FOX NEWS: Republican, Democratic strategists debate October surprises for 2022 midterms

There have been numerous October surprises throughout American history as it relates to elections, but whether this year’s midterm elections – which are less than 100 days away – could be upended by a dominant news event is yet to be determined.

Strategists from across the political spectrum insist there are a few events or stories that could drive voters to the polls, or away from them, prior to the elections taking place.

Certain things like the debate over abortion, an announcement from former President Trump regarding his 2024 decision, or President Biden officially announcing re-election efforts have the potential to sway voters in the elections, strategists say. ROKK Partner Kristen Hawn shares her thoughts- get them here.

Summer is here and believe it or not, 2023 is just around the corner… so now is the time to start planning your digital ad buys for the rest of the year! Our award-winning digital team shares their tips for making the most of your budget in the ever-changing advertising environment:

• Increasing digital ad costs shouldn’t equal decreased spending. Costs are rising across paid social, search and programmatic platforms due to inflation, increased digital consumption, platform demand and saturation. But that doesn’t mean you should spend less in the U.S. You’ll fall behind those who continue to advertise.
• Allocate (more) digital ad budget to partners with no minimum spend and to those who haven’t increased costs. These partners are ideal for organizations to leverage test/learn/optimize strategies with their buys. And don’t summer siesta on Direct-to-Publisher news sites and first-party data partners/ad networks that are keeping costs status-quo to compete.
• Optimize for target engagements and deeper actions. If your desired paid platform impressions are more costly, pivot and set campaigns to serve to key audiences who are more likely to engage with, click on or convert (email sign-up, take action, etc.) through your ad.
• Invest in great creative, SEO and measurement. Evolving imagery, video, keywords and analytics will only further optimize your ad results, allowing you to get more for each buck.
• Activate paid social media influencers. In addition to ads, paid influencers remain a great and growing way to pay to play, allowing you to reach followers of trusted spokespeople.
• Plan and secure budgets now for year’s end and 2023. First is the best… Set funds aside in advance so it’s not a last minute C-suite fight for your right to win against competitors at the digital ads party.

Let’s get to work!

Democrats are hoping to seal a major legislative win this week after budget reconciliation negotiations between Sen. Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for a breakthrough climate, healthcare and tax package. But have Democrats made a strategic error by not first securing support from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema in order to pass this legislation? John LaBombard, ROKK Solutions Senior Vice President and former Senator Sinema Communications Director, shared his perspective with John Berman and Brianna Keilar. Watch the segment here.

A week ago, President Biden seemed down on his luck. He had just been diagnosed with COVID-19, after dodging it for more than two years. He was being bashed by people in his own party for appearing flat-footed on abortion. The all-important climate legislation he had been pushing seemed dead in the water. And as if things couldn’t appear any worse, The New York Times had recently released a poll showing that most Democrats wanted someone else to run for their party’s nomination in 2024. But a lot changed in a week. Co-founding Partner Rodell Mollineau weighs in in this article on The Hill- read the article here.

CNN’s Mark Preston goes beyond the daily headlines to bring you the full story behind what makes the news. In this episode, he speaks with ROKK Co-founding Partner Ron Bonjean about the Republican party’s messaging opportunities around the recession- listen to the episode here.

Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Joe Mathieu delivers insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. Joe spoke to Texas Congressman Kevin Brady on the Democrats spending package and the standing ovation he got at the congressional baseball game this week, Vanderbilt pulmonologist Dr. Robert Miller on how the PACT Act can help diagnose veterans who have diminished lung quality from exposure to burn pits. Plus, our politics panel Adam Goodman, National Republican media strategist and John LaBombard, Senior Vice President at ROKK Solutions on the reconciliation package, the Pact Act, and tensions over Nancy Pelosi’s possible visit to Taiwan. Listen to the episode here.

Conventional wisdom says relationships are based on human interaction. From networking to phone calls, interpersonal communication seems to be the foundation of media relations. But, is there room for data-driven methodology in a process deeply rooted in human connection?

Yes, at all levels. Senior Account Executive Tanika Pradhan shared her top list of ways to incorporate data into media relations strategy with PR News- read the article here.

It’s been a rough couple weeks for Joe Biden. His approval rating reached a record low. Inflation reached a 40-year high. A coal baron-turned-senator tanked his climate change plan. Then, he came down with COVID-19.

These recent travails have marked an inflection point in an increasingly difficult presidency.

In this article from The Globe and Mail, Co-founding Partner Rodell Mollineau shares his take on the president’s strategy and what he needs to do to make forward progress. Read the article here.

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) was initially seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for re-election this year. But as New Hampshire’s Sept. 13 primary draws closer, there’s still no clear Republican frontrunner to take her on in November.

ROKK SVP Jeff Grappone — a Capitol Hill and political campaign veteran — talked to Axios about the dynamics shaping this key US Senate race that could shift the balance of power in Washington. Read the article here.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a rising Republican star, has been careful not to nurture growing speculation that he will make a presidential bid in 2024. He has brushed off questions about his political ambitions, while the party’s presumptive front-runner, Donald Trump, repeatedly hints he will run again.

But there are signs that DeSantis could be preparing for a White House run even as he campaigns for another term as governor in November’s midterm elections.

ROKK CO-founding Partner Ron Bonjean shared his thoughts here.