tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19333001431598972412024-03-12T16:23:10.892-07:00The Campaign Finance Reformers Blog (old)For amplifying the voices and effectiveness of campaign finance reformers nationwide. To get started, click on Label "A. Purpose of this blog" Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-80649529797327318632015-05-28T14:09:00.002-07:002015-05-28T14:44:57.720-07:00Transition to new URL nameThe Campaign Finance Reformers Blog has heretofore been published using the URL name <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/">http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/ </a>.<br />
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<a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a> has requested that this URL name be changed so that the URL name does not include "mayday." To accommodate MAYDAY's request, I am changing the URL name to <a href="http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/">http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/</a>.<br />
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Blog postings in The Campaign Finance Reformers Blog will hereafter be made using the URL name <a href="http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/">http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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To avoid broken Internet links, The Campaign Finance Reformers Blog that has heretofore been published using the URL name <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/">http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/ </a> will be preserved.<br />
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Posts hereafter made using the URL name <a href="http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/">http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/</a> may contain links to that which is preserved under the URL name <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/">http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/ </a>.<br />
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Hopefully this transition to the URL name <a href="http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/">http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/</a> will be reasonably seamless, and broken Internet links will be avoided in the transition.<br />
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This entry is being posted under both URL names.<br />
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To help keep you straight, in the blog title above, I have put "(old)" for the blog under the <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/">http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/ </a> URL name, and I have put "(new) in for the blog under the <a href="http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/">http://campaignfinancereformers.blogspot.com/</a> URL name.Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-75758130134407092532015-05-26T15:03:00.001-07:002015-05-30T03:34:28.032-07:00Do you agree with the MAYDAY Team?In the past week, I tweeted about frustration with MAYDAY's congressional calling campaign, and suggested that an impediment was MAYDAY's unwillingness to confront, decide and state expressly on its website what limitations there are on MAYDAY's efforts by reason of the Federal campaign finance "coordination" rules. (See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/mayday-and-coordination-rules.html">MAYDAY and the "coordination" rules</a>.)<br />
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Two reply tweets I received prompted me to post <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/how-do-you-build-movement.html">How do you build a movement?</a> and to tweet links to that.
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Today I received the below tweet from the MAYDAY Team saying I was banned for spamming.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06">@RobShattuckAL06</a> not affecting efforts at all. this is an issue only for you. but you were banned bc of spam, not being a candidate.</div>
— MAYDAY.US (@MAYDAYUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS/status/603285666798022656">May 26, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Ten days ago I posted <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/spreading-mayday-via-twitter.html">Spreading MAYDAY via Twitter</a>, which sought to obtain discussion and views about my tweeting. This was not the first time I tried to put the same up for discussion.<br />
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Now that the MAYDAY Team has spoken and said I have been banned for spamming, I wish to resume solicitation of discussion about this matter.<br />
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To me it seems that it should be fairly easy for you to make your own evaluation of this.<br />
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First, evaluate for yourself how you think the MAYDAY Team and its use of the social media are doing as MAYDAY goes about trying to "rally the most effective, targeted citizen lobbying campaign we can to close the gap on reform," having as a goal to recruit 70 members of Congress to support fundamental reform. In making your evaluation, you might find helpful <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/hows-madydays-rallying-going.html">How is the MAYDAY rally going?</a><br />
