Dean, Obama, Florida, Michigan...and Democracy
April 05, 2008
The rationale for Howard Dean’s stripping of delegates from both Michigan and Florida continues to fall apart under any sort of scrutiny. It also becomes more and more clear that the Obama campaign is the driving force behind the resistance toward any sort of comprise, much less a full accounting of those delegates, and that the continued dismissing of any proposed plans play right into the hands of the GOP. The latest examination comes from Wayne Barrett at The Huffington Post:
The irony is that the drumbeat for Clinton's withdrawal -- coming on the heels of her recent wins and right before what may be her biggest in Pennsylvania -- is rooted in the collapse of the effort to redo Michigan and Florida. The theory is that she should quit because there is no way she can win, and that there is no way she can win because two states she could win, at least one of which she actually did win, will not be counted until she gets out. Barack Obama would thus become the nominee -- not because of an honestly earned if precariously narrow lead in the final national vote, but because of two elections he would not let happen.If that sounds like a curious way to end a nominating contest that 30 million to 33 million voters will participate in before it's done, even stranger is that the DNC is following only some of its rules -- and that the real culprits who caused this debacle are Republicans, who are now relishing the catfight they provoked.
Read the whole thing for more on why Dean needs to seat these delegates now and sign the petition urging him to do just that.
Posted by Michael Kempner at 05:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
PR Week’s PR Professional of the Year: Thanks To My Team
March 31, 2008
A few weeks ago I was honored by PR Week as their 2007/2008 Public Relations Professional of the Year. While this is a wonderful individual award, it is really an award recognizing the incredible work and dedication of the more than 250 people who work at MWW Group. Since our founding, I have been lucky to surround myself with some of the brightest, most creative, dedicated and supportive people to ever have worked in the public relations profession. By never forgetting our true commitment to our “Aim High and Deliver” philosophy, we continue to strive for excellence for our clients and our community. Our work in 2007 was no exception, winning incredible new assignments, creating breakthrough programs, leading our industry in becoming the first “Green” PR firm and reaching out to our neighbors and across the globe with important corporate responsibility initiatives, our people once again set new standards for performance.
So, while I get much of the credit, my real job is to hire great people and then give them the opportunity to be great. That is why I am so proud of the tenure and growth of our people…after 21 years, with a little luck and a lot of hard work, we have been able to create an outstanding agency with extraordinary people…and the best is yet to come.
So, to my team, this award is really for you….and to my peers who voted for me and bestowed this extraordinary award on me, thank you.
Posted by Michael Kempner at 03:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Elections are About Emotional Connections
February 20, 2008
While I still remain hopeful about Hillary Clinton’s campaign, one does not have to be particularly wise to know that she is now the prohibitive underdog. So, I’ve been thinking a great deal about what has gone wrong with her campaign and what has gone right with Barack Obama. It’s easy to blame the media, but I really think it’s much deeper than that…
First, this election wasn’t about the “microtrends” pushed by Clinton Senior Strategist Mark Penn, it was about the “macrotrends” understood by Obama Strategist David Axelrod. It was also about good old fashion political organizing…so far, the Clinton campaign has run a top down campaign, relying on name recognition and a belief in an entitlement to the nomination, while Obama has run a bottom up campaign, capturing the grass roots and motivating them like no other in my lifetime. It was about the stewardship of resources and budgeting…Obama spent wisely and Clinton has not. It was about competing in every state vs. picking and choosing. And, it was about a fundamental lack of understanding of what it was going to take to win vs. a deep and brilliant knowledge by Obama of strategy and the needs of the electorate.
The funny thing is that when this is all said and done, Hillary Clinton will have received more primary votes and raised more money than any other Democrat in history…except for Barack Obama.
But, most important of all was a phrase that I saw on the Facebook page of public relations search consultant, Lois Kelly. Several months ago, weeks before the campaign changed in Obama’s favor, she put it simply and brilliantly…”Elections are about inspirational communications, not messaging.” People need something to believe in, they need an emotional connection. So, in the end, if Obama wins, his victory will be the product of a strong understanding of how to connect with people on an emotional level, how to move them to believe and how to stir unwavering support and passion…the type that comes from the gut as much as the head. And, when all is said and done, who among us doesn’t need a little inspiration?
