5 Quick Ideas - Evaluating Candidates

Your issues are critical to your organization's success.  So too are your issues critical to your members.  Knowing where elected officials stand on your issues is important at all levels of government, because eventually those candidates will run for higher office, and will get to a level that impacts you.

Because of this evaluating candidates is an important step in any organization.  This guide should help you figure out the right steps to take.

IDEA 1 - DIFFERENT AVENUES OF INPUT
You want to make sure you have different ways to evaluate candidates.  A questionnaire is a great first step.  Not everyone does well in that format.  Consider interviews, forums, one on ones, panels and other ways to get information about the candidates.

IDEA 2 - QUESTIONNAIRES THAT MATTER
Think of the key questions important to your organization, and craft a short questionnaire about those issues, extra bonus if you can tie the issue to that level of government.  Candidates get questionnaires on all sorts of issues from all sorts of sources - Regardless of whether or not their particular level of government even addresses that issue.  Making yours short, to the point and pertinent will make you stand out.

IDEA 3 - WHAT CAN THEY TELL YOU

Sure you want to know where they are on your issues.  However you also want to know where they are in their campaign.  Do they have any polling?  Do they have any fundraising information?  Do they have campaign managers? Do they know how to engage the public?  Do they have any plans to win the campaign?

IDEA 4 - WHAT CANT THEY TELL YOU
The other side of what they can tell you is what they can't - and it reveals a great deal of their campaign realities.  Do they need polling, or do you have polling that says something different than theirs?  Do their fundraising strategies match the local experience?  Do their campaign managers have a successful track record? Does their campaign plan reflect the reality of what it takes to win in that area?  Knowing that information can be more effective than anything they can tell you.

IDEA 5 - WHAT FRIENDS CAN TELL YOU
The best part of being involved in coalitions is that you have a team of people doing their own evaluations and research.  Sharing that info takes you much further than anything else you can do.  Polling, interview experiences, members involved in campaigns, inside information on the election, relationships with mail houses - you name it, that information comes in very handy.

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5 Quick Ideas - Getting Involved In Elections

People often say they don't want to get involved in elections.  Organizations should get engaged for many reasons.  Here are some of the best ways to do it correctly -

IDEA 1 - ENGAGE YOUR BASE
Elections provide you an opportunity to get your members more involved in the community.  The more you are involved in the community, the better your message can make its way through to decision makers.  Your base is key to that.
- Encourage them to register to vote, it is free, it is relatively non-controversial, and it is part of what we consider our civic duty.
- Encourage them to meet the candidates and find out where they stand on issues important to them
- Give them opportunities to connect the base with the decision makers and community leaders

IDEA 2 - PROMOTE YOUR MESSAGE
When candidates are running for office, they are looking for groups to support them.  AS such you are in a rare position to get your message out to them and find out where they stand on your issues.  Use this as an opportunity to bring your issues to the forefront.  Send them questionnaires and share that information with the base.

IDEA 3 - DEVELOP EVENTS
Often your base - and the public in general - don't know what is happening on a local level with their elected officials.  This provides opportunities for you as an organization. 

Host a debate, on your issue, and bring it to the base and the public in general.  Host a forum where the public can ask these individuals questions directly.  For a bonus effort, you can follow up the event with a private reception for your larger political supporters.

IDEA 4 - CONNECT WITH CANDIDATES
There may or may not be candidates that you support.  However the base will likely have candidates they like.  Encourage them to get involved with those candidates and support their campaigns through campaign activities. 

IDEA 5 - COMMUNICATE YOUR STRENGTH
Let the candidates know - and your own base - how many of your members participated in efforts, contributed to campaigns, got involved in political efforts.  This will leave a lasting impression with both groups, and can be something to build on into the future.

Getting involved in elections can come in many different ways.  Every organization that wants to be successful should be implementing this strategy to advance their membership and position in the community.

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How Little Politics Influences Big Politics

We've all heard how "top of the ticket" (President, Governor, etc.) influences the "down ticket" (State Legislature, County Government, Etc.) races.  It's easy to understand, uninformed voters look for the party at the top of the ticket, or the person who inspires them running for the larger office, and as a result they vote for people of the same party all the way down.

That's not always the case however anymore.  With so much gridlock at the state and national levels, more and more policy is being enacted at the local level.  And with good reason - There is less resistance there.

