Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.

 

5 January 2014

Brown to candidates: If you did something, they will find out

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That could be the title of Jackie M. “Mike” Brown’s new ebook, Preparing for the Race: 50+ Questions for the Potential Candidate, a short, wry, and very useful introduction to the fine political art of opposition research.

Brown knows, and knows how. Now author of The Western Word blog, he spent years working for elected Republicans, among them Sen. Conrad Burns (quite a journey from his childhood as the son of a union Democrat). Part of that work was learning as much as possible about the opposition candidate; his life, wife, dog, and tax returns.

Did your candidate’s ill-trained Doberman half-neuter the postman? That out-of-court, non-disclosure agreement won’t protect him. His opponent’s researchers will find out, and release the juicy details when your candidate seeks the support of organized labor.

Did your candidate’s first wife catch him with his second wife before she was his second wife, and get a black eye when she took photographs and threatened to shorten him? That will come to light, very likely with the first wife’s help.

Did your candidate lose a dispute with the IRS on deductions that only a drunk would try to claim? Was — is — your candidate too fond of grog? Too fond of little boys or girls? Too fond of the weed while he was a student?

It’s best to know what bones are rattling in the closet before the campaign begins, Brown warns. Not all embarrassing incidents are fatal, but surprises compound the damage.

Is a lot of this commonsense? Of course. And a lot is wisdom hard won through experience, and delivered by a writer with wit and a light touch.

If you’re thinking of running for office, or already are, buy and read Mike’s book. Pronto.