What to do and when to tweet: House Republicans get marching orders

All that's missing from the e-mail to House Republicans detailing "WEEK ONE SUGGESTED COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES" is instructions for calling their spouses about when they'll be home for dinner.

In the e-mail from the House Republican Conference, when and what to send out by press release or post to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and congressional websites is spelled out in great detail, day by day, Wednesday through Friday. There is a "member checklist" to measure progress at week's end.

The e-mail reflects a powerful and superior messaging operation that helped the GOP seize control of the House in 2010.

For example, the suggestions/instruction for swearing-in day on Wednesday went something like this:

Take oath of office.

Send oath of office news release and photo to local papers.

Post ceremonial oath of office picture taken by staff to Facebook.

Tweet link to oath of office photo, possible themes: "Humbled by the responsibility of representing people of the district." and "Excited by the opportunity to serve with the conservative majority."

Post oath of office photo and news release to congressional website.

Theme/Messaging: This week, House Republicans will begin to keep our Pledge to America by changing the way Congress works.

And so on.

Interested in "extra credit?" The guidelines suggest: Publish a column in a local paper, meet with an editorial board, or hold a tele-town hall.