Effective Election Strategies in the Age of Unexpected Attacks: How to Prepare For and Overcome Them

In the world of political campaigning, attacks on a candidate can come from any direction and often with little warning. Whether it’s an attack ad, a bold statement from an opposing candidate, or some other form of surprise, unexpected attacks can have a devastating effect on a candidate’s standing in their race. That’s why it’s important to have a proactive response plan in place to counter any unexpected or rapidly unfolding attacks.

When it’s implemented thoughtfully, a response plan that utilizes effective tactics can either preempt issues or shield your candidate from any significant damage caused by unexpected attacks.

Reacting quickly and intentionally to attacks is a must for any successful campaign. A strategic response plan for unexpected attacks must first and foremost own the narrative right away to minimize any damage that could result. This can be done through a well-crafted communications strategy and strategy that quickly responds with key messages. This strategy should be designed to capture your audience’s attention while offering a proactive and defensive response to the attacker.

When creating a response plan focus on five strategic components to develop a cohesive attack and defense: digital engagement, voter outreach, broadcasting, grassroots organizing, and fundraising. A tailored and thoughtful approach to each piece is required to create an effective response plan.

Digital Engagement: Digital engagement is an important avenue of defense, as it allows a campaign to quickly reach a very wide audience and deliver a strong message. Social media posts that return the message to the core campaign message can help a story move on before the narrative of the election begins to shift unfavorably.

Voter Outreach: Voter outreach is the process of engaging with potential supporters and communicating information about candidates and their positions. One-on-one conversations are some of the most powerful tools a campaign has at its disposal. Arming your canvassing and phone banking volunteers with strong messaging can provide insight into whether an attack has been effective and give your team the first opportunity to push back and correct the record.

Broadcasting: Broadcast media, such as television and radio, have traditionally been a cornerstone of political campaigns. This can be an extremely effective way of responding to attacks as it reaches a very large audience quickly, as well as those who may not engage in digital conversations.

Grassroots Organizing: Grassroots organizing can be a powerful tool for political campaigns, helping to get people in the community engaged in supporting your candidate. This type of organizing is also extremely effective in rebutting any false claims from your opponents.

Fundraising: Fundraising is an important part of any political campaign and one that can drastically shift the momentum during the election. Attack ads provide natural urgency for your donor base and can be leveraged to rally financial support for your campaign.

Ultimately, attacks on a campaign can be overwhelming and difficult to handle. That’s why it’s important to have a plan in place from the start to ensure that your candidate is protected ready to respond quickly.