Day 4: Washington DC

Day 4 starts early as usual. Went to 401, 9th St NW for our talk on Elements of a Successful Campaign: Communications. Our two distinguished speakers are Mr. Mozelle Thompson who is a member of the Advisory Board for Facebook and Ms Laura Burton Capps from Blue Engine Media.


Mr. Mozelle just got back from Australia hence the same jetlag mode as all of us.


Ms Laura spoke first. She was speechwriter for President Bill Clinton from 1995-1999. She has worked for John Kerry and was one of the person that assists Kerry win Iowa. She was also the Communication Director for the late Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy. Her husband is Bill Burton the current Deputy Press Secretary to the White House.


Mr Mozelle, spoke mostly about social media especially Facebook. He has been a member of the advisory board since 2006 when Facebook has 85 staff. Today Facebook has 500 million active users with half of them visits the sit everyday. 70% of the users are from outside the US. Currently countries like China, Vietnam, Iran and North Korea blocks the usage of Facebook. Facebook is real time information with constant information. This is the communication engagement. The last election President Obama uses FB to target people and specific demographic. Did you know FB doesnt spend a single cent on advertising? It is spread virally via WOM (words of mouth). Currently all Congressman has FB and all 42 Government Agencies as well. He also added that you have to understand who your audience are and see what tools to use to target them.

with Mr Mozelle Thompson and Ms Laura Burton Capps

It was really refreshing to hear from one of the member advisory board for FB. He really made us open up our eyes and might rethink of the usage of social media especially FB.

As we walked out of the building going to the next stop, the building in front is the J Edgar Hoover building aka FBI.

FBI office

CWA HQ

Next stop is at the CWA or Communications Workers of America. We'll be hearing from Mr. Chuck Rocha, June and Anna on Outside Organisations that Play a Role: Union. Under CWA they have 700,000 members. And mostly are democrates. His task as union leader during the campaign is to get the voters out to vote. He said that in the last election in an area where there are union members and just normal voters, 72% of those union members go out to vote while ordinary voters turn out were 24%. Union makes the difference in giving out information, talk to them and educating them about th two candidates to its members during campaign period and influence on the fence sitters.

He added that politicians has got 2 things on their mind... to find out more ask me personally :).

A quick photo with Kristin and Erin our ACYPL host

with Chuck, Joon and Anna

On Fari representation, even if union members come to work drunk they will have fair representation. Why they are drunk will take into consideration like going thru death in the family or divorce etc. But if the worker persist on doing same thing in the next 3 days, they will receive a verbal warning. and if it happens again, they will get a written notice. And again if it happens, they will be asked to take a 3 days off, and then 7 days and then 30 days and if still occur, you will get fired! but let say after the 30 days off sentence, you are well behaved in the next one year, you will be down back to the beginning which is verbal warning.

With Anna, a hot union.. hehe

After meeting with the union, we went off to Emily's List. Emily's List founded in 1985. It is dedicated to electing Pro Choice Democratic women to office.

the paid paper advert for a candidate in Alabama, Terri Sewell.... and she is tip to win the seat there and become the first African American women congressman...

We met with the Director at Emily's List, Ms Denise Ferriozi and she spoke on Elements of a Successful Campaign: Field/Grassroots. She has made some slides for us and went thru the slides on GOTV (Get Out The Voters) and the compiling of the members lists and how to approach or strategise to get women voters out to vote for the Democrates. Hillary Clinton was one of their candidates back when she was running for Senator in New York.

While she was speaking, we had working lunch. The corner bakery became the ideal lunch. So its salad and sandwiches... very healthy stuff...

with Denise Ferriozi, Director Emily's List

ACYPL HQ

After Emily's List we went to the HQ of ACYPL where we met with Mr Phil Kerpen who is the Vice President of Policy for Americans for Prosperity. Its Chairman is philanthropist Mr. David Kuch (pronounce Coke). He touched on the Tea Party and who will win this coming election etc.

with Mr Phil Kerpen

Had a Kosher Hot Dog. The lady is a Muslim from Ethiopia...

After the meeting at ACYPL, we walked 7 blocks back to our hotel. And i bought hot dog for tea.

Bought Mucinex DM for my cough and cold cost me USD16 for this...

We have to be at the hotel lobby at 7pm for a private tour of the West Wing of the White House.

The entrance door to the West Wing, Oval Office

with Araz PourMorad and Lindsay Mueller

Mr Araz and Lindsay waited for us at the South Gate entrance. After the security checked our passports, we walked past the Eisenhower Executive Office and to the next entrance. Another check point. Our passports was taken for another inspection and there we got a pass to enter the West wing.

Entrance to the West Wing

Before entering we were told that the West Wing are a small office for people who have access to the President on the daily basis. Around 80 staff are in the West Wing of the White House and the rest around 1500 staff are in the Eisenhower Executive Office. We went around the West Wing and was shown to all interesting photos that you can access at Flikr under White House. It shows the President candid photos on most of the West Wing walls. And after 2 weeks, the photos gets to change and the staff gets to choose and hang it in their office. We toured the dining room, and the situation room where all classified information are discussed with the President inside. There are 3 main phone line in the situation room they are the Department of Interior, Department of Defence and the CIA so that the President can get access to the information fast.

We were showed around to the Rose Garden, the famous corridor where normally photographers take photos of President and also where the President normally does his interview. We also went to the meeting room. And of course, the Oval Office. Unfortunately all these rooms we cant take photos as it is restricted. And i dont want to get into any trouble especially in the West Wing. Later we were showed to the Lobby Entrance of the West Wing.

We went out of the entrance and walked to the James Brady briefing room. The famous White House briefing room when the President speaks to the Press.

This is where the President speak to the Press

Me with Kristin and Lindsay Mueller

Lindsay Mueller is a political appointtee. She was a receptionist in Chicago before President Obama became President. Her loyalty pays and now she is Head of Operations of the White House.

Me and Benedicto at the Press seating area

The overview

Me with one of President Obama young staff a 25 year old Araz whose parents are from Iran

Practicing to ask the President some questions... :)

The White House, Residence of the President of the United States.

The DEEO building

Couldnt resist to take a photo of the DEEO

Lindsay was such a great host, she even gave us a signed copy of President Obama's photo with the family.

A gift from the White House which i will find a frame... :)

After the tour, it was free and easy. Me, CW and Rajiv went around DC and got into a cab to 9th St for HRC (Hard Rock Cafe) time!

Had to take a photo at Ford Theatre because one of my favourite US President was assasinated here. Can you guess who? I was wearing his long hat yesterday as clue? Still dont know? Yes... you got it... President Abraham Lincoln was shot in this Theatre...

Next to Ford Theatre is HRC

Inside HRC Washington DC...