The Pew Research Center recently announced it would be conducting the majority of its U.S. polling online, much like most
Continue readingCategory: Politics
Diplomacy on the Playing Field: 2018 Winter Olympics
Soon the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea will captivate millions of viewers around the globe featuring sporting events
Continue readingFive Media Tips for Donald Trump
U.S. stock markets are at record highs, unemployment is at its lowest in seven years, and consumer confidence hit its
Continue readingCNN Pushes ‘Facts First’ with an Apple
It’s an apple, not a banana. That’s what CNN is telling viewers in its new ad, “This is an apple,”
Continue readingFacebook’s Image Problem
Now may be a good time for friends and families to rekindle their broken Facebook relationships since it appears Russia
Continue readingMedia Are People, Too
Americans and the press always seemed to have a love-hate relationship. Despite much of the anti-media rhetoric at play within
Continue readingWhy Can’t We Stop Talking About Donald Trump?
No time in recent American history has one president been regularly talked about online, in the press or at the
Continue readingThe Public Relations of Lobbying
Influence is the common denominator between public relations and lobbying. One influences opinion, and the other, government.
Continue readingIs Being Too Polished a Public Speaker Bad?
Some are born with it. Others practice a lot. Establishing a visceral connection with an intended audience is paramount to the success of any public speaker.
Continue readingFor The Love of Polling
Media love polls. Data sets help identify trends that can be turned into stories or support or debunk a particular
Continue readingCome on America, Let’s Vote
Yesterday’s 50th anniversary commemoration of the historic civil rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma comes at a
Continue readingLA’s Mayor Goes From Crude to Rude All in One Day
Millions of Americans last Monday night got to hear New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio sing “I Love L.A.”
Continue readingIndyCar to Drive Fan Interest
Sunday marked the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500, an event billed as the “greatest spectacle in racing.” One can
Continue readingPower to the People
Civil unrest in the Ukraine was escalated this week by a Putin-backed Russian invasion, less than two weeks after the
Continue readingPutin’s $50B Ad Campaign
It’s just a few days until the XXII Olympic Winter Games will come to an end and the world will
Continue readingDollars and Sense: It’s going to be a ‘Vaping’ New Year
It’s hard to deny the disruption taking place in the tobacco industry as more smokers are switching to electronic cigarettes.
Continue readingSanta Claus Visits Fox News for the Holidays
Fox News Channel’s host Megyn Kelly made national headlines this week when she confirmed that Santa Claus is white, addressing
Continue readingThe Power of the Media and the NFL’s ‘Skins’ Game
Sunday’s overtime win against the San Diego Chargers gave the Washington Redskins a reason to celebrate, at least temporarily, as
Continue readingRepublicans Can Win This Thing
The country breathed a sigh of relief late Wednesday evening last week when Congress struck a debt-ceiling deal, reopening the
Continue readingThe Tango of Politics and Journalism
It came to no surprise among media pundits that Time Magazine’s Managing Editor Richard Stengelwill be taking a job as
Continue readingThe Problem with Pakistan
This blogger’s trip to Pakistan was put on hold because of a recent U.S. State Department advisory warning Americans not
Continue readingWill Hedge Fund Advertising Affect Brand Cache?