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Please note the "Help us recruit more people to help" request in <a href="https://mayday.us/take-action/#spread-the-word">3. Spread the Word</a> of the "Take Action" webpage on the MAYDAY site, and see what you can find in the MAYDAY social media evidencing recruiting efforts (other than by myself) going on for MAYDAY.<br />
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Compare the messaging that MAYDAY team has done with the messaging I have done by means of my tweeting.<br />
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My tweeting has attracted a great deal of interest from MAYDAY supporters and supporters of other campaign finance reform organizations. This interest has been manifested by hundreds of retweets, favoritings, follows, etc., and thousands of page views of links to my blog that I have been tweeting. A partial listing of blog entries and numbers of page views is as follows:<br />
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<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/if-you-want-to-go-outside-box.html">If you want to go outside the box</a> 164 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/start-your-districts-cfr-campaign-this.html">Start your district's CFR campaign this weekend</a> 566 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/you-be-congressional-candidate.html">You be a Congressional candidate</a> 503 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/help-maydays-congressional-calling.html">Help MAYDAY's Congressional calling campaign</a> 539 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/report-on-tweettodefeatmoney.html">Report on #TweetToDefeatMoney</a> 365 page views<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1933300143159897241#editor/target=post;postID=8888064518651162756;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=23;src=postname">#TweetToDefeatMoney, Tweet Sheet 1</a> 621 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-question-re-maydays-2015-plan.html">MAYDAY's 2015 plan and public mobilization</a> 1863 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html">I tweet to defeat the money monster</a> 1193 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/to-cfr-organizations.html">To campaign finance reform organizations</a> 819 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/update-for-reweeters-etc.html">Update for reweeters, etc.</a> 1261 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/02/tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html">Tweet to defeat the money monster</a> 2508 page views<br />
<a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/02/tweeting-launch-of-stage-two.html">Tweeting launch of stage two</a> 1175 page views<br />
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I have informed MAYDAY and the MAYDAY team many times about my tweeting and about the interest my tweeting was attracting from MAYDAY supporters and from supporters of other campaign finance reform organizations. MAYDAY never expressed any encouragement of my work or any interest in the positive results my work was achieving, and steadfastly declined to engage in any discussion about the benefits versus disadvantages of my tweeting.</div>
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As indicated in <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/how-do-you-build-movement.html">How do you build a movement?</a>, I was prepared to chalk up MAYDAY's nonresponsiveness to limitations MAYDAY felt it was constrained by under the Federal campaign finance "coordination" rules.<br />
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The MAYDAY team has now said, no, that is not the reason, and I have been banned because of my spamming.<br />
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I acknowledge that some people have strong negative reactions to receiving unsolicited tweets from tweeters they do not know, and some of those people may even oppose campaign finance reform because I have tweeted to them. This has been very minuscule in my experience.<br />
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That very small downside needs to be weighed against the benefit of inspiring greater interest and activism by MAYDAY supporters and other campaign finance reformers, and ultimately of spreading the MAYDAY name and the cause of campaign finance reform to the public generally. I cite the foregoing interest that my tweeting has attracted as demonstrating the benefits of the tweeting I am doing. You can do your own evaluation.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 5/27</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06">@RobShattuckAL06</a> This isn't new. Or shouldn't be. You were banned *last year* from fb for nonstop spam & self-promotion in unrelated threads</div>
— MAYDAY.US (@MAYDAYUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS/status/603615347300765696">May 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a> Thanks, but I think hundreds of reformers are supportive of my efforts. I will continue to try to grow that number.</div>
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/603642425157013506">May 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-48834150466740268992015-05-24T02:10:00.003-07:002015-05-26T15:21:53.076-07:00How do you build a movement?During the past few days, I have been tweeting about frustration with MAYDAY's congressional calling campaign, and suggesting that an impediment is MAYDAY's unwillingness to confront, decide and state expressly on its website what limitations there are on MAYDAY's efforts in 2015 by reason of the Federal campaign finance "coordination" rules. (See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/mayday-and-coordination-rules.html">MAYDAY and the "coordination" rules</a>.)<br />
