Re: FFA

From:mpbonner@bonnergrp.com To: Anna.Burger@seiu.org, rmckay@mckayfund.org, tom@zzranch.com CC: michael.vachon@soros.com, john.podesta@gmail.com, avisher@democracyalliance.org Date: 2007-12-29 01:37 Subject: Re: FFA

This all sounds great. I do think the more we can stay away from a goal the better. We want to exceed expectations -- so the less they can pin us down the more likely we are to succeed. Since a signifigant part of the funds we are raising will go directly to the c4 and to field groups it will be hard for them to see the whole 200M even after we raise it! ----- I talked to Tom Hamberger today as well..on background. Worked hard to separate da from ffa. Talked about da as building long term progressive infrastructure. Some oartners not political but we all want ability to generate ideas and engage america in debate about what's good for people in america. Solutions for 21st century. I tried to focus him on FFA as a fundraising effort to support grass roots, community, issue bases organizations..... Encourage civic participation and the debate about critical issues. I talked about this was a support of democracy by educating and engaging voters before and after election day.. Said we were fundraising to support exisitng organization and build their capacity. I stayed away from Mattzie and messaging and kept focusing on grass roots voter engagement.. Anna Burger 202-730-7303 ----- >I am scheduled to speak with him tomoorow....doesn't sound like there is much else to cover. (I want to keep the distinction between DA and FFA clear for him.) I know he wants to discuss fundraising and budgets. I think we are best served by steering people away from the $200 million number. MV- for future reference you can send 527 media requests to Amy Dacey. Hamburger called my home recently. I will call him back and give him > nothing of substance on background just so he feels like I'm not > evading him. > > Media vs field isn't what is drawing attention. "527" is a tarnished > brand smartly attacked by the Right Wing since they use c4's, LLC's > and c6's as their vehicles which operate almost invisibly. > > The Republicans are trying to sniff out what is going on and frame > their attackers before the attacks start. (Like Obama is right now.) > > We are still staying silent on the work. There is no advantage to > discussing strategy one way or another in the media. However we should > fill the vacuum once the primaries subside. I think Hamburger has > enough to write on for now. > > > > On Dec 28, 2007 5:18 PM, Vachon, Michael <Michael.Vachon@soros.com> wrote: >> >> >> >> We should talk about how to respond to press on FFA. LA Times doing >> story. I >> spoke to Tom Hamburger off the record. Talked about Soros. Punted on DA >> and >> FFA per se. Explained background of GS involvement in 2004. Talked about >> AV. >> About getting folks to votes. Said GS wld be a big donor but not as big >> as >> 04. He was focused on Tom. And regulatory issues. Thinks donors shld be >> worried because of FEC rulings on ACT etc. I think we should refocus him >> on >> field/AV side of this. Away from Tom and c(4) . Talk about the civic >> virtue >> of getting people to vote. With Iowa, we shld be aware, lots of negative >> press generally on 527s. He was trying to write for this weekend. Don't >> know >> if he will. I am also trying to downplay Soros role. Donor, but not in >> the >> operational soup. Who is the official spokesperson for FFA? I am on >> vacation >> in EST zone. Available to discuss when needed. >> -------------------------- >> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld >> >