The election is finally over and I can’t think of one person who isn’t happy that the campaigning has stopped. The media people are probably a little disappointed since the money spent during the election season is like a retailer’s version of Christmas shopping seasons. The amount of money spent was incredible. Do you think there is a day after a political campaign where you can “take it back for a refund” if it didn’t turn out the way you wanted? Wouldn’t that be interesting? Losers get a refund.
When you think about it, in the political world, the winner gets the refund. If everyone does what they are supposed to do, the dollars invested in a political campaign will produce a return on investment.
Keep in mind that I am not talking about the voters; I am talking about the campaign contributors. If you look at the Public Disclosure Commission reports you can decide for yourself which people are expecting a return on their investment. It is disappointing and alarming looking at some of them.
I don’t want to diminish the importance of the voters in all of this since you need them to complete the process, but there is so much going on in the campaign strategy rooms aimed at shaping voter thought processes. Psychologically manipulating the way we think of the candidates leads us to choices that fit a particular profile. Voters do have to “pull the lever” to make their choice after the marketing blitz but they are often led very carefully to that choice.
As a business person, it’s interesting listening to the strategy meetings in a political campaign. You apply the same principles to selling cars or tooth paste as you do to politics. The marketing people don’t care what the product is.
Think about the candidates you voted for. Do you have specific expectations for them when they are sworn in or do you trust that the marketing spin somehow meets your needs? Partisan politics is a process of negotiations where voters are not in a position of power.
Don’t be surprised if there is no connection between the campaign promises and the votes they cast after the first of the year. The reality is that the real campaign promises were made behind closed doors and you can bet those promises will be honored. They probably won’t be yours.
Voters don’t really have the stomach for the hard work it takes to keep elected officials feet to the fire. They just want someone else to do it. Partisan politicians count on that.
Don’t be surprised if we get what someone else paid for.
Posted on November 5, 2008 at 8:05 am in Political commentary, Snohomish County Political Commentary | RSS feed
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No Loss for Words
I think I may have voted for an Edsel
by Steve DanaThe election is finally over and I can’t think of one person who isn’t happy that the campaigning has stopped. The media people are probably a little disappointed since the money spent during the election season is like a retailer’s version of Christmas shopping seasons. The amount of money spent was incredible. Do you think there is a day after a political campaign where you can “take it back for a refund” if it didn’t turn out the way you wanted? Wouldn’t that be interesting? Losers get a refund.
When you think about it, in the political world, the winner gets the refund. If everyone does what they are supposed to do, the dollars invested in a political campaign will produce a return on investment.
Keep in mind that I am not talking about the voters; I am talking about the campaign contributors. If you look at the Public Disclosure Commission reports you can decide for yourself which people are expecting a return on their investment. It is disappointing and alarming looking at some of them.
I don’t want to diminish the importance of the voters in all of this since you need them to complete the process, but there is so much going on in the campaign strategy rooms aimed at shaping voter thought processes. Psychologically manipulating the way we think of the candidates leads us to choices that fit a particular profile. Voters do have to “pull the lever” to make their choice after the marketing blitz but they are often led very carefully to that choice.
As a business person, it’s interesting listening to the strategy meetings in a political campaign. You apply the same principles to selling cars or tooth paste as you do to politics. The marketing people don’t care what the product is.
Think about the candidates you voted for. Do you have specific expectations for them when they are sworn in or do you trust that the marketing spin somehow meets your needs? Partisan politics is a process of negotiations where voters are not in a position of power.
Don’t be surprised if there is no connection between the campaign promises and the votes they cast after the first of the year. The reality is that the real campaign promises were made behind closed doors and you can bet those promises will be honored. They probably won’t be yours.
Voters don’t really have the stomach for the hard work it takes to keep elected officials feet to the fire. They just want someone else to do it. Partisan politicians count on that.
Don’t be surprised if we get what someone else paid for.
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Posted on November 5, 2008 at 8:05 am in Political commentary, Snohomish County Political Commentary | RSS feed | Reply | Trackback URL