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Two reply tweets I received used the word "movement." One of the reply tweets said "MAYDAY's a movement & not a campaign [I had used word 'campaign']." Professor Lessig was included as a recipient of this reply tweet, and he did a retweet of the reply tweet. </div>
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A second reply tweet said, "MAYDAY's grass roots movement is to stop big dark money from controlling our government. Your point confounds."</div>
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OK, let's discuss, "How do you build a movement?"</div>
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I have been trying arduously to contribute to "building a movement."</div>
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Please take a look at my blog entry <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/to-cfr-organizations.html">To campaign finance reform organizations</a> and click through some of the links set forth there. I think the same shows hard work by myself in trying to contribute to "building a movement."</div>
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For my hard work, I got no response from MAYDAY. See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/report-on-tweettodefeatmoney.html">Report on #TweetToDefeatMoney</a>.</div>
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What is the explanation for this?</div>
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I was prepared to chalk it up to the limitations on MAYDAY by reason of the "coordination" rules (per my discussion at <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/mayday-and-coordination-rules.html">MAYDAY and the "coordination" rules</a>).</div>
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If that, in the words of the second reply tweet, "confounds" regarding "MAYDAY's grass roots movement . . . to stop big dark money from controlling our government," then I am confounded.</div>
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How can MAYDAY be so unresponsive to my <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html">I tweet to defeat the money monster</a> efforts, as well as to other things I have been trying to do to help build a movement?</div>
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Please tell me.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Update 5/26 </span></b><br />
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See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/do-you-agree-with-mayday-team.html">Do you agree with the MAYDAY Team?</a></div>
Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-60273059608994516142015-05-20T04:45:00.002-07:002015-05-24T02:35:44.871-07:00MAYDAY and "coordination" rulesThere is frustration with MAYDAY's congressional calling campaign. See <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/36jbeu/im_frustrated_and_confused_are_we_too_lazy_to/">I'm frustrated and confused. Are we too lazy to reform government?</a><br />
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I suggest that an impediment is MAYDAY's unwillingness to confront, decide and state expressly on its website what limitations there are on MAYDAY's efforts in 2015 by reason of the Federal campaign finance "coordination" rules.<br />
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The reason I say this is that such unwillingness is keeping people from knowing about efforts being made by persons who are or may become Congressional candidates themselves, and people are further unaware that MAYDAY is not encouraging the efforts of these persons, even though these persons can contribute much more than average to MAYDAY's cause.<br />
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If people were informed about the foregoing, they could be more encouraged about MAYDAY's objectives, than is manifested by the above <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/36jbeu/im_frustrated_and_confused_are_we_too_lazy_to/">I'm frustrated and confused. Are we too lazy to reform government?</a> topic appearing on the Reddit.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Update 5/21</span></b><br />
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For current examples and information about efforts I am making that MAYDAY has not been encouraging about (presumably because of the "coordination" rules), see <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/spreading-mayday-via-twitter.html">Spreading MAYDAY via Twitter</a> and <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/hows-madydays-rallying-going.html">How is the MAYDAY rally going?</a><br />
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I believe, until MAYDAY decides and informs people what limitations there are on MAYDAY's actions by reason of the "coordination" rules, people will be ignorant or have distorted views about what MAYDAY is and is not doing in its campaign and whether there are things that need to be done outside of MAYDAY (because of the limitations on MAYDAY).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 5/22</b></span><br />
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I had this tweet interchange today:<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06">@RobShattuckAL06</a> MAYDAY's a movement not a campaign & supporters are kept well-informed via e-mails, blogs by <a href="https://twitter.com/lessig">@lessig</a> & a 'strategy' Reddit.</div>
