I listened recently to the Obama/Democratic operative David Axelrod introduce what he dubbed a 'dream panel' of mostly left-of-center pundits in Chicago, IL. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was one of the panelists. The former White House Chief of Staff candidly told the audience that if he were advising President Obama, he would not recommend that he run for re-election on his record. If he does that, Emanuel conceded that the president would likely lose. So the winning strategy for Obama had to be running on big ideas, a big vision for the future, hope the jobs numbers improved a bit and claim credit for any economic improvement that came along.

 

In the Republican field, Mitt Romney is still the front runner, but recent polls indicate he has a challenge on his hands with Rick Santorum in the upcoming Michigan Primary. While many pundits – and Mitt himself – still believe Romney will win, Democrats plan in the open Michigan primary Operation Hilarity, asking Democrats to vote for former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. This is an echo or throw back to Operation Chaos, when in the 2008 campaign cycle, Rush Limbaugh called for Republicans to vote in the Democratic primaries. With or without Hilarity, Santorum has surged in Michigan and elsewhere in the wake of his recent MO, MN and CO primary sweep.

 

The relatively high TV viewer ratings of the numerous Republican debates indicates a significant interest in this election cycle among voters. The point here is that our industry ought to capitalize on the dynamics of this election year.

 

We reported last year and this week in our Daily Business News on visits by then presidential candidate Rick Perry to a modular home factory in Maine, and the recent visit by Mitt Romney to a factory-built housing plant in Idaho. I would urge the planners, movers and shakers of the Industry to seize the day, and move heaven and earth to get one or more of the Republican candidates to the Tulsa Manufactured Home Show.

 

Imagine for a few moments thousands of citizens and Industry pros who would come as a result or the state/national media coverage, combined with what the Great Southwest Home Show's own promotional potential is for this rare opportunity.

 

The news media would have our industry's products as a positive backdrop to whatever talking points the candidate(s) would give on the need for U.S. manufacturing, jobs and affordable quality energy saving homes for financially pressed Americans.

 

Properly arranged, the value to our Industry would be priceless for years to come. Needless to say, it would be a win for the candidate(s) who might attend.

 

Can you picture the years of YouTube value alone of having the media capture video of presidential candidate(s) touring the interior of a residential style manufactured home, and making comments about their impressive quality and value?

 

American ingenuity could be celebrated. Greener Homes built to modern standards that are so tough they survived the 2004 Florida hurricanes when 50 billion in destruction hit commercial buildings and residential housing. Our modern manufactured homes are built by American engineers and workers, but battered by government over-regulation at all levels and by a media that sadly is often 35 years out of date on its facts in reports on safety concerns, which have long ago been resolved. 

 

But we can't just point the finger at others (media, regulators, etc.). We must be part of the solution. We either define ourselves, or others will define us.

 

That, my fellow industry members, is exactly what some leaders need to commit to accomplishing. There are possible incentives beyond the crowd and media which could attract one or more candidates. On the Republican side, a planned CNN debate for March 1 has been scrubbed, which opens the door for their attendance. The Tulsa Show falls on the dates just before the Super Tuesday primary. The marketing and image building value could go on for years to come. More homes would be sold at the Show. The time is short, but if you or someone you know with pull will 'just do it,' making the effort is worth it.

 

Enough said for today, see you again mid week, in the MHI Legislative Session in DC and at the trade days for Tulsa Show March 1-2. Check out the update for the business and profit building seminars for retailers, communities and builder/developers at the link above, and hope to see you there. ##