*bird-dog (bûrd'-dôg), v. To follow, monitor and/or seek out a subject of interest, such as a public official, with persistent attention to get answers to questions or influence the subject.

With the 2010 elections right around the corner, and the Fair Elections Now Act introduced in both chambers of Congress, there will be good opportunities to ask candidates if they support the Fair Elections Now Act. You might also use this guide to bird-dog your local candidates about public funding of elections if it is election season where you live.

We can't be everywhere at once, but with your help we can make sure the candidates come clean about their campaign cash and their ideas for fixing the system. Help us get some real answers by bird-dogging the candidates.

Tips for Successful Bird-Dogging

1. Plan in Advance
It is very important to make a plan in advance, whether going by yourself or with others. Don’t try to “wing it.” Write your questions in advance–even the most experienced bird-doggers sometimes stumble over their questions when the microphone is on and the cameras are pointing at them. If you need a reference for facts on clean elections visit the Fair Elections Now Act Website or the White House For Sale (www.whitehouseforsale.org) web site.

2. Get good seats – which means arriving early!
Arrive early. Good seats are in or near the very front row or near microphones placed in the aisles. Sitting near a microphone allows you to get to it in the least amount of time and can help to ensure that your question is asked.

3. Get your hand up first, fast and high.
This sounds simple, but it is important! Most people will wait for the second or third question to raise their hand, and some only raise their hand half way. These people will rarely get called on. However, for some reason, if you are the first, fastest, highest person to get their hand in the air, you will almost always get called on!

4. Get a handshake – and a photo, and an autograph – and AN ANSWER!
After the formal parts of an event, there is almost always a handshake line. Anticipate where the handshake is going to be (usually near the stage).

The handshake line is another chance to ask the target a question, in public, and usually near reporters. One important tactic: don’t let go of her hand until you have your answer! Politicians are used to this, and they will rarely pull away.

Getting a photo of you with the target while the questioning is going on is a good way to extend discussion and/or seal the deal.

5. Get quoted.
After the event, talk to the press and get them to cover your questions and the politician’s statement. The press will not come to talk to you, you’ve got to go to them. But they will be interested in what you have to say. Prepare your quote just like you prepared your question.

Important: when you’re talking with a reporter, you’ll want to keep the discussion to what YOU want to say about the issue of public financing, and not on other issues.

If a reporter asks you, “What did you think about Senator so-and-so’s speech on Social Security?” or “How do you like the Senator’s new hairpiece?” it’s perfectly appropriate to dodge the question completely and respond with your quote instead (“The important thing here today was that the Senator made a clear commitment to support the Fair Elections Now Act and not take any contributions from lobbyists.”)

Sample Question

The Setup:
"The cost of running for office is out of control and gives a few wealthy and powerful individuals with enormous influence over elected officials through their ability to collect massive campaign contributions. Senators Durbin and Specter, along with Reps. Larson and Jones have introduced a bill that would rid congressional elections of the corrupting influence of money. Called the Fair Elections Now Act (S.752, H.R.1826), the bill would create a voluntary system of public funding to put voters back at the center of elections."

The Question:
"If you support a system of voluntary public funding of all federal elections and the Fair Elections Now Act, what will you do to ensure it becomes law if you are elected?”
Or
“If you are not in favor of this common sense reform, what are your other solutions to the influence of money in politics and the out-of-control cost of running for office?"

Bird-dogged a candidate? Send us a link to the video, or email us and let us know how it went! If you like, we’ll post your exchange on www.FairElectionsNow.org. Email us at info@fairelectionsnow.org.