| We'll have reports about his announcements later today. But there are a few things I wanted to comment about (that I've already discussed elsewhere) that I wanted everyone to keep in mind for the day. - The Extended Profile - The day before he officially announces (remember, he's already done an exploratory committee announcement), Schieffer has earned some very respectable media coverage --- a 1,000 word profile in the San Antonio Express-News, in addition to other coverage elsewhere. I think that's a terrific precedent for our Democratic statewide candidates, and I look forward to an equal and fair amount of coverage for other Democratic statewide candidates that announce in the coming weeks and months.
- The Centrism Trap - So far, Schieffer has come out with an odd strategy for someone trying to win a contested primary. Case in point: the end of his profile in the Express-News, where he says that in his campaign he wants to:
“[...] remind people that this is not going to be easy. It's going to be really hard. And if they want to do that, I get to be governor. And if they don't want ot do that, I can go make money, and I've done my civic duty of trying to lay it out.” It seems that Democrats can take Schieffer as a candidate or shove it.
I'm not projecting this stuff -- I'm just laying out what he's said, so that we all know. At least he's upfront about it. - Real questions remain - Gardner Selby, in the Statesman's Postcards blog, lays out a series of ideas to watch for in Schieffer's announcement. Included among the topics are how Schieffer courts the base, his approach to message, and whether or not he mentions other Democratic candidates. It's a good read.
One thing I'd add to watch, which can only be reported by those who are at these announcements: who is flanking him? Is it just staff? Are there other "surrogates" at these events to work the crowds, work the press, work the activists, etc. Does he approach the photographers early on and befriend them (a photo is worth 1,000 words), or does he just go on his way.
Just some notes to keep in mind today. |
