Last year, after attending my first BlogHer conference, I was a little put out when I discovered that most of the Democratic presidential candidates were making appearances at The Yearly Kos conference just one week later (now called Netroots Nation) and not BlogHer.
Having heard more times than I care to count that women voters are the key demographic to winning elections – especially this election — it just didn’t make sense. Of course, I was thrilled that Elizabeth Edwards was hanging out with us BlogHer chicks, but it’s a different message to send a spouse rather than the candidate him- or herself.
I hoped that would change this year, especially with the general election just four months away.
But I haven’t heard anything about either Barack Obama or John McCain speaking to us “powerful blogger ladies” at next week’s BlogHer conference. I suppose it’s possible they could make a surprise appearance, but I’m guessing their calendars for next week are pretty much set and I haven’t heard that either one of them will have time for the women who have been named the Number One most influential women bloggers in America.
Can you say short-sighted?
So here are a few reasons I think the candidates should consider whether they can make a quick stop in San Francisco next week — hey, we’ll be there for a few days, so we’re flexible:
1. Your women’s agendas. Barack, come on — we’re about a thousand women with blogs all in one place and we’re not afraid to use them. Didn’t you hear Katie Couric talking about how many others are out there? 36 million?? Dude, that’s a lot of free publicity you’re turning your back on. You’re supposedly the ‘new media’ candidate, so come on by next week — we’ll fit you into the schedule.
John, you’re a little light on women’s content at your place. I know you’ve got Carly Fiorina out there on the stump for you — and she was pretty straightforward about talking with insurance companies covering birth control pills as well as Viagra, but you seemed pretty uncomfortable with that one, so maybe you can just chat with us about that.
2. Women who aren’t yet convinced. I’m sad to say I’m one of them. I’d love for Obama to swing by San Fran and convince those of us (and I know there will be others there who are in the same boat I am) to seal the deal with us. After all, we are “powerful blogger ladies” … at least according to WE TV. And I know that while I’m not the kind of girl to consider voting for McCain, there are plenty of BlogHer attendees who would and McCain could probably use some shoring up of his women’s support.
3. Do it for Malia and Sasha. I know you have said you regret letting your daughters have a few minutes of air time on a recent interview (for the record, I think you are mistaken and that it was a fabulous opportunity). But wouldn’t it be a good thing to let them know that you think a women’s conference is a good place to spend your time looking for votes? I know that PunditGirl would think it was a good use of your campaign time, and she’s a shrewd one.
4. Do it for Meghan and Bridget. McCain, you’ve got daughters, too. and while they’re older than Malia and Sasha, I’m sure they’d love to see you reaching out to women with blogs. Hey — Meghan has one, so I know you can relate.
5. We are the majority. It’s not like women voters are a special interest group. Women make up the majority of America. Really. I have this on very good authority. And in this day and age of $4.50 a gallon gas, global warming and food crises, there is no group that is more political than mothers. Just ask your wives — they’ll vouch for that.
So Barack and John, I know I’m not one of your paid consultants. But if I was, I would tell you to do some schedule juggling and make a stop at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco next Friday or Saturday and mingle with the women bloggers.
I guarantee you it will be the best investment in your campaign to date.
Cross-posted from BlogHer, where PunditMom is a Contributing Editor for Politics & News.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I wish you were an adviser.
Just out of curiosity, did BlogHer contact them with an invitation?
July 11th, 2008 at 10:15 am
And, Barack and John, if you don’t know Pundit Mom – well, this is a real honor to get an invite from her. I’d take her up on it.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Fascinating idea! I wonder if anyone in the BlogHer organizing committee notified the candidates of the conference? I’d be more likely to attend BlogHer if I knew it was getting this kind of high profile visitor.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Amy & Daisy, I don’t know if they invited them, but I have to assume that they did!
Mom101, thanks for the kind words!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Alas, how I wanted to get to both BlogHer and NetRoots this year…but twas not to be.
ENJOY it for all of us who are wishing we could be there too.
Our numbers are Legion.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I wish I could be there but it’s not to be. Second year now that life gets in the way but I guess “real” life is more important than online (or my imaginary friends as some of my family and friends seem to think of you all).
Thanks for the list of the 100. Very interesting.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I’m not really sure why you’re assuming that they were invited to BlogHer, but that’s a side issue. Here’s my real question–why can’t they have BlogHer on the East Coast? I’m busy running a campaign here, I can’t fly to SF this year! Why can’t you ever come to my, blogger ladies? Sob!
July 13th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Hi Joanne, thanks for your post. I’m happy to answer the question: Actually, this year we made the decision to focus very heavily on getting the candidates to address the BlogHer community’s Voter Manifesto questions, rather than on coming to BlogHer ‘08.
Two reasons played into our decision: First, the conference is really about, by and for women who blog — a huge discussion of what we are doing with this technology across dozens, perhaps hundreds of topics. Second, our goal for inviting the candidates to speak with BlogHer has always been so they could answer your policy questions — and we can reach many more women via distributing those answers on BlogHer.com than we can via our our conferences, which are limited in size and reach. That’s why we were so happy when Sen. Obama agreed to a ten-minute exclusive on-camera interview with Erin Kotecki Vest this spring, in which he answered questions created by the BlogHer community. And I hasten to add that Sen. McCain has agreed to answer these questions from BlogHers as well, and we are in the process of scheduling this interview.
We did indeed invite the campaigns to send surrogates to BlogHer ‘08, and I’m happy to report that Sen. McCain is sending Liz Mair, Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, and Sen. Obama is sending Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) I’m going to moderate a panel where these folks debate which candidate is better for women, one for which I am sure you and your community have some zingers — bring ‘em on! In addition to taking questions from the bloggers in the room at the conference, I’m happy to credit the site where I get the two or three questions with which I kick the conversation off.
I hope this helps. I have high hopes that we might be able to get Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain to post on our site as well, but that’s all I’m really comfortable sharing now.
And landismom, we’ll be on the east and south-east tour in October! More at our site.
Thanks,
Lisa
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette