Re: Update on CO Lawsuit & Other Matters from CFVI

[Ralph Shnelvar <ralphs@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Bob:

On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 06:44:11 -0600, you wrote:

>Ralph,
>
>This is a politically powerful and media-rich suggestion.  Do you have any 
>connections to help make such an event happen?

Yes.  In fact there is a 10% chance I could pull the whole thing off by
myself.

I would guess that there is a 20% chance I could get the Independence
Institute to do it.  With Al's support, it would likely rise to 30%.  With
Doug Bruce's support (and that might be problematic) it would rise to 40%.

My connections with people on the political left are far more tenuous.
That's where I/we would need help from RMPJC.  What about contacting Peter
Maysmith of Common Cause?

In terms of a "media-rich" suggestion ... it might be but we would have to
weigh having publicity for this event against the purpose of this being a
technical meeting to educate the legislators.  Tough decision.

>
>I agree that my objectives for any rally include media reporting and not 
>simply attendance by the already-converted or coverage by a handful of 
>reporters that doesn't make it past the cutting room floor of the newsrooms.

Right.  TV, radio, and newspapers need to cover *news* and things that will
get their audience not to change channels.

As a separate subject, you might want to consider a media campaign called
"Sex in the polling booth."  It would be a tongue-in-cheek jab at "Well,
guess what the government is doing to the voters in the polling booth."

It's just a thought.

>
>I do know that there is a need for citizens groups to feel involved in doing 
>something that "feels good" but your observation about the political 
>significance of these two public policy groups and the attention they garner 
>from the politically connected in this state are right on.  Whether the 
>media would cover such a joint event is questionable, but if the powerful 
>are gathered in one room, hopefully the paparazzi come to watch.

I've seen half the legislature (uh, the Republican half) at the Independence
Institute (II) and there was no press.  In fact, I think the II makes an
effort not to have press there.

But this might be a horse of a different color.

In terms of rallying the troops, a coordinated campaign where people call
their legislators might be good.  You've got a sharp group of volunteers.
They'll understand that working smart and effectively is a hell of a lot
better than working hard and ineffectively.

>
>I would be willing to work on such an event, but would need a team to 
>support the logistics of such an event.  What do you think of getting a 
>group like League of Women Voters to endorse such an event?

The beauty of this is that there is almost no work.  The II organizes
conferences "all the time" and they are very good at it.

The hard work is convincing them (the II and Bell) to do it.  That requires
some political skill and, unfortunately, that is in short supply.

>
>Bob

Ralph

>
>>From: Ralph Shnelvar <ralphs@xxxxxxxxx>
>>Reply-To: ralphs@xxxxxxxxx
>>To: "Robert Mcgrath" <mcgrath_mcnally@xxxxxxx>
>>CC: m.eberle@xxxxxxxxxxxx, cvv-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, 
>>carolyn@xxxxxxxxx,        marypatee@xxxxxxxxxxx, 
>>kidsdiscoverydays@xxxxxxxxxxx,        ktpettis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, 
>>margie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, ekgoebel@xxxxxxxxx
>>Subject: Re: Update on CO Lawsuit & Other Matters from CFVI
>>Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 08:12:06 -0600
>>
>>Dear Bob:
>>
>>On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 22:27:26 -0600, you wrote:
>>
>>[snip]
>> >
>> >The other upcoming event is a rally planned for Wed. Sept. 29th, on the 
>>West
>> >steps of the State Capitol.  I would like to see us invite someone like
>> >David Dill or Bev Harris as a guest speaker for this event.  Carolyn can
>> >provide more details on th is event.
>>
>>I would strongly urge against this.
>>
>>First, it is ineffective.  Second, it burns people out.
>>
>>A far more effective use of Bev Harris's time would be to get her invited 
>>to
>>a joint seminar held by the Bell Policy Center and the Independence
>>Institute.
>>
>>If you are not familiar with these institutions then you should be.  The
>>Bell Policy Center is a left-leaning organization formed in response to the
>>highly effective Independence Institute.
>>
>>I know that the Independence Institute holds regular sessions for
>>legislators and they are well-attended.  I believe, but am not certain, 
>>that
>>the same is true the Bell POlicy Center.
>>
>>If we could pull it off, a combination of The Bell Policy Center
>>(http://www.thebell.org/) and The Independence Institute (www.i2i.org)
>>promoting Bev Harris to legislators would be news and highly effective ...
>>and it would not burn out the volunteers with a meaningless demonstration 
>>on
>>the capitol steps.
>>
>>Ralph Shnelvar
>>
>
>