Should "Do No Call List" Apply to Political Campaigns?

There was a AAPC press conference this past Saturday in Santa Monica entitled "Calling Out the 'Do Not Call List.'" Several election phone consultants were on hand to talk about political speech and how holding campaigns to the federal "Do Not Call List" is a violation of the 1st Amendment.

I'll be the first to admit that I hate those annoying phone calls (PTL for Caller ID) but wonder if the commercial "Do Not Call List" should be applied to political campaigns. Maybe we should just single out those annoying 3 a.m. calls since some folks only pick up after six rings anyway. (Full Disclosure: I shot the footage, helped with outreach for the event and serve on the AAPC Communications Committee.)

Below are the speakers and video of the presser. Decide for youself ...

Speakers:

• Liz Welsh, President of Executive Communictions
• Brad Chism, President of zata 3
• Brad Gosselink, Chairman of zata 3
• Marty Stone, President of Stone's Phones
• Richard Kucinsky, President of Opinion Factor
• Mike Smith, ConnectCallUSA.com

AAPC Press Conference: "Calling Out the 'Do Not Call List'"

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3

Political Commentariat on the '08 Presidential Election

I wonder if Guitar Center has reported a spike in drumstick purchases? Carla Marinucci is reporting that some of California's top political operatives--Ace Smith, Dan Newman, Craig Schirmer--have headed out to North Carolina to "go mano a mano in a contest for 115 crucial delegates."

Over the last weekned, the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) concluded their their annual Pollie Awards and Conference in Santa Monica. Below are a couple of videos on "The Presidential Election" closing session with local members of the Political Commentariat (a term of endearment). I'll see about posting some Republican musings as well.

• Election Commentary by Bill Carrick
• Election Commentary by Mark Mellman

Enjoy ...

So You Want to Be a Pundit?

The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) held their annual Pollie Awards and Conference this past week in Santa Monica. Look for segment on The Daily Show the week after next with the very funny John Oliver. There are a few more AAPC conference clips to follow (Mark Mellman, Bill Carrick, etc.) but I thought you might enjoy these punditry pieces in the meantime. They're from the highly entertaining/informative "So You Want to Be a Pundit?" session and local pundits Bob Stern, Susan Estrich and Garry South are featured.

• Bob Stern - "The 10 Commandments of Punditry"
• Susan Estrich - "Hair Extensions, Breast Implants & 3 p.m. Availability"
• Garry South - "The Real Meaning of Punditry" Part 1
• Garry South - "The Real Meaning of Punditry" Part 2

(Full Disclosure: I did outreach for the event and serve on the AAPC Communications Committee.)

Enjoy future pundits ...