Washblog || Darcy's ad draws fire

Darcy's ad draws fire

By switzerblog
Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 02:56:35 PM PST
Section: Washington State Topic: Election news/info

I'm really annoyed to be writing about this, but I blame...well, I should blame David Postman for bringing it back up, but for consistency's sake I'll blame Joel Connelly. This was begun as a comment on Postman's blog post regarding the "liberal critique of Burner's first tv spot" - or what I call Matt Stoller's hate-fest on things which he does not understand. Postman's coverage, usually strong, was..."eh" (*update: Postman is following up in the comments thread, seeking deeper info/opinions than he originally wrote. So his coverage regains it's "strong" rating ;-). But Stoller deserves a punch to the nards.

Stoller and others in the national blogosphere seem to have decided a netroots endorsement implies ownership over these campaigns, and an obligation for all the campaigns to be run identically, according to the wishes of the netroots. This ignores local complexities and realities. It's well past time for the netroots to start growing up, and recognize that structure and organization on a grand scale - as well as the micro, local scale - has its place. We can't just run things by blog dictat and expect this race to be the same as that race, or that candidate to be the same as this candidate.

The reality is, Darcy Burner still has to introduce herself to much of the electorate in the 8th. I expect her to run a different race, and different ads, than, for instance, Jon Tester, who is also netroots endorsed and challenging an incumbent. Burner is a political newcomer, challenging someone with incredibly high name recognition, but low...shall we say, IQ manifestation. Dislodging Reichert will be difficult, but name recognition will prove just as important as grasp of issues. Tester, to stick to my example, is the Montana State Senate Majority Leader, and is challenging a powerful incumbent Senator who's been softened up by a nonstop barrage from the state Democratic party. Tester gets to hit issues right away; he's not really introducing himself. Burner has a different electorate, lower name recognition, and a lower "issues" bar to clear.

The ad, in short, was not targeted at people who are pissed off at Bush or Reichert, or people who know who Darcy is. The ad was targeted at those independent voters that Darcy will need, and to whom she has not yet been introduced. Is it an astoundingly powerful ad? No. It wasn't supposed to be; it was supposed to say, "Hi, I'm Darcy, I'm nice and you'll like me." Nothing more, nothing less.

If you live here, or you blog responsibly, you get that. If you're Matt Stoller or, unfortunately, Jane Hamsher, apparently you just ignore any local details and shriek that all is lost because Darcy didn't run the ad you wanted, and draw that ever-useful negative spotlight right onto a race that doesn't need that kind of nonsense. So, from a local who lives in the 8th, let me offer a big "Please shut the fuck up" to Matt and Jane. Ask around about local issues and what's needed on the ground. Heck, just ask NPI what they think, apparently. Responsible blogging requires following up with people involved in issues before going on this type of rant. It involves knowing your place - if you're writing about national things, have at it. If you're writing about local things where you're from, have at it. If you're writing about local things someplace where you don't live and aren't involved - do some research or stop and think first.

Responsibility isn't a one-way thing; it has roots and branches. The netroots/bloggers have a right and responsibility to be involved with campaigns, offer advice and criticism, and deserve a voice in strategy. Campaigns have a responsibility to listen to the netroots like any other constituent, understand what they add, and appreciate their involvement - whether that means adopting netroots ideas or just thanking them for their hard work, campaigns need to decide how symbiotic the relationship should be to remain helpful. But if the netroots is going to be taken seriously and lay claim to political influence, we have a responsibility to write using good methods and common sense: Sometimes you need to know when to shut up. You need to be self-critical and know when you're talking out your ass, and be willing to stop yourself.

Burner has been talking about Iraq for nearly a year on the campaign trail, and will certainly address it in her ads. If Stoller was on the ground here, he would know that, but he is not. Campaigns require some planning, foresight and strategy, beyond simply going on the attack. There are phases to go through, and Darcy is entering the mass-introductory phase right now. The netroots needs to start understanding that you cannot run local campaigns in a "one-size fits all" way, and understanding different types of strategy. It's also got to learn that support does not equal ownership. No doubt, the netroots has proven its worth and deserves a voice, and should be listened to. That should never be mistaken to imply that the netroots has absolute authority over direction of campaigns. The idea of a "netroots-approved strategy", as Postman calls it, sounds no less dangerous than a "talk-radio-host-approved strategy". Campaigns should work with us, not for us and not against us.

