Managing Campaign 2004: Communication strategy

[zorkpolitics]

Is anyone willing to go beyond predicting who will win and plan the campaign?  
Looks like we'll have a Bush v Dean race in 2004, so assuming we do, if you were the campaign manager for either, what would you recommend as the best communication strategy: How would you split your $50 million budget?  National TV, local TV/print, radio, internet ads?  (Bush may have an advantage here, the Democratic candidate must spend his $75 million for the General campaign over 13 weeks, stating July 31 after the Democratic convention, Bush will be able to spend his $75 million in just 8 weeks starting Sept 5, but he can spend his primary money in August if he chooses)
Would you try and maximize free time (night time TV, cable talk shows, Oprah, MTV, etc and appear in touch with the common voter? or appear Presidential?  Would you seek out Bloggers and post campaign Blogs or chats?   In 2000 there was no national TV advertising.  In 1992 Perot used ½ hr national TV buys to explain his ideas in detail.

[jravnsbo]

The election is a referendum on Bush as it is with any incumbant.

Bush should stay Presidential and with a growing economy and an improving situation in Iraq it will all look good for him, getting him plenty of free air time.

Dems still have to have a candidate.  May not have one till the convention, still possible.

Is anyone willing to go beyond predicting who will win and plan the campaign?  
Looks like we'll have a Bush v Dean race in 2004, so assuming we do, if you were the campaign manager for either, what would you recommend as the best communication strategy: How would you split your $50 million budget?  National TV, local TV/print, radio, internet ads?  (Bush may have an advantage here, the Democratic candidate must spend his $75 million for the General campaign over 13 weeks, stating July 31 after the Democratic convention, Bush will be able to spend his $75 million in just 8 weeks starting Sept 5, but he can spend his primary money in August if he chooses)
Would you try and maximize free time (night time TV, cable talk shows, Oprah, MTV, etc and appear in touch with the common voter? or appear Presidential?  Would you seek out Bloggers and post campaign Blogs or chats?   In 2000 there was no national TV advertising.  In 1992 Perot used ½ hr national TV buys to explain his ideas in detail.

[jravnsbo]

Plus Bush gets free air time in addresses to the nation and State of the Union.

[© Tweed the Younger]

Plus Bush gets free air time in addresses to the nation and State of the Union.

Should he use that for campaign.

[jravnsbo]

No.

He will not be using it for the campaign but having the job is always an advantage and you get a free mike to do the job.

Plus Bush gets free air time in addresses to the nation and State of the Union.

Should he use that for campaign.

[DarthKosh]

Plus Bush gets free air time in addresses to the nation and State of the Union.

Should he use that for campaign.

Nope, but it will help him during the campaign.

[Wakie]

It's no secret that Bush will have a lot more money in his war chest than the Democratic candidate.  Therefore the Democrat will have to take advantage of the internet, word of mouth, and very non-traditional forums.

Bush, on the other hand, can just take out tv ads on popular nationally syndicated shows or run print ads in the most popular periodicals.

[jravnsbo]

Plus as said Bush can still draw on supporters till Sept, while Dean will then be int he cap of $75 million starting in July.  

Bush hits the convention in Sept, gets a boost and then gets that money.

Well Bush will be out among the people greatly also.  He is very personable and loves the crowds.  Everytime I saw him he made sure he shook everyone's hand, gave pics to all and signatures too.  His handlers were even trying to get him to come along and he would always stay for everyone.

It's no secret that Bush will have a lot more money in his war chest than the Democratic candidate.  Therefore the Democrat will have to take advantage of the internet, word of mouth, and very non-traditional forums.

Bush, on the other hand, can just take out tv ads on popular nationally syndicated shows or run print ads in the most popular periodicals.

[© Tweed the Younger]

Plus as said Bush can still draw on supporters till Sept, while Dean will then be int he cap of $75 million starting in July.  

Bush hits the convention in Sept, gets a boost and then gets that money.

Well Bush will be out among the people greatly also.  He is very personable and loves the crowds.  Everytime I saw him he made sure he shook everyone's hand, gave pics to all and signatures too.  His handlers were even trying to get him to come along and he would always stay for everyone.

It's no secret that Bush will have a lot more money in his war chest than the Democratic candidate.  Therefore the Democrat will have to take advantage of the internet, word of mouth, and very non-traditional forums.

Bush, on the other hand, can just take out tv ads on popular nationally syndicated shows or run print ads in the most popular periodicals.

Isn't there a problem with that late convention date---that he won't be on the ballot in a few states or something??

[jravnsbo]

it is being worked out.  Beside sonly heard of IL ( unlikely to vote for Bush anyway) and AL having that problem.

But it is b/c the democrats pushed their convention till late july int he hopes the GOP would then have to be in August when most were watching the olympics and so they put it in September.

[© Tweed the Younger]

it is being worked out.  Beside sonly heard of IL ( unlikely to vote for Bush anyway) and AL having that problem.

But it is b/c the democrats pushed their convention till late july int he hopes the GOP would then have to be in August when most were watching the olympics and so they put it in September.

Yeah, it's always our fault.

[jravnsbo]

well it was leaked from democrat sources that was the plan when they announced Boston and the dates.

it is being worked out.  Beside sonly heard of IL ( unlikely to vote for Bush anyway) and AL having that problem.

But it is b/c the democrats pushed their convention till late july int he hopes the GOP would then have to be in August when most were watching the olympics and so they put it in September.

Yeah, it's always our fault.

[© Tweed the Younger]

well it was leaked from democrat sources that was the plan when they announced Boston and the dates.

it is being worked out.  Beside sonly heard of IL ( unlikely to vote for Bush anyway) and AL having that problem.

But it is b/c the democrats pushed their convention till late july int he hopes the GOP would then have to be in August when most were watching the olympics and so they put it in September.

Yeah, it's always our fault.

Right.

[Gustaf]

it is being worked out.  Beside sonly heard of IL ( unlikely to vote for Bush anyway) and AL having that problem.

But it is b/c the democrats pushed their convention till late july int he hopes the GOP would then have to be in August when most were watching the olympics and so they put it in September.

You mean not on the ballot in the General Election???

That sounds weird. It still makes a difference if you don't have to campaign, right? And a surprise loss in AL would hurt...

[jravnsbo]

Its all politics, Dems are now refusing to change it unless the GOP gives them something for it.  Love it actually.

Sorry Jo American the Democrats hate the President so much they won't let you vote for him.  That'll go over well.

A non-issue as they will get it resolved as Dems would be crushed if they allowed such BS to take place.

it is being worked out.  Beside sonly heard of IL ( unlikely to vote for Bush anyway) and AL having that problem.

But it is b/c the democrats pushed their convention till late july int he hopes the GOP would then have to be in August when most were watching the olympics and so they put it in September.

You mean not on the ballot in the General Election???

That sounds weird. It still makes a difference if you don't have to campaign, right? And a surprise loss in AL would hurt...

[Gustaf]

I think all of Zork's threads are gonna resurface by the time we all know enough to actually make well-founded inaccurate predictions, as opposed to them being just inaccurate. Like, when we know for sure who the Dem nominee is...

[© Tweed the Younger]

I think all of Zork's threads are gonna resurface by the time we all know enough to actually make well-founded inaccurate predictions, as opposed to them being just inaccurate. Like, when we know for sure who the Dem nominee is...

Maybe they will.  But he made alot of them anyway, and they look identical at first glance.