Don’t Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face Mr. President

“...partly because we now live in this media culture where something goes up on YouTube or a blog and everybody scrambles,” said Obama.

Hypocritical? President Obama points a finger and blames the same type of new media culture that got him elected for the firing of Shirley Sherrod. In a Huffington Post (@huffingtonpost) article, President Barak Obama told ABC News that the “real culprit” was the media.

I tend to disagree. Mr. President, there are countless blogs and books that discuss how social/new media got you elected. Now, more than ever, politicians and anyone in the public sector should know to err on the side of caution because all it takes is one tweet to blow something completely out of proportion. We live in a world of interconnected communications, a digital democracy that spans all across the globe. This new media culture is what many think is the next form of journalism, where blog posts and facebook photos are broadcast on traditional media. Reporters seek out information from tweets, because it’s in real-time, it’s where the action is. I’m suprised the AP doesn’t have a “social media sourcing” section!

My advice? Think before you speak. Think before you act. Think before you do anything at all, because all it takes is one tweet, one blog post, one youtube video and you’re news. Oh! And make sure you’re camera-ready ;)

What the Fashion Industry Could Teach West Virginia Government

While conversing at Bridge Road Bistro last night with two friends about the “messy closet” of major political issues in West Virginia right now, the son of a former Governor said, “Why didn’t they see this coming? We need to be more proactive, but all we seem to be is reactive.” And in all honesty, why was the situation regarding what to do in the event a United State Congressman from West Virginia passes away in office not already addressed years ago? Why was the State Constitution and the Code so ambiguous?

No one planned for this, or apparently had the foresight to see this coming. Had this issue already been addressed, hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars could have been saved. I’m not blaming anyone or pointing the finger, we all should take responsibility. But after hearing that question last night, something from my fashion background flashed before my eyes: PREPARATION.

As a buyer for Ivor’s on Lee for about five years, there’s one thing you must do, and that’s to be prepared. When you go to market, it’s generally 4-6 months before the clothes arrive in your store. So research about fashion trends, fabric colors, and even more macrocosmic factors such as the economic condition of the area your store is in and what your customers are more likely to buy going forward, must be conducted. Walking into market without a strategic plan is pretty much style suicide.

So why didn’t we have a strategy in place in the event a United States Senator passed away while in office? Poor planning.

In this morning’s Charleston Gazette (@wvgazette), Alison Knezenich (@aliknez), wrote about yet another ambiguity in State Code (http://bit.ly/d2wClv). With a looming special election for Governor in 2011, let’s hope our legislators take a note from the fashion industry... Off to market!

From the Manchin to the White House?

With Capito out of the race for Senator Byrd’s seat, Governor Manchin must be thrilled. Now that Manchin heads to DC, I predict his term as United States Senator will only last for two years. With his eye is on the White House, Manchin for President in 2012 is very possible. But will America allow another man in the White House who has only served one term in Congress? Manchin does possess more charisma than Obama, heck he’s the man who made me fall in love with politics.

But President Manchin? I think Vice President Manchin is more like it. If Obama wins the Democratic Primary in 2012, he’ll need someone with an extremely high national approval rating as his Veepee: and that man is soon-to-be Senator Manchin. Another option? Obama doesn’t go past the primary and someone else wins the Democratic nomination for President, and they select Senator Manchin to join them as Vice President.

With the highest approval rating of any elected official in America, maybe “President Manchin” isn’t too far out in left field after all. West Virginia House of Delegates member Tiffany Lawrence said during a speech at a fundraiser that Manchin greatly inspired her to go into politics. If he make me fall in love with politics, he just might make America fall in love with him.

My fashion background begs me to ask one question of the soon-to-be Senator and his first lady ...who is going to be your stylist? I just might have a couple recommendations.

Calling All Politicians: Stop Being Anti-Social! Be Social By Design!

What does the term “PC” mean to you? Politically correct? Wrong! “PC” means POLITICALLY CONNECTED! How connected are you to your constituents? The number one way to get real feedback and converse with the folks who elected you is through SOCIAL MEDIA!

The number one fail in political social media right now, and I don’t mean to be harsh, is @JoeManchinWV. The man who made me fall in love with politics isn’t following a soul on Twitter. I spoke with Senator Oliverio (Mike_Oliverio) last night, a future U.S. House of Reps member, and mentioned he might want to change his Facebook picture. Delegate Doug Skaff (dougskaff) asked me how much he should tweet.

With the youngest and sexiest United States Senator in office right now, West Virginia politicians need to know how to better utilize social media (or new media, whichever), to communicate with their constituents. Goodwin doesn’t even have a Twitter account.

The most recent political social media development in West Virginia, in my opinion, has been Speaker Thompson (@RT4WV) using his Facebook page to post statements regarding his views about what’s going on at the Legislature (@wvlegislature). Mannix Porterfield, a reporter, even asked the Speaker a question on his page and Thompson replied! He’s effectively using social media to communicate with both the media and constituents.

So all you politicians in the great state of West Virginia and across the United States, when you’re ready for my class on political social media, give me a call, 304.993.8464.