Part of the reason there is so much legislative gridlock at the national level is because there is so much research and vetting required to make national policy that by the time an issue is ready to debated, much of it has been watered down.  And that is before the horsetrading of the legislature steps in to muck it up further.

On the local level however that vetting process has a much less rigorous review, and there is much less to trade.

As a result, policies at the local level are passing much more quickly than the state and national level.  Just take a look at the most recent hot-topic issues - the sharing economy:

Uber has found more success and challenges city by city than state by state.
AirBnB is being challenged with local policies differing city by city.

Or look at how established industries are being affected:

Development and construction are finding more success with local negotiations than reforming state regulations
Natural Resources find it easier to get easements locally than working with the natural resources regulators

Or look at how regulation is affecting industries such as supplements

More legislation on the use, sale and distribution of synthetic supplements is occurring at the local and state levels than at the national level because of the backlog of reviews at the FDA.

As such local politicians are being seen as more effective in dealing with complex issues that higher levels of government are neglecting.  As such, they are influencing policy and debates at the higher levels, and this is a trend that will likely lead to lower level government elected officials being able to supplant those governing above them as they get more exposure on these key issues.

The Downfall of Debates

In just a few days we are going to have the first of the Democratic Debates for presidential candidates.  We've already had several Republican ones.  Here's where the problem lies -

The purpose of a debate is to identify differences between the candidates, and see which ones align most with your personal beliefs on issues important to you.

Despite the spectacle of some of the Republican debates, they have managed to identify stark differences between the candidates on a wide range of topics.

However they have not gone into detail on them.  So really all we have heard are surface comments on the issues.  Soundbytes designed to get a reaction.  And they have.

The debates themselves however lack the enthusiasm and depth that the country deserves in making this decision.

So what should we look for from the Democratic candidates?

• Where do they see the biggest issues facing the country being? and more importantly do they have thoughts on how to fix them that have some semblance of detail and structure?  Not lip service, not soundbytes, depth.  It is unreasonable to assume they have every detail worked out at this point, but something more than a talking point is imperative.
• What about their plan is better than the Republican positions?  Like it or not the next president will almost assuredly be from one of the two parties.  And despite what some observers like to say - there is a major difference between the parties and the candidates.  However what makes one more appealing or likely to work than the others?
• How will they work their ideas through congress?  A great resource to follow is the Five Thirty Eight Blog to see how things are shaping up.  (Also Real Clear Politics, Politico, and the Hill - all strong insights into congress)  If a Democrat wins, they are likely to have to work with a Republican controlled congress (Senate is less sure than the house, but still a strong party line).  That means any idea they talk about they need to convince the other party to go along with.  Right wrong or indifferent - Clinton, Bush and Obama all faced challenges there.  How will these candidates overcome that?

Any candidate that cant answer these key points... isn't worth supporting.  Regardless of party

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Bully Politics - And It's Effects on a Community

The situation isn't new.  There is a group pushing a particular issue in town, they get passionate, and then they start to push a little too hard.

People get offended, turn off, and even shy away from getting involved.  And often the forceful group gets their way.

It happens frequently, people take on a cause and get wrapped up personally into the issue.  Then they can't understand why other people don's share that passion, and especially when their point of views differ.

This quickly turns into anger and resentment.  Then to pressure.  Then to public reactions on private opinions.  Then to outright hatred for the other side.  No kidding this happens more than you think.  The goal becomes to vilify the opponents rather than respond to the issue.

As you can see this situation is one of the worst things that can happen to a community.  The personal attacks dont heal quickly - if at all - and can leave people challenged in their issues.  Knowing how to curtail the personalizing of issues is often one of the first steps to achieving victory on an issue.

Here are some suggestions of how to address this problem with the least amount of damage in the community -

DETATCH THE ISSUE - If you can come in and dispassionately address the issue not as a function of impact but a function of governance, you cam move the issue away from how people are being affected, and as such make it a better discussion for everyone (don't worry, those people personally invested will still be incensed that you oppose them).

DATA NOT DESCRIPTIONS - People quickly and easily react to a single experience.  However the power of that experience dissipates when scope is introduced.  "Yes, that one time that thing happened and it was bad.  However it happens 1000 times as often with good result."  This moves the discussion into the whole, not the single.

