Michael Crowley notes that when Americans Elect announced last summer that “it was pouring millions into placing a third-party presidential candidate on the ballot in all 50 states, the political world snapped to attention.” But the group now “is looking more like the Zune than the iPod…. It’s possible that Americans Elect won’t nominate a single [...]
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Republicans Should Court Minority Voters Or Begin Running from Behind
May13
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
National Journal writes: If recent electoral and population trends hold, Democrats need only wait a few presidential election cycles until they begin every White House contest as clear, eventually even overwhelming, favorites. … Current Census Bureau estimates say the nation’s population will grow by about 61 million people over the next 18 years, to 373 [...]
READ MORE »Momentum builds for FEC to allow text-to-donate
May13
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
Text-t0-donate could be a boon to federal races as it allows donors to make impulse-donations to candidates. To be sure, there are kinks to work out: donations from corporate accounts on federal candidates is a no-no; the delay in sending the donation to the candidates is a major issue if you’re in the last 30 [...]
READ MORE »Richard Nixon as a Model Campaign
May13
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
This article piqued my interest simply because Nixon is my political hero. I have a portrait of him in my office, with Reagan underneath, and my picture with Gingrich underneath Reagan’s. [Nixon's] retirement from politics didn’t stick, but the lesson about the conservatives and their media finally did. Having cast out the mainstream press, Nixon [...]
READ MORE »Role Reversal: Incumbent Is More Exciting, Inspiring And Challenger Is More Experienced, Effective
May13
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
YouGov reports: When it comes to the personal characteristics Americans ascribe to each candidate in the race for President, the usual roles are reversed. Even after nearly three and a half years as President, Obama is rated as experienced by 20%, not experienced by 33% (net -13). By comparison, for presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney, [...]
READ MORE »Bush ’04 pollster: Change in attitudes on gay marriage across the board
May12
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
I have to admit that as I grow older the less I care about individuals’ relationships – essentially, becoming increasingly libertarian on this and other issues. Where gay marriage is concerned I once felt that, yes, marriage is for men and women. Then I looked at why? Being that I’m largely agnostic I don’t attribute [...]
READ MORE »What’s the best time to send broadcast emails?
May04
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
Mandate Media says: We used to argue strongly that 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. was the core zone. And of course, if your audience is national in scope, then 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. pacific gets you in that core zone in all four time zones. Outside of that zone, open rates will tend to [...]
READ MORE »When There Was Too Much Consensus
May04
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
Interesting take considering public now feels the parties are too polarized. Ron Brownstein: “In the Washington of the early 1960s that Robert Caro so vividly recreates in his latest volume on Lyndon Johnson, political scientists’ greatest concern was not too much difference between the two parties but too little. It’s worth recalling the flaws — and advantages [...]
READ MORE »Top 10 political ad pet peeves
Apr30
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
Amen. The use of nonprofessional voice talent: This may save a few hundred bucks in production costs, but it’s the one thing that will hurt your ad the most. Cramming too many words into a 30 second ad Featuring a weak or awkward handshake Same ole same ole: Using the same shot of the candidate [...]
READ MORE »Looks Matter: Appearance Can Influence How a Voter Votes
Apr30
2012
Written by Chris Akins
2012
Written by Chris Akins
Campaign Stops writes: In Gray Matter, Leonard Mlodinow writes that eyes of a certain curvature and a slight widow’s peak can help win an election. But recent research suggests that we may need to adopt a more cynical attitude. It turns out that a candidate’s appearance — not beauty, but a look of competence — [...]
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