If you're new to covering politics, one of the issues you may deal with is the press secretary, he or she who controls what comes out of a politician's office, news-wise. I asked Garrett M. Graff, my blog homey over at Fishbowl DC, about how he handles the situation down in DC. "I've worked both sides of the aisle on that one, and I have to say that it makes you a lot better at both jobs. Every working journalist should spend some length of time actually having to deal with the press and observing what babies/idiots far too many reporters are." He laid down some tips for all of us on getting what you want, without being a baby or an idiot:

1) Be nice. Being rude or snippy will get you nowhere -- especially with the person who answers the phone. The phone answerer is your only ally and if you're polite and respectful he or she can help grease the wheels internally. As a spokesperson, if one of the receptionists told me that someone was rude that generally said to me it would be a hostile interview and I was disinclined to respond.

2) Be persistent but not annoying. If you're trying to reach a busy office, you might have to call repeatedly. Don't take it personally. (On the Dean campaign, for instance, at the peak I was fielding up to 200 calls a day -- far more than any human could return even I had been so inclined.) Best times to reach someone, early in the morning or late in the day. You may voice displeasure at repeated unreturned calls, but don't ever forget #1.

3) Leave detailed (and honest) messages as to what your question involves. As a corollary, don't expect that getting a quote will be simple and automatic. While good press secretaries can speak at length on a number of issues, obscure or controversial topics might require some research before getting on the phone. Nothing's worse than finally getting a call returned only to see that the spokesperson can't answer it and has to call you back again. In a busy office, you may only get one call back so make you're not wasting their time and your opportunity.

4) If you can take basic information "on background" you might be able to get a faster response. If you don't need to have a quote and a name attached, but are looking for basic factual information, say so up front. The press office might be able to direct you to a policy person or assistant who can answer your questions without waiting for the official spokesperson.

If you make this deal, though, make sure to live up to it: There's no quicker way to burn a source and stop getting your calls returned than to quote someone you said you wouldn't.

5) Give as much lead time as you can. If you're not working on an immediate deadline, be courteous and call as far in advance as you can. If it's a complicated issue, it might actually take a couple of days to formulate a response so calling the day before your deadline might leave without a critical comment.

6) Be honest and open about your affiliation. Say up front what you're writing and for what publication. Don't try to be cagey with a spokesperson. That sets off warning bells and tells us to not give out information or not to return the call in the first place.

For the most part -- unless you're 60 Minutes, the New York Times, or the local paper -- spokespeople (and especially the people who answer the phone) don't really care where you're from so sputtering "Do you know who I work for?" won't help a lick. A friendly reporter from a weekly paper will get a faster response than a jerk from a daily paper.

7) If you can meet a spokesperson in person at least once, by all means do so. If you have developed a personal relationship with a press secretary you'll always get a faster response. Take them to lunch. Get a cup of coffee. Cultivate this over time. You want them to feel personally guilty about not returning a call.

8) Similar to #7 and #1, don't be afraid to send food. Cookies are always welcome. You may think I'm kidding. I'm not.

9) Do your research before you call. If you can find the answer in Google, you shouldn't be calling the press secretary. You're wasting their time and yours, and if you do this repeatedly say adios to prompt returned calls.

10) If you've screwed up and they complain, apologize and do what it takes it to make it better. Honest mistakes are an accepted part of the business, but good repair work will make your relationship better than before. A reputation as a sloppy reporter, though, will be a fast track to unreturned phone calls.

11) Related to #10, if a spokesperson calls to complain about a story and you haven't done anything wrong, say "I'm sorry you feel that way" but hold your ground. Sometimes they have to call because the boss ordered them to. You'll know it if it's such the case.

12) Related to #10 and #11, let bygones be bygones. A reporter's relationship with a press secretary is only as long as the last story and the next story. Don't hold a grudge.

If they blow you off on a story once or twice, don't hold it against them -- perhaps that "so and so's office did not return repeated calls for comment" line in your story was exactly what they wanted to see. Likewise if they call you to complain. There'll be a day soon where they need you or you need them again. Tomorrow's a new day.

13) Note that #1, #2, #3, #4, #6, and #9 are all corollaries of the over-arching rule: Don't do anything to set off warning bells in the mind of the press secretary. Don't give them an excuse to not return your call.

While the press secretary is talking to you, they are mentally calculating how much they can trust you, how smart you are, and how much you understand what you're writing about.

Spokespeople want to be your friend. It makes your job and their job easier. Let them trust you. Don't burn them unnecessarily. Be fair. Be smart. Don't be the reporter they roll their eyes at every time you call: "Oh, that reporter."