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Political Campaigning (Thursday, January 12, 4th period)
Josh was tacking a large map of Montana to the wall as his political campaign students filed in. When they had all arrived, he turned around, pointed at Parker and said, "how many days until the next election?"
"Welcome back," he said to the rest of the class with a smile. "Today I'll give you the assignment that will torture you for the rest of the semester." He pointed at the map. "Welcome to Montana!"
He passed around a handout. "This is a quick and dirty first look at the great state of Montana. By the end of the semester, I expect you to be able to bore the crap out of anyone who brings up Billings in your hearing. Because you will be writing the campaign plans for the three candidates running for Senate in Montana in 2006:Conrad Montgomery Burns, the three-term Republican incumbent, and his two Democratic challengers, John Jim Morrison and Jon Bob Tester.
He walked over to his desk and pulled up a list of names. "Okay, on the Burns campaign, we have Parker, Callisto and Donna,"--he pointed at Jake--"On the Morrison campaign, we have Rory, Alanna and Donna,"--he pointed at Angel--"and on the the Tester campaign we have Logan, Jessica, Elizabeth and no Donnas."
On the board, he scrawled "Elements of a Campaign Plan," then turned around to face the students. "First thing to remember in a campaign plan: if it's not in writing, it doesn't exist. I don't care if you've had the greatest epiphany in the history of politics since 'hey, why don't we let all of the grown-ups vote?' If it's not somewhere the rest of the campaign can see it, it never happened."
He turned and wrote Political Environment down. "This is what we were talking about last class. It provides the background for your strategy. It's what changes and why a campaign plan that was successful in one year might not work in another year. Ask the first President Bush about this--he ran the same campaign in 1992 and 1996. One year it worked. The other it really, really didn't."
He scrawled Strategy on the board. "In this political environment, who'll be persuaded to vote for your guy, and why?" He then added Tactics underneath. "And how, specifically, will you implement that strategy?"
Josh ran a hand through his hair and laughed. "This is covering everything you'll be doing over the semester, so don't think this is going to be your homework for next class or anything. Okay. Moving on." Critical Decisions was written onto the board. "Most critical decisions will come up as the campaign progresses, but there are a few questions you need to decide early: how many debates do you want? Will you run with or away from the national ticket? Or anyone who might be running in Montana? Who else is running in Montana?"
RESEARCH was printed in huge block letters. Josh tapped it. "This is the biggie. Information is power. You need to know your guy backwards, forwards and inside out. His family. The opponent. Their family. Voting records. School records. Personal history. Stuff you'd rather not know about. Stuff they'd rather not think about. Because believe me, there's someone out there who knows it all, and will use the exactly wrong moment to spring it on you."
He added Organization to the list. "Who works for who, where the consultants come in and who they answer to." Josh rolled his eyes. "Consultants are a pain in the ass." Media (Earned and Paid) was added to the increasingly crowded blackboard. "You'll need a separate plan for each--how will you get the media to care about your candidate is a completely different strategy than how much money you'll be shelling out for TV ads. Related to them both, though, is scheduling." He wrote that on the board, too. "Where the candidate will be, when, and most importantly, why. If the schedule isn't tied to the overall strategy, you have a candidate who is wasting his time. And as I mentioned last class and will continue to mention until you want to beat me to death with sticks, time is the one thing you don't get more of."
He ran a hand through his hair. "Okay. The only things left are about money, which is the lifeblood of a campaign. You'll need a budget and a finance plan. How much money you'll need to run your campaign--campaign staff salaries, media buys, those stupid buttons the candidate will insist everyone has--all of it. And the finance plan should mirror the budget--if you need a million bucks for TV ads in September and the fundraiser people hadn't planned on having a big donor event for until a few weeks after that you are, in a word, screwed."
"Enough of me talking. Break into your groups. Based on the very, very limited information I've given you about Montana and the discussion we had last class about the national mood, come up with three things that you think your candidate will have to address in this election."
"Your homework, due in my inbox by next class, is to learn about your candidate. I want to know their personal background, their political history, their wives' names, how much money they have in their campaign coffers. Information, folks. Give me some."
Josh waved his hand. "You may now commence in your whining about what a horrible, evil person I am."
[OOC: Yep. This semester we will actually be looking into the RL Montana 2006 Senate race. I've changed the first names of the candidates, but a Google search of the oh-so-stealthily slashed out real first names will bring up the actual candidates. And with time zones being what they are, group conversations in this and all other classes will be open until the next class goes up.]
