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Schmidt campaign takes their eyes off the prize

October 26, 2006 08:16 PM

We are at a pivotal moment in this election, and we have no room for asinine mistakes.  And yet, asinine mistakes are precisely what we have gotten in the past 48 hours from the Schmidt campaign.  This is extremely disconcerting and frustrating for Republicans, who are only left to ask:

What the hell is the Schmidt Campaign thinking?

First, we get word that the Schmidt campaign has threatened the Wulsin campaign, and asked that they stop airing video of Jean's "cut and run" speech.  Apparently, it is a violation of the House Rules for members to use the video of floor speeches for political purposes.  [And shame on them, for a perfectly ridiculous rule].

We begin with first things,

(1) It is readily apparent to anyone remotely political that invoking this rule in the political context is a dumb, dumb move.  Of course floor speeches should be used in the political context.  What is said on the floor of the House is the most important part of a Congressperson's job.

(2) It is also readily apparent from a legal perspective that this rule would not pass constitution muster in any Court.  A candidate will be permitted to use and criticize her opponent's statements on the floor of the House, and the Courts will not care what the House Rules say.  Political speech is the most highly protected form of free speech, and this, clearly, is it.

(3) It is also readily apparent that it was Jean who first violated the House Rules by calling Congressman Murtha a coward, and looks awful by accusing someone else of violating a rule, just because they don't know it exists.  That's exactly what happened to you, Jean!

(4) It is readily apparent that the House Rules do NOT apply to non-incumbents.  House rules only apply to House Members.  So the Wulsin campaign is free to use whatever floor speeches they want.  Yes, this creates a double standard for incumbents and non-incumbents, but that's just the way it is.

(5) It is readily apparent that Jean's "cut and run" comments are winning issues in the 2nd District.  The politically astute thing to do is to say that you meant what you said.  It is wrong to cut and run in Iraq.  And, you should ask your opponent what her plan is.

So that's the political, legal and practical background.  The Schmidt campaign should have known to stay away from this from the very beginning.  But instead, they're on this like a dog who won't let go of a chew toy.

First, we have Schmidt's Campaign Manager, Matt Perin, producing an extremely obnoxious press release, arrogantly boasting that (among other things),

"Clearly Ms. Wulsin's campaign is being run by a bunch of amateurs and now she’s stooped to just making things up.”

Okay.  When you are attacking the other side's operatives, something is clearly, clearly wrong with the thinking inside the campaign.  The focus needs to be on getting your candidate elected.  Not on juvenile insults directed at the other side's staffers.  The focus needs to be on the other side's candidate, Matt. 

The rest of the Matt Perin press release is similarly obnoxious--and most importantly, politically rudderless.  It scores nothing, gains nothing, and does more harm than good.  Again, what the hell is the Schmidt campaign thinking?  NBS has been involved in political campaigns for years, including working on statewide campaigns as a media consultant.  If Matt Perin had been on our staff and issued a press release like this, he would have been terminated. 

So, that was the mood NBS was in when we left the office today: Ready to fire someone at a campaign we are not even running.  Why the passion?  Because too much is a stake to indulge personalities and to suffer fools.  Control of Congress will be determined by results in each individual district.  We are on the verge of electing a Congress that will cut and run in Iraq.  We are in the verge of electing a Congress that will raise taxes.  We are on the verge of electing a Congress that will pursue an unimaginable social agenda.  We cannot afford stupid mistakes. 

So we came home, took a few deep breaths, and walked the dog.  Then we got back on line to check the news.  Perhaps the Schmidt campaign had taken our advice and backed off? 

No.  

We find that not only has the Schmidt campaign not backed off, they've ratcheted things up.  They have again written to the Wulsin campaign, repeated their demands, and attempted to respond to the House-Rules-Don't-Apply-To-Wulsin argument by claiming it is hypocritical of Wulsin not to abide by the rules of the body she wants to join.  Which is just ludicrous.  The House rules don't apply to Wulsin.

And, we get another ridiculous press release from Matt Perin,

Dr. Vicky either doesn’t realize that she’s broken a promise, or is intentionally misleading voters,” said Matt Perin, Schmidt Campaign Manager. “She’s broken one, how can anybody trust that she’s going to keep any of her other promises or not blatantly violate House Rules again?”

The entire paragraph doesn't even make sense.  It is not grammatically correct, and one thought does not logically lead into the next.  And, what promise are you talking about, Matt?  It would be helpful to say what exactly the promise was, before you proclaim that she's broken it.   You are, after all, trying to write a press release that the press can actually use.  Why make them figure out what promise you're talking about?

He goes on, 

Wulsin claims that since she’s not a Member of the House of Representatives, the rules do not apply to her. “It’s disturbing that Dr. Vicky refuses to abide by the rules of the body she wishes to join,” said Perin.

What is with the "Dr. Vicky" crap?  If is extremely disrespectful and it serves no valid purpose.  Political press releases are supposed to be written in a newspaper story style.  This is because the smaller papers often just reprint press releases, without editing.  And because lazy reporters at larger papers won't have to change your word choice.  This helps ensure you get the message out, precisely as you want it.  No newspaper, regardless of size, is going to run a quote from you if it refers to the opposition candidate as "Dr. Vicky."  This renders the press release virtually unusable--except when it can be used to make the campaign look bad.  Why does a blogger, like NBS, have to teach the Campaign Manager how to write press releases less than two weeks before the election?

And, Matt Perin goes on,

“Since she is seeking public office, Ms. Wulsin ought to know that it is dangerous when political figures decide for themselves which rules and laws they will honor. After all, democracy hinges on all of us living under the same set of rules,” said Perin.

Yes, that's right. He's bringing up the rule of law, and arguing about equal justice under law.  What over the top rhetoric!  About a ridiculous House Rule!  It's like the Campaign Manager doesn't even know what the phrase "Rule of Law" even means.  Again.  Schmidt campaign, what the hell are you thinking?  Victoria Wulsin is an extremely liberal candidate, who's views do not jibe at all with the Second District's.  There's ample material there.  Run with that.

So what can we look forward to tomorrow, as a result of all this?  Another round of bad press that make the candidate look very, very bad. 

Jean.  Please.  Bring your campaign back into focus.  Keep you eyes on the prize.  Victoria Wulsin is liberal.  You are not.  Neither is the district.  That should be your focus.  And, after the election is over (God knows you don't need the bad P.R. now) it is time to fire Matt Perin.

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