Ozean Political Blog
A political blog about digital media, data, research and consulting.
Do political campaigns really matter?
Why in the world would a campaign consultant ask the seemingly heretical question, "Do political campaigns really matter?" The answer: partially purposefully provocative combined with another part intellectual curiosity, but as we prepare to spend billions of dollars...
15 Campaign Mistakes First Time Candidates Make Running for Political Office
First time candidates make mistakes, and it is because we expect them that we can take steps to minimize them. Over the past 20 plus years, I have observed first candidates making mistakes early in the process and during a campaign. This quick guide is an attempt to...
Is America’s Two Party System Heading Towards Collapse?
I am not an alarmist, nor would I be considered a chicken little. In fact, I tend to think systems self-regulate and maintain an equilibrium. However, for the first time, I am starting to ponder is America's current two party system heading towards collapse?...
So, you want to challenge an incumbent?
There is a difference between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. There is also a difference between the following two questions: What are my chances of challenging an incumbent? and If I decide to challenge an incumbent, what do I need to do to be...
What is a push poll, and what is NOT a push poll?
I've received several inquiries on whether or not a "push poll" was run in our local area this week. While I have not polled in the area in question, the question does provide a teachable moment about push polls. What is a Push Poll? The American Association...
Relax, overheating in politics is normal!
I have been thinking a lot about thermostats and politics lately. This thought pattern has been driven by two things: I banned someone from my facebook page for the first time ever, and Two separate books I have been reading discuss thermostats and politics. The...
Politicians, Politics and Going Viral
To begin, I need you to think of the most stereotypical politician you can. Yes, we are talking three piece suit, monocle, the whole 9 yards. Kinda like this guy: This is the guy that asked for a meeting with me yesterday. It was a great meeting....until the walk to...
2013 Top Reading List for Political Consultants
During each odd number year, I set a goal to get better at my political science craft. Part of that goal is reading. Odd number year = take advantage of some down time = goal of 50 books related to political consulting. In 2013, I exceeded the goal by 5....
Writing Clearly: The CIA’s Strunk & White
Analytical Thinking & Presentation for Intelligence Producers Over the Thanksgiving weekend, during a Tofurkey induced political-nerd Internet session, I came across a copy of the CIA's Training Manual & Handbook written for their analysts entitled:...
Ozean Media Political Library
Announcing the opening of Ozean's central repository & political library We have heard your request, and we are making some small changes to our website. As you may know, we love the science of politics. We are true political nerds, and we embrace that aspect of...
Alex Patton Political Science Guest Lecturer of the Year
It was my absolute pleasure to be a guest lecturer at the University of Florida's graduate political science program. I was extremely impressed with the engagement and intellect of the students. My only concern is 90% of the students in the graduate program self...
Opinions and Probability
I have become that guy. You know THAT guy that likes to discuss politics on Facebook. I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. I'm curious and I want to try and figure put how people think. What I am finding is that people are fighting and not arguing, in the classical...