RESEARCH NOT OPINIONS - Whenever possible, point to research that has been done at an arms length - meaning not seemingly commissioned by an interested party.  You can point to the needs of the whole much more legitimately if you can point to research backing your position.

CALM DEMEANOR ALWAYS - There will be times of frustration.  This is not something to let loose.  It looses your credibility.

PACKAGE THE ISSUE - You have research, data, background and an even keeled presentation.  Be the voice of reason on the issue and present an entire picture, not just the impassioned plea of the aggrieved.

This wont always work, but at the end of the day you will keep your credibility.

5 Quick Ideas - Using Data: Polling

Polling is one of the key ways you can get a fair understanding of what is going on, and perceptions on an issue, policy, or effort.  There are a few things you need to have in order to get useful and effective data however:

1. A large enough group to get a representative sample - If you've got a couple hundred people you are trying to gauge, a poll probably doesn't make sense.  If you've got several thousand or more, you might want to consider a poll.
2. A basic understanding of what you're polling - This isn't a deathnail if you don't have it, but it is pretty important.  If you start talking about something that no one understands, how useful is the feedback?
3. A pollster experienced in your efforts - Sometimes national pollsters can't do local polls effectively, and vice versa.  Sometimes pollsters who focus on voting populations can't effectively transition into business interests.  Make sure your pollster understands and is competent in your field of interest.

And if you don't have those? There are solutions there too.

Identify your core audience - Figure out where you are going to get the best information that you need.  Can you narrow it down and do interviews/ focus groups/ surveys?  Can you expand it in order to get great input from a broader perspective.

Educate first - Spend a little pre-marketing to your target audience.  Educate them on what you are trying to gauge.  Do so dispassionately and without prejudice.  Give information not opinion.  Then when you do reach out, they are ready to be asked your questions.  You can even use the questions as a way to further educate on pros and cons - a good pollster will help you with this.

Interview researchers - don't just use the easiest and most present pollster.  Use the one that makes the most sense.  If it isn't adding up then reach out to peers, competitors, and find new people to work with on this project.

Yes, I know, that's 6 quick ideas and the title says 5.  Well just remember the words of Winston Churchill -

"There are lies, there are damned lies, and then there are statistics."

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North Shore on Politics

So I am in Hawaii right now, speaking to another group on political advocacy.  And naturally I had to watch one of the greatest movies of all time on my way here - North Shore.

Now if you aren't familiar - first of all your life has been wasted - but it is the story of Rick Kane, Arizona surfing champion (wavepool in Tempe, stop interrupting me) who goes to the North Shore of Hawaii to take on the surfing world.  Along the way he loses everything, makes new friends, learns valuable life lessons, and leaves Hawaii a champion.  No spoilers there, go watch it, it's pretty much the best movie ever made.



Now my ridiculousness aside, there are actually some pretty important lessons to learn from this -

DON'T EXPECT SOMETHING OFFERED TO BE DELIVERED
Rick goes to Hawaii on a whim, no place to stay other than a guy he met a year ago who offered him a room if Rick ever goes to Hawaii.  Rick shows up, the guy is a strip club bartender, and doesn't deliver.
Lesson - Always verify before you agree to someone's help.

NOT EVERYONE IS AS THEY SEEM
Rick idolizes Lance Burkhart in this movie - the big wave surfer who seems to be the pinnacle of the sport.  Despite all the magazine covers, sponsors, and accolades he has, the guy ends up being shallow, self centered and a cheat.
Lesson - Don't believe the hype

RESPECT IS EARNED, NOT GIVEN
Rick runs into a series of problems with a group of locals - Da Hui.  Locals who don't like haoles (mainlanders) riding their waves, talking to their women, or them in general to be honest.  Until he proves himself, at which point he gains their respect, trust and mostly their acceptance (He's still from Arizona after all).  It wasn't that the Hui was the enemy, it was about respect.
Lesson - Protect your reputation, trust and respect, and don't give any of them away

VICTORIES DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TROPHIES
Chandler - legendary Hawaiian shaper - teaches Rick that winning isn't about money, fame, attention or trophies, but about the experience and what you gain from the experience.  The win is trophy enough.
Lesson - winning is not defined by who stands on a podium

DON'T LOSE TO YOUR OWN EGO
Everyone struggles with this in the movie.  Turtle, Rick, Chandler, The Professor, Kiani, Vince and Da Hui - Everyone.  But in remembering the sage advice of Turtle, all is won -

''Round Here we treat friends mo betta." - Turtle

Lesson - don't disrespect others to advance your own agenda.

