Obama's Army

A recent article in the LA Times is tackling the question many Obama supporters and volunteers are asking "what now?" As a recent addition to their email list and member of MyOB.com, I know that there is still communication via email but some are saying it is not enough.

"I don't think e-mails or YouTube videos from the president-elect are going to be enough," Figueroa said. "These people want to continue to be a part of whatever agenda comes out of the White House, and they want to be active participants in this government that they feel they have ownership of."

In talking about ways to take advantage of the grass-roots base, one of the big questions is whether it should be directly associated or under the Democrats or if it shouldn't be about party, as Obama himself often said. I am encouraged that their are plans to keep the network alive and thriving throughout the upcoming administration. In keeping people involved in the governing process rather than just the election process, I think we will be better off as a country as people start to feel a sense of civic responsibility that has been absent.

One thing I think is particularly relevant for us is just how much politicians can do now without the media. With the internet, they no longer need the media the mediate discussion between the two. In these instances the media is simply the reporter and commentator, rather than a facilitator.

Thank You Julia

I thought Julia's idea that Jindal make engagements to speak at college graduations could have huge potential for helping us reach our objectives. We have already seen that he is an articulate and engaging speaker and I think this would be the perfect forum for him to showcase this to young voters. It creates a personal connection with people, allowing the candidate to become a part of their momentus occasion. Things like this also have the potential for generating positive new coverage at the local level. TV stations will cover the event taking place in their area which is more likely to grab people's attention. Social networking sites could also play a part in this event since they are so big on college campuses. Now, what schools should we aim to speak at?

jindal2012blog.com

I'm not directing you to a new blog I have created for our most recent assignment, this is a blog I came across on RightPundits.com. The blog appears to be relatively new, but it has begun to synthesize coverage of news stories and videos of Jindal. I know there are many other similiar sites out there, which I fully support. We certainly need to keep someone one these sites and encourage them to continue there efforts, but as strategists, I think we also need to put effort into showing an energized Repulican party. By restoring faith in the party first, we are bringing more attention to more than one potential candidate, helping to ensure Jindal doesn't peak too early. In the same regard, I think we need to keep a close eye on potential GOP members who could run against him for the nomination. This will help us to develop a long-term campaign strategy. Romney is certainly someone we will need to follow, and there are quite a few google hits for John Thune. These people will certainly influence are approach to Jindal's campaign.

Obama isn't the only one getting people involved in politics

The LA Times had an article about a wealthy VA businessman who has spent $1million on hotel accomadations for the upcoming inauguation. The package is "the JW Marriott's $1-million "build your own ball" offer, including 300 rooms, four suites, $200,000 worth of food and drink, and a primo site overlooking the parade route." The successful, black Virginian wanted to make a gesture that demonstrates what American values should be about, giving back and caring for a one another.

Earl Stafford, 60, the founder of a Centreville, Va., technology company who grew up as one of 12 children of a Baptist minister, said he would provide his guests lodging, food and special access, as well as beauticians, gowns and tuxedos, if necessary. Stafford has paid the $1 million, a spokesman said, and is prepared to spend an additional $600,000 for a breakfast, a luncheon and two balls at the hotel. Stafford said he hopes to recoup some of the $600,000 from sponsors yet to be recruited.
"We wanted to . . . bless those who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to be a part of the great celebration, the inauguration and the festivities," Stafford said in an interview Wednesday.

I think this is a great thing and in tough economic times, it gives me a sense of hope somehow. there are still people out there willing to make sacrafices to help others. Aside from just being a feel good story, I think this demonstrates how Obama's presidency is continuting to inspire people to be involved in our democracy.

my.bobbyjindal.com

In the world of facebook and myspace, Barack Obama created his own social networking site. On the homepage it is defined as an "online community with over a million members. Get access to the tools you need to effectively organize for Barack Obama and build this movement for change." On the right side of the page there is an area to click to donate to help victims of Southern California fires. A perfect opportunity to Jindal to ask for help for hurricane victims.

Once you sign up and become a member you can create a profile to tell other users about yourself and even manage a blog on the site. You join a network based on where you live and can find events in your area. There is also a log where you can keep track of your involvement.

The site isn't doing anything that's particularly new, but they are taking a bunch of different internet outlets and bringing them together in one place. You even have the option of connecting your facebook account with your MyBO account. It streamlines the online experience. If I had to guess, I would say that facebook probably served as a template for the site but it keeps everything you need to know about Obama and his campaign in one place.

Needless to say, Bobby Jindal will have his own as well, in some variation of this form.

What does Jindal have going for him?

As governor of LA, I think one of Jindal's strongest marketable assets at this point is hurricanes. We touched on this briefly in class but I think this could be something much bigger than an appearance at a Saints game (although that is certainly consistent with Joe and my philosophy). The appeal here can be done on a national basis. When Katrina hit, the whole country was somehow involved. Whether we knew someone in the area or contributed to the relief effort, we had a stake in the tragedy. Consequently the anger and resentment many people felt about how it was handled by the government can be a way for Jindal to distinguish himself from the same old politics (aka GW) and on a large scale, demonstrate what he is capable of. He has been applauded for the way he dealt with Gustav and he is still taking care of the after-effects of Katrina. Wouldn't you want someone in office who has already dealt with a national crisis, and succeeded?

More to come...

Looking Forward

I'm relieved that I am apparently gainfully employed for the next few years (hopefully at least 4). As a communication strategist for Bobby Jindal's upcoming presidential campaign, I'm going to start brainstorming a few ideas to make his run a success.

• First off, and perhaps most importantly, we need to figure out what his image or brand is going to be and stick with it. In deciding what his code will be, we can then dive into how best to market him. At this early point, my gut tells me he needs to be genuine and approachable. Come up with a related catch-phrase.
• We need to have more participation at a local level. Take better advantage of local Republicans? Ultimately, communities need to feel like they have something invested in and play a part in the campaign. We need to get voters to own it, rather than just observing it.
• Provide a medium for supporters to "report" on Jindal's campaign. Organization and control is very important here. Suggestions are welcome.
• Go after independents and undecideds. Research demographics. Target markets. Get them early.

Stalking the Consumer

Starting my search on the Knight site, I came across quite a few things that have a lot to say about our current discussion on the future of news. I apologize if this post gets a little messy with links. This blogger led me to several others who's general message was, follow your audience everywhere they go. NBC has begun placing video screens above gas pumps and reaching their audience while they are fueling up. Put your product somewhere where people are forced to notice you. This is coming following the placement of monitors in taxi cabs. People are in a small confined space and force them to pay attention, you are certainly likely to spark their interest.

Jeff Jarvis's blog essentially serves as a place to ponder and and predict the future of news. One thing he suggests in this post, echoes the idea of catering to your audience.

* The next generation of local (news) won’t be about news organizations but about their communities. News is just one of the community’s needs. It also needs elegant organization. News companies and networks can help provide that. The bigger goal is to provide platforms that enable communities to do what they want to do, share what they want to share, know what they need to know together. News will become a product of the community as much as it is a service to it.

Organizations need to appear that they have no selfish desires. Their work isn't about them (as we have discovered it often is) but about the people they serve. They need to adopt a how can I help you mentality.

That particular post has a lot more to say about what Jarvis expects news to become if you have some spare time.