[Lnc-business] Developing a regular process for funding Libertarian candidates and campaigns

Sat Sep 24 18:17:21 EDT 2016

Joshua since we do move so slowly (at times) and meet infrequently, I only
view it as "urgent" to the extent that I would like it function for next
year.  There may be some key races in these "off years" - and with this
infusion of energy, people, and  money, we can really be effective.

-- 
*In Liberty,*
*Caryn Ann Harlos*
Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
Harlos at LP.org
Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
<http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
<http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>

On Sat, Sep 24, 2016 at 3:24 PM, Joshua Katz <planning4liberty at gmail.com>
wrote:

> To clarify my position:
>
> I disagree on the matter of making empowered committees dependent on
> anything else, and on some of the substance of the transparency proposal.
> I'm working on an amendment.  At the same time, I am not treating the
> creation of the candidate committee as something urgent.  I want to have
> one, and in retrospect I wish we would have formed one earlier, but I do
> not foresee any chance it would make a difference this election cycle, so
> I'm fine with waiting on it, in order to make it active next cycle.  While
> it's been haphazard, I do think our consideration of the proposals given to
> us this cycle has focused our attention to where we have a better
> understanding of the priorities, and will be in a better position to define
> our strategic objectives and say what we want from such a committee than we
> would have been if we had to do it purely abstractly.
>
> Joshua A. Katz
> Westbrook CT Planning Commission (L in R seat)
>
> On Sat, Sep 24, 2016 at 8:48 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <
> carynannharlos at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> David,
>>
>> This probably got lost among the noise but back at our last meeting, our
>> Chair suggested the creation of this committee.  It lit my fire, and
>> Joshua's.  We both agreed. We had been having on and off discussions
>> off-list about co-sponsoring a motion to create such a committee.  I
>> communicated that I could not co-sponsor, and in fact will oppose the
>> creation of any future committees without either one of the following:
>>
>> 1. A general default transparency policy
>> 2. That committee voluntarily agreeing to transparency (though that is
>> problematic since future committee members are not bound)
>> 3. A very good reason why that particular committee should be exempt
>> (example: the APRC, though I am not convinced that one should be, it is an
>> example of an exempt committee)
>>
>> To work towards that end, I put forth my general default transparency
>> policy proposal.  It is a prerequisite for me to know how to proceed with
>> Joshua in making a proposal.
>>
>> We are perilously close to re-introducing an entrenched culture of
>> secrecy, and I will oppose that.  The expediency of needing a committee now
>> will not cause me to sell institutional culture down the river (in my view
>> - this is not intended as an insult against those who have good faith
>> disagreements).  Just as the expediency of needing a contract didn't.
>>
>>
>> --
>> *In Liberty,*
>> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
>> Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
>> Harlos at LP.org
>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
>> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
>> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Sep 24, 2016 at 7:34 AM, David Demarest <
>> dpdemarest at centurylink.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Caryn, I agree with your support for creating and staffing a candidate
>>> support committee. I assume that the set agenda for the LNC conference call
>>> meeting tomorrow evening dictates that discussion of creating a candidate
>>> support committee will have to wait for our face-to-face LNC meeting in
>>> Alexandria on December 10-11.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thoughts?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Libertarianism - Principle Before Party *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *The War on Majority Rule Authoritarian Cronyism Begins Now!*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ~David Pratt Demarest
>>>
>>> Secretary, Nebraska Libertarian State Central Committee
>>>
>>> Region 6 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (IA, IL, MN, MO,
>>> ND, NE, WI)
>>>
>>> Nebraska State Coordinator, LP Radical Caucus
>>>
>>> Cell:      402-981-6469
>>>
>>> Home: 402-493-0873
>>>
>>> Office: 402-222-7207
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* Lnc-business [mailto:lnc-business-bounces at hq.lp.org] *On Behalf
>>> Of *Caryn Ann Harlos
>>> *Sent:* Friday, September 23, 2016 10:24 PM
>>> *To:* lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>> *Subject:* Re: [Lnc-business] Developing a regular process for funding
>>> Libertarian candidates and campaigns
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am really in favour of a candidate support committee.  I have observed
>>> the affiliate support committee and been very impressed.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Sep 23, 2016 at 9:15 PM, Starchild <sfdreamer at earthlink.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I continue to feel inadequately informed to vote on these various
>>> requests for funding, and feel that we ought to try to develop a fair,
>>> equitable, and predictable process for the LNC to handle funding requests
