The Phantom News Article
One of my favorite parts of the campaign is working with the media. My enjoyment of working with the press goes back to my days as a political consultant working with the Scottish Parliament. Elections in the UK are run for a fraction of the cost in the United States, and they only last six weeks. Therefore, it is especially critical to have a good relationship with the press.
I have worked very hard to get Andrew Scripter's name in the press for all of the wonderful work he has been doing on the campaign trail. I have tried to develop contacts in all the local media outlets. Therefore, it was surprising to me when I was told by some supporters that Andrew was be endorsed by the Rocky Mountain News. Well needless to say I was really happy about that news, but also feeling like a prize idiot for not knowing about it before hand. I figure as a good campaign manager I should be aware when my candidate is in such a prestigious paper.
I first heard about the "phantom article" on Tuesday and I ran out to try in find it in the Tuesday paper. However, it was not there. I looked up on-line and could not find it either. I probably would have dismissed the hunt for the article right then and there, but on Wednesday and Thursday more and more people kept telling me about this phantom article. I called the Rocky Mountain News, and they couldn't tell me anything about it. Finally on Thursday night I went down to Denver Library to personally look through the papers for the past week. Sure enough I found the article that talked about Andrew. Now, to be fair, it was not an endorsement, but Andrew's picture was there and they talked about the race being a competitive one.
Of course I was very happy with the coverage, but I had to eat a little humble pie. "Big time" campaign manager and press secretary who had worked with the major papers in Great Britain had been completely unaware of my own candidate being in the paper. Looks like I need to stay focused a little more.
Transcending and Transforming Politics
Lessons on working with the media
One of the most important lessons that any politician, campaign manager, or press secretary can learn is to be open and willing to talk with the media. You may get tough questions when you are doing something controversial; however, by trying to spin or obfuscate to the press you are only doing a disservice to your campaign. Of course you want to have a clear and succinct message, but contrary to popular belief people would rather have full disclosure than overly polished bull s#$t.
There are two important lessons for how we can transcend and transform politics
- Be willing to say you don't know.
Not even the smartest person in the world can be an expert on everything, and therefore it is far better to be honest then try to use slick "political-speak" to change the subject. People will be far more impressed with a candidate that speaks candidly then one who will try to answer the question that they just don't know anything about. An honest person would say "I don't know", and then go find out.
- Answer direct questions directly.
For to long politicians will be asked a question and then tangentially answer it with a topic that has nothing to do with the original question. People don't want spin or "political-speak" they want to hear what you have to say on the question asked. A savvy person will be willing to answer the question. After the question is answered then you can talk about a strength , but deflecting a question will only make you look week. .
I am proud to work for a candidate that follows both of these rules. Andrew Scripter is a very smart man, and that is why he is willing to admit he does not know everything. He will always admit this and then find out the right answer. That is a true sign of integrity and class.