Posted by Michael Kempner at 03:29 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Joe Wilson (Yes, that one) On Barack Obama
February 17, 2008
Below is an excerpt from one of the best articles I’ve read on the differences between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. It comes from none other than Joe Wilson (yes, that one)...if anyone has seen the evil of the Bush Administration and knows what this nation needs now, it’s him and his wife, Valerie Plame. I strongly encourage you to read this.
"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is one of the few who fully understood the stakes in that battle. Time and again, she reached out to my wife -- outed CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson -- and me to remind us that as painful as the attacks were, we simply could not allow ourselves to be driven from the public square by bullying. To do so would validate the radical right's thesis that the way to win debates is to demonize opponents, taking full advantage of the natural desire to avoid confrontation, even if it means yielding on substantive issues. Hillary knew this from experience, having spent the better part of the past 20 years fighting the Republican attack machine. She is a fighter.
But will Mr. Obama fight? His brief time on the national scene gives little comfort. Consider a February 2006 exchange of letters with Mr. McCain on the subject of ethics reform. The wrathful Mr. McCain accused Mr. Obama of being "disingenuous," to which Mr. Obama meekly replied, "The fact that you have now questioned my sincerity and my desire to put aside politics for the public interest is regrettable but does not in any way diminish my deep respect for you." Then one of McCain's aides said of Obama, "Obama wouldn't know the difference between an RPG and a bong."
Mr. McCain was insultingly dismissive but successful in intimidating his inexperienced colleague. Thus, in his one face-to-face encounter with Mr. McCain, Mr. Obama failed to stand his ground.
What gives us confidence Mr. Obama will be stronger the next time he faces Mr. McCain, a seasoned political fighter with extensive national security credentials? Even more important, what special disadvantages does Mr. Obama carry into this contest on questions of national security?"
You can read the rest of the article at Huffington Post, here.
Posted by Michael Kempner at 05:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Making tomorrow count for Hillary Clinton
February 04, 2008
Tomorrow is a critical day in New Jersey and across the nation. Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to help select the next President of the United States….tomorrow is primary day in New Jersey and in more than 20 states…and this time, your vote really counts. As many of you know, I am a supporter of Hillary Clinton. Over the past year, I have gotten to know Hillary personally….and I can tell you first hand that she is warm, charming, brilliant and really cares about America. While the media loves to talk about the politics of the “horse race”, Hillary knows that this is not a game…that our country has deep and difficult issues at home and around the world.
Her opponent, Barack Obama, would like you to think that we have to make a choice between experience and change…but, that is a false choice. It’s nice to talk in campaign slogans and platitudes, but real change can only come with real experience. Hillary is a great agent for change, and with her experience, will know how to make that change happen from day one.
Get past the rhetoric and take a real look at the issues…from healthcare to taxes, from Iraq to global warming, from the security of Israel to the national security of the United States, who do you really trust to protect us, build the economy and move us forward after the nightmare of the last 8 years. And who do you think is really best to beat the Republicans and their horrific political machine…some young, untested and un-vetted rookie, or a strong candidate who has been through the fire before…the Republicans are ruthless, they will eat up Obama and spit him out…and even his friends in the media won’t be able to help him.
Tomorrow is critical, I hope you will vote….and vote for Hillary. Tell your friends and relatives. This one really matters.
Best,
Michael
P.S. I’m running as a Hillary Delegate in the New Jersey’s 20th District. So if you live in Allendale, Alpine, Cedar Grove, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, Franklin Lakes, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, HoHoKus, Little Falls, Mahwah, Midland Park, Montvale, New Milford, Northvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Oradell, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ridgewood, Ringwood, River Edge, River Vale, Rockleigh, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Verona, Waldwick, Wanaque, Washington Township, Wayne, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake, Wyckoff; please come out and vote for me…and push your friends to vote too…I really appreciate your support.