Finally, if Stoller truly doesn't understand the concept of an "introductory" or "bio" campaign ad as an opening salvo, perhaps his worth as a political thinker is overstated. As I said in another comment on this goofiness: tempest in a teapot, begone!

< Any Reason to Keep Funding Iraq invasion/occupation? | Expanding FlexCar >

Darcy's ad draws fire | 41 comments (41 topical)

Re:nards and punching

A slap is more effective

by Particle Man on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 03:14:39 PM PST

* 1 5.00 1 *

I like the ad, but the criticism is right.

First of all, I find your reference to the idea of some local exceptionalism proferred by WA's Dem congniscenti disturbing. Their claim of "we're here, we're Democrats in the know, we have a secret formula for 'Independent' voters" is just plain bullshit. There's no other way to say it. The Gregoire campaign, the Alben campaign and others prove that the Dems here in Washington state have a strategy for Independent voters which is simply a non-strategy. It is all about what not to say and it simply doesn't work. I find the fact that NPI brought up the agency used suspicious and beside the point.

The suburbs are going Dem for a reason and that reason must be exploited. Most Dem political consultants don't have any understanding of why the suburbs are moving Dem and their message advice reflects that.

I liked Darcy Burner's ad. I thought it was pretty good. I just hope she didn't spend too much on it and that she realizes that it didn't have an ending. Well, actually it did have an ending ("and so do we" - that was nice) but the impact of the ending was muted by the fact that there was no hook. Of course they approve of Darcy Burner, she's a nice woman, she looks good, she dresses well, she's obviously smart - all positive points for the ad.

That said, Darcy Burner is presuming to defeat a guy who has a huge amount more political experience than she and a huge amount more name rec for a reason and it is the same reason that the suburbs are going Dem. What is that reason?

Give me that right before the end - a little twist (de rigeur in any narrative structure) - and then let Darcy Burner's obvious competence and Washington State Niceness seal the deal. Your claim that the blogosphere thinks it "owns" campaigns is bizarre. The only people who claim ownership of Democratic campaigns are the Democratic power structure and that is certainly not the blogs.

MyDD is right to keep the pressure on and if they do it in too loud a voice, so what? Nobody reads that crap but Dems anyway. MyDD is not for a general audience. Name rec is nice, but for any race above the level of dog catcher it is not decisive - also, name rec is built on FREE media, or paid media that stands out, not run-of-the-mill paid media.

As a standard bio piece, Darcy's ad was nice. Again, I liked it. But she doesn't really have time to build name rec with that kind of ad. It's just too late in the cycle. She has to generate some attention. Yes, in this community generating attention can be a negative, but Darcy Burner is strong, smart enough and "Washington State" enough so that she can be a positive answer to a little dissonance created by what she presents to the public. She's a reassuring figure in disturbing times. So is Dave Reichert. She has to make people uncomfortable with Dave Reichert and the Bush administration so that they can feel that SHE and not HE is the comfortable answer.

I don't think anybody is suggesting she be shrill, but she has to cause that discomfort to prove that she is the comfortable, reassuring answer - which she is.

by dlaw on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 04:07:09 PM PST

* 2 5.00 2 *

Also, talk-radio-approved strategy has WORKED... by dlaw, 08/23/2006 10:47:03 PM PST (5.00 / 1)

Hey dlaw by switzerblog, 08/23/2006 11:03:46 PM PST (5.00 / 1)

Switzer, come back to the planet, please. by dlaw, 08/24/2006 12:10:27 AM PST (2.66 / 3)

Here's what you wrote by switzerblog, 08/24/2006 11:57:18 AM PST (5.00 / 3)

SeaBos and I are uncooth Easterners, true. by dlaw, 08/24/2006 01:47:35 PM PST (5.00 / 1)

Switzer its like trying to by Particle Man, 08/24/2006 09:37:53 AM PST (none / 0)

Those who oppose us are terrorists! by dlaw, 08/24/2006 01:48:35 PM PST (5.00 / 1)
glad you two have a monopoly on by rmdSeaBos, 08/24/2006 10:03:14 AM PST (3.50 / 2)