Just recently, the SEC lifted its ban on alternative investment vehicles advertising to the general public as amendmentsto Rule 506
Continue readingThe Smoke About Mary Jane
Green is good. Not because it’s the color of money, well, sort of, rather, it’s the color of cannabis, which
Continue readingRobert DeNiro Wants Your Business, So Does Tim Allen
New York recently unveiled its $140 million advertising campaign aimed at wooing prospective business owners to set up shop in
Continue readingPrint Media’s Comeback? Well, Sort of …
President Obama gave kudos to print media this past Saturday evening during his speech at the annual White House Correspondents’
Continue readingThe President’s Push Fore Daytime TV
President Obama Playing Golf President Obama and Tiger Woods are a lot alike. Both are worldwide icons who have seen
Continue readingCBS: No cleavage, no way
Viewers watching tonight’s Grammy Awards will be waiting to see how CBS plans to enforce its “wardrobe advisory” against scantily
Continue readingNRA’s Chance to Fire
Vice President Joe Biden concluded meetings this week with organizations ranging from the NRA to electronic game makers to help
Continue readingAnatomy of a Tragedy in Newtown
Tearful President Obama Speaking on the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting Masacare Eyes across America, and the world for that
Continue readingFiscal Armageddon for the Holidays
Two things can happen in the next couple of weeks. One, we may go off the fiscal cliff if the
Continue readingSmall Business Saturday Entices More Holiday Shopping
Just as Black Friday has become ubiquitous with the start of holiday shopping, Small Business Saturday may be giving consumers
Continue readingIt’s All Well and Good Until Someone Loses a Bet
Aside from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the media buzz this week focused on a bet waged by New York
Continue readingThe 7.8 Percent
Many media pundits and exit polls show that former Governor Mitt Romney beat President Obama in last Wednesday’s first presidential
Continue readingMitt Romney Should Learn from the NFL
The national media spotlight turned on the NFL this week as replacement referees botched a call on “Monday Night Football,”
Continue readingAP’s Right ‘Frame’ of Mind
Soon, reporters at the Associated Press will be equipped with smart phones enabling them to simultaneously report news across all
Continue readingThe Chicken and the Presidency
It’s really not about the chicken. The media firestorm surrounding Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy’s comments against same-sex marriage continues to
Continue readingBankruptcy’s Impact on Brand Perception
San Bernardino this week became the third California city in the last month to seek bankruptcy protection because it could
Continue readingBranding Presidential Celebrity
Yesterday, President Barack Obama flew to Los Angeles to attend a fundraising dinner hosted by actor George Clooney. The $40,000-a-plate
Continue readingReligion’s Impact on the 2012 Presidential Race
Media coverage continues to focus on GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith, which according to the Pew Research Center
Continue readingTragedy Still Drives News to No Surprise
Two news stories still making national headlines are rooted in murder. Whether it’s the civil courts or a U.S. military
Continue readingRush Limbaugh’s Impact on the 2012 Presidential Race May Be Slight
More than two dozen sponsors of The Rush Limbaugh Show have now bagged the conservative talk show host because of
Continue readingContraception a Key Issue in 2012 Election
The 2012 presidential election slipped into second gear this week when the Obama Administration pushed up a decision to provide
Continue readingCarnival May Be Sailing Into Unchartered Waters
Carnival Cruise Lines has been mysteriously quiet from the sinking of one of its ships off the Italian coast
Continue reading2012 Brings New Hope for GOP
Iowa Republicans tomorrow will cast ballots to elect their party’s presidential candidate in the state’s caucuses. While Iowa’s Electoral College
Continue readingBasketball Comes a Little Late This Christmas
Basketball fans are relieved to know that this year’s NBA season will officially begin on December 25, 2011. Players and
Continue readingFringe Candidates Can Generate Publicity, but Not Get Elected
Herman Cain’s presidential run cab be personified by the 1963 hit song “Only in America” by Jay and Americans, especially
Continue readingRock Star CEOs Can Put Brands at Risk
This week Apple, Inc. founder Steve P. Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was 56. While Jobs’ death sparked
Continue readingCelebrating Labor Day with a Soured Economy
America this Monday will celebrate its 119th Labor Day, which according to the country’s Department of Labor, is dedicated to
Continue readingWeiner, well, is a Weiner
Lots of talk this week about New York Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), who says he was the victim of a
Continue readingBravo TV owns reality television, but will it last?
Bravo TV is reality television. A look at today‘s schedule on Bravo shows every program is reality-based, ranging from “The
Continue readingHuman interest and regal fashion, main news drivers of royal wedding
About one billion people worldwide tuned in this Friday to watch the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Continue readingThink Before Sending
Time and again people underestimate the power of the Internet. Social media and the pervasive use of video make it
Continue readingDonald Trump, like Sarah Palin, Share Same Course to Presidency
A look at this morning’s interview on CNN’s “State of the Union with Candy Crowley,” one can get a glimpse
Continue readingRhetoric doesn’t kill, but it certainly sells advertising
The media spin around the tragic shooting in Tucson last week was that the actions of alleged gunman Jared Loughner
Continue readingCongress reads the U.S. Constitution onto deaf ears
The spin around the recent first-time reading aloud of the U.S. Constitution by the Republican-dominated 112th Congress was a public
Continue readingConflict and Controversy Still Main Drivers of News
Fox News is number one. Well, at least in ratings. Rupert Murdoch’s news channel continues to lead all time slots
Continue readingDemocrats might be right at new leadership
Congress was the biggest loser this past midterm elections. The legislative body’s approval rating dropped to 17 percent after November
Continue readingWall Street Gives Itself a Pay Raise with little Backlash
Wall Street gave itself another raise this year to the tune of $144 billion in compensation and benefits, according to
Continue readingCan the lessons of 1860 help Republicans this November?
Tea Party-backed candidate Christine O’Donnell caused a national stir this week after she beat out nine-term GOP congressman Mike Castle
Continue readingIs Malcolm X to blame for Islam’s image problem?
The literal meaning of Islam is peace. That message obviously has not resonated with many Americans, especially post 9-11. Islam
Continue readingCNBC’s Mark Haines Doesn’t like the “Blog” Word
Mark Haines doesn’t like the “blog” word. For those in the know, Haines is co-host to CNBC’s “Squawk on the
Continue readingDemocrats Must Push ‘Action’ This November
SpinnerNation.com has regularly reported on the GOP’s obstructionist strategy as detrimental to Republicans, particularly moving into November’s midterm elections. While
Continue readingNo Drama, Obama in the Gulf? Oh please.
Rhetoric this week across all media channels, new and traditional, left and the right, rose to record levels, as journalists,
Continue readingBP is Right to Apologize, Obama is Wrong to Criticize
It’s no surprise that last week’s off-putting remarks by BP top gun Tony Hayward, who ‘wanted his life back,’ prompted
Continue readingRand Paul Knows How to Grab Headlines, but May Be in Too Deep
It’s hard to imagine a modern day politician underestimating the reaction among media when he or she plays the race
Continue readingBig Oil Needs to Grow Up
It’s hard not to cringe when visuals of 3.5 million gallons of oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico are
Continue readingRepublicans May Finally Be Getting it Right, Thanks to Goldman
Last week the American public got a glimpse of how the other half lives. Seven executives from Goldman Sachs including
Continue readingMedia Need Sarah Palin, Especially Those on the Right and Left
Sarah Palin is more celebrity than she is governor-turned-activist- turned-TV journalist. Her multi-million dollar deal with TLC to air a
Continue readingAnti-government and Pro-gun Groups Should Stay Away from April 19
April 19 is a dichotomy of symbolism. It’s the date of the Oklahoma City bombing, which claimed 168 lives in
Continue reading2010 Census Needs To Do More Than Better Mail Response Rates
News last year of a dead U.S. Census worker found hung from a tree near a Kentucky cemetery rocked most
Continue readingNecessity, Not Race, Keeps Steele in the Driver’s Seat
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele is under the spotlight again. The GOP’s head honcho made headlines this week,
Continue readingDemocrats Win, Albeit For the Moment
President Barack Obama today signed into law landmark legislation aimed at overhauling America’s healthcare system. It’s not perfect by any
Continue readingMassachusetts Senate Election Proves GOP Strategy Right
Healthcare is dead. Democrats are in serious trouble. This has been the spin coming from media and political pollsters after
Continue readingHealthcare Lobby Played Reform Beautifully
Congress this week reopened the healthcare debate as the Democrat-controlled House and Senate work out a compromise over two separate
Continue readingRepublicans Now Politicize National Security
President Obama called the botched bombing attempt of a Detroit-bound flight on Christmas Day a “catastrophic breach of security,” opening
Continue readingFlorida Mom Must Know Twitter is Open Book
The Florida mom, who tweeted about her son’s accidental drowning, now wants the media to leave her family alone. Blogger
Continue readingIt’s the Polar Ice Caps, Stupid
It’s getting hot in here. That’s what the lyrics say from hip-hop artist Nelly’s 2002 hit single “Hot in Herre.”
