people paying for them and the people approving them, and the people producing them a little bit uncomfortable, and I say that because we don't have much of a choice," said Rob Aho, a partner at the
Will Apple disrupt mobile fundraising?
by Erik Nilsson / Jun 21 2012
Apple made its first step into the world of mobile payments with the unveiling of Passbook for iPhones and iPods last week. The application serves as a virtual wallet, storing things like boarding passes, coupons and movie tickets until you need them—allowing you to scan your mobile device at the proper time and place. We can’t say we didn’t see this coming.
Due to our love of music, Apple’s iTunes has more
Finding new clients and perfecting your pitch
by Erika Spicer / Jun 20 2012
When it comes to landing new clients, it’s all about networking in the campaign world. In a cycle with competitive races up and down the ballot and a political market flooded with Super PAC dollars, there’s plenty of business to be had.
At C&E’s Art of Political Campaigning seminar, we asked Democratic consultant Michael Bronstein for some tips on honing the pitch.
C&E: What makes a good pitch?
Bronstein: First,
Standing out on TV: Why clutter may help
by Danielle Kane / Jun 20 2012
Democratic media consultant Joe Slade White says he’s not concerned about the amount of clutter already on the TV airwaves this cycle. At C&E’s annual Art of Political Campaigning seminar, we asked him how candidate campaigns can make sure they stand out this year.
C&E: Is it going to be tougher for candidates to stand out given the massive amount of TV ads that we're seeing in battleground states?
Joe Slade White:
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