Hard hitting campaigns do work by Particle Man, 08/24/2006 10:23:33 AM PST (5.00 / 1)

Not a proven fact. Crap. by dlaw, 08/24/2006 01:51:17 PM PST (5.00 / 1)
It is August 24, NOT April by rmdSeaBos, 08/24/2006 11:49:59 AM PST (2.00 / 4)

not so fast dlaw

"The Gregoire campaign, the Alben campaign and others prove that the Dems here in Washington state have a strategy for Independent voters which is simply a non-strategy."
dlaw, you really have no clue. Gregoire was over managed and so many factors unrelated to this race were at play that drawing a relation to Darcy and her campaign is just baseless.
As for Alex Alben, well, he could not be managed or trained to where he could be an effective candidate. In this regard, he could not hold a candle to Darcy.

As for your last point, well it is true that Darcy must contrast where she will be on issues important to voters in the 8th with Reichert's record and spoken word. But it is not for her to be hard hitting and as an introduction piece in war time, the add and Darcy's personal history set out a great foundation. There is time and the attention span for the majority of voters in that race is short so the money was well spent.

And Switzers point that bloggers can get overly self-righteous after supporting a candidate is on point. Bloggers are not alone though. This feeling that some get that they should be pulling the strings after working for or supporting a candidate happens in party orgs and advocacy groups as well.

The first rule should be to not harm our own. If we want to vent about some tactic that we think was dumb, well, we should take it off line. I know dlaw will not understand this point, but, the fact is that every candidate must look at the liability associated with getting close to the net machine. Look back at what Dwight Pelz went through just because someone lacked an understanding of how endorsements from elected officials work.

by Particle Man on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 04:43:38 PM PST

* 3 5.00 1 *

More baseless exceptionalism by dlaw, 08/23/2006 10:32:19 PM PST (5.00 / 2)

you clearly know NOTHING about by Particle Man, 08/24/2006 09:34:28 AM PST (5.00 / 1)

I know Alben LOST and Gregoire squandered... by dlaw, 08/24/2006 01:54:31 PM PST (5.00 / 1)

No fire and brimstone

What the MyDD folks seem to be objecting to is that Darcy's ad doesn't tie Bush and Reichert together and claim that their both demons from the ninth circle of hell, while calling down fire and brimstone upon all who support them.

Instead, she seems to be trying to do what we all complain that the R's don't do. Run a civil campaign.

I think the contrast between a soft-spoken, civil person that shows quiet confidence in herself and the loud, angry blustering incumbent will work very well for Darcy.

It also takes away one of Rep Reichert's main campaign tools. That loud, angry bluster might work against some candidates, but not against someone like Darcy. When he needs to quietly articulate his vision, it becomes obvious that he doesn't have one.

She still needs to show more of her own vision for the future, but starting out by just showing the contrast between their personalities is a great start.

by jbarelli on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 06:59:21 PM PST

* 5 5.00 1 *

Right, except you're wrong. by dlaw, 08/23/2006 10:44:04 PM PST (5.00 / 2)

You should post this on a national blog

Like Kos, or MyDD.

On The Road To 2008: Countdown to the next opportunity to change the direction of America

by Daniel K on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 10:28:20 PM PST

* 8 5.00 2 *

Did so, at the same time by switzerblog, 08/23/2006 11:04:33 PM PST (none / 0)

bring it home

An effective, smart and strong campaign is what everybody wants for Darcy. To my mind, that means listening to Matt, to Jane, to their commentors and to each other. If that means tossing out some or all of their ideas because they don't tailor well with this District, hey, that's Darcy's option.

Bear in mind, that perhaps Darcy's effort to gain name recognition will grow faster with the name recognition of issues and her stance on them.

I was particularly struck by Peter Goldmark's effective route of taking nat'l issues (that if a local guy with no name recognition goes head on with such the air right out of the debate) and defining them by what they have done to the local economy, education, VA issues, health care, all of the above. He took the Iraq War and brought it home by connection how many eastern WA kids could have gotten a college education with the $300 billion tossed down a black hole in Iraq; how the wildfire fighters could have gotten the equipment they needed, on and on.