— Anna Brock (@anna_brock) <a href="https://twitter.com/anna_brock/status/601690051454566400">May 22, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Professor Lessig retweeted Anna Brock's tweet, which I interpret as Professor Lessig adapting her tweet as his response as well to what I said in my tweet (including the link).<br />
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I am not sure how the response tweet should be interpreted.<br />
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As to whether a "movement" or a "campaign" is involved, Professor Lessig's email announcing the plan for 2015 said, "We are going to rally the most effective, targeted citizen lobbying <u>campaign</u> [emphasis supplied] we can to close the gap on reform." <a href="http://blog.mayday.us/post/117957056365/lawrence-lessigs-email-announcing-the-plan-for">http://blog.mayday.us/post/117957056365/lawrence-lessigs-email-announcing-the-plan-for</a><br />
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I don't think MAYDAY supporters have been well informed about the limitations on MAYDAY's conduct of its campaign growing out of the campaign finance "coordination" rules.<br />
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Perhaps MAYDAY does not think the limitations are of practical significance, and further thinks such limitations are so insignificant that MAYDAY supporters don't need to know what the limitations are, and MAYDAY need not say on its website (all as MAYDAY is interpreting the "coordination" rules for itself).</div>
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The starting limitation seems to be that Congressional candidates may not post on the MAYDAY social media or are subject to censoring by MAYDAY without supporters being informed about the censoring that is going on.<br />
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The foregoing leads to MAYDAY supporters being restricted in getting information about what Congressional candidates are doing and advocating to advance MAYDAY's objective, and about what MAYDAY internally thinks about the same, including whether or not MAYDAY believes particular actions or advocacy to be beneficial, or not, and should be encouraged and supported, or not. MAYDAY's silence on such matters is subject to misinterpretation by supporters, very likely in a negative way that MAYDAY's silence is to be interpreted as MAYDAY disapproving of particular actions or advocacy.<br />
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Let me give an example. There was a post <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/35fplt/have_you_called_congress_yet_why_not/">have you called Congress yet? why not?</a> three days ago on the Reddit. The post indicates that there was 1 comment, but that comment is not there now. The comment was by me, and it indicated the tweeting I had been doing to solicit Congressional calling by using the hashtags <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23readyforbernie&src=typd">#readyforbernie</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23stampstampede&src=typd">#StampStampede</a>, as is described in <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/hows-madydays-rallying-going.html">How is the MAYDAY rally going?</a><br />
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The comment was deleted by MAYDAY, and the deletion restricted supporters from learning about the tweeting I was doing, and from forming their own views about the type of tweeting I was doing, and deciding to do it themselves, or not.<br />
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Equally significant is that MAYDAY supporters are deprived of knowing what MAYDAY thinks about the tweeting I am doing.<br />
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MAYDAY supporters can decide for themselves whether they think any of the above is important for them to know, and whether they are being restricted in learning about the same.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Update 5/24</span></b><br />
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See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/how-do-you-build-movement.html">How do you build a movement?</a></div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-37908614839839982612015-05-16T05:18:00.001-07:002015-05-16T05:37:45.667-07:00Spreading MAYDAY via TwitterYour comments and suggestions are solicited about the use of Twitter to spread MAYDAY's name and message.<br />
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I am particularly interested in your views on the massive sending of unsolicited directed tweets to large numbers of Twitter users whom one does not know.<br />
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In the past year I have sent more than 25,000 tweets. Many of them have been sent by using Twitter follower lists, and sending the same tweet message to scores or hundreds of followers appearing on a Twitter follower list. In doing this, I have used many different follower lists. Also, I have been using hashtags and sending directed tweets to persons who tweet using a hashtag.<br />
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For months, I have been urging other campaign finance reformers to send tweets in the same way as I have been doing.<br />
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You can find recent examples of my tweeting described in my preceding blog entry <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/05/hows-madydays-rallying-going.html">How is the MAYDAY rally going?</a><br />
