2. Political Consultants

3. Ubiquitous Era where a campaign involves a consortium of consultants --media, polling, fund-raising, strategizing, direct-mail, etc. Drives up the $ costs - In 1976 average senate race 600,000 - now 4-5 million -- perhaps 50,000 consultants and staffers --In '86 Richard Wirthlin's polling firm took in some 10.4 Million - bigger than Gallup Technology has taken politics out of back rooms and opened it to the masses (good), jacked up its costs (not good), and speeded its pace (good and bad). Technology created the present political consulting industry -- with over 3000 firms and 7000 individual professionals. Specialization, not only in areas of a campaign but in types of campaigns, Latino, foreign, blacks, women, state & local, etc.

4. Media consultants, often get 15% on every television buy - increased competition reduces the rate "Geodemographnic clustering:" - the use of computerized mailing lists keyed to zip codes, allowing targeting to narrow demographic groups. Explosion in advertising linked to technologies allowing instant responses. As Sabato says, "It's like the arms race. You need this missile because the other guy has that missile." Leads to confrontational advertising, more advertising in state & local races, earlier starts

5. What Do Consultants think How important do consultants thinks these are Highly Important or Somewhat important: : Ideology 79%; Electability, 65%; Candidate's Wealth, 27% Is your win-loss ratio important: Yes 59%, No 41% How involved should the candidate be in setting and executing strategy: very 39%; Somewhat 46%; Little or no involvement 15% Do misrepresentations of abilities and unethical practices take place in the political consulting profession? Yes 88%; No 12% -- Source: National Journal, 1984 & 1986, Campaigns & Elections, 1986

6. Political Consultants Survey - ‘98 Survey of 200 top level consultants, Campaigns & Elections, Aug. 1998, Thurber & Strothers Over 1/3 get involved for Thrill of Competition Political beliefs and Money tie for reason to get involved at 26% each Over 70% annual incomes over $100,000; 30% $200,000 White (98%); male (82%); 94% college, 40% grad school; 75% under 50, 40% under 40 years old; extensive prior government/politics experience

7. 2/3rds say voters are only “fair amount” or ill informed; 80% have trust in People to make choices 48% rate congressional candidates as “only fair” or “poor”; 44% say they helped elect someone they were eventually sorry to see serve in office When considering whether to take on a candidate or not, consultants place almost as much important on the candidate's ability to raise $, as political beliefs Only 39% say ability to govern is very important 68% rated journalist unfavorably (58% “fair”, 19% “Poor”) 60% think public is bothered by negative campaigning; 53% by the amount of $ spent

8. Does professionalization enhance politics at the expense of “democracy” ?

9. Where the $s Go Enlarge to see categories