For an independent to choose to go for Darcy or Peter, or even for a Rep to move over, they have to see more than a pretty smile or a cowboy hat, they have to feel in their gut that this is a candidate who will fight to the dirt in a national arena, against all the big blowhards, to bring their kids home from Iraq, protect their parents from Medicare Part B, to partner WA with other states in the alternative energy fray, to protect our ports, on and on.

So I'll listen to Matt & Jane & Kos because I want all the information I can get to strengthen these local campaigns, but when all is said and done, the decision as to which ingredients are added to the campaign stewpot, had better be made by locals.

by mainsailset on Thu Aug 24, 2006 at 09:01:30 AM PST

* 20 5.00 3 *

This is exactly right! by dlaw, 08/24/2006 06:09:30 PM PST (none / 0)

agreed by mainsailset, 08/24/2006 07:13:05 PM PST (none / 0)

Stoller on Darcy's tv ad

I don't think too many people really give a shit about Matt's opinion on this.

by howieinseattle on Thu Aug 24, 2006 at 11:53:20 AM PST

* 27 5.00 1 *

Print pieces tougher

I canvassed for Darcy Burner on Saturday.

Her handout piece is mostly bio but also talks about the Bush-Reichert connection. Most people I talked to hadn't heard of her, so a bio piece was probably a good first step.

Her new mailing is more hard-hitting and makes the Reichert-Bush-oil link and also calls out Reichert's anti-veteran votes.

by BrightMind on Sun Aug 27, 2006 at 11:07:23 PM PST

* 38 5.00 1 *

This and all the many recent blogs on by gibney, 08/27/2006 11:48:35 PM PST (5.00 / 1)

Nice is great for Bunnies and Bambis

EVERYONE says that they hate negative campaiging, THEN

regardless of which policitical sub group I chat with,

on election day a HUGE % of any sub group votes according to some soundbite, probably more than 80% of those soundbites being negative.

yawn.

it isn't nice, it is bad, it is demeaning, it is denigrating, it isn't nice ...

ooopssiee! I said "not nice" twice already.

carter and mondale and dukakis ...

were nice.

BFD.

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 07:59:50 PM PST

* 6 3.00 2 *

huh

Who cares what Matt Stoller thinks. He's in f-ing PA. He knows nothing of WA-08.

He should be worrying about collar-county GOP congressmen outside Philly, and leave the 8th to Goldy et al.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

by Belltowner on Thu Aug 24, 2006 at 12:39:00 AM PST

* 15 3.00 2 *

Look at the demographics! by dlaw, 08/24/2006 01:00:46 AM PST (3.00 / 2)

Ok by Belltowner, 08/24/2006 01:07:43 AM PST (none / 0)

Switzer Tactics = Carter '80 to Kerry '04

Your criticisms of their criticsims, to me, reflects a strain in the Dem party which is unwilling to accept some well proven realities:

IF someone won't fight to win, either by the rules that exist or by rules they write, then they ain't gonna win.

IF someone won't govern to win, either by the rules which exist or by rules which they write, then then ain't gonna be able to govern.

Darcy's ad sucks. Sucky ads sure raise questions in my mind as to whether a candidate is willing to fight to win and is willing to govern to win.

People who want to support candidates who don't want to fight to win, or govern to win

go ahead.

After supporting good people who wouldn't do what it takes to win, and for whom I had my doubts that they'd do what it took to govern,

like humphrey, mcgovern, carter and mondale,

OR supporting people who constantly demonstrated an inability to do what it took to win, which REALLY made me doubt that they'd do what it took to govern,

like dukakis, gore or kerry

(clinton would do what it took to win, AND, it didn't do what it took to govern)

WHY should I break by butt for

"nice"

other than

"nice" is NOT evil

(see cantwell, kerry ... yawn ...)

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 08:22:16 PM PST

* 7 2.00 3 *

How I enjoy your 'reality' !!

ummm ... some real gems below.

you have this little quip, "or you blog responsibly", and then you say that Stoller and Hamsher "shriek" and criticize people who want hard hitting ads by calling those kind of ads "nonsense".

dlaw brings up some excellent points above, and you insult both of us.