Posted by Michael Kempner at 05:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
January 07, 2008
I just returned home after spending three days on the campaign trail in New Hampshire. It was a fascinating experience, from eating lunch with fringe candidates, to seeing Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama make speeches back to back, to spending a few minutes with Hillary after a rousing town hall meeting; it was the best and worst of American politics. Once again, a tiny, non-representative state is the center of the political universe. With a population no bigger than a small metropolitan area, New Hampshire, along with Iowa, are insanely given the power to pick a President. With only two days to go until the New Hampshire primary, here are my observations from the ground:
Obama is an Irrational but Compelling Movement
Seeing Obama make a speech up close at the New Hampshire Democratic Club, it’s clear watching him is liking watching a mega-church preacher...even his cadence is similar to a that of a well rehearsed preacher. There is no doubt that he is a great speaker, maybe one of the best, but it is also clear that there is no substance...it’s as if the word hope is all he has to say...smile nice, say hope a dozen or more times and look charming...like in religion, it is a question of faith...you are asked to believe, not to question. To really listen closely to Obama is to hear nothing...but he says nothing really well. And as for the press reporting that the crowd was in a frenzy over him...I was there and that’s a total fabrication...he bused in scores of college students, who he paid to attend...right before his speech and on cue...the 100 kids in attendance, rushed the stage and put on a mock demonstration...the “frenzy” was manufactured and the press knew it.
Hillary Needs to Change Her Message... And Turn Up the Heat
Obama has been given a free ride by the media, but Hillary has not helped herself. The strategy to run her as a virtual incumbent was too arrogant, too entrenched, not nimble and way too cautious. I was incredibly disappointed to see her give her same tired stump speech on Friday night at the New Hampshire Democratic dinner. After Iowa, it was clear that she needed to fine tune her message, but for some inexplicable reason, there she was with the same speech I have heard over and over again. But on Saturday morning, in front of 1000 people at a local high school the change began...she made no speech and took two hours worth of questions from regular New Hampshire citizens...she was great, it’s in these forums that she shines...it’s hard to understand why she hasn’t done more forums like this one. And then in the debate she finally took him on...and yesterday in New Hampshire she finally began to draw sharp contrast between her and Obama. Obama says he is against the war, but he voted for its funding. Obama says he is against lobbyists, but many of his campaign staff are lobbyists including the head of his New Hampshire campaign. Obama says he is against the drug and insurance companies, but he voted against the patient’s bill of rights...and the list goes on and on.
Experience is a good thing. And she has to finally stop apologizing for it. Hillary has a real record of change. Obama has no record at all...words are nice, but actions are better. And what does it mean that he is going to open up and get people more involved in government...don’t get me wrong, it sounds great, but what does it mean? Whether he likes it or not, working in Washington is hard...only real experience is going to get things done, not nice smiles and platitudes.
All that said, it’s remarkable how badly the Clinton campaign has misread the mood of the electorate and what it would take to win the nomination. They were so focused on the general election; they didn’t see the tidal wave of change crashing all around them.
The Republicans are Licking Their Chops...And Praying it’s Obama
I spoke to many Republicans in New Hampshire and around the country and they are praying that Obama is the nominee. He is untested and unvetted. He has no record or accomplishments to speak of... and he has absolutely no foreign policy experience. In the Republican Debate, we got a preview of their campaign against him...no experience, way too liberal for the nation and he has absolutely no foreign policy experience...when push comes to shove, Americans are not going to put someone in the White House that doesn’t have a clue how to be Commander in Chief.
The Democratic Debate was the first time that Obama really got attacked...and frankly, he mumbled and fumbled...if his protector, John Edwards, hadn’t come to his defense Obama would have been in real trouble. Much like the movement that swept George McGovern to the nomination during the Vietnam War, Democrats face a similar crushing defeat once the Republicans get a hold of Obama. The Republicans won’t treat him with kid gloves like the Democrats...the campaign against him is easy...and eventually the press will turn on him...and truly examine his policies and meager record. When that happens, it’s over. The only question is does that happen before February 5th or after?
