The Political Campaign Desk Reference: A Guide for Campaign Managers, Professionals and Candidates Running for Office

by Michael McNamara

Do builders construct buildings without a blueprint? Is it wise to go on a long road trip without mapping the route ahead of time? Campaign are no different - they need a plan to be successful. Used in campaigns and classrooms nationwide, The Political Campaign Desk Reference has become the guide that many campaign professionals use during every election. The Political Campaign Desk Reference will guide campaigns through the process of building a campaign plan. In addition, this guide will help campaigns craft a winning message for use on television, Internet, social media, direct mail, telephone, radio and nearly every medium available. This second edition of the Political Campaign Desk Reference incorporates a greater discussion of technology, social networking, and fundraising as well as the difference between strategy and tactics. The Political Campaign Desk Reference also details the need for opposition research, how to gather that information, and when it is appropriate to use that information. The author, Michael McNamara, is a professional with over 17 years of experience in campaigns and elections. He has helped numerous candidates at the local, regional, state, and national level. McNamara has worked with individuals seeking office, organizations seeking levies, and businesses working to change local ordinances. The Political Campaign Desk Reference is the book you want on your side and the book that you do not want your opponent to have.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Reference

278 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2008

About the author

Michael McNamara has been professionally consulting on campaigns at all levels for over 25 years. From nonpartisan issue campaigns and local liquor options to federal races for United States Congress and United States Senate, McNamara’s experience is broad and deep when it comes to winning political campaigns.

McNamara graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and earned his Master of Public Administration from the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. McNamara has been a member of many professional organizations including the American Association of Political Consultants and the American Political Science Association.

McNamara resides in Ohio with his wife, Lisa, where they raise their two sons.

Reviews

[Eamonn J. Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer for neophyte municipal candidates

In a year that is expected to have a record number of new candidates whom have never campaigned for office, this is a great guide to get you started. If you’re running for office keep this reference guide nearby. If you’re on the fence about running this will give you a picture of what your next months might look like. Good book.

[Paul LaFontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Approaching the running and winning of a local political campaign demands a broad set of skills and disciplined execution. It is not handing out pins and kissing babies. From creating a message, doing analytical research and assembling a team to social media excellence, running a campaign takes the plan and skills outlined in this book.

A great starting primer on the mechanics of running a local political campaign. It extends into techniques that might take more budget than a candidate may have, but the solid basics remain present if that budget is not available. I liked the book and learned a lot from it.

Highly recommend.

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that's easy to read. The book contains a lot of common sense, but maybe a lot of common sense is needed in a political campaign. The downside is that the book is US-centric, there is a lot that can be used to scale, depending on the nature and size of the campaign.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s odd that this book spends so much time discussing ways to shut the candidate and their families out of the process. The professional campaign world has become 10x worse than the political boss system. All you need is the casual language in this book shutting the candidate out of meetings to realize this. I am lowkey terrified how much worse it will get the further down the rabbit hole I go.

[Kaitlin Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent reference, good for both a read through and then something to return to later on as a reference

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally helpful, but outdated.

[Will Atkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing too special in the book itself, but the appendices are chock full of templates and examples that are more valuable than the book itself.

[Chris Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book for a local candidate, but a lot of it was geared toward campaigns with considerably more money than the race in which I find myself.