>>> from state affiliates, LP candidates, and so on.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> One aspect of this that occurs to me is that while things like lawsuits
>>> and outreach events can happen unpredictably throughout the year, most
>>> general elections happen in November. For that campaign cycle, at least, I
>>> think a promising method for making funding decisions might be to establish
>>> two or three pre-announced funding periods during which times any LP
>>> candidates interested in obtaining funding from the LNC would be invited to
>>> submit their requests. For instance, we might hypothetically designate the
>>> 2nd week in June (after primaries are generally over), the 1st week in
>>> August, and the last week in September as periods for applying.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> For each of these periods, we could budget a total amount of funds to be
>>> distributed, based on our current resources, and announce the availability
>>> of these funds, along with the requirements and deadlines to apply for a
>>> portion of them. Appoint a committee to review all the applications
>>> received and make recommendations to the full LNC on how to divide up the
>>> pile of funds available for that distribution period among the various
>>> campaigns that applied. Lay out a clear timetable – say a week for the
>>> committee to make its recommendations, and another week for the LNC (to
>>> whom the applications would also be made available as they are submitted)
>>> to meet electronically or in person, debate and vote on any amendments to
>>> the committee's recommended disbursements, and get checks sent out – so
>>> that campaigns would know when to expect the requested funds, if any.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> To apply for funding, campaigns could be asked to fill out a standard
>>> form (available on LP.org and perhaps printed in LP News) providing
>>> information such as name, office sought (partisan or non-partisan),
>>> campaign website, and responses to a number of questions such as:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> • How much money are you requesting?
>>>
>>> • How would you plan to spend these funds (be specific)?
>>>
>>> • How useful would it be to your campaign if you are only granted a
>>> portion of the funding you request?
>>>
>>> • Where do you fall on the Nolan Chart (submit filled-out quiz with
>>> application)?
>>>
>>> • What are your three top campaign issues?
>>>
>>> • What campaign promises have you made?
>>>
>>> • How much press has your candidacy received (include links/clippings)?
>>>
>>> • Has there been any polling in your race, and if so, what were the poll
>>> results (sources/numbers/dates)?
>>>
>>> • How much money have you raised so far, and on what has it been spent?
>>>
>>> • What are the legal restrictions on how much you can raise and spend?
>>>
>>> • Who are your opponents and how much have they raised and spent?
>>>
>>> • Besides trying to get you elected, what is your campaign doing to
>>> build the Libertarian Party and advance the cause of freedom?
>>>
>>> • Please list at least one reference other than a family member who can
>>> vouch for you and your campaign and confirm as much of the information
>>> you've provided here as possible.
>>>
>>> • Will you provide to the LNC within 30 days of the election a report on
>>> how your campaign went, and how the money granted to you by the party was
>>> spent (being specific)?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Some of the above questions clearly relate to candidates and would not
>>> be relevant to ballot measure campaigns seeking to defeat or enact a
>>> particular proposal. For those types of campaigns, there might be other
>>> questions not applicable to candidates, such as:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> • Please provide the text of the measure in question (can be a web link)
>>>
>>> • Please provide a list of the groups and prominent individuals
>>> supporting the measure in question, and a list of the groups and prominent
>>> individuals opposing it
>>>
>>> • What is your assessment of the impact that passing this measure would
>>> have?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I would propose that campaigns not be deemed automatically ineligible
>>> for funding as a result of failing to provide any particular requested
>>> information, but obviously the LNC and the members of its appointed
>>> subcommittee would be likely to take the completeness of information
>>> provided into consideration when making their decisions.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What do other LNC members think of this as a general approach for
>>> general election campaign/candidate funding? Any suggested modifications or
>>> additions?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Love & Liberty,
>>>
>>>                                     ((( starchild )))
>>>
>>> At-Large Representative, Libertarian National Committee
>>>
>>>                                  (415) 625-FREE
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sep 23, 2016, at 12:20 PM, Daniel Hayes wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The initial request was for $12,000 for a television campaign and now
>>> has been lowered to $5000.  I don't understand how either amount of money
>>> on television can have any demonstrable effect on an election.  While this
>>> opponent may have poor name recognition the Democrat Party has an extreme
>>> hold on the vote process in Massachusetts.  How much money has Mr. Simmon's
>>> raised for his campaign so far? This is always one of the considerations I
>>> use when considering a donation to a candidate.
