The Age of Perpetual Campaigning

With all of the campaigning and early primary talk, this certainly seems like a Presidential election year. It is hard to believe that we are still 16 months away from voting (primaries excluded), which begs the question, have we entered the age of perpetual campaigning?

According to a May 7, article in PR Week, “Early election start puts onus on outreach,” author Hamilton Nolan notes that the ‘07 start poses the greatest hurdles for the communications team. These teams will have to overcome the voters’ tendency to tune out even the most salient message after 500 days of hearing said message over, and over, and over again.

On the flip side, having so much time between message dissemination and behavioral change, i.e. voting, means that each candidate has the opportunity to really present a case for why they deserve to run our country. They also have the opportunity to show their true colors and for opponents to uncover undocumented nannies, unsuccessful business dealings and unfaithful husbands. Good for Hillary as most of her skeletons are already out of the closet!

So, as someone who considers themselves to be an educated voter, I say we sit back, take in all of the messages being delivered and see which candidate can endure the long-distance race that is now our Presidential election process. May the best man, woman, white, black, Republican, Democrat win!

About the Author: Carol Klimas

Carol Klimas brings a diverse background in both corporate and agency public relations to her position as director of public relations for Off Madison Ave. With a career emphasis on healthcare, business-to-business and technology, Klimas’ work for her current clients includes national media relations, strategic counsel and crisis communications.

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