Category Archives: Politics

Form Letters and Failure

I remember in my earliest years as a political volunteer that I felt an intense repulsion to the idea of helping with a letter writing campaign. In the early 2,000s, on the leading edge of social media platforms, such campaigns were far more prevalent than they are today. Advocacy organizations built strategies around helping theirContinue reading “Form Letters and Failure”

Do You Wish To Unsubscribe?

Last week, I kicked off a special series focused on social media in advocacy. I also announced that I was going to ask some other contributors to add their voices to the discussion. Today, a good friend and trusted colleague is trying his hand at blogging with a first-ever post focused on the first ofContinue reading “Do You Wish To Unsubscribe?”

On Hashtags, Fax Machines and Cults of Personality

I’ve been thinking about social media a great deal lately. Well, social media and fax machines. A few years back, I was placed in the awkward position of training a Gen Z intern on operating a fax machine. It was a brutal reminder that as an early Millennial my life experience has bridged the gapContinue reading “On Hashtags, Fax Machines and Cults of Personality”

You Win with People

A few years ago, I was working for a member of Congress who decided to leave office before the end of his term. It was an absolutely wild experience. Just months earlier, it seemed he was on an entirely different trajectory. But on an autumn day he announced, without fanfare, that he would be leavingContinue reading “You Win with People”

Give ’em hell, Harry

It’s challenging enough to not remember President Harry S. Truman simply through the prism of “FDR’s successor”. It’s nearly impossible to not fall into the trap of discussing his role in ending the second World War and stumbling toward the Korean War. His terms in office so saturated with conflict, he is often quoted byContinue reading “Give ’em hell, Harry”

Symbolism and Tribalism

Originally, I had a much different post compiled for today. Barring some incredible circumstance, I was poised to share some thoughts with you today about Political Action Plans and how to consider the timing of your advocacy efforts. Well, then something incredible happened – and you all probably couldn’t escape the news of it inContinue reading “Symbolism and Tribalism”

Let’s talk about negative media

I’m going to begin, in all fairness, by stating up front that I’m probably blowing this all way out of proportion. I usually don’t get worked up over headlines. This far into life, there’s not much that comes out of media coverage that can really make my blood boil. But this week, I’m not embarrassedContinue reading “Let’s talk about negative media”

Moments of Leadership – The one where nobody wins

I had a really great call yesterday. A friend and colleague reached out to discuss an ongoing collaboration, and as good conversations do, it developed into a 40 minute romp through so much more. And as you could guess, at one point we landed on the topic of state politics in the midst of COVID.Continue reading “Moments of Leadership – The one where nobody wins”