WP: On Right, Left, Time For Action: Groups Launch Long-Ready Efforts

[DeepModem Mom]

On Right, Left, Time For Action
Groups Launch Long-Ready Efforts

By Michael A. Fletcher and Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, July 20, 2005; Page A13


Just after learning that President Bush planned to nominate U.S. Court of Appeals Judge John G. Roberts Jr. for a seat on the Supreme Court, NARAL Pro-Choice America sent an electronic action alert yesterday to its 800,000-person network, encouraging members to call their senators and talk to friends about their opposition.

The abortion rights group also sent out 30,000 e-mails to its activists around the country last night, outlining talking points explaining its opposition to Roberts, and furnishing sample letters to be sent to local newspapers and background on the nominee. The group planned to follow up today with calls to its 27 national affiliates, keeping them abreast of any information that emerges about Roberts's record.

Conservative interest groups, meanwhile, voiced strong support for Roberts and began their campaign to support the nominee long before he was announced. Hours before Bush's announcement, Progress for America staff members were working in the 20th Street studios at Interface Media, preparing a biographical ad supporting the nomination that will be ready to air on cable television within 24 to 48 hours.

"We understand the crucial importance of defining the nominee before the opposition has a chance to," said Jessica Boulanger, the group's director of communications, who said the group is prepared to spend $18 million or more. "The amount we spend will be dictated by how much the left puts into fighting the nominee."

Groups on both sides have spent years preparing for this moment. Their legal experts have been poring over the records of close to 20 potential nominees, and organizers have spent countless hours in planning meetings and on conference calls to hone their message. Also, they have amassed huge war chests to finance television, radio and print ads to define the nominee in the public's mind....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/19/AR2005071901838.html

[bpilgrim]

1. "the Conservative interest group is prepared to spend $18 million or more"

that'll never compete with the www - lol

paging Dr. Dean... :evilgrin:

peace