I really enjoy how you can shout (btw, I like shouting as much as anyone) and you drape yourself in the cloth of ... facts and reason ?

it must be facts and reason you cloak yourself with, the way you insult other people who view the world differently ?

one day you may get to run a campaign, and your analysis, strategy and tactics might be the most kick ass on the planet. HOWEVER, I would NOT give a dime or second of time to any campaign you ran, as I don't see anything which isn't the same ol same ol new for the last 2 decades Dem "strategy" that has been failing miserably for ... 2 decades.

Why should netroots opinion makers break their butts for someone putting out shitty ads which have proven themselves to be shitty?

So we can all be noble losers, again?

I am glad they said whatever they said -

btw - isn't a feature of the 1st Amendment of our Constitution - that amendment shredded by fascists who've been ignored by enabling loser Dems - isn't a feature that people say whatever they want?

insult away and wrap yourself in insider righteousness!

rmm.

"If you live here, or you blog responsibly, you get that. If you're Matt Stoller or, unfortunately, Jane Hamsher, apparently you just ignore any local details and shriek that all is lost because Darcy didn't run the ad you wanted, and draw that ever-useful negative spotlight right onto a race that doesn't need that kind of nonsense. So, from a local who lives in the 8th, let me offer a big "Please shut the fuck up" to Matt and Jane. Ask around about local issues and what's needed on the ground. Heck, just ask NPI what they think, apparently. Responsible blogging requires following up with people involved in issues before going on this type of rant."

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Thu Aug 24, 2006 at 09:56:27 AM PST

* 23 1.00 1 *

I couldn't have said it better

So I won't even try.

Well said.

On The Road To 2008: Countdown to the next opportunity to change the direction of America

by Daniel K on Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 06:34:55 PM PST

* 4 none 0 *

BTW, what are...

...the "local complexities and realities" to which you refer?

What is the research you feel the netroots need to do before they comment? (I'll leave aside the obvious question of why the HELL the Netroots should be different from any other political commentator)

Is there some evidence that you can cite to suggest that you are right about the Burner message and Stoller and Postman are wrong?

What data lead you to the question that Burner shouldn't have mentioned Bush or Iraq in her first ad?

by dlaw on Thu Aug 24, 2006 at 12:39:24 AM PST

* 16 none 0 *

"conclusion", not "question" by dlaw, 08/24/2006 12:58:05 AM PST (5.00 / 2)

jesus h. keehrist by N in Seattle, 08/24/2006 02:30:31 PM PST (5.00 / 3)

It was at that moment that N stepped in by Particle Man, 08/24/2006 04:12:51 PM PST (5.00 / 3)
Again it was a decent ad, it just lacked... by dlaw, 08/24/2006 06:04:23 PM PST (4.00 / 2)

Stoller is Correct, IMHO

and I do not think his comments warrant labels like "Matt Stoller's hate-fest on things which he does not understand.",

HOWEVER - anyone is free to say whatever they want.

IMHO it does not make sense to work for and advocate for and give money to candidates who will not:

do what it takes to win by today's rules, or change the rules to your benefit.
do what it takes to govern by today's rules, or change the rules to your benefit.
some combination of 1 and 2.

Jeffrey Feldman comments that her ad is, and I paraphrase, DLC speak framing, and he states that such framing is ineffective. Ditto, * 2.

IMHO.

People are free to work for whoever they want,
and people are free to discuss publicly who they want to work for and why,
and people are free to attack the motives of those engaged in public discussion.

Oh well.

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Mon Aug 28, 2006 at 12:37:19 PM PST

* 40 none 0 *

issue is the recognition

Perhaps the reason to consider utilizing the tie in to Dem party affiliation or Iraq War for Darcy is because America today has her "issues" ears on. Americans can't escape the steady drumbeat of failure it's in every coffee shop, on newstands, everywhere and Dave R is part of the band playing that particular song. People are hungry to turn that song off and as they look around the room, if Darcy has aligned herself with the right side of the argument, demonstrated a connection to send me and we'll get better music, the issues are her best ad yet.

by mainsailset on Mon Aug 28, 2006 at 01:17:06 PM PST

* 41 none 0 *

Darcy's ad draws fire | 41 comments (41 topical)

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