>>> Also, as Whitney has stated, Mr. Simmons says he needs the entire
>>> $12,000 from National.  That isn't legal.  There are ways around things but
>>> that all takes extra time.  Even if members cosponsored this it would still
>>> be at least a day before it even started being voted on and then would take
>>> up to 10 days after that.  This motion doesn't meet the amount he says he
>>> MUST have from the LNC and doesn't meet his time frame.  I wish luck to Mr.
>>> Simmons in his campaign but I don't think we can help him.
>>>
>>>
>>> Daniel Hayes
>>> LNC At Large Member
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sep 23, 2016, at 11:01 AM, Caryn Ann Harlos <carynannharlos at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Just bringing up the immediate practical concerns.  It takes day to get
>>> co-sponsors, if they can be gotten and ten days for an email vote which
>>> already puts this past any week deadline.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> We need a Candidate Support Committee badly.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Sep 23, 2016 at 11:54 AM, Patrick McKnight <
>>> patrick.joseph.mcknight at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> I am seeking cosponsors of my amended motion to allocate $5,000 in
>>> support a TV ad for Thom Simmons. Thom is running for Congress in western
>>> Massachusetts. http://simmons4congress.com/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am forwarding the attached storyboard for Thom Simmons' proposed ad.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From Thom regarding the storyboard:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "They are looking at three different ads that would cover western
>>> massachusetts (Berkshire region), which, incidentally, would also spill
>>> over into NY and VT - which could only help with Alex Merced's Senate race
>>> and the J/W campaign in Vermont as I do not shy away from the Libertarian
>>> label. :-)
>>>
>>> The first and third require some explanation, as they are unique: they
>>> are REVERSE attack ads, meaning: at first, they start out dark as if they
>>> are an attack ad against me, with the voice over saying something such as,
>>> "he wants to end common core.."  The idea is to get people to say to
>>> themselves, "yeah, me too!"  and then end by showing people they agree with
>>> me and the LP after they have already said this on their own heads.
>>>
>>> The second ad plays on the print media, which has called my opponent
>>> "disappearing," "missing" etc, by showing him and then fading out.  It is
>>> the single biggest factor in this campaign, as the Berkshires - dems, reps,
>>> Inds...are LIVID at his inattention to that portion of the district.
>>>
>>> This could be a gamechanger.
>>>
>>> I realize that everyone wants money - and I will be blunt: if we are to
>>> do this, I need $12,000 for the full campaign from National. And I need to
>>> know within a week to get into production.
>>>
>>> I would appreciate it if you could bring this to the attention of the
>>> powers that be in the LP, and see we can get them to invest in my
>>> campaign.  The Mass State Cmte is fully aware of, and supports this
>>> request."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "We're talking five weeks of three ads.  There is no realistic way to
>>> know what percentage of the electorate will see them, except that the only
>>> TV in western Mass is Cable and they are working through the Cable system,
>>> so ANYONE watching TV will see them.  Of course you can see the ad, I can
>>> not produce the ad without knowing I have the funds to do so!  The
>>> Storyboards give a general idea...we cant expect scripts or more polished
>>> ads if we cant guarantee to pay the studio.
>>>
>>> Most important, there will NOT be a "sea" of political ads:  NO ONE is
>>> spending TV time in Massachusetts, as there are NO OTHER CONTESTED RACES in
>>> western Mass!  The Presidential campaigns are not even spending money in
>>> Mass."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you for your consideration of this matter,
>>>
>>> Patrick McKnight
>>>
>>> Region 8 Rep
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: *Thomas Simmons* <simmons4congress at gmail.com>
>>> Date: Tue, Sep 13, 2016 at 11:59 AM
>>> Subject: Fwd: Simmons rough storyboard concepts
>>> To: patrick.mcknight at lp.org, Larry.Sharpe at lp.org
>>>
>>> Patrick and Larry,
>>>
>>> I am forwarding the very rough storyboard mockups from
>>> WeThinkAdvertising in Schenectady, NY, with whom I met last week for a
>>> possible TV Ad campaign.
