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Resources
Bird-dogging Basics
Dealing with the Media
Links for Bird-Doggers Bird-dogging Basics
Here are the basics to get you started on your bird-dogging mission. Some of this information has been adapted from materials prepared by the American Friends Service Committee or Patrick Carkin at birddogger.org.
1. Find out where the candidate will be and when by checking the Iowans for Sensible Priorities Campaign Calendar often. If you are interested in a particular candidate, plan ahead by calling his or her Iowa campaign office. The phone number is usually available on the campaign web site.
2. Know the candidate's position. Ask a question that shows you know something about the candidate's position (ex: "You have said you'd like to increase the use of technology in public schools ..."), and link it to a budget priorities question (" ... would you eliminate wasteful spending in the Pentagon budget to pay for classroom computers?").
3. Have your question ready. Make sure your question is brief, fact-based and direct. Practice asking your question to yourself and with family or friends until you can do it without notes and in your regular cadence. It's good to have a second question ready, in case someone asks yours before you have a chance to. See sample questions.
4. Arrive early. This is especially important if the candidate is very popular, leading in the polls, or if it is late in the primary season. If there is a question-and-answer session you'll want to be close enough for the candidate to see you and call on you.
Be forewarned: Campaign schedules change quickly, and it is a rare candidate who arrives on time for an event, so build in some extra time.
5. Ask your question early. When candidates invite questions, most people will not immediately raise their hands. If you do, you are more likely to be called upon.
6. Be calm and reasonable. Maintaining a respectful tone will get a more positive response from the candidate, their staff and the news media. People who are angry, sarcastic or emotional will be ignored. You can even start your question by praising something the candidate has just said in her or his prepared remarks (ex: "Senator, I really appreciate your call for a strong national defense. A group of military experts believes wasteful Pentagon spending actually weakens our defense ...)
7. Be in the candidate's path. Many candidates want to shake hands and meet as many people as possible at these events -- that's part of what they like about coming to Iowa. The informal, unscripted contacts are extra opportunities to ask your questions. Position yourself in the candidate's path, and ask your question as you're gripping his or her hand.
8. Bring other people with you. Since bird-dogging can make some people nervous, it is good to go in teams of two or more people. Not standing together will also improve the odds that more than one of you will get to ask the question. Be prepared to ask a follow up question if you feel the candidate dodged your question or it you want more details.
9. Take notes. The only way to track the responses of candidates is to have a record of what they said. It is also helpful to have notes if you are trying to frame a follow-up question. If you have a friend with you, each of you can write down the response to the other's question.
10. Be creative and improvise when necessary. Being a bird-dogger is not just about asking questions. Passing out Priorities pens or fans in or in front of the event can also raise public and candidate awareness.
11. Share what you have learned. Back in your car, or at home, take a few moments to jot down what you asked the candidate and what her or his response was. Please email this information to Jessica or share it via our blog.
Dealing with the Media
Our first-in-the-nation Caucuses put the national spotlight on Iowa every four years. Media from around the world could be attending many of the same events you’ll be attending as a bird-dogger. Especially if you are able to ask a question, a reporter may want more information about the campaign or ask you for an interview.
Formal Media Inquiries about Iowans for Sensible Priorities
Please direct all formal media inquiries regarding Iowans for Sensible Priorities or the Caucus 4 Priorities project to Communications Director Liz Larson at 515/244-1207 (office) or 515/333-1608 (cell). Liz’s email address is liz@sensiblepriorities.org.
On-the-spot Interviews
Before agreeing to be interviewed, consider the following:
- Relax. Being interviewed, especially on camera, can be very intimidating. Don’t worry too much about how you look or sound. If you feel like you totally botch an answer and it’s on camera (not live), just start over. The reporter will likely edit the mistake.
- Know the message. Read all campaign materials. If you are uncertain about something, contact Liz for clarification or further information. During the interview, look for ways to interject the message.
- Keep your answers simple and direct. You will have some time to think about what you are going to say. Try to make your answers as concise and memorable as possible. The average television soundbite is only about 7 seconds long!
- Make it interesting. Reporters can get the who, what, when, and where from press releases or by attending the event. They want the personal side of the story. Sharing a story or anecdote that shows why the spending shift we suggest is necessary will go a long way in getting our message across.
- Stick to the message. Like any conversation, interviews can easily get away from the main topic. If you feel like you are getting away from the message, look for ways to steer the conversation back to it.
- Be honest. If you don’t know the answer to a reporter’s question, promise to get it to them as soon as you can. Then, actually get back to them.
- Don’t say anything to a reporter you wouldn’t want to appear in the story. There’s no such thing as “off the record,” even if it’s promised to you.
After your interview
Be sure to get the reporter’s business card (if you can), but at least the reporter’s name, contact information, and the name and location of the media outlet the reporter represents. Please send information using our web form at http://www.sensibleiowans.org/blog/birddog_form.php
Links for Bird-Doggers
The Korb Report: A Realistic Defense for America
http://www.sensiblepriorities.org/pdf/korb_report_Finalb.pdf
No One Is Accountable by Kwai Chan http://www.sensiblepriorities.org/pdf/chan_r2.pdf
National Priorities Project
http://nationalpriorities.org/
Budget Impact on the States
http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=275&Itemid=61
Ben & Jerry’s American Budget Pie
http://www.benjerry.com/americanpie
Common Sense Budget Act
http://www.sensibleiowans.org/csba/
Fiscal Year 2008 Proposed Budget http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2008/budget.html
Bird-dogging Tips
http://www.birddogger.org
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