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If you are a MAYDAYer or other campaign finance reformer, what do you think of how the cause and the message you espouse are getting spread on Twitter if people are limiting themselves to tweets and retweets that are going only to their Twitter followers?<br />
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I acknowledge there is some spreading effect of tweets and retweets going to people's followers, but it seems slow and limited compared to massive direct tweeting to people who are not one's own followers.<br />
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I do not know of any other campaign finance reformers who have been sending tweets in the way I have been doing the past year.<br />
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I think if other campaign finance reformers started sending tweets the way I have been doing, there could be meaningful expansion of getting the cause and message out to the public.<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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Thanks.Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-40400890358038787172015-05-08T10:55:00.002-07:002015-05-14T16:32:19.794-07:00How is the MAYDAY rally going?On May 1st, MAYDAY announced its plan to "rally the most effective, targeted citizen lobbying campaign we can to close the gap on reform," having as a goal to recruit 70 members of Congress to support fundamental reform. See <a href="http://blog.mayday.us/post/117957056365/lawrence-lessigs-email-announcing-the-plan-for">Lawrence Lessig’s email announcing the plan for 2015</a><br />
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In response, there have a couple hundred tweets by supporters using the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Leader4Reform&src=typd">#Leader4Reform</a> and having the message, "<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Help </span><a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #66b5d2;">@</span>MAYDAYUS</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> recruit 70 more congressional leaders committed to fight political corruption. </span><a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leader4Reform?src=hash" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #66b5d2;">#</span><strong>Leader4Reform</strong></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="tco-ellipsis" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://goo.gl/RqP4kG" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/3j4NPoKlio" rel="nofollow" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="http://goo.gl/RqP4kG"><span class="invisible" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0px; line-height: 0; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://</span><span class="js-display-url" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">goo.gl/RqP4kG</span><span style="color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="invisible" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 0px; line-height: 0; line-height: 0; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span class="tco-ellipsis" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="invisible" style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 0;"> </span></span></a><span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>Yesterday, on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MAYDAYPAC/">MAYDAYPAC</a> Facebook page, Lee Woodsmall posted:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Hey! I want to know: Why haven't you called Congress yet? Why won't you call Congress? What would make you call Congress? Chances are, if you're reading this, you haven't done it. But it's what we need, and I want to know what we can do to motivate more people to get involved. I get it, calling Congress isn't sexy. It probably isn't your definition of fun. But it's the only thing they listen to other than $. We don't have $ to give, but we have our voice. Why not lend it to the cause? No wrong answers; I want honest feedback. Thanks!</span></blockquote>
Also, MAYDAY has called special attention to a post of a new supporter telling how she came to make a decision to call her Senators and Congresspeople. See <a href="http://blog.mayday.us/post/117863142630/call-my-senators-and-congresspeople-gulp">Call my Senators and Congresspeople!? Gulp.</a><br />
<br />
Most of the past week's postings on the MAYDAY Reddit have been "News & Views."<br />
<br />
For a couple weeks prior to May 1st, the MAYDAY team had a topic posted on Reddit <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/">Seeking citizen input on MAYDAY's goals in 2015</a>. The topic was kept at the head of the Reddit and received many comments and replies from supporters, who put forth numerous ideas and suggestions. When the May 1st announcement was made, the topic was demoted to a position on the second page of the Reddit listing. In the past week, the topic has received only one additional posting.<br />
<br />
The postings on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MAYDAYdotUS">MAYDAY.US Facebook page</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MAYDAYPAC/">MAYDAYPAC group page</a> have been largely informational, and little "rallying" has gone on, by MAYDAY and supporters who have posted on the Facebook pages.<br />
<br />
