I’ve already suggested that USR should continue to engage people who didn’t vote for them, even by going to Antena 3, and I’m not alone. Recently, Bill Maher did some coaching for USR[’s homologue in USA]; the recent elections have established USR’s equivalence to the Democrats, whereas PSD are the Republicans, with Antena 3 being Fox News. I’ve actually compared US politics to Romania’s before, pointing out that PSD is more akin to a nationalist party than their self-professed left.
There are certainly those who see it differently. A self-described journalist who vlogs behind the wheel, gaben-style (and, likely and surprisingly, still has a driver’s license), argues in a rather long rant that they shouldn’t. And provides a segue to my next point, on Adrian Severin, who had called the referendum “diabolical” as he films the latter trolling his protesters around EP2019.
Just as Romanians fell from Communist atheism into Medieval obscurantism (i.e., they went from officially rejecting religion to ostentatious bigotry), their representatives interpreted the Adrian Severin MEP corruption scandal as a negative example of what can happen if you interact with your constituents. That, combined with a lack of preparation, deliberately vague and insufficiently discussed programmes, combined with an anxiety/procrastination-driven approach to decision-making is likely what caused them to avoid or refuse to answer. Needless to say, such an extremism is unhelpful and counterproductive and a bad omen for their MEP performance.
It’s unclear to me whether someone like Strugariu (hn-strugariu, adv-strugariu), who made a splash promising full transparency of all her votes, spending, etc. was driven by the guilt of getting elected on a ticket that did not require much effort or vetting or substantial interaction with voters, beyond IG photos. As a former parliamentary secretary, she undoubtedly knows that, as the Galvin Report made it clear, she could follow those self-assumed “transparency directives” and still pocket millions.
It’s all about creating the appearance of openness and ethical behaviour, while maintaining sufficient distance from the voters as to maintain the mirage and prevent the little Ozzard behind the green curtains from becoming apparent.
I had a few conversations with people who worked in advertising, trying to figure out whether I could have done something better. One such conversation took place in the comments to the main article. Another, on Facebook.
fb
Before going to the the conversation, let me tell you that I’ve tried “boosting” the article with the questions on Facebook for $20. It went on “review” for 2-3 days, then they asked me to sign a bunch of declarations for advertising in Europe, which I didn’t and assumed that the ad wouldn’t run. This all happened about a week before my May 15 deadline. On the 15th, they started boosting my post everywhere but Europe (very useful, right?). In one day, they used up the $20 budget which I then disputed. They called me at 404-9BONOBO and got this voicemail (as automatically transcribed) on May 20:
Hi, my name is Zach. I'm calling on behalf of Facebook app supports. Just wanted to reach out in regards to an email we received. I just wanted to touch base with you and get a bit more information, but considering I can get you on the line. I'm going to email you back. We have it as a first name. Last name at gmail.com signals that the ticket is under, so I'll reach out to you there. Feel free to get back to us there with any further questions or concerns. We'll touch base with you and get the ball rolling on this one. In the meantime. I hope you have yourself an excellent day. Take care.
It feels unfair to be charged for boosting a post too late and without including the main territory it was meant for.
f
My friend (<f>) suggests that far more work should have gone into posing the questions and getting them to the candidates, namely, it should be done via a channel they treasure, such as someone in their circle of friends, whereas I object that it’s their job to answer their constituents.
(..) o chestie pe care n-o vad, si tu ai putea sa ma ajuti s-o vad
<f> tell me
<eu>
ma deranjeaza partisanship pe care-l vad in prietenii mei romani apropo de vot, si-am incercat sa fac o lista de intrebari pe care le-am adresat candidatilor de alegeri
acum, nu ma asteptam sa-mi raspunda toti, dar numai unul mi-a raspuns
si-s curios daca ai vreo sugestie in cum sa fi adresat intrebarile sau anything else related
<f>
pai poate neraspunsul nu are nicio legatura cu felul in care au fost adresate intrebarile
poate pur si simplu nu au raspuns ca nu li s-a pus in vedere/atras atentia/nu au considerat ca ar conta nefiind insistutie media mare/etc etc
<eu>
sigur ca da, dar poate as fi putut face ceva sa cresc rata de raspunsuri. am incercat sa advertise, dar Fb are o chestie cu pseudonimul meu si nu m-au lasat in Europa
<f>
pai cu siguranta la momentul respectiv puteam vorbi si vedea ce strategie puteai adopta pentru a ajunge unde trebuie
eu nu am putut citi prea mult ca am obosit
:)
that's the first thing
<eu>
ok, merci
<f>
astea in opinia mea le dai din om in om
nu la plezneala pe FB
ci faci strategie cum sa ajunga la cei care conteaza
prin noduri de retea ale lor
plus ca sunt multe tare intrebarile si nu stiu daca cineva vede miza in a raspunde. cred ca au primit sute de astfel de chestii. miza = vizibilitate, notorietate, canal cool and catchy pt publicul lor etc
<eu>
asta ar presupune o munca uriasa - nu stiu mare lucru despre ei si nici nu e foarte interesant, si-n plus ma seaca fiindca asta-i fisa postului lor, sa interactioneze cu alegatorii, si daca nu reusesc asta in campanie, cum plm s-o faca dupa?
eu cand am candidat in alegeri am raspuns tuturor intrebarilor. morala ar fi ca am gresit :)
<f>
pai daca ai avut 100 de requests si le-ai onorat pe toate, fara discernamant, si ai bagat si 1 milion de interviuri si chestii practice pe teren si nu mai stiu ce...
posibil sa te fi disipat/irosit
nu stiu sa zic
asa
in teorie
(..)
<eu>
as fi vrut sa pot vota in cunostinta de cauza si nu fiindca "asa voteaza cei din bula mea"
si n-a fost posibil
<f>
nici fratiorii din ro
nu au avut multe info
sau au avut si nu au fost convinsi
asta sunt eu
I suppose I still want to vote knowingly, and maybe for the next elections a few of us can get together and do what votecompass did. I’m still very disappointed with how Romanian politicians understand to interact with their voters and how little the voters manage to go beyond their own tribes, especially considering that some see the recent elections as a sign that the current political order is being upended.
Moreover, the voters are so accustomed to being penalized by their representatives, that they find it impossible to believe/understand that they (the voters) do have a choice and need to exercise it diligently, which means restricting it to those who bother answering queries.
LE: I did not expect my opinion to be so soon validated (by Tudorr.Pop “gaffe/Freudian slip”).
Sources / More info: hn-strugariu, adv-strugariu, agc-timelinemepc, wEN-AS, wRO-AS, ec-bckdwn, wiki-2011mepscand, bt-5lrgstscndls, pr-voivotu, wl-galvin