The only person who ends up losing in the end is Lance, who loses out because of his ego.

So yeah, I did just make you read about the 1987 movie North Shore, now don't be a kook and go watch it.

5 Quick Ideas - Setting Your Policy Priorities

Now that you know what you are working on, knowing how and when to work on them is even more important.  It is about setting priorities, and knowing how to do it is key.

A great place to start a quick and easy understanding of how to set priorities is the Center for Creative Leadership's guidebook on Setting Priorities.  From there you can look at the issues you have and start your process -

1. Start with what is most important to your members - What is the core issue that matters to them?  if you don't know, do some outreach - surveys, questionnaires, one on one interviews... get feedback.
2. Figure out if one issue depends on another - Finding out if one issue will have better success if something else is in place is an important piece in finding success.  Putting the pieces in order will help you accomplish this goal.
3. Determine if the issue needs to be broken down into pieces - Some issues are too big to be taken all at once.  And without a lot of clout behind your organization - or success in the past - you aren't going to be able to tackle the big initiative with ease.  That isn't to say you can't do it, but maybe its better to break it down into pieces and tackle them one at a time.
4. Is it "Core" to your mission? - Slightly different than what is most important to your members is the relationship your issues have with your mission.  In other words, how central is the issue to what your organization accomplishes?  Is it essential to move that to the front?
5. Flexibility will determine your success - In the next installment we cover some of the things that may change what is possible priority wise.  But for now, think about how flexible you can be on your issues.  Can you reorder them based on what is possible?  Being able to do so may help you find real success.

Move the Ball

Keep in mind, what is important to your organization is still important.  And the mission critical and member demanded items are your first priority publicly.  Remind people what your goal is constantly, even if its not what you are currently working on.

Success doesn't mean that your issue is passed in the manner you expect in a time frame you dictate.

Success is measured by your ability to move the ball.

How You're Going To Lose Your Future Advocacy Efforts

Advocacy has fundamentally changed.  We've all seen it.  What worked even 2 years ago, isn't necessarily effective anymore.

• Letter campaigns are now screened for harmful substances and are not timely.
• "Call Your Congressman" campaigns result in ticks for an up or down vote only.
• Email campaigns are almost ignored if they look like they are mass-produced.
• Congress members and staffers are less trusting of advocacy groups.
• Fly-ins are costly, difficult to manage, and only a few people are there.

However this is how just about every organization addresses their advocacy.  You need to keep doing this and add to the discussion. Your effort is an important addition to the noise, but its not enough.

Some have some creative alternative ideas -

• Meeting their elected officials "in their districts" meaning at their local offices.
• Working with local staff to get the message delivered back to capitol staff.
• Attending local events in support of the elected official.

These are all examples of a great next step.  The problem is most organizations stop there.  And it STILL isn't enough.

The problem honestly is, they are only hearing from YOU.  Your issue, your problem, your message.  The more organizations fill the space talking about only themselves and their own issues, the less impacting your advocacy efforts are going to be.

Being effective in the future will mean bringing in groups that aren't your members, your peers, your industry, your influence group.  Being effective will mean bringing in other groups to speak on your behalf:

• Coalitions
• Affiliated groups
• Leaders outside your core group

Truth be told, in a few years that too will not be enough, because everyone else will be doing that.

If you are going to stay the same, you are going to lose as you get swallowed up by the noise.  You need to change, evolve, and be two steps ahead of the pack.

Money will only be able to go so far in politics.  Efforts can only be so effective.  If you want to truly succeed long term, you need to be planning now for what your effort will look like in several years.

How Quickly Can You Build a PAC Fundraising Culture?

Today I am off to Beautiful Downtown Tempe.  Home of theArizona State University Sun Devils, and my well spent College Years.  My Delta Sigma Phi fraternity house may be gone from Alpha Drive, but the lessons I learned there live on.

One of those lessons was that organizations operate off of a culture.  If you're a jock, you're in the jock house, and you do jock things.  If you don't care about something, your peers aren't going to care about something, and therefore that something wont get done.  It's just kind of how organizations work.