"Welcome back," he said to the rest of the class with a smile. "Today I'll give you the assignment that will torture you for the rest of the semester." He pointed at the map. "Welcome to Montana!"
He passed around a handout. "This is a quick and dirty first look at the great state of Montana. By the end of the semester, I expect you to be able to bore the crap out of anyone who brings up Billings in your hearing. Because you will be writing the campaign plans for the three candidates running for Senate in Montana in 2006:
He walked over to his desk and pulled up a list of names. "Okay, on the Burns campaign, we have Parker, Callisto and Donna,"--he pointed at Jake--"On the Morrison campaign, we have Rory, Alanna and Donna,"--he pointed at Angel--"and on the the Tester campaign we have Logan, Jessica, Elizabeth and no Donnas."
On the board, he scrawled "Elements of a Campaign Plan," then turned around to face the students. "First thing to remember in a campaign plan: if it's not in writing, it doesn't exist. I don't care if you've had the greatest epiphany in the history of politics since 'hey, why don't we let all of the grown-ups vote?' If it's not somewhere the rest of the campaign can see it, it never happened."
He turned and wrote Political Environment down. "This is what we were talking about last class. It provides the background for your strategy. It's what changes and why a campaign plan that was successful in one year might not work in another year. Ask the first President Bush about this--he ran the same campaign in 1992 and 1996. One year it worked. The other it really, really didn't."
He scrawled Strategy on the board. "In this political environment, who'll be persuaded to vote for your guy, and why?" He then added Tactics underneath. "And how, specifically, will you implement that strategy?"
Josh ran a hand through his hair and laughed. "This is covering everything you'll be doing over the semester, so don't think this is going to be your homework for next class or anything. Okay. Moving on." Critical Decisions was written onto the board. "Most critical decisions will come up as the campaign progresses, but there are a few questions you need to decide early: how many debates do you want? Will you run with or away from the national ticket? Or anyone who might be running in Montana? Who else is running in Montana?"
RESEARCH was printed in huge block letters. Josh tapped it. "This is the biggie. Information is power. You need to know your guy backwards, forwards and inside out. His family. The opponent. Their family. Voting records. School records. Personal history. Stuff you'd rather not know about. Stuff they'd rather not think about. Because believe me, there's someone out there who knows it all, and will use the exactly wrong moment to spring it on you."
He added Organization to the list. "Who works for who, where the consultants come in and who they answer to." Josh rolled his eyes. "Consultants are a pain in the ass." Media (Earned and Paid) was added to the increasingly crowded blackboard. "You'll need a separate plan for each--how will you get the media to care about your candidate is a completely different strategy than how much money you'll be shelling out for TV ads. Related to them both, though, is scheduling." He wrote that on the board, too. "Where the candidate will be, when, and most importantly, why. If the schedule isn't tied to the overall strategy, you have a candidate who is wasting his time. And as I mentioned last class and will continue to mention until you want to beat me to death with sticks, time is the one thing you don't get more of."
He ran a hand through his hair. "Okay. The only things left are about money, which is the lifeblood of a campaign. You'll need a budget and a finance plan. How much money you'll need to run your campaign--campaign staff salaries, media buys, those stupid buttons the candidate will insist everyone has--all of it. And the finance plan should mirror the budget--if you need a million bucks for TV ads in September and the fundraiser people hadn't planned on having a big donor event for until a few weeks after that you are, in a word, screwed."
"Enough of me talking. Break into your groups. Based on the very, very limited information I've given you about Montana and the discussion we had last class about the national mood, come up with three things that you think your candidate will have to address in this election."
"Your homework, due in my inbox by next class, is to learn about your candidate. I want to know their personal background, their political history, their wives' names, how much money they have in their campaign coffers. Information, folks. Give me some."
Josh waved his hand. "You may now commence in your whining about what a horrible, evil person I am."
[OOC: Yep. This semester we will actually be looking into the RL Montana 2006 Senate race. I've changed the first names of the candidates, but a Google search of the oh-so-stealthily slashed out real first names will bring up the actual candidates. And with time zones being what they are, group conversations in this and all other classes will be open until the next class goes up.]
Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
JohnJim Morrison and turn in somethingwith the right name crossed out? ]Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
----
JonBob TesterBorn: August, 21st 1956 in Havre, Montana
Raised near the town of Big Sandy, Montana, (population: 710) on the same family land that his grandfather homesteaded in 1916. Local guy, local family
Wife: Sharla, grew up north-central Montana. Have daughter (married), son and granddaughter
Continues the Tester family dry-land farming operations. Was also a custom butcher operator. Believes in Montana industry? Alienate vegetarians. Are there that many vegetarians in Montana?
