LOS ANGELES—When President Obama's reelection win was projected on a screen at Rep. Howard Berman's Encino headquarters on Tuesday, not everyone in the room was cheering. "There’s a lot of […]
Getting the most out of focus groups
Trying to determine whether spending valuable time and resources on focus groups is the right move for your campaign? Consider this: one of the most memorable and influential ads in […]
On the Hill: The GOP’s Resident Consultant
Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole is now in his fifth term in the House, but according to Cole he was a somewhat reluctant candidate some 10 years ago. Following a stint […]
THE LIST: Our Annual Consultant Scorecard (Bu – Fa)
THE LIST: Our Annual Consultant Scorecard (Bu – Fa) Abbreviations: W = Won general election (with no competitive primary, or vendor wasn’t involved in primary) L = Lost general […]
Absentee Voting: A Global Challenge
As democracy spreads across the globe, advances in communications technology have facilitated inclusion of voters in the electoral process—even if they live in expatriate diaspora communities thousands of miles from […]
Preparing for the Ten Year Storm
Redistricting is almost here, and Democrats say they won’t get fooled again… Much has changed in the 10 years since Texas’ Martin Frost led redistricting operations for national Democrats—including Frost […]
It’s Really About the Dogs
There are four basic fundamentals to a candidacy: message, motivation of volunteers, media and money. Without a message, there’s no reason for a campaign unless the candidate simply has an […]
Political Communication, The Bridge, Conventional Wisdom
Political Communicationby Steven Foster Edinburgh University Press 204 Pages We live in a world of spin. Spin upon spin, really. There are politicians and their talking points. There are the […]
Reapportionment: Winners and Losers
The purest form of high stakes American political warfare—which comes just once every ten years—is nearly upon us. The redrawing of congressional and state legislative districts always has the look […]
An Ode to the Past
For President Barack Obama, Tuesday was a day to showcase his rhetoric on his grandest stage to date. With an assist from his young speechwriter Jon Favreau, Obama penned an […]
Why Comms Pros Should Take More Risks in Political Writing
Camonghne Felix is a nationally recognized poet who moonlights as the head of Blue State’s strategic communications practice based in the firm’s DC office. She got her start in politics […]
How an Evolved Management Style and Early Recruiting Gave a Field Consultant the Staff He Needs Down the Stretch
Last year, as field strategists were warning of an unprecedented staffing challenge one practitioner starting recruiting for 2022. Now, with the phone ringing from existing and new clients looking to stand up […]
Push Digital Acquires Campaign Solutions to Form a Competitor to the Right’s Mega Firms
The Republican firm that boasts it was the first to process a campaign contribution online has been acquired by South Carolina-based Push Digital. The deal will put R. Rebecca “Becki” […]