This email has also been verified by convio.net DKIM 1024-bit RSA key

Imitations

From:denise@progressnow.org To: john.podesta@gmail.com Date: 2013-09-03 12:00 Subject: Imitations

::: ProgressNow - Advancing Progressive Agendas, State by State ::: Dear Friends and Colleagues, They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, and if that's the case then Progress Michigan and Alliance for a Better Minnesota should be very proud of their work. In these two states right-wing groups have attempted to create communication organizations to counter our affiliates' work. As hard as the right wing may try they cannot stop what we do every day - make progress happen, and happen NOW. As always, let me know what you think, or even better, contribute to us here. http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=mPjvikS7BokVHPlstBWaXA Best, Denise Cardinal Executive Director ProgressNow ProgressNow Education Is the Michigan Freedom Fund the Conservative Response to Progress Michigan? On August 23rd's edition of Off the Record, Tim Skubick discussed what the struggle for power between Republican Party stalwarts and Tea Party activists means for Medicaid expansion in Michigan. Chad Livengood, a reporter at the conservative-leaning Detroit News, cited The Michigan Freedom Fund as evidence of a Republican party realignment. Specifically, he said "They've gone from Right to Work debate, to now being the conservative, right-wing answer to Progress Michigan." That's right - the fact that Progress Michigan is calling out Republicans and holding them accountable has inspired conservatives to attempt to do the same. http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=6mQYsTETfqRQIN2wCmSchA According to the Detroit News, the Michigan Freedom Fund has increased their capacity and staff members in order to branch out into political fights with Democrats. While promoting freedom might be the group's stated goal, it seems that their true intention is to attack Democrats. This includes Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi and gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer. Unlike Progress Michigan, the Michigan Freedom Fund's actions may be motivated by a fear of losing rather than a need for accountability. Their attempt to bring up seven-year-old campaign finance violations against Schauer shows that Republican Governor Rick Snyder is in trouble and is trying any tactic he can to paint Schauer in a negative light. http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=G2FkccWd8zZ91kew5hj1tA Right-Wing Groups Take Tips from Alliance for a Better Minnesota In Minnesota, right-wing groups have been attempting to copy Alliance for a Better Minnesota for years. This year, however, three groups have been successful in uniting corporate and business interests with common messages and themes. These include: Minnesota Jobs Coalition, United for Jobs, and Minnesota Action Network. The MN Jobs Coalition seems to be imitating ABM's rapid response use of social networks. Recently, they have been hitting Democratic Governor Dayton on Twitter about the farm equipment repair tax, "secret" trips, and regarding the Lieutenant Governor re-election. United for Jobs is a new advocacy organization that was formed during the 2013 legislative session. They represent corporate special interests and their main focus has been on taxes. This is seen in TV ads they ran against the Governor's tax bill that increased income taxes on the richest 2% of Minnesotans, and the petition they are currently running to repeal all three business taxes. http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=j2-AtJmymzsIE5TvWetHzw http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=ufShNHjdkaSMrmLHBnMe6A Lastly, the MN Action Network is the Minnesota arm of former Senator Norm Coleman's American Action Network. This group has been consolidating conservative power and building funds for paid election communications for next year. In a fundraising letter, media mogul Stan Hubbard and CEO Tom Rosen each committed $50,000 to flip the Governor's seat and legislature to Republican control. With conservative groups increasing their communication efforts, it is extremely important that we continue to hold right-wing groups and politicians accountable. http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=wMwhHyZ6wFQiNtxKq82Lrw http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=i71spodL9a1LWsLwE3e4HQ ::: Copyright 2012 ProgressNow Change your e-mail preferences or unsubscribe: http://www.pnstate.org/site/CO?i=LJzkbPbhQgFwp3so60apy2IGXu8Lfr2l&cid=0