Former music teacher in the Big Sandy School District and holds BSc music from the University of Great Falls. Local school; former teacher - good for promoting eductation issues?
Recently completed his fourth regular session in the Montana Senate. After election as the minority whip for the 2001 session, and minority leader for the 2003 session, Tester was selected in 2005 by his colleagues to lead as President of the Montana Senate, serving as the chief presiding officer of the Montana Legislature’s upper chamber. During his time as president, Montana Democrats moved into Senate majority for first time in decade.
Focused on health care, education and jobs in the state Senate.
Among national issues, Social Security and Medicare are Tester's biggest concerns.
Tester raised over $300k in the 3rd quarter and has over $140k on hand.
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
Candidate: Jim Morrison
*Appears to be religious. - Is this good or bad for Montana?
*Family lived there since before the Civil War. - Is this a long time?
*Father was a lawyer and mother was a teacher and psychologist.
*John worked during college as a construction laborer and radio announcer and had his own landscaping business.
*From 1987-1988, John worked in Washington, D.C. as a legislative aide and legal counsel to Montana's Senator John Melcher and the Senate Agriculture Committee, helping write the Farm Credit Act of 1987, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan - Look into this act. Did Montana support Reagan? Has previous experience, but won't that one be a given?
*Spent thirteen years practicing law in Helena.
*He served the taxpayers of Montana in the state's landmark case against tobacco companies, represented the New York Times, NBC and other media organizations in the famous "Unabomber" case, and handled dozens of complex insurance cases in both state and federal trial and appellate courts on behalf of everyday Montanans. - Look up all these cases. Work off of his previous publicity.
*He taught widely at legal seminars and as a guest lecturer at the University of Montana Law School. - Good teachers are always popular.
*In his first ever run for public office, John was elected Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Insurance and Securities in November 2000. He was handily reelected to a second tern in November 2004. As State Auditor, John's priorities have been affordable and available health insurance, consumer protection and economic development through capital formation. - All very good, make him seem dependable, responsible, and he got re-elected so he must have been doing something right.
*Has two young daughters and wrote a book with his wife
*"The people of the West are independent. They believe in personal responsibility. We have a very strong connection to the land, believing in responsible stewardship and conservation. And the people of the West take their religion seriously; it's an important part of most folks lives.
"But they also believe in fairness - that government has a role in creating opportunities. As a public leader, I always try to respond to those values."
*Big thing for him: Health Insurance.
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
ConradMontgomery Burns, RepublicanBurns was born January 25, 1935 on a farm near Gallatin, Missouri to Russell and Mary Frances (Knight) Burns. Graduating from Gallatin High School in 1952, Senator Burns enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri. Two years later Burns enlisted in the Marine Corps and was posted in East Asia.
Following his military service Burns began working for TWA and Ozark airlines until 1962, when he became a field representative for Polled Hereford World magazine in Billings, Montana. Named the first manager of the Northern International Livestock Expo in 1968, Burns began his career in radio and television broadcasting, reporting on agricultural market news and establishing his reputation as the voice of Montana agriculture.
In 1975, Burns founded four radio stations known as the Northern Ag Network, which grew to serve 31 radio and TV stations across Montana and Wyoming when he sold it in 1986.
Burns began his career in politics when he was elected to the Yellowstone County Commission, serving for two years before deciding to run for the U.S. Senate.
Term of office: 1989-Present (17 years) (Is the longest-serving Republican Senator in Montana history.)
With a seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Burns has been able to bring in over $1 billion in federal funds to the state since he took office.
Serving as Chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee for the 109th Congress, Senator Burns has jurisdiction over all the country's federal lands and the National Park Service.
In 1997, Senator Burns became Chairman of the Communications Subcommittee, one of the major regulatory posts in Congress. Since then he has been praised as "one of the fathers of the modern Internet," standing for deregulation, the roll-out of broadband in rural areas, and pushing for new Internet and mobile phone technologies.
Accused of: racial slurs; sexism; legislative history of supporting measures and bills which would reduce (American) Indian tribal sovereignty; campaigned on promises to be a two-term senator and reneged; little grasp of domestic security after remarks made post-9/11; alleged recipient of illegal favors and $136,000 in campaign contributions
Burns has been singled out as one of the most vulnerable Senators facing re-election in 2006, since his win in 2000 was by a narrow 51%-48% margin.
