Democrats Abroad UK

[tenshi816]

I received the following e-mail this morning from Democrats Abroad UK (I'm a member):

"Democrats Needed For Media Appearances: DAUK needs Democrats who are available to appear on TV and radio shows and speak with print journalists. As part of our effort to heighten the Democrats' profile in the UK, we are developing a short list of people who can participate in talk shows or speak with reporters. Ideal candidates will be those who can be easily identified as experts on an issue or issues that are frequently in the news (foreign relations, military affairs, international trade, health care, energy, etc.) or may have been professionally involved in American government or politics. Media training can be provided as needed."

My first thought was that it's high time they did this. I get furious when the Republicans Abroad UK trot out their people on Radio 4 or wherever and there's no Democrat there for balance, although I suppose I should be pleased that the UK media give Republicans such a rough ride. The Republicans are just so damn good at making themselves heard. They may be wrong, but they do get air time. Our people don't over here.

My second thought was to volunteer myself, except that I'm not someone who can be "easily identified" as an expert. I'm passionately interested in US politics and as well-informed as you would expect someone to be who spends several hours a day at DU, not to mention the other political sites I lurk at, but that doesn't qualify me to speak to the media (although Ann Coulter isn't either and it sure hasn't slowed her down any). I don't think I'd be afraid to speak to a print journalist, but I'm uneasy about doing TV or radio at this point. It's encouraging that Democrats Abroad offer media training "if needed" - I need.

So, really I'm posting this for two reasons:

First, do any DUers who live in the UK have the kind of experience Democrats Abroad UK is looking for and if so, are you interested? I can send contact information along to you if you like.

Second, can any DUers with media experience offer advice to me? I may be crazy, but I'd seriously like to become involved with this. I'm well-educated and scrub up pretty well, and consider myself well-informed. What, for media purposes, constitutes an "expert"? I look at some of the Republicans who appear on TV in the States and just shake my head and wonder how and why they managed to get the gig, because all they do is mouth talking points - they don't actually appear to know anything themselves.

I'd really appreciate some feedback on this. Thanks in advance.

[acmejack]

1. Go for it!

You have the required qualifications, you're available and you want to do it! Take the training & voila! you are a self professed "expert"-go get 'em tiger!

[tenshi816]

2. Shamelessly kicking my own post,

since it sank like a stone. I could really use some input here.

[Binka]

3. Do It Deb!

You would be brilliant! I hope other UK DUers chime in.

[Heidi]

4. Kick!

:thumbsup:

[Hutzpa]

5. Has DU become a recruiting forum now? n/t

:shrug:

[tenshi816]

6. I'm asking for advice.

What's the difference in what I posted and asking people to join other Democratic activist groups?

[mr blur]

7. I'd guess the real difference is

the the "other Democratic activist groups" are in the US. Few DU-ers really care what happens in the UK or anywhere outside the US. Oh, everyone hates the war, but that's about America really, isn't it?

Now, if you were looking for keyboard warriors to moan about Wal-Mart or you wanted to start a completely useless argument about whether Cynthia McKinney is an "american hero", or which plastic fast food joint produces the best garbage, then you'd be inundated with answers.

[tenshi816]

8. I love you mr blur

Unfortunately you're right, and it's a shame (about what you said, not about you being right!). There are roughly 250,000 Americans living in the UK and it's foolish for anyone in the States to think that none of those people vote or don't care what's happening back home.

It's a sad fact here in Britain that the Republicans have a much higher media profile than Democrats and they're far better organized that way, always ready with the sound bites and talking points. I'm sure it's helped gain them votes from ex-pats, because the Dems are rarely heard from. I don't see what's so wrong in asking if there are any DU people in Britain who are interested in doing some volunteer media work for Democrats Abroad if they have any ability in that sphere. It's not like it's a salaried position or anything, it's a purely voluntary role.

I'll do it myself if they'll have me.

[Greeby]

9. I spose British-born UK DU'ers who spend all their time on DU

discussing US politics can't apply?

Because one of the central beliefs I developed as I became politically aware over 03 and 04, particularly with President Tony and the war. Is that we have a government and will most likely continue to have governments, who cannot grab their asses with both hands unless the White House tells them to. So naturally, I figured its more important to focus who is in the White House and Congress, than it is for Downing Street or Parliament

[tenshi816]

10. I don't know, Greeby,

I was wondering about that too. Since the organization Democrats Abroad UK is set up for ex-pat Americans living in the UK, my guess is they prefer Americans representing them, but my feeling is that knowledge trumps nationality - or that's the way I would do it if I ran things (which I don't of course, I'm just a lowly member interested in their efforts to raise the profile of the Democratic party in the UK).

Ideally, they're looking for "identifiable experts", but I'm wondering why the people who run DAUK aren't using one of their main people. In any political organization, people are alway crawling all over each other to be the one to speak to the media so I'm bemused - and intrigued - by the whole thing.

Also, like I said in my original post, I wish someone could tell me what constitutes an "expert". In the States, the Republican experts are revolting individuals like Ann Coulter - who the hell made her a political expert? There no real equivalents on the Democratic side in the US, and certainly not in the UK.

Personally, I believe the people at DU are the best-informed people I've encountered anywhere and my own knowledge of American politics has grown and grown since I've been here. Most of us know as much or more than the so-called experts that appear on television in America, and I'm sick of our voices not being heard.

Why don't you have a look at the Democrats Abroad UK website: http://uk.democratsabroad.org/ and maybe drop them a line asking if non-Americans can join.