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.
Read any Florida newspaper or watch any local news broadcast and you will hear the buzz circulating about the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
As if the FCAT wasn’t already enough of a controversial issue, scores that are normally released before students break for summer have still not been received. However, as stated in an article from The Palm Beach Post, the latest estimate is that “scores won’t be released until the end of June”.
With student placement in advanced and remedial classes, teacher staffing and the uncertainty of knowing whether or not students will have to retake the exam all on the line, there is an understanding why so many students, teachers and parents are anxious. Those most concerned are the high school sophomores who are wondering if they passed the “high-stakes” test; since reading and math FCAT tests must be passed in order to receive a diploma.
This glitch in scores being delivered has given more fuel to the fire of those opposed to the FCAT.
Many parents, teachers and citizens of the Florida communities are fed up with the standardizing testing and the evaluation of a student to be based on such a “high-stakes” test.
But if the FCAT was to be removed, what would replace it?
What is the difference between the FCAT and the new system? The FCAT only tests students in a few subjects while all subjects in the new evaluation system would be required.
However, many question how school districts would create standardized testing for creative classes and if it is smart to put so much pressure on students and the education in Florida.
With elections right around the corner and many school board seats up for election, the issue of quality education and the use of standardized testing is a major issue and concern for parents, teachers and now candidates running for school board.
Are we truly educating the next generation if we are requiring our teachers to prepare students for ONE high-stakes test to judge their skill set and ability to move forward? And is it fair for a students gain in learning to be based strictly on a high-stakes test and the teacher be judged along with those scores? Is the governments answer to standardized testing really going to be more standardized testing?
Understandably, there is the need to make sure students are receiving adequate education. And if no form of standardized testing is used, it raises the question: How will schools be able to compare the education students are receiving with in school districts, counties, states and nationally? These along with other concerns are those of supporters of standardized testing.
However, maybe the resolution isn’t relying strictly on standardized testing or completely dismissing it. Maybe schools should use the testing as a guiding tool so when test scores are not being delivered on time, the schools and especially the students do not suffer the most.
Whatever the solution, I think it is safe to say the Florida school boards are going to spend a great deal of time looking to improve standardized testing and the influence it has on students, teachers and the structuring of schools.
Yesterday a YouTube video reached “viral” status showing North Carolina Congressman Bob Etheridge forcefully confronting two unidentified “college students” after the students asked whether Rep. Etheridge supported the Obama agenda.
According to Politico, DNC spokesperson Brad Woodhouse says, “Motives matter, and I think you can see who was behind this,” alluding to the suspicion that the Republican Party was the behind the tracking operation. Nevertheless, both political parties are guilty of the “gotcha” game.
Remember when a liberal tracker caught former Congressman George Allen saying “macaca” at an event that lead to his defeat in Virginia. Unfortunately, this is the norm in today’s politics. Many critics inquire as to why the faces of the two college students are blurred; well I would blur my face too. We all remember what happen to Joe the Plumber after his infamous question to then-candidate Obama on the campaign trail. His finances and records were made public as well as other private details.
Politics is and continues to be a nasty game. The moral of the story is…in the day and age of real-time internet, when you encounter someone holding a camera you better smile and be on your best behavior or avoiding the camera. Moreover, politicians must understand the power of the internet to propel their careers or end them.
In today’s anti-incumbent political environment, this sort of slip-up by Congressman Etheridge could cost him his election. Some pundits say Etheridge is too strong of politician with a sizeable war chest and will weather this storm. Of course, pundits also said that George Allen would survive his storm, but he did not. Do you think that Rep. Etheridge can survive?
The election season is rapidly approaching for Florida voters and already the focus seems to be straying from the August 24, Primary and moving towards the November 2, General Election. Moreover, unless you do not have a television, computer or some handheld device where you get your news, you have read where Gov. Charlie Crist is now trailing former House GOP Speaker Marco Rubio for Florida's coveted US Senate seat that was vacated by Mel Martinez.
