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.
Nature of Public Policy • All problems are emotional • All solutions are technical • So the process is always political
At the end of the day, public policy is about the bottom line “I don’t want the consumer to Taxes & Fees pay it, I want the companies to Regulatory Compliance pay it.” Mandates Trained Workforce Economic Climate Etc. $ $ $ $ $ $
Is politics really as bad as it’s ever been? “I‘m thinking we don’t bring up politics .”
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).
Four immutable rules of advocacy and political engagement BI‐PARTISAN: FACTS & OPINIONS BOTH Partisanship MATTER: Your arguments defines politics, should be based on objective but bi‐partisan and honest data, but it’s coalitions are the anecdotes and emotion that best coalitions. drive public policy debate. 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 of the day, politics is about the number 50% + 1, and often winning means being hated less, not loved more.
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.
No fires? Get out and paint fire hydrants. Informal meet and greets, visits with elected officials on ‘Day on the Hill.’ Tours and learning opportunities @ your facility / office within elected official’s district. Election‐year candidate forums (invite them all). Special events, including ‘internal’ awards and ceremonies .
Engagement … as important when they are candidates as when they are incumbents ! Partisan affiliation and identification matters LESS, background and personal experience matter MORE. Getting the candidates to promise during the campaign helps ensure they deliver when they are incumbents. How do you indentify ‘like‐minded’ candidates and incumbents? Why care about engagement with both You have to sides? Because winning = 50% + 1, and ask! 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 officials 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 Likes Dogs Likes Both Hates Dogs Hates Cats UNDECIDEDS 25% 65% 10% (in cross tabs)
Candidate A Candidate B Undecided TOP LINE 45% 42% 13% Likes Cats Likes Dogs Likes Both Hates Dogs Hates Cats UNDECIDEDS 25% 65% 10% (in cross tabs) HOW UNDECIDEDS 3.3% 8.4% 1.3% BREAK
Candidate A Candidate B Undecided TOP LINE 45% 42% 13% Likes Cats Likes Dogs Likes Both Hates Dogs Hates Cats UNDECIDEDS 25% 65% 10% (in cross tabs) HOW UNDECIDEDS 3.3% 8.4% 1.3% BREAK LIKELY OUTCOME 48.8% 50.4% 0.8%
What is electioneering communication (a Super PAC)? In Citizens United (2009), SCOTUS found all $ = free speech 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 on politics in the very same way they consume information on 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 official 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 only 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).
Key points to legislative efforts • 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. Legislative Legislator Staffer • Sometimes being quiet is the right thing to do. • Remember Sticky Notes.
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 of a thing …
Politicians are people, too! Born in Parents of Connecticut, Paints twins lived in Texas Has an MBA Methodist Served in Air National Guard Spouse is Baseball fan a teacher and librarian President of the United States
Meeting with a elected official… You are there to They are pressed for give time ... It’s okay to highlights walk and talk only Introduce everyone Say where in your from + group connection to district Find connections Have a designated group leader They see a lot of folks – try to stand out
Talking with an elected official… No jargon, Make your technical position expressions clear or acronyms It’s not a Focus on debate your issues Leave collateral, don’t lead with it Like talking to Bring it back a to the voters reporter, it’s all ‘on the record’
What politicians think about … “Are you one of MY voters, “I have five and if not minutes – I need how are you the 3x5 index connected to card version.” MY voters?” “What’s the other side of “How will I this explain this issue?” to the Kiwanis?” “Don’t they “Sure hope they don’t scream at me – do know what else they have any idea how little I get paid to do is going on?” this?”
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?
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