Putting Skeletons on Display: The Importance of Political Opposition Research

October 2008

IN THIS ISSUE

— Down in the Muck: The Role of Opposition Research
— Peddling Influence: The Elephant (or Donkey) in the Room
— In the next issue

GREETINGS!

Welcome to the October edition of our newsletter! In this issue, with the presidential debates underway and the election slightly more than a month away, we’ll look at how opposition research is conducted and how it can help — and harm — political campaigns on all levels.

DOWN IN THE MUCK: THE ROLE OF OPPOSITION RESEARCH

Let’s face it: politicians in 2008 rival used car salesmen in terms of popularity. The widespread notion that the U.S. Congress is a group of squabbling do-nothings is firmly held in the American consciousness.

Until, of course, America looks at what its political leaders are actually doing.

This is where opposition research comes in. Having advised candidates in the past regarding preemptive vetting of donors to be aware of and prepare for controversies before they happen, we can speak from first-hand experience of the importance of knowing every black mark on your opponent’s record — and, just as importantly, knowing where the weak spots are in your own candidate’s background.

PEDDLING INFLUENCE: THE ELEPHANT (OR DONKEY) IN THE ROOM

In the case of long-serving public officials, investigating every aspect of their personal and public lives can seem daunting. As the Ted Stevens and Antoin “Tony” Rezko cases have recently illuminated, the dividing line between a candidate’s personal life (such as the homes they own, the cars they drive, and the company they keep) can be blurred by those seeking to gain from an officeholder’s public duty. Most often, these influence seekers use wealth to gain their edge, offering to benefit a politician’s campaign — or the politician himself — financially in exchange for a favorable letter to a regulatory agency, a key vote or a meeting with a committee chairman.

The sources of information available can be staggering, but a good place to start is by looking at a subject’s campaign contributions received. While the mainstream media has become more attuned to looking at this source in the last decade, primary records are best, and very few political reporters follow campaign expenditures as closely. Knowing where your opponent spends his money is as essential as where he gets it.

Timelines are also a key component to research political activity — overlapping contributions received, personal financial situations, and key votes or letters written can paint a picture that, once placed in a 30-second commercial, can be damning and difficult to refute. Lest your candidate think himself above the fray, we recommend “integrity audits” to all of our political clients, in an effort to determine the issues their opponent is likely to raise.

Politics has always been a contact sport, but with the right approach, tools and personnel, your client can win the battle for positive public perception every time.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE

In the November issue, we’ll examine how — and whether — the fallout from the subprime-mortgage inspired financial crisis has affected corporate attitudes toward detecting fraud, and what innovations the recent crisis might usher into action.