Many political professionals and pundits of all stripes have weighed in with opinions of why Gov. Crist is quickly becoming a non-entity or that he is so focused on the next higher office that he cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, from my view I see Gov. Crist no different from when he won the September 5, 2006 primary for Governor. During that campaign, Crist defeated the statewide-established candidate Tom Gallagher and then defeated Tampa Congressman Jim Davis on November 7, 2006.
Based on the issues that Gov. Crist has pushed for and accomplished - restoration of felon rights, gambling compact, paper trail for electronic voting - since his January 2007 swearing-in, it is hard to say that we did not know where he stood on the issues. However, where most have been caught off guard is the fact that those accomplishments and his agenda - climate change, public corruption, spending for environmental conservation - are more in line with general election voters rather than the more ardent conservative Republican primary voters.
To emphasize this point look at his current actions during the Legislative Session in Tallahassee. He vetoed a GOP sponsored election reform bill, which would have allowed legislative leadership to maintain their own political action committees and he vetoed S.B. 6, which would have made sweeping changes to how teachers are hired, evaluated and retained. Lastly, the foreshadowing of possible vetoes related to rate deregulation of property insurance and budget vetoes surely are noted.
All the while, Gov. Crist's primary opponent, Marco Rubio had an eye-opening fundraising quarter of $3.6 million and collected key endorsements from national GOP leaders. What that all equals is the notion that as the GOP establishment tries to close ranks the more it appears to make Gov. Crist look as an outsider.
An outsider? One may ask how.
Gov. Crist's reasoning for vetoing SB 6 and now his interest in running as No Party Affiliation both brought one common comment, "I'm listening to the people.” Those are four keywords, and the most important - people. Since the day that Gov. Crist was elected to the state Senate in 1992 by defeating Democrat incumbent Helen Gordon Davis, he has always been looking out for the people. While it may be a common advertising slogan for attorney John Morgan, it has been a mainstay for Gov. Crist. Again, he is not addressing primary voters but general election voters.
What this all boils down to, when you consider the issues and agenda that he has pushed during his elected career as a state Senator, Education Commissioner, Attorney General and now as Governor, his ability to go along and get along with Democrats and now taking his own party to the woodshed on popular issues, he's making himself out to be the outsider and who are the voters angry today?
It’s not partisan, but its directed at incumbents and the more he can frame himself as the solution and blame the insiders in Tallahassee and Washington as the problem, then you have a competitive 2010 General Election where a NPA can win, especially if your name is Charlie Crist.
Mitt Romney was the winner at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference (SRLC) straw poll last weekend. A little surprising seeing as though he wasn’t even there. Sarah Palin, who was the headliner, packed the room with adoring fans but didn’t even grab second place. Instead she tied for third with Newt Gingrich. Ron Paul was the proud second place winner thanks to his strong, enthusiastic following.
What does all this mean? Does it give us a glimpse into the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary? Does Sarah Palin’s popularity take a back seat at the ballot box? Will Romney be our nominee? Maybe. The Politico suggested perhaps Palin fans are more practical when it come to their presidential picks (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/35617.html). But more importantly, it means when you are running for office or running a campaign, you better be organized to win straw polls where you play. For the SRLC, Ron Paul’s group bought hundreds of tickets for his supporters and “Evangelicals for Mitt” also purchased tickets and encouraged Romney supporters to attend and, more importantly, vote. Palin and Gingrich did not seem to have any formal organization working the grassroots for them.
Straw polls can be a real thorn in the side of campaigns. Most will tell you they don’t care, that the results don’t matter. But the second they win one, they are quick to tout that win and make the case from it as to why they are gaining momentum. Winning straw polls should be as much a part of your grassroots campaign strategy as knocking on doors and making phone calls. It’s also a great test of the strength of your organization. Know when and where the critical ones are being held, put them on your calendar and organize your supporters to turn out and vote!
Don’t believe they work? Ask any underdog who has worked the grassroots community hard to gain ground. Ask Marco Rubio. A year ago no one thought he had a chance at beating the campaign-pro Charlie Crist in the race for Florida’s US Senate seat. But Rubio was determined. He visited every county, spoke at every neighborhood bbq and played to win in every straw poll possible. Week after week the announcements on his straw poll success were announced. Crist downplayed them and Rubio continued to gain attention and popularity. Now, there have been many other factors contributing to the Rubio rise and Crist collapse but those straw poll wins were an important early momentum builder for Rubio.
