Media Relations

So, Just What Has Obama Done For You Lately? One Roll Of The Mouse Will Tell You.

Remember as you read this...that I work very hard to be independent in any politically related posts. Just minutes ago, I received the following email map from Obama's David Plouffe.  Basically, you roll your mouse over the state you live in and you will receive specific details, numbers, dollars, etc. that your particular state has received thanks to stimulus efforts.  You can even see the number of children who didn't have health care who have it now.

I'm not quite sure how they came up with the numbers...but right now, numbers speak loudly in a  "moving through molasses"  economy and high emotion.  If this email builds confidence and helps stifle fear, that's strong strategy.  Check out your state.

Bold Obama Speech Viewed By Cheering Utah Crowd

It wasn't enough to witness history watching a mere TV set.  Today I went to Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah and watched it on a big screen with an estimated 1500 Utahns.  Almost as good as being there.

From Obama's speech at what planners are calling the "most defended event in American history" :

"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

"Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please."

AND WHAT A CLOSER!

A surprise ending in the inaugural benediction by Joseph E. Lowery - 

Listen close...at the very end....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoyyEpHBsmk

What Did Obama Teach Us?

Donation dollars gushed through the Internet pipeline, making  Obama's campaign cash-rich.  And the money was spent in new and unusual ways.  The exhaustive effort was jam-packed with new strategy and new media.  What should we, as communicators, learn from this?  A must-read, must-save article (with video examples) on the Ragan Communications site today:

Fifteen lessons from the longest and most expensive presidential campaign in U.S. history: What the 2008 campaign taught communicators.  And if you think about it, we are all communicators.
  

 

A Country Of Strangers. I'm Hoping To Get To Know You. Earn The Right to Whine

I want to know the real America. 

Who are you? 

What do you believe in?

What do you want for this nation, your family, your life?

Low voter turnouts have made me feel like I've lived in a country of strangers...those silent Americans....those many Americans.  When will you declare your existence with a ballot? 

This is a blockbuster year to get out and vote.  Even those of us with humble bank accounts felt important with our $5.00 online donation.  Never before have we had at our computer keyboards so many direct messages and information from candidates. 

Earn the right to whine. Vote.  The early voting polls are now open.  I cast my ballot several days ago.  It felt great!

Earn the right to complain if the election doesn't turn out the way you expected.  And if you need a little inspiration, watch this.

I remember the first year I was old enough to vote.  It felt nearly sacred.  I dutifully attended a local Mass Meeting (now called a "Caucus" in Utah).  I chose my candidate, knocked on doors to fund-raise for him, and volunteered to tabulate votes for 14 hours (done by hand with a pencil). 

We've come a long way...

Quarantined News Media Face Huge Ethics Test On November 4th

On November 4th, those typical exit polls (those that many accuse of skewing election outcomes) will be conducted.  According to an interview on last weekend's On The Media, representatives from the four TV networks and Associated Press will be quarantined.  At 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, those individuals will be given some early and general trend information from those polls.  They are free to take it back to the newsroom where employees are supposed to embargo the information until the Western states have finished voting.

This will be the ultimate test of news media ethics.  After all, TV anchors will be ravenous for anything to say during the long stretch from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. EST Standard Time (when all polls have closed). 

The On The Media piece (click on the podcast Poll Me Twice) addressed the genuine concern that newsrooms may leak the forbidden info to bloggers/citizen journalists, who will then post online...allowing traditional media to simply "cover what's already out there."

And if it happens....will it skew the results as anchors release scraps of online information?  Will Western voters figure their vote won't count if they see TV report a "clear trend" from the exit polls.

The world will be watching.