In September, 2005, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Burns one of the thirteen most corrupt members of Congress.
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
Committees:
Appropriations [Senate]
Commerce, Science & Transportation [Senate]
Energy & Natural Resources [Senate]
Small Business and Entrepreneurship [Senate]
Special Committee on Aging [Senate]
Family: Wife: Phyllis Kuhlmann
2 Children: Keely, Garrett.
Republican Deputy Whip, United States Senate.
Voting Record (http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=S0521103), to be analyzed at length later.
"The Journal explores the possible role of Sen. Burns: 'Mr. Burns, the Montana congressman, helped one of Mr. Abramoff's clients -- the Saginaw Chippewa tribe in Michigan -- win a $3 million grant from Congress. Mr. Burns was the chairman of a key Senate subcommittee that allocated the funds to the tribe.'" [2] (http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Four_congressmembers_role_in_Abramoff_lobbying_1125.html)
"The [Washington] Post has reported that Burns, who received $137,000 in contributions from Abramoff lobbyists and their tribal clients, obtained a controversial $3 million school construction grant for one of Abramoff's wealthy tribal clients after pressuring the Bureau of Indian Affairs." [3]
Posted by balch3
On 01/14/2006 1:09:19 PM PST · 14 replies · 213+ views
Helena Independent Record ^ | January 14, 2006 | Noelle Straub
WASHINGTON D.C. (LEE) — Sen. Conrad Burns vowed last month to return most of $146,700 in campaign contributions connected with confessed felon Jack Abramoff to its original donors, but most of the money went to the Montana Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council, whose lobbyist is a former Burns staffer. A Burns campaign official said legal questions kept Burns from using his re-election funds to return to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Michigan Indian tribes, all former clients of Abramoff, the money they originally contributed to a different Burns account, which no longer exists. But at least one tribe originally wrote its check to Burns’ principal re-election account before the contribution ended up in the now-defunct account.
Burns decided to give the $101,000 in question to charity and donated it to the Montana Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council. Stan Ullman, who was Burns’ legislative assistant and worked in his Washington office for four years, is registered as that group’s only lobbyist.
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
JohnJim MorrisonParty: Democrat
Age: 43
Born: June 18, 1961, McCook, Neb.
Home: Helena
Occupation: state auditor
Spouse: Cathy
Children: Allison (11) and Amanda (8)
Education: Graduated from Missoula Hellgate High School, 1979; bachelor's degree in philosophy, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash., 1983; law degree, University of Denver, 1986
Employment: Aide to Sen. John Melcher, D-Mont., 1987-88; private law practice, Helena, 1988-00; state auditor, insurance commissioner and securities commissioner, 2001-present
Political experience: Montana delegate to Democratic National Convention, 1980; assistant field director, Bob Kerrey, campaign for governor in Nebraska, 1982; field director, Frank Morrison gubernatorial campaign, 1988; Montana representative to Democratic National Platform Committee, 1992; elected state auditor, 2000 and 2004
Military service: None
***
Grandfather, Frank Morrison Sr., served as governor of Nebraska from 1961-72
Grandmother, Maxine, ran for Congress in Nebraska in 1968
Father, Frank Morrison Jr., won election to the Montana Supreme Court in 1980, and served until resigning in 1987 to run for governor as a Democrat.
(He placed second behind former Gov. Tom Judge in the six-way 1988 Democratic primary and ran again for governor in 1992, finishing third that time in the six-way primary election won by Dorothy Bradley.)
Father recently died. When he ran for governor in 1988, Frank Morrison Jr. told fellow Democrats he was proud to be a liberal, and wasn't afraid to take stands that were controversial, such as raising state income taxes for some to pay for necessary services and condemning rail lines to provide competition for Burlington Northern Railroad.
***
Frank Morrison Jr. and his wife Sharon (an attorney) moved to Montana in 1969, settling in Whitefish. Morrison family has lived in the West since the Civil War.
***
Jim Morrison highlights:
Healthcare plan for small businesses (http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?display=rednews/2005/12/21/build/state/25-insurance.inc).
Lowlights:
Accused of building up secret war chest before officially declaring he was running (http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&tts=1&display=rednews/2005/04/25/build/state/30-morrison-senate.inc).
Painted in a bad light by bloggers post-Katrina (http://www.swingstateproject.com/2005/08/mt-sen_tester_v.php).
