Social Media in Political Interactions

Most US Representatives and Senators have a Facebook page. Less are on Twitter. However, the Democratic and Republican Parties are gently but firmly suggesting their members get on the social media bandwagon, so look for more to join the party. So what's an engaged organization to do?

I've said it before and it's still true: there is NO replacement for the impact of an effective face to face meeting with elected officials or their staff. Second to a face to face meeting? A personal phone call to a specific person with a specific request. Third? A direct e-mail with a specific request to a specific person.

Is there anything to do after that? Maybe.

If your organization is on Twitter or Facebook,  I suggest gentle interactions with elected officials via Facebook and Twitter, but NOT about your substantive issue. Save communications about substantive issues for substantial communications like those described above.

Not A Pleasant Post

I've been putting off writing this post because the subject is a mixed bag. It's like a bag of....mixed things. Can you tell how much I don't want to write this post? I am ashamed that our political system is one where what I am about to write is the truth. Ready? Here goes: Money=political access.

At every level of politics, politicians have to run for office if they have an opponent. Even if they don't have an opponent, cash on hand allows them to help others in their party who have tough races. Elected officials who receive donations from folks in 'safe districts' are very grateful and are happy to return a favor. Your check will elicit the same result. A campaign costs money, lots of money. The more money you have, the more advertising you can buy, the more staff you can hire, etc.

Our country currently lacks both an effective public campaign finance system, and the donation of ad space and air time by media outlets. In this environment, if you want something from a political decision-maker (grant support, project advocacy, a particular policy etc.) you should think about making a donation to their re-election campaign because it will help your cause. The good news? You don't have to give very much. There. I said it.

This Blog Might Have a Theme

I think I've said this before, but, like your mother's reminder to look both ways before crossing the street, it bears repeating: 

A REAL story, told well, about a woman baking a pie is far more compelling than a FAKE story about a woman who bakes people into pies. In other words, the Personal is Political. 

If you don't have a compelling, real story to tell an elected official, don't waste your time or theirs. Politicians want opportunities to make real differences in the lives of their constituents (albeit within the bounds of their political party and re-election plans.)  Ostensibly, that's why they get up in the morning and make all those fund raising phone calls.  

E-Mail and Political Efficacy

I'm reading a biography --of sorts-- of Bella Abzug, in which Eleanor Smeal, among many many others, is interviewed about the Congresswoman from New York City. Ms. Smeal was NOW President from 1977-1982 and 1985-1987.  She is currently president of the Feminist Majority Foundation.  Here's what Ms. Smeal had to say when interviewed in 2005:

What's killing the movement today is e-mails. People don't even get on their damn phones. I have something that is very important going on right how,and we're trying to get an informal meeting of women's leaders...But the truth of it is, everything is tamped down by e-mails. You can't get passion with e-mails. You can't organize that way. They're wonderful for telling people the meeting is set for two o-clock, but they are terrible for exchanging ideas. There's no emotion. You can't pick people's brains. I think it is a serious problem.
-from Bella Abzug, An Oral History, by Susanne Braun Levine and Mary Thom

Grassroots mobilization isn't my bread and butter, but I agree with Ms. Smeal because I've seen it happen in public policy advocacy, and I've caught myself hitting 'send' when I should be asking for a face-to-face meeting instead.  

While organizations like MoveOn.org and recent election campaigns have created online tools that allow for the electronic passion Ms. Smeal laments the lack of, I've yet to see the electronic replacement for the impact of a face-to-face meeting.  

Democracy in Action

At a meeting I attended last week in which I was NOT wearing my Political Consultant hat, I had to watch the small-town political equivalent of a slow, ugly car crash with my eyes wide open. It was U-G-L-Y and I had not an alibi. I was DYING to stand up and fix the situation, but was not in a position to do so.

Picture a very, very small New England town.  No, smaller.  Now picture two of that small town's Selectboard members (they are white men, if that helps) sitting at the head of a large oak table.  Now remember that in a small town, everyone knows everyone, and everyone has known everyone for EVER. Some folks get along, and some folks don't. These relationships are the same in the governing body of a small town, a medium city, Beacon Hill and our House of Representatives.

The decision made that summer evening had a profound impact on the town's future economic development, and the choice, unfortunately for the town's future, was colored inside the lines because the decision was driven largely by personal histories.  This is DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. Every single selectboard, town meeting, or city council gathering is a ringing, singing example of how the personal is always political and sometimes the political is personal.  If you are not getting what you want politically, I recommend getting an outside perspective to help you color outside the lines.

Are You Ready for The Fall?

Ah. The legislative summer recess is almost here. During summer recess, Senators and Representatives repair to their family compounds to relax and enjoy some much deserved time off. The Massachusetts state legislative cycle ends at the end of this month, and Congress is due to leave DC around August 8. They'll be in recess for about a month.

Ah summer. BBQ. Beach days. A good book.

Hey! Don't be lulled into sleep! July and August are REALLY good times to get something done politically. If you have any plans to ask an elected official for anything, ever, NOW is when to get your ducks in a row or plan your strategy.

Staff often take some time off during recess, but they NEVER take the whole time off. Four weeks off? Where do you think we live, France? Because the elected is out of the office and there is no active legislation happening, staff schedules are often more flexible around this time of year. The higher up you go on the political ladder, the more critical it is that you have a good, solid, communicative relationship with staff.

Good political consultants are busy this time of year because the fall legislative process is as fast as the wheels of a plane right before it leaves the ground. Political strategies and asks really need to be thought through and prepared for now.

If you're not ready for the fall, let us know. We can help.

The Guy with the Question Marks on his Suit

Have you seen that commercial?  The one featuring a man with enormous question marks all over his suit?  He claims that finding federal funding is as easy as buying his book.  He claims federal funding is available for everything under the sun, like your home, your education, and those widely coveted White House Christmas cards.

If you suspected that garnering federal funding is a tiny bit more complicated, give yourself 10 points.  But still, the man has a point: millions and millions of dollars in federal funding are available annually, and you did contribute a teeny tiny bit to those programs via your taxes.  

Do you want to know where your tax dollars go?  Would you like to see every single federal program in one place, with account descriptions, funding requirements and application forms?  You don't have to buy this man's book, all you need do is visit the website of the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.  There you'll find every single category of federal funding in existence.  Perusing  its many pages can be fun.