I pay particular attention to Twitter. During the past week, I have been watching the hashtags <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23getmoneyout&src=typd">#getmoneyout</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23maydayus&src=typd">#maydayus</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23maydaypac&src=typd">#maydaypac</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23leader4reform&src=tyah">#Leader4Reform</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23readyforbernie&src=typd">#readyforbernie</a>.<br />
<br />
I think other organizations and persons, and their supporters, are showing more activity and interest on Twitter than are MAYDAY and its supporters.<br />
,<br />
I think MAYDAY''s call to action could and should be doing better.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 5/10</b></span><br />
<br />
I am continuing the tweeting I started a week ago, which tweeting is indicated at <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/cqu53wz">http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/cqu53wz</a><br />
<br />
There are still tweeters tweeting about standing with Ben & Jerry against stupid tax cuts using the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23getmoneyout&src=typd">#getmoneyout</a>. To them, I am tweeting "Those who stand with B&J against tax cuts should <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CallCongress?src=hash">#CallCongress</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> to "get money out." <a href="https://t.co/1iplLKm7Za">https://mayday.us/take-action/#call-congress</a>"<br />
<br />
To tweeters using the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23readyforbernie&src=typd">#readyforbernie</a> hashtag, I am tweeting, "Those who are ready for Bernie should call Congress for MAYDAY.US to "get money out." <a href="https://t.co/1iplLKm7Za">https://mayday.us/take-action/#call-congress </a>"<br />
<br />
Only MAYDAY is in a position to investigate the extent to which my tweets have resulted in click throughs to the <a href="https://t.co/1iplLKm7Za">https://mayday.us/take-action/#call-congress</a> webpage. I estimate between 1 in 10 to 1 in 5 of the recipients have responded with a retweet, favoriting, follow, etc.<br />
<br />
I have no idea at this time whether my tweeting will produce any Congressional calling by recipients of my tweets.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 5/11</b></span><br />
<br />
Today, I replied on Twitter to numerous persons who evidenced interest in my tweet solicitations, and I included @MAYDAYUS on my reply so MAYDAY could see what results I was achieving.<br />
<br />
I will be an interested observer of whether the job position of Lead Developer for which MAYDAY posted a solicitation this afternoon at <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/35n00c/hiring_lead_developer_for_maydayus/">http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/35n00c/hiring_lead_developer_for_maydayus/</a> will give MAYDAY a boost.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Update 5/13</span></b><br />
<br />
The #getmoneyout hashtag continues very active. Yesterday evening I sent to the most recent tweeters who used #getmoneyout this tweet from me: "Please help "get money out" and call Congress for #MAYDAYUS. <a href="https://mayday.us/take-action/#call-congress">https://mayday.us/take-action/#call-congress</a>". I got responses back from some indicating interest, and I will pass these along to MAYDAY.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, yesterday, Lee Woodsmall's above post on Facebook was put on the Reddit as well, at <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/35fplt/have_you_called_congress_yet_why_not/">http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/35fplt/have_you_called_congress_yet_why_not/</a>.<br />
<br />
Further, MAYDAY initiated a weekly Citizen Town Hall on Tuesday evenings. Yesterday's Town Hall can be viewed at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHzgDsHx08I">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHzgDsHx08I</a>. In the Town Hall it was reported that 2400 people have signed the Lessig/McKinnon letter, 2500 persons have signed on as volunteers, and over 500 calls have been made to Representatives.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 5/14</b></span><br />
<br />
Now I am sending to tweeters who have used the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23stampstampede&src=typd">#StampStampede</a> hashtag this tweet: "Stamping stampeders should also call Congress with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23maydayus">#maydayus</a> to "get money out." <a href="https://mayday.us/take-action/#call-congress">https://mayday.us/take-action/#call-congress</a>.</div>
Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-73979842218010232552015-05-04T08:13:00.000-07:002015-05-04T15:27:34.611-07:00If you want to go outside the boxOn May 1st, MAYDAY launched its 2015 citizens' lobbying campaign to recruit <a href="https://mayday.us/">70 more members of the House of Representatives to support fundamental reform</a>.<br />
<br />
MAYDAY has set forth this <a href="https://mayday.us/take-action/">Take Action protocol</a> for citizen participation in the campaign.<br />
<br />
There is plenty for MAYDAY supporters to do there.<br />
<br />
If that does not satisfy and you would like to do more (go outside the box), I would like to throw something out for you.<br />
<br />
I think most agree that "fundamental reform" is a long shot. It is a long shot for MAYDAY, and it is a long shot for other campaign finance reform organizations that are hard at work on their various agendas for bringing about change.<br />
