By Jason Atkinson, on Mon Dec 17, 2012 at 9:15 AM ET My party, the Republican Party, is stunned and wandering in the desert right now. Many just don’t understand how polls could have been wrong and how primary victories were turned into general election losses. Now that the dust has settled, most Republicans I hear from are blaming it on America’s slide toward socialism.
Let’s slow down here. We can agree America is changing, but we should look at us first. Our primaries are about who can out-conservative the other, then who can swing to the middle for the general election. It’s as if we’re telling voters we don’t even believe ourselves.
Many, many Republicans I know feel the party has left them. They believe the party is out of step, focused on fear and being the party of “no.” Whether other Republicans believe that or not isn’t the issue. Americans believe it, and they’re not voting Republican.
 Parties and federal government aside, people today are just trying to hold it all together. We’ve all got bills, health care issues, aging parents and kids with cavities. Research shows that most Americans are center right, believe in limited government and personal responsibility, and don’t think government is a good steward of tax money, but they are choosing to be unaffiliated, independent voters.
It appears to many that Republicans have forgotten that politics is about serving people. Who cares if we’re ideologically perfect to each other but not elected to office?
If my party is going to win in the future, it must do 10 things immediately:
Read the rest of…
Jason Atkinson: Advice for the GOP — Don’t be about perfection, be about service
By Saul Kaplan, on Mon Dec 17, 2012 at 8:30 AM ET During my six years as an accidental bureaucrat, after spending twenty-five years in the private sector, my friends often wondered how I could do it. They routinely asked versions of the question: doesn’t government move too slowly for you? My standard reply was that, yes, the public sector moves slowly – but then, big companies don’t move so quickly either. And come to think of it, I teased my friends in higher education, colleges and universities move more slowly than either business or government! The point is, all institutions move slowly.
What surprised me wasn’t how slowly the different institutions moved, but the different language, behavior, secret handshakes, and views of each other I found across sectors. Xenophobia runs rampant within public, private, non-profit, and for-profit silos. Each silo has created its own world completely foreign to inhabitants from other sectors. Visiting emissaries are always viewed with skepticism. (”I’m from the government and I’m here to help …”)
One epiphany from my immersion into the non-private sector is how strenuously social sector organizations resist the notion they have a “business model”. Non-profits, government agencies, social enterprises, schools, and NGOs consistently proclaim that they aren’t businesses, and therefore business rules don’t apply.
Well, I’m sorry to break the news, but if an organization has a viable way to create, deliver, and capture value, it has a business model. It doesn’t matter whether an organization is in the public or private sector. It doesn’t matter if it’s a non-profit or a for-profit enterprise. Allorganizations have a business model. Non-profit corporations may not be providing a financial return to investors or owners, but they still capture value to finance activities with contributions, grants, and service revenue. Social enterprises may be mission-driven, focused on delivering social impact versus a financial return on investment, but they still need a sustainable model to scale. Government agencies are financed by taxes, fees, and service revenue, but are still accountable to deliver citizen value at scale.
The idea that business models are just for business is just wrong. Any organization that wants to be relevant, to deliver value at scale, and to sustain itself must clearly articulate and evolve its business model. And if an organization doesn’t have a sustainable business model, its days are numbered.
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Saul Kaplan: Business Models Aren’t Just For Business
By John Y. Brown III, on Fri Dec 14, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET The new LinkedIn Peeping Tom notification.
That’s what I’m calling it anyway.
I miss the good ole days when you could look at someone’s resume profile and not feel dirty.
LinkedIn has a new feature “Someone just viewed your profile.” And I gotta say it’s a little creepy. I don’t think I like it.
I just got a notice about somebody looking at my profile.
My first.
 And I went and looked at their profile so they will be notified—notified that I know they are peeking at my profile and trying to go unnoticed. But aren’t.
I hope this is the message that LinkedIn intends for users to send. It seems a little odd, though, if you ask me.
Then again, maybe I’m being proactive. Another possible consequence of this new service is that it will become customary to “return the favor” when someone peeks (or peeps) at your profile. So that if someone peeps at you and you don’t return the favor, it could be construed as an insult –like being dissed?
Not sure I see a lot of good coming from this new LinkedIn innovation.
By John Y. Brown III, on Fri Dec 14, 2012 at 9:15 AM ET American tourists abroad.
These are some suave folks here in Europe. At least here in Italy. They just seem to be that way naturally. I do get the occasional look—part envious and part exasperated — as though to say, “You must be American.Hmmm. That would explain it.”
I think we are viewed as big, arrogant, slightly clueless rubes who have more money, confidence and power than we deserve or know what to do with. Sort of the same way we in the US view people from Texas.
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 Things I am learning in Italy and want to pass along to friends who may not know.
“The look.”
When someone addresses confidently in a foreign country in their own language, it can be an intimidating situation. They may be paying us a compliment, asking us a general question, trying to find common ground, or casting some sort of insult or warning us we are breaking the law or custom.