I also learned that just because you operated one way, it didn't mean you couldn't shift.  Cultures Can Change!

So I will be meeting with a business group today that has a historical culture of NOT raising PAC funds.

• Their member participation rate was low
• Their total dollars raised per year was low
• Their dollars per contributor rate was low
• Their awareness of the PAC was low

So much so that I was repeatedly told for years that it wasn't that THEIR participation was lacking, it was that their participation reflected the state's participation in political engagement in ANY form.

This was a very convenient excuse because it sounded reasonable.  It's a state culture, not ours.  Regardless of whether or not that was true, its what they believed.

So several years ago I set about to help them change that culture.  Population wise its a good sized state, political influence wise it is a strong state, and even presence on the national stage, it is a strong state.  So why couldn't this group too become a more influential state when it comes to the PAC?

We started with a simple question - How can we change the culture here?

In examining exactly how they can shift the culture, we started with a small plan to get the leadership more engaged, to pass that through the organization, to the industry leaders, and out to the general members to become a stronger PAC state.

So what kind of results have we had?

• Every chapter in the state has improved their fundraising year over year in terms of participation rates and dollars raised by up to seven times in some chapters
• The state has improved its overall fundraising rates by about 20% year over year the past two years
• So far in 2015 they have raised 20% more than they did in all of 2014 with 4 months to go in the year.
• In less than 2 years they have increased their participation rate and fundraising totals by 50% each.

So how did they do it?  What changed?  What was the catalyst?

They each committed to trying and did try new things. 

Not everything worked, but nothing was catastrophic as they feared.  And they learned that they could accomplish something by just trying.

They still have a ways to go to meet their goals, but the culture has shifted, and provided they keep up the work, the culture will have permanently changed for their organization.

The Real Winner(s) from the Debates

Candidates did what candidates do.

Commentators did what commentators do.

But the interesting thing coming out of the debate from last night is - there are actually quite a few well versed candidates on key issues.

Despite the format, despite the presentation, despite the lack of a "true debate format" (because with 10 candidates that isn't all that viable, unless we are going to have 2 questions answered, replied to and rebutted over the course of the hour), we actually saw some well reasoned answers on some very tough candidates in this debate.

The real winners from the debates were - the American people.  Because we saw that this isn't just a crazy show of anyone who wants to run.

Independence Day

The most American Things Ever.

If you can't laugh at this, you can't laugh.

Happy Birthday America.

USA USA USA USA USA USA USA!

Candidate Trump... and What it Means

Everyone is making a big to do about Trump running for president. Lots of speculation. Lots of assumptions. Lots of guesses.

Also, a lot of posturing.

However this isn't the first time we have seen an otherwise non-politician entering a race.
- 1992 We had Ross Perot, a Texas Billionaire, took a sizable amount of the vote
- 1996 Perot came back, to less effect
- 2000 Ralph Nader came in to the race and pulled a lot of Democratic support from Gore
- 2004 Rev. Al Sharpton was the second to last candidate to withdraw in a field of 10
- 2008 saw Alan Keyes return, but there were primarily elected officials on the ballot
- 2012 we had Herman Cain, a businessman who's plans shaped how candidates presented theirs

So the question isn't can they run, how far they can run, or can they get the nomination.
The question is what will the discussion be centered around, and will they make an impact?

Looking at the elections of the last 25 years - Perot and Nader made an impact in the discussions and outcome. Sharpton was able to define an opposition to war, and Keyes and Cain were able to present a series of plans that shaped discussions and presentation styles.

However in order to actually become the nominee, you have to have support across a large swath of the party. Only time will tell if Trump is able to build that support.

Bar B Que Is America

So this week I did something unbelievable.

Between various business meetings in and around Austin and San Antonio Texas I went on a 48 hour 10 bbq joint 15 lbs of meat journey with a friend.

Let that sink in.  2 guys 15 lbs of meat, in 2 days from 10 places.

It was glorious.

And we hit up 10 places.  But rather than rank them out by which I liked best, I am going to offer it a different way.

What these 10 places were by how they represented the American Ideal - and in the order that we went.

