ScottRadio.com - Recent Article: Political Research - Praying for Rain on Election Day

America's Only Radio Advertising Agency Specializing in Political Campaigns

Voice Work for Campaign and Special Interest Commercials

Telephone/Robo Calling Scripts and Voice Work

Comprehensive Political Campaign and Issues Research

ScottRadio.com Rates and Credit Policies. Competitive and Guaranteed

Contact us via email, telephone or live chat 24 hours a day

Political Research - Praying for Rain on Election Day

Running for office at any level requires a myriad of skills. Resourcing, outsourcing, researching, fund raising, run-blocking, bullet dodging, story spinning...and, er, maintaining brevity of message. Over the past twenty years as a political and media consultant, there is one desirable skill I have yet to obtain. I can't control the weather.

Don't worry, my desire is not to out-maneuver the Justice League of America and topple world governments with some grand plot worthy of the comics.

Research and polling are, of course, part of any comprehensive approach to election day success. If you have a small budget, do random polls of fifty people in your district. If you have the funds, hire a professional firm to map the landscape. We all know that this research 1) ascertains your probability of success and 2) plots the path to success. It is important to realize that it also can show you under what conditions success is most likely. How will you feel if it is in your best interest for most of the electorate to stay home?

Even when you perfectly research and analyze, sometimes a lucky event is needed. Bite the bullet and admit you are in it to win; pray for rain and let them stay home.

Even when you have done all the research and have all the data at your disposal, you miss the critical connection. Suck it up and learn a hard lesson, for not even rain may save you. I have a good example of this situation.

As media advisor for the 2006 Texas U.S. Senatorial candidate, I did extensive research. No assumptions were made. The candidate was Barbara Ann Radnofsky – a last name too difficult for traditional recognition techniques, like repetition. The campaign planned an entire media approach around the name “Barbara Ann.” How much more Texan can you get than “Barbara Ann?” Overnight the yard sign and bumper sticker design changed. Print media and banners at events displayed “Barbara Ann.” Most made the assumption that the label “Barbara Ann” was the best choice. I did not.

Experienced political consultants are cautious: too many years, too many assumptions, too many burns. In polling, I included questions about “Barbara Ann.” The most basic question was, “Do you like the name 'Barbara Ann?'” Twenty-one percent did not. This percentage fell into two age and ethnic groups. The old yard signs were still sitting in storage. We could have easily distributed them on a geo-demographic basis. We could have easily customized emails to these groups.

But it was too late. So, do your research. Never hesitate to run a regression of one statistic against another. Always poll on questions that challenge your core assumptions and strategy.

Be ready to pray for rain.

Other Recent Articles by Scott Perreault...
Are all voters equally important?
Must local candidates be sold political advertising rates?
2008 Elections and radio advertising.
Political fund raising today.
Effective candidate radio commercial tag lines.
Candidate survival guide.
Using radio to win an election.
Scott Radio Blog

Free Call 24/7 (phone to phone) Just Click

Award winning book...A must for all local, statewide and national candidates. It pays for itself in the first read!

Payment Secure via PAYPAL PAYMENTS WITH VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER or PERSONAL CHECKS are secure via PAYPAL®. You DO NOT need to be a PAYPAL® member to complete your purchase.
Payments are made to "Scott Radio"

PURCHASE THE E-BOOK VERSION
Only $19.95
ISBN # 978-1-885649-01-0
We have reformated the book to conserve paper. The text is complete and only Twenty one pages to be saved or printed in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Format. If you require a different E-book format, please contact the Publisher who will accommodate your needs.

Once payment to Scott Radio is approved, a PAYPAL® Invoice will appear for you to print/save. To be instantly directed to the DOWNLOAD PAGE you need to click the button located on the lower right corner of the Invoice titled "RETURN TO MERCHANT". In the unlikely event that you would omit this step, simply return to the home page of scottradio.com and select the "Contact" section. There is a link titled "URGENT" to request the download page url be delivered to your PAYPAL® E-mail.
Click "BUY NOW" to purchase with credit/debit card or personal check.

PURCHASE THE PRINTED VERSION
Only $24.95
ISBN # 978-1-885649-00-3
This Forty-four page book is delivered via US Mail. Delivery is free.
Click "BUY NOW" to purchase with credit/debit card or personal check. Libraries/Colleges may use the Purchase Order Form.