When this happens, the best advice is to just smile and give the person the old tried-and-true American survivalist abroad safety “look” that we offer up when someone in a foreign country says something to us and we don’t have a clue what they are saying. You know the one….It’s that look that says:
“I’m really pleased with the attention you are giving me but am confused— as usual. And I don’t speak your language. I am an American and just haven’t had time to learn it. But if I did speak your language I would try to say something now that was appropriate and would please you more or—in the event what you are saying to me has a strong negative connotation—say something to help me to not get arrested in this scary and backward (at least by American standards) foreign country. I do not want to re-live Midnight Express even if I’m not in Turkey right now. Midnight Express could have happened here, too, you know. I just want you to stop saying words to me like I know them when I don’t. It scares me and I don’t trust you that much to begin with and this is only making it worse for me and could even affect how much money I spend on your country’s economy this trip. Don’t get me wrong, I am a nice person and didn’t say bad things about your country after they didn’t join the Coalition of the Willing after 9-11. I really didn’t. ”
Seriously. In fact, I’m a Democrat. I don’t even own a gun. Please just feel both “afraid of me” and “sorry for me” at the same time – OK? Please just think of me as both a “deer-in-the headlights” but also the one deer who could be “king of the jungle.” I know that deer aren’t really kings of the jungle. That’s another animal. Like a Lions or bear. But that doesn’t matter. I’m an American and don’t have to know details like that. Just have to have a certain look at the right times.”Yes, that look! If you’ve ever traveled abroad you know it well…and probably used it daily. Even if you are a republican. (Although some from the GOP do drop 2 of the final 3 sentences and get almost the same response of exasperated pity.
And this well –honed instinctive look is what helps us have both pleasant exchanges abroad and not to relive Midnight Express. The two primary goals of most every American traveling abroad.
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 If you are in Rome and want to see the Coliseum, be sure you spell it the way they do in Rome. They use this alternative spelling, “Colosseum” Probably on purpose to keep so many people from stampeding the historic amphitheater and taking endless pictures of it. Like this family did.
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Was a little disappointed to find that pizzas here in Italy are not served with a free banana pepper.
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Things I am learning in Italy and want to pass along to friends who may not know.
“Prego,” as it turns out, does not mean pregnant.
I’m not sure what it means. I know there used to be a Prego spaghetti sauce but it doesn’t mean “spaghetti sauce” either.
I’m not quiet sure what it means….but know for sure that if someone in Italy says to you
“Prego!” you should not be offended that they are either calling you (or your wife) pregnant or asking you for spaghetti sauce. They are doing neither.
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Read the rest of…
John Y. Brown, III: An American in Italy
By Julie Rath, on Fri Dec 14, 2012 at 8:30 AM ET
There are few things more devastatingly dashing than a man in a beautifully-fitted tuxedo. If you’ve received an invitation for an event calling for “Black Tie Optional” attire, your best option is – you guessed it – Black Tie. Why not take the opportunity to bring out the big guns? I promise, womens’ heads will turn, and the other guys not in tuxes will wish they had opted otherwise. Check out this shot above from a recent photo shoot for my new website (coming soon!). Pretty good, right?
Relatedly, designers have been showing formalwear looks deconstructed with individual items worn as separates (as seen in my Fall style report). This gives you even more reason to invest in a tux as well as some fun and interesting formalwear elements, which will come in handy when you’re faced with a Creative or Festive Black Tie dress code. Below are my top 5 picks for pieces that will help you mix up your evening gear.
1) Acne Velvet Double-Breasted Tuxedo Jacket — Acne made a splash with their fall lineup of swanky eveningwear separates. This jacket speaks for itself, so keep the rest of the look simple and classic.
2) Acne Jacquard Print Pants – These print pants are next-level style at its best. The trim cut calls for a similarly tailored jacket.
3) Michael Bastian Dinner Jacket – For evening wear with a festive twist, I am very much into this tartan shawl collar dinner jacket. The beauty of this piece is that you can wear it formally as shown above with ivory dress pants, but you can also dress it down with a bowtie, denim dress shirt, boots and cords, as seen in this excellent WSJ article on the topic. 
Read the rest of…
Julie Rath: Get this Party Started — What to Wear for Black Tie Optional and Creative Black Tie
By Michael Steele, on Thu Dec 13, 2012 at 3:00 PM ET This morning on a teleconference moderated by LEVICK’s Michael W. Robinson, former White House special counsel Lanny Davis, and former chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele nominated “Simpson-Bowles” to be TIME Magazine’s Person of The Year.
Michael stated, “It reflects the bipartisanship the American people are looking for, and would hope will emerge in Washington. At least two individuals put information in front of the American people that challenges the status quo. I highly support that and have been an advocate of the value that Simpson-Bowles brings to the debate.”
 Lanny added, “It is absolutely immoral to use credit cards to have our children pay for our debt. The one combination that won 60% in a bipartisan commission is Simpson-Bowles. This is a purple bipartisan moment. No political party has stepped up to the line. As TIME’S “Person of the Year,” this would be the moment to ask President Obama and Speaker Boehner to endorse this.”