1. Salt Lick - The Salt Lick is an experience all its own.  It's community.  You bring your cooler of beer, sit on a picnic bench and talk with everyone around you on a family plate of meat that never stops coming.
2. Terry Black's - Terry Black's is where you see a family business that branched.  We'll talk about the original later, but here we have where the nephew has taken a few recipes and improved on them while preferring location and volume to the hometown. The expansion to a new market.
3. Luling City Market - The Luling City Market is the kind of place where you meet everyone from town and hear the stories from the carryings on of the mayor to the gossip on who will be the Thump Queen (you thought I was just making that up).
4. Smitty's Market - Smitty's is in Lockhart, the famed Capitol of Texas BBQ.  Smittys is the kind of place with 50 years of soot on the wall from the smoker and the smell that will bring you back everytime.  It's where someone didnt care about anything other than a finely perfected craft.  It's not fancy.  It's not inviting.  It's just what it is, great BBQ.
5. Black's BBQ - The Original that Terry up above spun off from.  It's a dedicated craft, a family tradition, and the kind of place you want to be.  Yeah, they got a branch.  But true believers go to the original for the true essence of their product.
6. Kreuz's Market - Kreuz's is unique and its own way.  No sauce.  Not even offered.  Like forks.  You don't need em. end of story, its how they roll, and don't bother asking.  Their product is theirs, they know how its best, and regardless of what you think you listen to the expert.
7. Franklin BBQ - Aaron Franklin put this place on the map.  He studied under the Mueller's BBQ family, learned the craft, bought the pit, and started his own thing.  Doing a truck before food trucks were a thing, and then setting up shop to make the absolute best possible brisket imaginable.  How good?  You stand in line at 8 for a restaurant that doesn't open until 11, and he's sold out by 3 or 4 everyday since.  The apprentice that is still true to the process, because he's there most days cutting your meat.
8. La Barbeque - Masters of the food truck BBQ, you find La Barbeque in a vacant lot with a few other trucks, putting their own spin on that Mueller / Franklin style.  The innovator, taking it to a new place.
9. IronWorks BBQ - IronWorks is the typical staid restaurant.  They have a style.  They have their type, and frankly they are happy to provide an atmosphere, a great product, and be pleased with that process.
10. Brown's BBQ - What do you do when you're not of the storied groups, you find your own way.  You set up shop outside a place that doesnt serve food and you build a following.  That's what Brown's did, and does successfully.

10 places, 15 lbs of bbq, and several dozen beers and big reds.  Which leads us to the other most American observation - It's harder than you think to develop gout and diabetes.

Why Do We Have The Filibuster?

So Obama and the Fast Track Trade Bill avoids a Senate Filibuster.

Here's what we are talking about if you don't know - CLICK HERE.

Now this isnt a discussion of that issue.  There are very deeply held beliefs on both sides of this issue.  What is important is how it passed the Senate and avoided a Filibuster.

Whenever these things pop up we always hear "Why do we have the Filibuster?"

Simply put, the Constitution provides for all manners of dissent to be heard.  The Filibuster is part of that.

And believe it or not despite recent issues you've heard in the news, it isn't very common.

It also always seems that the party in power wants to get rid of it, and the party that isn't loves it.  Which is also why its important not to abuse the Filibuster.

In the end, the Filibuster is an important tool to make sure the minority is heard, and that legislation isnt forced through without the consent of the people.

When I went to work on the Hill, the person who ran our orientation asked a very interesting question -

"What is the purpose of Congress?" she asked.

The half sheepish half snotty answer given typically was - "To pass laws?"

"No, the purpose of congress is to stop bad laws from getting passed."

That's why we have the Filibuster.

Why Do I Get Involved In The First Place?

One of the most challenging things you can do is to try to take an issue that is important to you and translate it in a way to make others care about the issue themselves.

Harder still is convincing elected officials to understand and care about your issue in a way that they don't view you as self-interested.

Even harder is enduring the attacks people will make on you for trying to make a difference.

It leads many to ask, "why do you bother getting involved in the first place?"

To which I would say, you tell me what makes more sense:

Trying to make a difference on something that matters to you, or

Doing absolutely nothing and assuming it will all work out how you want it to in the end?

Consider it a healthy distrust of government. Consider it a realization that I know more about the issues that matter to me than the average elected official. Consider it a belief that we are part of a Republic, and I believe it's our duty to get involved.  

Whatever you want to consider it, consider first what you are leaving on the table if you don't take steps to protect the things that matter to you.

And then realize. You got involved when something mattered to you, the question really is - 

"Do you have the commitment to see the things that matter to you through?"

