Consultants Finish Job Before Election Day

Consultants on both sides of the political aisle say campaigns have a predictable if somewhat frantic rhythm. Scott Tranchemontagne of O�Neil Griffin, Bodi in Manchester produces Second District Congressman Charlie Bass�s television ads. He says several weeks before election day, the pressure mounts.
:48 you�re meeting often in the wee hours of the evening or early hours of morning. Saturdays Sundays, you�re always strategizing, always thinking of ways to respond to latest blow from opponent or proactively deliver your message somehow. 1:07

No amount of advance preparation can prevent these intense moments. But that doesn�t mean these crafters of slogans and talking points don�t try to start as early as possible.
Brad Bannon of Bannon Research in Washington advises Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Mark Fernald. He says its not easy to get candidates and several key campaign aides to agree on a message.
And that�s why I like to start working with my clients a long time before the election, because it takes time to work the strategy out. And again, with mark, I started working with him sept 2001, which gave me a head start in trying to work with mark to try and put together a campaign. And, its just difficult in any campaign, and the earlier you start, the better off you�re going to be. 01 349

Consultants say they know when they are nearing the end of an election cycle. Scott Tranchmontagne says the time arrives a few days before election day, when the last ad is produced, and there is no more to do.
32 there's a term we use as political ad consultants, when you get to that Friday or Saturday right before election day. For political consultants and campaigns it's called "being in the Chute."

And �being in the Chute� can be a tough transition for these consultants. In just a few days, they go from playing a leading role to being just another observer. Democratic consultant Brad Bannon said he was hoping for the best for Mark Fernald, even as his involvement with the campaign has come to an end.
The only thing I can look forward to is trying to figure out and help with planning mark�s inauguration as governor but in terms of election day, my job is pretty much finished. So, that�s what I�m doing today, sitting around here worrying about my clients, not able to do anything about it. 01 644

Most political consultants who have worked on New Hampshire�s races are getting ready to take a well deserved rest from politics. But the consultants know pretty much what they�ll be doing in the months to come. First, they�ll work on municipal and gubernatorial races next year. And even before that cycle ends, they�ll be checking out presidential candidates for 2004.