Purple Nation Solutions is a D.C.-based strategic communications and public affairs firm founded by former White House special counsel and legal crisis management expert Lanny J. Davis and former RNC chairman, Lt. Gov. of Maryland Michael Steele. Situated in the heart of downtown Washington D.C., in proximity to Capitol Hill, the White House and federal regulatory agencies, we are a bipartisan, global, one-stop shop where law, media, and politics intersect.
LEVICK is the leading strategic communications firm that establishes and protects trust. LEVICK deploys uniquely qualified teams – armed with the instincts, influence, and experience needed to win your battles in an increasingly complex and challenging world.
By John Y. Brown III, on Thu Dec 13, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET 
#TeamJYB3
A change in strategy. The Rope-a-Dope diet.
Much like Muhammad Ali’s brilliant out-maneuvering of George Foreman in the famous Rumble in the Jungle boxing battle, I am
using Ali’s strategy to lull Jonathan Miller into a state of assumed victory (by overeating for several days).
 And then just when Jonathan Miller thinks he has it won, I will bounce from the ropes and like a man on a diet who both floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee, I will …..I will….practically starve myself for a flurry of days until I am declared the winner.
Geez. That’s a terrible strategy.
OK. Scratch that.
Guess I will eat Italian food today like Italians eat it. Not like an American eating Italian food. In other words, they don’t eat for the taste or to fill themselves up so much as because they just look really cool eating Italian food.
Hope that works.
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No other written entries today. Just a video that sums up my activities (and zeal for those activities) today. …
No further comment will be offered at this time.
By John Y. Brown III, on Thu Dec 13, 2012 at 12:00 PM ET Should it be called the new “Liger smartphone”?
I was excited about seeing the new Galaxy Note II –until I saw it, that is.
The new Samsung Galaxy Note II has the tag line: Is it a phone? Or is it a tablet?
They don’t elaborate, but could promote it adding:
Are you one of those people who is always saying, “I love my cell phone but sure do wish it were much bigger so it would be impossible to hold with one hand and comfortably carry with me.”
Or maybe you are one of those types who are fond of saying, “I love my iPad or PC tablet, but doggone it I sure do wish it was smaller so I’d have to squint to read the screen.”
Well….with the Samsung Galaxy Note II, you can finally have both!!!
That’s right, the Worst of BOTH worlds!!
Made my think of a scene from Napoleon Dynamite.
Liger: Part male lion and part tigress.
But nothing particularly special except they hadn’t been cross bread before and probably shouldn’t have been in the first place.
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Thu Dec 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET The Politics of Tech
Google has launched UAV Drones in South Africa in a concerted effort with the World Wildlife Fund to combat rhino poachers. [Fast Company]
Netflix ranks Google Fiber as the “most constantly fast ISP in America.” [Netflix]
iOS 6 maps has been accidentally leading people to the middle of a national park, according to police. Some stranded for 24hrs with no food or water. [Victoria Police]
In relation to the last story, Apple is allowing Google Maps to once again be downloaded on their App Store. [Lifehacker]
I love this headline so much, because it is crazy and fascinating simultaneously. Here it is: “Scientists plan test to see if the entire universe is a simulation created by futuristic supercomputers” [TechEye]
GE has developed a tiny, thin cooling device that could be used to replace loud, bulky fans in super-slim laptops and tablets. [ExtremeTech]
By RP Staff, on Thu Dec 13, 2012 at 9:15 AM ET In a week in which rumors were being circulated by well-respected Frankfort political insiders that The RP might be a candidate for U.S. Congress in Kentucky’s 6th District, The Recovering Politician has been leaked an incriminating picture of The RP, photographed next to a dead Hooker.
Hopefully, this will put to rest all rumors of The RP’s candidacy, allowing him next summer to defend his final table finish at the World Series of Poker, be made a fool on on national TV shows such as his recent appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and pontificate on controversial subjects such as marriage equality and marijuana legalization.
We now return to our regular programming…
UPDATE 9:16 AM
The RP (Jonathan Miller) issued an official statement on The Recovering Politician‘s huge scoop this morning:
I furiously deny ever knowingly having a picture taken of myself next to a dead Hooker. Perhaps it was a drug-induced blackmail plot by the Corleone family. More likely, it was a bad photo-shop job of my face on a picture distributed by “Weird Al” Yankovic.
 Regardless, under no circumstances will I be running for Congress next year, or for any elected office in the near future. Indeed, the earliest I ever would run would be the later of my turning 60, or my hair turning the “silver fox” gray color of our incumbent Governor. (See picture at right.)
Simply put, while I cherish my nearly two decades in the arena, I have never been happier than in the two years since I left.
The pressure inside the political bubble to constantly prepare for the next campaign is extraordinary — I can remember feeling like my life would have no meaning unless I moved up the political ladder.
Now safely outside, I chuckle at my younger self. There is so much more to life than politics. And there are so many opportunities to serve the public and my community without the burdens of being part of a broken system. And most importantly — the quality and quantity time I spend now with my wife, daughters, friends and family is simply invaluable and deeply cherished.
And all of them believe me about the picture with the dead Hooker. At least I hope so.
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