So, before quickly writing off the next straw poll, give it some extra thought and consider whether the reward may outweigh the risk for your campaign.
If you had attended the SRLC, who would your pick for 2012 have been? Romney, Paul, Palin, Gingrich, someone else?
Within hours ofNancy Pelosi proclaiming, “After a year of debate and hearing the calls of millions of Americans we have come to this historic moment. Today we have the opportunity to complete the great unfinished business of our society and pass health insurance reform for all Americans that is a right and not a privilege.”
TheRepublican National Committeelaunched a web site called “FirePelosi.com” aimed at raising money to campaign against 40 House Democrats. The 40-hour fundraising campaign (recently extended for 24 hours due to the initial success) has raised $1,297,597. This fundraising effort underscores the Speaker‘s falteringapproval ratings.
What is truly remarkable about this effort is that the Republicans are showing their new media expertise. If we reflect on the last year and half, the campaigns of Virginia’s GovernorBob McDonnell, New Jersey’s GovernorChris Christieand Massachusetts’ SenatorScott Brownutilized the new media tools and fundraising efforts revolutionized by the campaign of President Barack Obama. The leveling of this new technological playing field means that 2010 will be very interesting.
"Chalk Board" Humor
Perhaps we are about a week late touching on this topic, but in case, you have not seen this clever idea fromMoveOn.org. Glenn Beckhas become somewhat of a polarizing figure in the political debate in America, especially on the left side of the aisle. Therefore, the MoveOn.org crowd in cahoots withBrave New FilmsandSEIUhas created a personalized web video that puts your name on the infamousBeck “Chalk Board.”(Click the previous link for the application) The site also posts automatically to your Facebook account if you choose. Regardless of you political leaning, it is a humorous application.
These new media technologies are inexpensive and quick and allow campaigns to reach a far greater number of in-tune voters in near real-time. Campaigns are adjusting to the ability to talk to a voter 5 to 10 times a day as compared to the single touch point of older outreach tools.
As technology advances and society turn to their cell phones and the internet for their information, campaigns must strongly consider the inclusion of social media into their budgets. This is an easy way to great a rewarding bang for your buck.
In contrast, it is imperative to note that direct mail, telephone calls, radio and TV ads and other traditional campaign tools will continue to reign. Not all voters have immersed themselves in this technological and societal shift, but the number is rapidly growing.
What is your new media strategy for 2010? How much of your budget are you putting into this technological shift?
Having worked on the campaign of Senator Elizabeth Dole, a common phrase to describe the former Senator was that she had “star power.” Elizabeth Dole was a household name whether you agreed with her politics or not. A portion of her star power could be attributed to her husband, legendary Senator Bob Dole, but most was achieved through her own many impressive and well-known accomplishments.
In my opinion, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has star power. However, I must resort from using star power to describe Jeb Bush, because that title is reserved for Elizabeth Dole, but Jeb does a ton (well 2,035 units) of "Follower Power." Thus, I will use the phrase, “Follower Power” to describe Jeb Bush. Only yesterday, Jeb Bush made public his Twitter handle. In under 24 hours, JebBush has 2,035 and I am sure by the time that I finish writing this post that his number of followers will have increased.
I think this popularity is indicative of many things with respects to Jeb Bush. Regardless of the successes or failures of his brother or his father, Jeb Bush’s record is laudable and people seem to judge Jeb as his own person within the dichotomy of his family name. While serving as Governor of Florida, he was well-known for responding to hundreds of emails per day, often with his blackberry. The average citizen in Florida felt personally connected to him. These days a politician's success or ability is almost measured more by their online presence (followers) than their bank account (dollars).
This makes me ponder the question, what is next for Jeb Bush? He obviously has some “Follower Power,” but what will he do with this power and popularity?
I, personally, do not think that we have seen the end of Jeb Bush’s public service, at least, I hope not.
