Rich Liberals Vow to Fund Think Tanks - WaPo

[rndmprsn]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/06/AR2005080600848.html

At least 80 wealthy liberals have pledged to contribute $1 million or more apiece to fund a network of think tanks and advocacy groups to compete with the potent conservative infrastructure built up over the past three decades...

...The goal of the alliance, according to organizers, is to foster the growth of liberal or left-leaning institutions equipped to take on prominent think tanks on the right, including the Heritage Foundation, the Hoover Institution, the American Enterprise Institute and the Cato Institute, as well as such training centers as the Leadership Institute and the Young America's Foundation...

..."There never has been an organized or coordinated look at connecting the dots of the progressive movement," said San Francisco businessman Mark Buell. He and his wife, Esprit de Corps founder Susie T. Buell, are major Democratic donors. Mark Buell, an alliance board member, said: "For 40 years, we had a voice somewhere, the White House, Congress, the Senate. For the first time, we find ourselves without a voice."...

...Stein, who closely examined the finances of institutions on the right and left over the past two years, contends that there is a huge financial imbalance favoring conservatives that he puts at $295 million vs. $75 million.

In 2003, the 19 progressive organizations with budgets exceeding $1 million spent a total of $75 million, he said. In contrast, the 24 national think tanks on the right had $170 million in spending, along with state-based policy centers' $50 million and campus-based conservative policy organizations' $75 million to $100 million, according to Stein.

Liberal groups have been disproportionately dependent on one-year foundation grants for specific projects, Stein said, while the money flowing to conservative groups has often involved donors' long-term commitments with no strings attached. Stein noted that of 200 major conservative donors, about half sit on the boards of the think tanks they give to, increasing the strength of their commitment.

[gort]

1. We need Exit Polls

The media has abandoned us. Exit polling is very expensive. If these people really care they need to put their money into paying for exit polls.

I would contribute to any foundation that would hire an firm to do exit polls.

[Eric J in MN]

6. It sucks that there were No Exit Polls in the Paul Hackett race, and

only one company with public Exit Polls in 2004 (Mitofsky).

I've seen posts that internal Exit Polls by the Republicans and Democrats on Election Day 2004 showed Kerry winning.

I wanted Zogby to do an Exit Poll on Election Day 2004, and when I wrote them they said they would need to be hired, and my attempts to find someone to hire them were unsuccessful.

[jillan]

2. This is awesome news!!!!

I'm so used to getting mad these days, that I first thought this was about republican think tanks!

The democratic party needs unity. A big tent for all of us to fit in...from the very left, all the way to the middle.
We need a common ground, and a strong message. That's the only way we are going to gain control.

I always say that the only good thing about Kerry losing, is that it gave us the kick in the butt that we all needed. This party has never been stronger, and to have some funding behind us! Look out rethugs, your days are numbered!

[rndmprsn]

5. agreed...after i read lakoff's book

i thought building a progressive-think-tank-parallel-universe to counteract the rethugs 30 year head start on us...was one of the most important things we needed to do.

we need to get our guys in the press, punditry, editorialists, foundations, radio, etc

[idlisambar]

3. could be a good development

It is certainly necessary but I am not sure if it is going to be sufficient. One problem is that "rich liberals" tend to share a lot in common with "rich conservatives" when it comes to economic issues. This could push the party further away from its traditional base in workers, and more toward the corporate/Wall Street interests.

[rndmprsn]

4. AM kick

[FreeStateDemocrat]

7. 20 years too late, neo-cons have already executed their takeover plan.

[HootieMcBoob]

8. yeah, you're right...

I guess we should just give up...:sarcasm:

If you as me it's about damn time.

[jillan]

9. I have to disagree - Now it is OUR time

Thanks to the idiots running our country, and the anger building up all over America, the Dems have the opportunity to turn things around. imo

[I Have A Dream]

10. I think that this is one of the most important things that we can do.

I'm extremely happy to hear this. We need to have some of the best liberal/progressive/populist minds getting together every day to address the long term issues facing our country. This is where the right is beating us right now, in my opinion.

[Ready2Snap]

11. It wouldn't be a bad idea

to start a company to compete with Diebold or help an existing company,
say the guys who build and service slot machines or ATMs.

There is plenty of brain and man power out there to implement this quickly.
We can't afford to lose another election to the rampant fraud being perpetrated by the neo-cons and their minions in the vote manipulating business.

P.S. - Does anyone know if a recount or investigation is being called for re: OH-02; Hackett's Charge.
From what I've heard some 3,000 votes for Schmidt appeared at the 11th hour.
This shit has got to stop!