The Not-So-"Rad" Reality of Urban Planning

Gilbert is a suburb of Phoenix, that as recently as about ten years ago was considered "Hinterlands."

Now however it has blossomed into a sizable town in an area that keeps growing.

There is a plan to put in a permanent BMX Facility that can host major events.  According to the president of BMX USA up to twice a year. 

A 4,000 seat facility, covered (because as it turns out, Arizona is hot), national headquarters AND an Olympic Training facility that could make Gilbert FINALLY a destination... Instead of all the spill over from Chandler, its neighbor who has properly capitalized on every opportunity imaginable.

For all you kids of the '80's that means that "Hell Track" is close to reality. 

So how did the neighbors react to this?  By protesting it because of "noise and traffic."

2 times a year. 

Here's the thing people, I get that you want to preserve your way of life, but when you get an opportunity like this, you take it. You don't complain about "noise and traffic" 2 times a year.  Why? Because the applicant can just as easily go somewhere else. Then you lose all the opportunity that project would have brought.  

Look at Fullerton, Ca who lost out on the tax revenues of the Brea Mall and the cultural benefits of the Norton Simon Museum - both of which were supposed to be in Fullerton before the cries of "traffic and noise."

Those are lost opportunities.

Here we are, coming up on a year later,  and there has been no movement since the city rejected this plan in April of last year.

However the question becomes, who is to blame? The neighbors (for complaining), the city council (for lacking the foresight or political will), the planning department (for not properly showing the benefits of the projects), the applicant (for not framing their vision correctly), or the Public Affairs Firm (if there was one) for not framing it correctly?

Accepting growth means accepting vision.  If you can't sell your vision, you can't sell your project.  Just as people didn't see a need for the iPad (which incidentally I was one, and am currently writing this post from) people saw the vision.  Your project / plan / idea needs to paint that same vision for everyone to accept the change.

What are you doing that could use a little vision engineering?  And are you doing it?

Lessons from EmailGate

A good friend of mine wrote a great article on the cyber security lessons of Hillary's EmailGate.

Here's the public perception lesson -

You can't run for president and appeal to voters young and old if you act like the old.

What do I mean?

• Ask the average 60 year old how they view Hillary's excuse of having difficulty with multiple devices and they will likely go with it
• Ask the average 40 year old, and they are likely to be carrying 2 devices on them
• Ask the average 30 year old if they can manage 2 email accounts and they will tell you they have several, but rely more on various social media platforms all linked into the same smart phone
• Ask the average 25 year old and they will tell you that they find better communication through apps that chances are you havent heard from
• Ask the average 18 year old and they are going to speak in a language you will need translated

Hillary's answer appealed to only 1 group.  And what is their answer?  Vote Warren.

That simple thing caused younger Democrats to start looking elsewhere.  Not necessarily the scandal, or the lost emails, or any of that - it was that they were looking at someone who used too-much technology as an excuse.  Something they can't relate to.

Obama on the other hand has adopted multiple social media platforms, and even gone on obscure internet shows - like "Between Two Ferns" - to make sure his appeal stretches beyond just traditional bases.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: President Barack Obama from Funny Or Die

Now obviously there are many reasons that people choose to vote for a presidential candidate.  However this very well could be Hillary's Dukakis in a Tank moment -



The question is, are the messages you are sending making you look like Dukakis in a tank, or Obama on Between Two Ferns?

The post mortem that matters

To those who won last night, congratulations. 

To those who lost, please stay engaged. 

To everyone who ran / supported an issue, thank you for participating. 

To those who voted, thank you. 

To those who didn't, please register and commit next time. 

To those who were inspired, welcome.

To those who were disheartened, get back up.

To those that want to know more about government, let me know how we can help you.

Early voting is starting

Fall is just starting (well everywhere else besides Southern California it is) which means only one thing to us political nerds.

Early voting is starting.

Yeah I know World Series, college football conference play and pre season hockey are important too. But right now I want to focus on elections.

Basic reason is this - 

http://youtu.be/fmX04EztiTE

Jimmy Kimmel gave us the best reason possible why you need to get your colleagues, members, friends... Basically anyone we can to vote.

Because those people have the SAME vote you do. And from the looks of it they may just stumble upon a precinct after leaving Taco Bell.

So let's get the voting started!