The 5 Factors Essential For a Winning Campaign

Winning political campaigns is not exactly a glutted area in the "how-to" video universe, so we popped in Allan Hoffenblum's seminar on getting your butt off the couch and on to a nicer couch (a.k.a. running for political office) with a little more enthusiasm than we have for, say, the zillionth exercise tape. Speaking before a small group in California, Hoffenblum outlines the necessary steps that candidates and campaign managers must take if they hope to make a successful bid for Congress or the State Legislature (though much of the information here also holds for most elected offices). Hoffenblum discusses strategies and tactics for deciding the most effective way to reach targeted voter groups, talks about the best media to use (radio's good, but not newspapers--people look in a newspaper to see what's playing at the movies, not who's running for Congress), and outlines the importance of having an effective management team and a network of volunteers. There's extra attention paid to putting together a good direct-mail piece, and some money-minded advice on fundraising (Hoffenblum says to forget the $10 a head catered dinners in a posh hotel; go for the $100 a head backyard barbecue). The down side of all this is that Hoffenblum makes several references to California, and the series is aimed at Californians. Still, because this information is not readily available elsewhere on video, and since 90% of what Hoffenblum says is valid anywhere in the U.S., we recommend this series. And if anyone would like to come to Video Librarian's offices for a $100 backyard BBQ (fish & chicken), please let me know. All funds collected will, of course, go directly toward saving the world. Honest. (R. Pitman)