I Wish I Had Worn Flats!

After leaving the Capitol yesterday after waiting for a presser that was indefinitely postponed, I raced back to the office (@ThinkRainmaker) then to the Marriott to prepare for Greg Tucker’s fundraiser. Speaker of the House (@wvhouse) Rick Thompson (RT4WV) also had a fundraiser last night, as did Delegate Bob Beach (WVDelegate). (On a personal note, I’m confused as to why Delegate Beach chose to have fundraiser on the same night as the Speaker. Can anyone clue me in?)

When I was just about to leave the Marriott, I received a text from Ry Rivard (@ryrivard) about a 9pm presser the Governor (@JoeManchinWV) was about to have. So I raced back to the Capitol and ran, in my hot pink Donald Pliners, to the Governor’s press conference.

A tired Governor, Secretary of State (@NatalieTennant) and several members of the Senate (@wvsenate) and House (@wvhouse) announced that legislation had been passed in regard to the very special election. My favorite quote of the night came from Gover Manchin when Rivard asked him about the difficulty it took to pass this bill, “Take a picture.” Tired indeed! Secretary Tennant, as well as both Senate President Tomblin (@Senator_Tomblin) and Speaker Thompson made remarks. I must applaud Thompson for extending a sincere “thank you” to all the staffers who endured all the long days and late nights (I’m sure they wore flats).

As the hour grew late, I couldn’t help but wonder why I didn’t toss a pair of Beverly Feldman flats in my car. Earlier in the day, around 3:4pm, I also noticed Secretary Tennant had kicked her shoes off for a minute while sitting outside the House chamber. Note to self: keep a pair of flats in car at all times!

$160,000 for shoes? I’m in!

The lights keep flashing, the camera keeps rolling, but the movie just isn’t turning out the way he thought. And with West Virginia in the national spotlight, I bet Governor Manchin (@JoeManchinWV) wishes we could cut to a commercial break.

One bad camera angle: At a rate of approximately $30,000 per day, the West Virginia Legislature (@wvlegislature) failed to pass a bill both the state Senate (@wvsenate) and the House (@wvhouse) agreed upon. Overall, this special session cost approximately $160,000, http://bit.ly/dx8T6Y (story by Daily Mail (@charleywest) reporter Ry Rivard (@ryrivard).

Another bad angle: Today Manchin is expected to make a proclamation for a special election. If he had done this originally, West Virginia could have saved almost $200,000. While it’s obvious the Governor attempted to go about this with as much legislative support as possible, it just didn’t happen. So W.W.M.D (What Will Manchin Do)?

Please understand that I am not bashing Governor Manchin, I deeply respect the man, worked for him when he was Secretary of State, volunteered on his first gubernatorial campaign, and dated a close member of the Manchin family. But from a PR perspective and as a tax payer, I’m just confused. And I would rather my tax dollars be spent on shoes than four days of a session with no real solution. Speaking of shoes, Senator Chafin (@Senator_Chafin), Senator Browning, and Delegate Doug Reynolds (dougreynolds16) have the best shoes of any legislators I’ve seen.

Taking a step back, with an obvious constituent outcry for an election to fill Senator Byrd’s seat, I can’t help but wonder if Governor calls for a special election and runs (which we know he will), how much the very special session that didn’t produce any very special succession legislation hurt him? Guess we’ll find out in the coming weeks and months!

@Capito4Congress: Both House and Senate?

Thursday: Nothing. Friday: Nothing. Saturday: Nothing. Sunday: Still nothing. The West Virginia Legislature (@WVlegislature) has not produced a bill the Senate (@wvsenate) and House (@wvhouse) an agree on. As of Saturday evening, Governor Manchin (@JoeManchinWV) and House Minority Leader Tim Armstead (no twitter account) couldn’t come to an agreement. And as of today, everyone is blaming everyone else for yet another special session where nothing really got accomplished (although the Senate did pass several education bills that weren’t slated to be dealt with until next week). I can’t help but wonder how much this very special session for a very special election is costing West Virginia tax payers.

What a big headache for Governor Manchin. According to several sources, he will call for a proclamation for a special election, as long as he has the Attorney General’s blessing. Now the question is whether or not Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (Capito4Congress) will run for Byrd’s seat.

The Senate Minority introduced the amendment to the Senate’s bill so Capito could run for Byrd’s seat and for her House seat. The Senate passed the amendment and the bill, although Senate President Tomblin (@Senator_Tomblin) wasn’t happy. Apparently Senator Randy White (@wvsenator) gave the final vote needed for the amendment to pass. Senator Mike Oliverio (@Mike_Oliverio) was seen trying to persuade White otherwise, and disapprovingly shaking his head when White wouldn’t change his mind/vote. Just a side note, White was defeated in the Primary this past May, (www.defeatrandy.com).

Back to Capito, I think she’d be silly not to run for both seats. What’s there to lose? Her decision is expected tomorrow after Manchin calls for a special election. Wonder what she'll wear for her press conference...