Posted Feb 22, 2010 by Chris Sinclair |
Comments ( 0 )
| Filed in: Social Media
3.5 billion. That’s the number of pieces of content shared by Facebook users every week, around the world. Even more staggering is the 2.5 billion photos uploaded and the 3.5 million events created monthly on Facebook*
It’s hard to imagine that this social media juggernaut didn’t even exist six years ago. And, from what I can tell, it’s only going to get bigger. On this month’s cover of Fast Company, one of my favorite magazines is Facebook’s Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, and he says the company is just getting started. (Really?!)
No doubt, Facebook has changed the way we live. It’s allowed us to keep in touch with friends from afar, catch up with old acquaintances, reignite old friendships, and –for some---increase market share and brand awareness.
It’s likewise changed the way campaigns operate, and is a dominate force for political and issue advocacy campaigns---especially with the ease to access the platform using your mobile phone.
What I really like about Facebook is it’s incredible ability to spread a candidate’s or organization’s message so easily---not to mention its innate ability to organize an event or meeting. Throw in the capacity to add custom applications, to collect critical data or harvest emails, and advertise to gain more fans, and you have an instant recipe for social media success---all for pennies on the dollar.
In short, Facebook is an excellent tool for campaigns to take online action and easily translate it to offline “boots on the ground” action. Witness what Bob McDonnell in Virginia---and most recently Scott Brown in Massachusetts---did with Facebook.
With 2010 shaping up to be a monumental election year, and campaigns and candidates looking for economical ---value add---ways to organize and spread their message, you can bet the Facebook will play a key---and strategic---part of every campaign, from Congress to county commissioner.
So what do you think? Is Facebook the dominant political social networking tool? Is there a better tool out their or campaigns?
It is clear that both parties are listening to the polls and focusing on jobs and the economy prior to the looming 2010 midterm election. Especially, since this week marks the one-year anniversary of the “Stimulus Package” and one of the bitterest political battles in recent memory.
The Los Angeles Times sums the anniversary by saying, “one year after launching the largest federal economic stimulus program in American history, a fiercely partisan political battle continued to rage over its effectiveness even as fresh data showed the economy continuing to make a gradual, if halting recovery.”
Both parties are hoping their claims will garner support from the American people before November and have resorted to making their cases in a satirical way.
Recent online ads from both political parties deserve some attention for their sheer satirical and pointed attacks of the other party. Often times, political campaigns and parties forget the "punch line" in their attempts at satire in advertising, but I think both of these ads achieve their goal.
Let me know if you think the ads are funny.
They first ad is from the National Republican Senatorial Committee that mimics the successful Google Super Bowl advertisement.
The second ad is from the Democrats on the House Labor and Education Committee with their rendition of an iPhone commercial using the popular phrase “there’s an app for that” for their theme.
I think both parody ads highlight the claims of their respective party – so I must ask – who had the best ad?
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.
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.
As if the FCAT wasn’t already enough of a controversial issue, scores that are normally released before students break for summer have still not been received. However, as stated in an article from The Palm Beach Post, the latest estimate is that 
Remember when a liberal tracker caught former Congressman George Allen saying “macaca” at an event that lead to his defeat in Virginia. Unfortunately, this is the norm in today’s politics. Many critics inquire as to why the faces of the two college students are blurred; well I would blur my face too. We all remember what happen to Joe the Plumber after his infamous question to then-candidate Obama on the campaign trail. His finances and records were made public as well as other private details. 
Mitt Romney
they win one, they are quick to tout that win and make the case from it as to why they are gaining momentum. Winning straw polls should be as much a part of your grassroots campaign strategy as knocking on doors and making phone calls. It’s also a great test of the strength of your organization. Know when and where the critical ones are being held, put them on your calendar and organize your supporters to turn out and vote! 
e, but most was achieved through her own many impressive and well-known accomplishments.
my opinion, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has star power. However, I must resort from using star power to describe Jeb Bush, because that title is reserved for Elizabeth Dole, but Jeb does a ton (well 2,035 units) of "Follower Power." Thus, I will use the phrase, “Follower Power” to describe Jeb Bush. Only yesterday, Jeb Bush made public his Twitter handle. In under 24 hours, 
It’s hard to imagine that this social media juggernaut didn’t even exist six years ago. And, from what I can tell, it’s only going to get bigger. On this month’s cover of 