Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Blog Relations and Independent Politics.
As I prepare to participate as a panelist on today's Bulldog Reporter audio conference, "Blog Relations Update for PR: Top Online Influencers Show How to Break into Blogs," I realize I have a near-perfect example of what PR campaigns should NOT do to "reach and influence" blogs.
Barack Obama sent me a letter this week. I am on his email list and get those regular weekly or semi-weekly emails. I made a couple of small donations during the heat of the primaries, primarily to support and encourage Barack's valiant and successful attempt to take on the Clinton machine.
As an independent activist in New York City for the past 15 years, I can tell you that there is no love lost between independents in New York and our junior Senator Clinton. Hillary has personally attacked the preeminent Black independent in New York and the nation, Lenora Fulani, and has tried to strong-arm the Independence Party here in New York. Hillary is an independent-buster par excellence. As the Secretary of the Queens County Independence Party representing more than 21,000 party members (23 percent of voters in Queens are independent) this is no small matter.
The pitch from the Obama campaign to me in this letter states midway down on the first page:
"Together, we can change the way business is done in Washington. We can end the undue influence of special interests, bring Democrats and Republicans together to ge things done and finally solve the problems facing hardworking families across this country."
Ok, who is he talking to? Couldn't be me -- I'm not a Democrat nor am I a Republican.... Hmmm.....
"This has been a long campaign. and we've traveled this road with one of the most formidable candidates to ever run for President. In her 35 years of public service, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has never given up on her fight for the American people. Senator Clinton has shattered myths and broken barriers and changed the Aermica in which my daughters and your daughters and granddaughers will come of age."
Screeching halt. I didn't really read the rest of it....
Here's the problem: Yes, I'm a woman. Yes, I live in New York City. According to this letter, however, the only thing I have in common with Barack is that I have two daughters.
In spite of the fact that independents make up 40% of the electorate nationally, in spite of the fact that independents were responsible for boosting Barack (AND John McCain for that matter) to his current position of presumptive nominee, in spite of the probably tens if not hundreds of thousands of independent voters that Barack has spoken to and with during the course of his campaign to date, he/his campaign still doesn't "get it."
I suspect that the Obama campaign thinks that independents are middle-of-the-road centrists who are "critical" of their parties, be they Democrats or Republicans.
Independents are not centrist Republicans unhappy that their party has lost its way. Independents are not centrist Democrats hoping to get back into power this term. Independents are people who don't like partisan politics. We are NOT THE CLUBHOUSE! We are people who don't choose to align ourselves with either major party because we don't fit in those categories. In fact we are anti-partisans, in the tradition of the Founding Fathers (and mothers, sisters, brothers, etc....)
But this is not a failure on the part of the Obama campaign. Barack after all is a Democrat and is doing what he knows how to do to win the nomination of the Democratic Party and the White House. And he's doing it pretty well.
The Obama campaign's slight to independents -- their continued ignoring of 40% of the electorate -- is a failure on the part of independent voters. We are not yet sufficiently organized, and therefore powerful enough, to make our statement in a way that can be heard by the powers that be.
To the Obama campaign: You could call Lenora Fulani and Jackie Salit to get some advice on how to approach independent voters in New York City. [That's what you do to win elections in New York City... but hey, who's counting...?]
I mostly agree with your views, because I have been an independent for some 50 years. I have just become Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland. You say: Independents are people who don't like partisan politics. Let me make a stronger statement: Independents are against the two-party plutocracy that has hijacked American democracy. Better yet: Independents SHOULD NOT BE LESSER EVIL VOTERS. They should reject all major party candidates (with very few exceptions) and instead vote their conscience and vote for third-party and independent candidates. They should also support our effort at www.foavc.org to get the nation's first Article V convention, because that is the route to creating constitutional amendments to radically reform our political system.
by
Joel S. Hirschhorn (141 articles, 50 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 546 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Aug 15, 2008 at 1:50:28 PM
Thanks Joel -- I definitely sympathize with your point of view (and congrats for your work with the Maryland IP). I don't think this is a third-party year. This is a party election, as evidenced by the interest on the part of independents in the two major party races, and in the lack of enthusiasm for Mike Bloomberg running as an independent or Unity 08, or other independent approaches to the Presidency this year. That's not to say that there won't be an opportunity in the near future. I think we should take this opportunity now to educate the Obama and McCain campaigns about who independents are and our agenda for political reform.
by
The Hankster (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 6 comments) on Friday, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:02:56 PM
There are perhaps 25% hard core Republicans and another 25% hard core Democrats. These are lost causes, or votes you can take to the bank, due to blindless party loyalty that takes on a religous fervor.
The other 50% are Independents or fringe Republicans/Democrats. I can not speak for all of them, but the prospect of having McCain or Obama to choose from is disheartening. Not that HRC inspires anyone.
Both candidates are bought and sold by the corporate ruling elite and represent Globalization and Free Trade backed up by military force for those countries not going along with the program, and the use of fear at home to keep people under control (Global Warming on the left, Peak Oil on the right, and both have adopted the GWOT hoax).
Just 2 flavours of evil to choose from, sweet or sour, spicy or bland.
by
pft (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 601 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 16, 2008 at 6:44:57 PM
pft -- thanks for your thoughtful comment! I agree with the basic premise you put forth -- major parties = corporate interests... But! I don't get why you are disheartened.
After all: 40% -- or 50% as you suggest! -- of the American electorate are independent. That's pretty big! I am encouraged! Isn't that what we were looking for?
The issue is leadership. We have an opportunity to speak out. Will you lead? Independents need to organize at the grassroots level, and that is happening nationally.
I would recommend you "tune in" to Jackie Salit's CUIP conference call tomorrow (Sunday) night at 7 Eastern Time -- call Nancy Ross at national@cuip.org or call 800-288-3201/212-609-2800
Good luck to all of us!!!!
NH
by
The Hankster (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 6 comments) on Saturday, Aug 16, 2008 at 7:50:40 PM
(0+)
Want to post your own comment on this Article?
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Contact Author
View Authors' Articles
(0+)
Must Read (0) 
Well Said (0) 
News (0) 
Touching (0) 
Funny (0) 
Supported (0) 
Interesting (0) 
Inspiring (0) 
Valuable (0) 