>>>
>>> They are looking at three different ads that would cover western
>>> massachusetts (Berkshire region), which, incidentally, would also spill
>>> over into NY and VT - which could only help with Alex Merced's Senate race
>>> and the J/W campaign in Vermont as I do not shy away from the Libertarian
>>> label. :-)
>>>
>>> The first and third require some explanation, as they are unique: they
>>> are REVERSE attack ads, meaning: at first, they start out dark as if they
>>> are an attack ad against me, with the voice over saying something such as,
>>> "he wants to end common core.."  The idea is to get people to say to
>>> themselves, "yeah, me too!"  and then end by showing people they agree with
>>> me and the LP after they have already said this on their own heads.
>>>
>>> The second ad plays on the print media, which has called my opponent
>>> "disappearing," "missing" etc, by showing him and then fading out.  It is
>>> the single biggest factor in this campaign, as the Berkshires - dems, reps,
>>> Inds...are LIVID at his inattention to that portion of the district.
>>>
>>> This could be a gamechanger.
>>>
>>> I realize that everyone wants money - and I will be blunt: if we are to
>>> do this, I need $12,000 for the full campaign from National. And I need to
>>> know within a week to get into production.
>>>
>>> I would appreciate it if you could bring this to the attention of the
>>> powers that be in the LP, and see we can get them to invest in my
>>> campaign.  The Mass State Cmte is fully aware of, and supports this request.
>>>
>>> Thanks for anything you can do for me.
>>>
>>> Thom Simmons
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>> From: *Theresa Smolen* <tsmediaconsulting at gmail.com>
>>> Date: Fri, Sep 9, 2016 at 1:24 PM
>>> Subject: Fwd: Simmons rough storyboard concepts
>>> To: simmons4congress at gmail.com
>>>
>>> Hi Thom, (We have another Simmons we have dealt with in the past - I
>>> apologize for my last email with Scott in the greeting!)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Here are three commercial concepts.
>>>
>>> They are very rough at this point. We will need more/better photos of
>>> you if you have more, so we can put together nicer storyboards for you to
>>> present.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Let us know what you think!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you,
>>>
>>> Theresa
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Theresa Smolen
>>> Project Manager
>>> We Think Advertising
>>> 426 State Street, 3rd Floor
>>> Schenectady, NY 12305
>>> 518.810.8760 cell
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This E-mail and any of its attachments may contain We Think Advertising
>>> proprietary information, which is privileged, confidential, or subject to
>>> copyright belonging to We Think Advertising. This E-mail is intended solely
>>> for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you
>>> are not the intended recipient of this E-mail, you are hereby notified that
>>> any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to
>>> the contents of and attachments to this E-mail is strictly prohibited and
>>> may be unlawful. If you have received this E-mail in error, please notify
>>> the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy of
>>> this E-mail and any printout.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Begin forwarded message:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From: *Christopher O'Reilly <coreilly at wethinkauto.com>
>>>
>>> *Subject: **simmons*
>>>
>>> *Date: *September 9, 2016 at 1:12:28 PM EDT
>>>
>>> *To: *Theresa Smolen <tsmediaconsulting at gmail.com>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Christopher J O'Reilly
>>> President
>>> We Think Auto
>>>
>>> (518) 281-5540
>>> coreilly at wethinkauto.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> www.wethinkauto.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Website: Simmons4Congress.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> *In Liberty,*
>>>
>>> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>>>
>>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
>>> Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
>>> Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>>>
>>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
>>> <http://www.lpcolorado.org/>
>>>
>>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
>>> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org/>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lnc-business mailing list
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>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> *In Liberty,*
>>>
>>> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>>>
>>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
>>> Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
>>> Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>>>
>>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
>>> <http://www.lpcolorado.org>
>>>
>>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
>>> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Lnc-business mailing list
>>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> *In Liberty,*
>> *Caryn Ann Harlos*
>> Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska,
>> Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
>> Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
>> Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
>> <http://www.lpcolorado.org>
>> Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
>> <http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Lnc-business mailing list
>> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
>> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Lnc-business mailing list
> Lnc-business at hq.lp.org
> http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org
>
>

-- 
*In Liberty,*
*Caryn Ann Harlos*
Region 1 Representative, Libertarian National Committee (Alaska, Arizona,
Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington) - Caryn.Ann.
Harlos at LP.org <Caryn.Ann.Harlos at LP.org>
Communications Director, Libertarian Party of Colorado
<http://www.lpcolorado.org>
Colorado State Coordinator, Libertarian Party Radical Caucus
<http://www.lpradicalcaucus.org>
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