Continue readingSarah Palin has Gone Rogue
“Going Rogue” has gone gangbusters. Sales of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s new book surpassed 300,000 copies on its
Continue reading911 Trials Reek with Politics
Finally the mastermind behind the 911 terror attacks will be on trial for the horrific crimes that killed 2,973 people.
Continue readingHugh Hefner May Need to Hang Up the PJs
Hugh Hefner still has it at 83-years old. Well, he still controls 70% of Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA),
Continue readingTV Cable News Is All Theater
It’s no surprise to anyone that CNN is the least watched station among cable networks during prime time. Most viewers
Continue readingWall Street Repays the Taxpayer with Layoffs and Record Bonuses
There’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that the American taxpayer saved Wall Street. Only several months ago the Dow Jones
Continue readingObama’s Peace Prize Win is Aspirational, Not by Deeds
President Barack Obama yesterday was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, after only seven months in office and under a
Continue readingSocialism did not Create National Parks, Just Good Government
Ken Burns’ six-part series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” concluded its premier broadcast on PBS last week, although some
Continue readingKnee-Jerk Hollywood Must Be Wary of Polanski
Much has been reported over the past three decades about the infamous director Roman Polanski, who pleaded guilty in a
Continue readingPublic Option is Why Healthcare Reform Will Fail
The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday voted down two amendments that included some form of a public option to healthcare
Continue readingPresident Obama Needs to Leave Politics Aside in New York, at Least for Now
Polls for Governor David Paterson (D-NY) continue to head south as more New Yorkers question his leadership ability. The governor’s
Continue readingDemocracy Loses as New York’s City Council and Mayor Bloomberg Swindle Voters
This November third voters in New York City will get a chance to elect eight-year incumbent Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg,
Continue readingObama’s Speech on Financial Reform hit its Mark, Albeit Grudgingly
President Obama today delivered sort of a lecture on financial reform to a mixed Wall Street crowd of fund managers,
Continue readingVan Jones: New Bulldog for the Democratic Party?
Embattled White House energy jobs advocate Van Jones quietly resigned over the Labor Day weekend under intense scrutiny, mostly by
Continue readingHealthcare Reform Seems Likely, but Not Unified
A previous post titled Recession May be the Cure for Healthcare Reform suggested that timing for restructuring is ideal despite
Continue readingImproving a School’s Image May Fail the Grade
The Wall Street Journal last week reported on urban school districts implementing million dollar marketing campaigns to woo students and
Continue readingRecession May Be The Cure for Healthcare Reform
Passage of a healthcare bill this fall seems to be a lofty goal set by President Obama. Funding a national
Continue readingPresident Barack Obama’s NAACP Speech Was Right On
President Obama’s speech in New York City commemorating the 100th anniversary of the NAACP really hit the mark. His comments
Continue readingIs Budweiser now un-American?
Anheuser-Busch this week finally accepted a sweetened $52 billion takeover offer by InBev since it was first approached by the
Continue readingNo Way Out for South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford
So. Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford No longer are voters putting politicians on pedestals. The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal first demonstrated the Country’s
Continue readingGreed Can Be a Dirty Word for GM Bond Holders
Much can be said from Gordon Gekko’s signature line in the 1987 film Wall Street, “Greed, for lack of a
Continue readingAre Republicans Right?
In almost every media clip, press conference and Twitter post, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is taking a swing
Continue reading