title: The Campaign Coach's Campaign Blueprint: From campaign kickoff through Election Night and beyond: the how-to guide for local candidates
author:  Craig W. Turner 
description: Craig Turner has worked in government, politics, PR, media and economic development in Western New York for more than 20 years, and is the founder of The Campaign Coach program for local political candidates. Craig is the president of Momentum Public Affairs, a Buffalo-based PR and government affairs firm, and is the author of the WILTONS GOLD time travel trilogy.
zlib_text: Bird-Dog
  Manual
  How to Help
  Politicians Commit to 
  Do the Right Thing
  Backbone Campaign
  
  Bird-Dog Basics
  In a political context, bird-dogging means going to an elected official’s speaking
  event to thank them in public, to call them to action, or to ask them to take a 
  leadership role on an issue.
  This manual is organized based on the themes of the Backbone Campaign’s 
  “Procession for the Future,” which address the focus of a progressive movement. 
  Each theme has bird-dog questions about the most critical issues facing the 
  United States and its people. 
  Do Your Homework
  
  Find a local party activist who is willing to pass on information to you.
  
  Find friendly members of the media to get information from.
  
  Check media sources such as newspapers and newspaper websites for 
  calendars announcing when political candidates will appear.
  
  Find out where the official will be speaking.
  Get Familiar with the Official
  
  Subscribe to candidate, state, and party email and snail mail lists.
  
  Go t