Field Notes Inside an Integrated Communications Agency

If there is any agreement among political pundits these days, it is a sense that the GOP has the grabbed the political "mo." That's not unreasonable, what with President Obama's poll numbers dropping like a rapper's pants, a dismal economy, and the stunning loss of Teddy Kennedy's seat to a GOP neophyte in blue-blue Massachusetts. But the latest polling data from Rasmussen highlights some significant problems for both parties.

The rightward swing has been undeniably unkind to the President.  Only 21 percent of Americans believe one of the central claims of President Obama's State of the Union address: that he's cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans. A majority (53 percent) say that has not happened and nearly half expect their own taxes to rise under Obama.

But Rasmussen data also suggest some challenges for their party's traditional candidates as well.  In a number of races, GOP front-runners are losing ground to more conservative candidates. After an early lead in the Florida Senate race, Governor Charlie Crist is now trailing conservative Marco Rubio by 12 points. In the Texas gubernatorial race, support for Tea Party activist Debra Medina has quadrupled since November and she was recently asked to participate in a televised debate with incumbent Rick Perry and leading GOP challenger Kay Hutchinson.

And while the number of registered Democrats has fallen, the GOP lost ground as well.  According to Rasmussen, the percentage of voters not affiliated with either party is at its highest point since 2007. Is it possible that Americans have simply had enough of DC gridlock and the ugly sausage-making evident in House and Senate passage of health care legislation?

Perhaps the most alarming finding from Rasmussen is that people don't seem to grasp that fully half of the federal budget goes to national defense, Medicare and Social Security. Although budget documents released by the Obama administration clearly document this, only 35 percent of Americans believe it.

That neither party has been able to communicate where all the money is going bodes ill for the formation of sound fiscal policy.  With the public lost in the weeds, it's no surprise that Tea Party conservatives calling for draconian government layoffs are gaining steam.

Not only was SXSW09 an educational experience, it was also an exercise in team building.  No team is as close as the one who plays together.  Naturally, when we showed up at the Interactive Closing Party, hosted by our good friends at Media Temple, the Capstratters couldn't resist a challenge from an on-site mechanical bull. When in Texas, do as the Texans do, right?  Here's how it all went down.

Todd Moy makes the following statement:"I'll get on that bull if someone else does."  Enough said.  Laura signs a waiver, grabs a glove and saddles up first for the Capstrat team.

Todd's up next.  Yes this is actually Todd Moy on a mechanical bull.  Enjoy this, you might never get to see it again.

There goes Evan, our official time keeper.

And John, our winner...at 44 seconds!

Virginia our fearless leader, never one to back down from a challenge, finishes up the night strong.

After all that hard work, we finished things off with mmmpanadas out of a truck.  I'm so excited I think I'm waving mine at Evan. It was truly an authentic night out in Austin and a great way to end our SXSW09 experience.