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Bringing Out the Heavy Guns
Lots of groups attempt to influence the Legislature. Most hire lobbyists who personally interact with lawmakers. Others go beyond that, encouraging citizens at the grassroots level to call or write their legislators in support or opposition to a particular bill. Even fewer go to the ultimate step, bringing out the heavy guns of paid advertising to promote their legislative priorities.
I’m aware of only three interest groups, so far, that are using paid media to attempt to influence legislative action. The first, of course, is the credit union lobby, which has been running heavy radio and TV against HJR1 for several weeks. The second is the Utah Taxpayers Association, which published newspaper ads on RDA issues. The third is the tuition tax credit lobby, which is now on the radio with ads encouraging support for tuition tax credits.
Reader Response
Yesterday’s communications tip on dealing with news reporters elicited a couple of interesting responses. KSL Radio reporter Jon Dunn said he “loved (the piece) on how to work with a reporter. I just hope people use the info.”
Longtime Republican activist Gordon Jones had a different spin, tongue only partly in cheek: “When I did campaign training for GOPAC, I always told prospective candidates to get to know the reporters and editors who would cover their campaigns, and to make personal friends of them. That way, I said, when they stab you in the back they'll feel guilty about it.”
Words to Live By
Now that Iraqi citizens have liberty, they are granting charters of power to new leaders, making the words of James Madison are even more meaningful:
"In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example...of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness." (Source: The Federalist Patriot)
Campaign Tip
Events Drive Politics
I’ve published this tip before, but it’s worth repeating. I frequently come across situations where someone wants to advance a political cause, but doesn’t understand the value of holding an event. If you want to be successful in politics, either during a campaign or as an incumbent or activist, plan events. Events force good things to happen. If you are a legislator or a city council member, for example, but you aren’t involved in many events, then you’re missing major opportunities.
Events such as speeches, fundraising dinners, debates, rallies, hearings, panel discussions, town or neighborhood meetings, press conferences, media interviews, town celebrations, etc., all can help you make political progress.
What happens when you schedule an event? You are forced to:
- Get people involved
- Establish policy and clarify your positions
- Prepare communications materials, focus your messages and hone your arguments
- Interact with the media
- Develop contact information and mailing lists
- Pull together people in good causes.
Those are all very positive things for a candidate, an office holder or political activist. Most political leaders develop important policy positions when they are writing speeches or preparing for media interviews. Giving a speech forces you to grapple with the important issues and to develop your policy and positions. Holding a fundraising event not only nets you some campaign cash, but it provides a lot of good exposure, provides an opportunity to meet key people, and forces you to get organized and get supporters helping.
Without events, not much happens in politics. But it’s surprising how many political leaders don’t go out of their way to proactively plan events. They attend their regular meetings and take what speeches and other opportunities are offered them, but they aren’t aggressively creating events. There are many more good event opportunities to take advantage of than most politicians realize. The old political maxim that events drive politics is true
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