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    You Want To Win, Right?

    Posted Aug 11, 2010 by Cornerstone Team | Comments ( 4 ) | Filed in: General, Politics, Social Media, Strategic Communications

    Running a successful campaign can be challenging, and sometimes intimidating.  Everyone will offer their advice and attempt to assist in some capacity, but how do you know that you are doing the right things to win?  Cornerstone Solutions can be your guide and help show you a path to victory. 

    Cornerstone Solutions is an award-winning full-service political consulting and strategic communications firm that delivers smart solutions and proven results for political campaigns on all levels.  With over 75 years of combined experience, we help clients navigate the world of traditional campaigning and new social media tools, which have redefined campaigns.

    Let our distinct in-house specialties that are unmatched in the industry set your campaign apart and help you win.  Our services of expertise include:

    Direct Mail: Our award-winning direct mail programs have garnered national recognition and helped candidates spread their message.  Cornerstone can help your campaign accomplish a successful direct mail campaign. 

    Data Services and Targeting: Our data lists are unmatched in the industry.  Cornerstone can build your walk lists, volunteer phone call lists and other targeted lists to meet all of your last minute GOTV needs.

    Target Phone Banks – live and prerecorded messages: We have extensive experience in Florida and have provided phone banks for races on the national, state and local level.  We can design and execute a targeted phone campaign, targeted to your voters to maximize your GOTV efforts.

    Strategic Email Campaigns – fundraising and mobilization campaigns:  Our email strategy is revolutionary and provides clients the ability to raise money, convey timely information and mobilize supporters and we can do the same for you. 

    New Media Strategy: Cornerstone Solutions has expertise in everything new media.  No longer is it sufficient enough to have merely checked off the new media boxes for your campaign, if you truly want to making a lasting and interactive impact with your voters, let Cornerstone customize an online strategy for you.

    We know how to win and we want to help you win.  We look forward to helping you win your campaign and appreciate your consideration.

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    MoveOn targets Target

    Posted Aug 10, 2010 by Matt Bales | Comments ( 2 ) | Filed in: General, Politics, Strategic Communications

    The United States Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions were able to exercise their 1st Amendment right in elections.  Under precedence of McCain-Feingold (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act), the ruling struck down the provision that prohibited corporations, for-profit and non-profit, from participating in electioneering communications.  Electioneering communications defined as broadcast, cable or satellite communications directly mentioning a candidate within a 60-day window prior to the election.

    Target Corporation became one of the first companies to test the waters.  Target donated $150,000 to a group called Minnesota Forward.  Minnesota Forward used the money to support candidates that promoted their issue of free enterprise and a pro-business culture.  One of the candidates publicly supported by Minnesota Forward was Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.  Mr. Emmer is seeking the Republican nomination.  Mr. Emmer’s stance on social issues, specifically his ardent voice of opposition against same-sex marriage has drawn fire against Target from organizations such as MoveOn.org.

    Target’s contribution to Minnesota Forward “was designed to support Emmer’s stance on economic issues,” Gregg Steinhalf, Target Corp. CEO, said.  Critics of Target’s contribution have besieged the company and the candidate, because of stances on social issues.  MoveOn.org and other gay rights organizations have called for boycotts and raised the stakes of this contribution.  In doing so, is it reasonable to claim these organizations are trying to limit free speech on their own.  Of course, activism is in and of itself a form of free speech.  However, the question remains, where does one’s right to free speech end and where another’s right begin?

    Do you think Target Corporation should be taking the heat for their contribution, or are the critics (MoveOn.org) going too far in their backlash?         

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    The "Right" Strategy

    Posted Aug 6, 2010 by Matt Bales | Comments ( 4 ) | Filed in: General, Politics, Strategic Communications

    The 2010 midterm election cycle is looming and its results will have consequences.  Political pundits are predicting majority shifting changes and Democrats on the national and state level are worried.  Republicans must capitalize on the shift in national sentiment and execute a developed campaign strategy focusing on the issues that matter.  The underlying implications of this cycle will shape federal and state congressional district due to the decadal redistricting process.

    Historically, the midterm elections indicate that the party in power will suffer losses at the polls.  This year is clearly mimicking this trend according to recent polls.  This trend raises a strong consideration for campaigns.  Should state-level campaigns focus on the same issues as national-level races?  What about strategy?

    Clearly, this answer depends largely on the state in question.  Issues of interest to North Carolinians are different from issues in Florida.  Certain issues are an automatic talking point, such as, jobs and the economy.  Contrastly, illegal immigration is more of a state-by-state issue.

    For Republicans, their task is to execute a grassroots organization to contact and spread their messages.  Utilize advancements in new media, rely on traditional methods of phone calls, direct mail and transition the public sentiment to a grassroots campaign.  The “average citizens” are paying attention; they must be reached.

    For Democrats, their task is to downplay national trends and rely heavily on polling if in a swing district.  I think Democrats must fundraise with greater intensity during this cycle, because they must communicate more with the voters to convey their message amid the national climate.

    At the end of the day, history does repeat itself and I think 2010 will hold true.  Do you think that the Republicans will make the gains needed to hold a majority in Congress?  In North Carolina?    

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