Why and How Advocacy and Political Engagement Matter Why is this - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Joe Stewart

Vice President Governmental Affairs

jstewart@iianc.com (919) 614‐0520 @joeytwogloves

All we have to do is explain it to them, right?

Why and How Advocacy and Political Engagement Matter

Why is this stuff important?

Winning election or being appointed to public office is not automatically accompanied by insights needed to understand all issues … public officials will never know what you know about the impact of their decisions on your business unless you tell them.

• All problems are emotional
• All solutions are technical
• So the process is always political

Nature of Public Policy

Taxes & Fees Regulatory Compliance Mandates Trained Workforce Economic Climate Etc.

$ $ $ $ $ $

“I don’t want the consumer to pay it, I want the companies to pay it.”

At the end of the day, public policy is about the bottom line

“I‘m thinking we don’t bring up politics.”

Is politics really as bad as it’s ever been?

What is issue advocacy and political engagement?

• It IS a strategy containing a number of

different elements (not just lobbying).

• It ISN’T just ‘explaining it to them.’
• It IS something everyone in an association –

staff, members, and contract lobbyists – has a role in.

• It ISN’T something you can do separate and

apart from other association functions.

• It IS essential if you want to be a part of the

debate on public policy.

• It ISN’T a good idea to forget that it’s defined

by the IRS (timing and language).

CONTINUOUS: It’s like the process of painting the Golden Gate Bridge – getting ‘done’ means it’s time to start again! NUMBERS: At the end

• f the day, politics is

about the number 50% + 1, and often winning means being hated less, not loved more. BI‐PARTISAN: Partisanship defines politics, but bi‐partisan coalitions are the best coalitions.

Four immutable rules

• f advocacy and political engagement

FACTS & OPINIONS BOTH MATTER: Your arguments should be based on objective and honest data, but it’s anecdotes and emotion that drive public policy debate.

Understanding the political meaning of ‘sphere of influence.’

Voters are interested in issues that impact them or someone they are connected to … younger voters increasingly rely on peers in making electoral decisions.

Which elected officials are within your ‘sphere of influence?’

 Those who understand your issues & support your industry/profession.  Those from your industry/profession.  Those with an electoral interest in folks who are their constituents and thus can vote for them.

 Informal meet and greets, visits with elected officials

• n ‘Day on the Hill.’

 Tours and learning opportunities @ your facility /

• ffice within elected official’s district.

 Election‐year candidate forums (invite them all).  Special events, including ‘internal’ awards and ceremonies.

No fires? Get out and paint fire hydrants.

Engagement … as important when they are candidates as when they are incumbents!

Partisan affiliation and identification matters LESS, background and personal experience matter MORE. How do you indentify ‘like‐minded’ candidates and incumbents? You have to ask! Getting the candidates to promise during the campaign helps ensure they deliver when they are incumbents. Why care about engagement with both sides? Because winning = 50% + 1, and loser often run again.

Understanding Public Opinion and Voter Attitudes

• Polls are a snapshot of attitudes right now … they all have a

margin of error, attitudes swing, and often what’s hidden in the cross‐tabs is more important than top line numbers.

• Public attitudes are important to know … because elected
• fficials think in those terms.
• People may not be ‘against’ you – they may just think

something else is more important right now.

• Perceptions, which can be wrong, influence attitudes … take

perceptions into account when determining your message points.

Candidate A Candidate B Undecided TOP LINE 45% 42% 13%

Candidate A Candidate B Undecided TOP LINE 45% 42% 13%

Likes Cats Hates Dogs Likes Dogs Hates Cats Likes Both UNDECIDEDS (in cross tabs)

25% 65% 10%

Candidate A Candidate B Undecided TOP LINE 45% 42% 13%

Likes Cats Hates Dogs Likes Dogs Hates Cats Likes Both UNDECIDEDS (in cross tabs)

25% 65% 10%

HOW UNDECIDEDS BREAK

3.3% 8.4% 1.3%

Candidate A Candidate B Undecided TOP LINE 45% 42% 13%

Likes Cats Hates Dogs Likes Dogs Hates Cats Likes Both UNDECIDEDS (in cross tabs)

25% 65% 10%

HOW UNDECIDEDS BREAK

3.3% 8.4% 1.3%

LIKELY OUTCOME

48.8% 50.4% 0.8%

In Citizens United (2009), SCOTUS found all $ = free speech

What is electioneering communication (a Super PAC)?