The Press is in Love with Obama...Really
Hanging out at the Merrimack Restaurant on Elm Street in Manchester; you see candidates, reporters, campaign staffers and regular people all together...it’s the place to be and the place to be seen. And you get to have real, off the record conversations with all sorts of people including the media. In one incredible admission after another I learned that I wasn’t just paranoid, but that the press actually does love Obama. Many reporters, producers and writers admitted that were supporting Obama...and not just a little, but passionately...they didn’t even try and pretend to be neutral. So as not to embarrass them, I am not going to use their name or their media outlet, but they were from major television networks and major newspapers...it was just incredible.
So, when they don’t report that Hillary had 3,000 screaming supporters at a High School in Nashua, or that when Obama is up by 1 point in a poll he has a lead, but when she is up by 5 points, it’s tied...you can now understand why. When Edwards beats her by 1/3 of a percent and she actually beats him in Iowa Delegates, but it’s not reported, you can understand why...the press is mostly young and Obama has done a great job of working them....but, their bias is overwhelming.
In some ways it was refreshing for them to actually tell the truth and not pretend. But, no matter how much they love him, at some point they will turn on him...they always do...they need a race. You can be assured they will go after him if he becomes the presumed nominee.
If Hillary Loses New Hampshire, She Can Still Win on February 5th
As fast as Obama has risen, he can fall. The only thing for certain in politics is that nothing is for certain. If Hillary loses New Hampshire, the pundits will say she is dead...and the Republicans will hardly be able to contain their joy. And, with the polls so strongly against her, much like Bill Clinton, if she finishes a strong second, it will be seen as a victory. But, if Obama wins decisively, he will now be under an intense microscope...and he may have difficulty handling the scrutiny. With Clintons’ new, more aggressive strategy, the press will be forced to more intensely examine Obama. They love him, but they also love a race. There are more than 20 primaries on February 5th and she is very strong in many of the large states. All she has to do is win her fair share and the race is on again. This one has the potential to go all the way to the convention.
Posted by Michael Kempner at 12:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
This is No Way to Pick a President
January 03, 2008
As most of you know by now, I am a big supporter of Hillary Clinton…but, no matter what happens tonight in Iowa…win or lose, I really think this is no way to pick a President. For 100,000 – 150,000 mostly white, rural voters to anoint the major party nominees is a farce at best and a mockery of democracy at worst. Instead of candidates crossing the nation, running campaigns in all 50 states, they have spent millions…by many accounts, hundreds of dollars per vote…and most, if not all of their time, living and running in Iowa. Most Iowa voters have seen each candidate personally several times and have had individual or small meetings with key surrogates. All so a candidate can win or lose by a few thousand votes. And the worst part is that in a caucus, one’s vote is not even cast in private…you stand in your candidate’s “corner” in one of 1,700 locations throughout the state…and then people begin horse trading and trying to influence people to come to your candidate’s spot in the room. Candidates cut deals and even collude to help each other in different districts where one candidate has more than enough votes and another does not have the required 15%.
You have to get to your district caucus no earlier than 6:30 and at 7:00 they close the doors. And you don’t even have to be from Iowa to caucus…Obama is counting on tens of thousands of students who live in Illinois to come over the border and caucus for him (can you imagine the uproar if Hillary Clinton was doing this). It’s a total farce. Who has decided that these 100,000 Iowa caucus participants should decide who is the nominee…who decides who actually won and who lost…no matter who actually wins and no matter how close the vote…the media. It’s the media who has made Iowa…and then the equally small and irrelevant New Hampshire…the center of the universe. And by doing so, they become the news…they make the news…instead of reporting it.
So, no matter what happens tonight…even if Hillary Clinton wins by a landslide…I hope that this is the last time that Iowa is allowed this position and this type of power…millions of dollars and thousands of candidate hours for 150,000 people to meet on a January night…is no way to pick a president.
[Image courtesy of IowaPolitics.com]
Posted by Michael Kempner at 03:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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