Controversy over real estate deal with Blackfoot land (http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?display=rednews/2006/01/05/build/outdoors/85-land.inc).
Painted in a bad light by connection to Democrat Party's attack ads on Burns that link him with Abramhoff (http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?display=rednews/2006/01/14/build/state/75-burns-manager.inc).
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
-Age 50, grew up as a farmer's son on long time family land.
-Former music teacher (degree from U. of Great Falls)
-Well-known member of the community, former chairman of Board of Trustees, Freemason, served on various committees.
-Currently in Montana Senate, has previously been Minority Whip/Leader of Democrats in said senate, also chief presiding officer of state senate.
-Married to Sharla Tester for over 25 years, two children (Christine and Shon), one grandchild (Kilikina).
Platform
-Improve education (additional funding for schools)
-Wants clear exit strategy from Iraq
-Against privatization of Social Security
-Affordable healthcare
-Economic development
-Reliable energy sources
-Cleaner environment
-Improved relations with Native Americans
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
JohnJim Morrison- Democrat
- Born June 18, 1961. Is now 43, for those who can't do math.
- Family: Wife (Cathy) and daughters (Allison and Amanda)
- Bachelor's in philosophy, Whitman College; law degree from University of Denver
- Elected as state Auditor in Montana in November 2000
- Re-elected in 2004.
- Became the first person to announce a candidacy in the Democratic primary for the 2006 Senate election, to challenge entrenched Republican incumbent Conrad Burns.
- Will face Montana State Senate President Jon Tester in the primary.
- Currently has well over $500,000 on hand.
- Parents were teacher and psychologist, respectively.
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
ConradMontgomery Burns became only the second Republican Senator in Montana's history, defeating incumbent John Melcher in 1988. Now in his third-term, Senator Burns is the longest-serving Republican Senator in Montana history.With a seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Burns has been able to bring in over $1 billion in federal funds to the state since he took office. He has been a champion of a fiscally conservative government and a strong voice for lower taxes to create new businesses and more jobs. He has expanded Montana's job base by establishing more balanced trade with Canada and brought better education and health care to Montanans by encouraging hi-tech investment in the state. He has pursued new markets for agricultural producers while securing millions of dollars in grants for research and marketing improvements.
On the national level, Senator Burns has criticized America's dependency upon foreign oil supplies, calling on Congress to ban imports from Iraq and increase domestic production and research in fuel cell technology. He has also cosponsored a Senate bill to voluntarily arm airline pilots to protect against future terrorist attacks.
Career and Public Service
U.S. Marines
Founder and Owner of Northern Ag Radio Network
Farm Broadcaster
Reporter for Polled Hereford Association 60-63
Auctioneer
Football Referee
County Commisioner
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12)
ConradMontgomery Burnsis a dick., born January 25, 1935, is a Republican United States Senator from Montana.Burns became only the second Republican elected to the Senate from Montana after the 1913 passage of the Seventeenth Amendment providing for the direct election of Senators when he defeated incumbent Democrat John Melcher in 1988. Now in his third term, Burns is the longest-serving Republican Senator in Montana history.
Senator Burns sits on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and is the chairman of its subcommittee on the Interior. He is also chair of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee's Communications subcommittee.
Burns was born on a farm in Missouri to Russell and Mary Frances (Knight) Burns. Graduating from Gallatin High School in 1952, Senator Burns enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri. Burns enlisted in the Marine Corps two years later and received an East Asian posting.
Following his military service Burns began working for TWA and Ozark airlines until 1962, when he became a field representative for Polled Hereford World magazine in Billings, Montana. Named the first manager of the Northern International Livestock Expo in 1968, Burns began his career in radio and television broadcasting, reporting on agricultural market news and establishing his reputation as the voice of Montana agriculture.
Burns served two years on the Yellowstone County Commission, before he decided to run for the U.S. Senate.
Has a controversial stance on many issues (http://www.issues2000.org/Senate/Conrad_Burns.htm).
Re: Homework (Political Campaigning, Jan 12) - Bob Tester
JonBob Tester is a third-generation farmer from small-town Montana. He's running on the slogan "Bring Montana Values to the U.S. Senate."He's also sponsored by the Swing State Project, which means he'll get donations from liberals in other states who want to see him defeat Burns.
He's finishing his fourth term in the Montana senate, which must be his last due to term limits.
He's in favor of increasing the minimum wage and protecting Social Security and Medicare.