 It’s talking directly to voters, using for, against, support, oppose  No $ limit, contributors reported  No coordination with candidate / campaign (but they can help with fundraising)  So far, it’s mostly negative (not required)  So far, it’s mostly high‐wealth individuals  Media buy = consultant takes 5 – 10%

Campaigning is adapting to modern technologies

American voters consume information

• n politics in

the very same way they consume information

• n the

goods and services they purchase

What is a lobbyist?

“I am not a lobbyist, don’t know anything about politics, and am not sure an elected

• fficial would even listen

to me.”

You are an expert – elected officials and/or candidates HATE to make factual mistakes. You are here – elected officials fail to respond to those who engage them at their own peril. You represent a constituency – you will tell EVERYONE you know what the elected official does.

Key points to lobbying

• All you have is your reputation – you can lie
• nly once.
• Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

is a movie.

• House of Cards is a TV show.
• Your sense of humor will save you.

Key points to legislative efforts

• First Rule is … the person who makes the Rules

gets to decide how the Rules apply.

• Process is often maddeningly inefficient, and

debates are often centered on misconceptions and hearsay, so have patience.

• Never take anything for granted, even with

your sponsor(s) and champion(s).

• Prioritize your efforts (no floor votes are ever

held for bills that fail to get out of committee).

• Bill sponsor(s) matter – (issue credibility,

committee assignments, leadership position, district, etc.).

• Legislative staff draft bills & amendments to

bills – ask to be part of that process.

Key points to legislative efforts

• Expectation management is crucial to keeping

supporters supportive.

• It is never over until the final gavel.
• Legislative victories are often taken in pieces,

and over a number of sessions.

• Propose knowing that you will probably have

to compromise.

Key points to legislative efforts

• Make sure you have consensus on what to

jettison, should it come to that.

• Always keep an accurate vote count, and make

sure your votes are present when the voting takes place.

• Sometimes being quiet

is the right thing to do.

• Remember Sticky Notes.

Legislator Legislative Staffer

Key points to legislative efforts

All we have to do is explain it to them, right? Key Points on Meeting with Elected Officials

They call them ‘politicians’ because their workplace is politics, so don’t be surprised if they are always thinking about the political implications

• f a thing …

Spouse is a teacher and librarian Has an MBA President of the United States Methodist Parents of twins Born in Connecticut, lived in Texas Baseball fan Served in Air National Guard

Politicians are people, too!

Paints

They see a lot of folks – try to stand out You are there to give highlights

• nly

They are pressed for time ... It’s okay to walk and talk

Meeting with a elected official…

Find connections Say where from + connection to district Introduce everyone in your group Have a designated group leader

No jargon, technical expressions

• r acronyms

Talking with an elected official…

Leave collateral, don’t lead with it Like talking to a reporter, it’s all ‘on the record’ It’s not a debate Bring it back to the voters Make your position clear Focus on your issues

“Are you one

• f MY voters,

and if not how are you connected to MY voters?” “I have five minutes – I need the 3x5 index card version.” “Don’t they know what else is going on?” “What’s the other side of this issue?” “How will I explain this to the Kiwanis?” “Sure hope they don’t scream at me – do they have any idea how little I get paid to do this?”

What politicians think about …

Joe Stewart

Vice President Governmental Affairs

jstewart@iianc.com (919) 614‐0520 @joeytwogloves

All we have to do is explain it to them, right?

QUESTIONS?