<br />
I would like to think that anything that adds to the collective efforts can help.<br />
<br />
I would like to add something related to MAYDAY's objective of recruiting 70 more members of Congress to support fundamental reform.<br />
<br />
Members of Congress have hundreds of appeals lapping at them from their constituents. The prime motivation of these Congresspersons was to get into office, and their prime motivation is to stay there. They are most responsive to their calculations of what will help accomplish that.<br />
<br />
"Fundamental reform" comes down to said calculations, meaning that "fundamental reformists" need to maximize impressing on the members of Congress that "this will affect you."<br />
<br />
"Fundamental reformists" are competing with hundreds of others in importuning their Congresspersons about many things.<br />
<br />
The adage of "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" should guide "fundamental reformists."<br />
<br />
A focal point for the "squeaking" by "fundamental reformists" is, I believe, very beneficial.<br />
<br />
Consider Bernie Sanders getting into the Presidential race. If you are a "fundamental reformist," aren't you going to look for ways to synergize your messaging with Bernie's candidacy?<br />
<br />
Think about it, and decide for yourself what you think of the benefit (or not) of having a candidate to be a focal point for campaign finance reform messaging.<br />
<br />
If you agree that candidates as focal points can be very helpful, please apply the idea at the Congressional level of MAYDAY's overall plan to elect a reform minded Congress by 2016.<br />
<br />
Can Congressional candidates be found who would be good focal points?<br />
<br />
I don't know, but I have been working on it.<br />
<br />
Please read and consider <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/you-be-congressional-candidate.html">You be a Congressional candidate</a>.<br />
<br />
Than tell me what you think.<br />
<br />
Thanks.Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-24693776581579828682015-04-25T13:34:00.003-07:002015-04-29T02:38:36.931-07:00Can MAYDAY do this?In its plan to elect a reform minded Congress by 2016, <a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a> will, on May 1st, launch a "platform to support the biggest citizen lobbying campaign we possibly can."<br />
<br />
The only component of the platform that has been made public thus far is a Congressional calling campaign in order to put members of Congress on "notice" and get on the "right side" of reform. A discussion of this is taking place on the MAYDAY Reddit at <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/">http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/</a>.<br />
<br />
I am pushing for the actions described at <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/you-be-congressional-candidate.html">You be a Congressional candidate</a> and <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/start-your-districts-cfr-campaign-this.html">Start your district's CFR campaign this weekend</a>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Can MAYDAY include the foregoing in the platform it announces on May 1st?<br />
<br />
Is it too ambitious? Is it premature? Would it be unproductive or counterproductive? Are there limitations under the "coordination" rules that make it unworkable? (See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/fresh-questions-about-coordination-rules.html">Fresh Questions About "Coordination" Rules</a>.) Would other CFR organizations be willing to help by urging their supporters to do volunteer Internet activity in their Congressional districts? Would other CFR organizations consider themselves limited in doing such urging by reason of the "coordination" rules?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 4/28:</b></span></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Would <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveToAmend">@MoveToAmend</a> urge its supporters to do Internet activity in their Cong'l districts to help MAYDAY do this: <a href="http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq">http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq</a>?<br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/592092952509304832">April 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Would <a href="https://twitter.com/RepresentDotUs">@RepresentDotUs</a> urge its supporters to do Internet activity in their Cong'l districts to help MAYDAY do this: <a href="http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq">http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq</a>?<br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/592093032893165568">April 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Would <a href="https://twitter.com/WolfPAChq">@WolfPAChq</a> urge its supporters to do Internet activity in their Cong'l districts to help MAYDAY do this: <a href="http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq">http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq</a>?<br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/592093284991836160">April 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Would <a href="https://twitter.com/StampStampede">@StampStampede</a> urge its supporters to do Internet activity in their Cong'l districts to help MAYDAY do this: <a href="http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq">http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq</a>?<br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/592093367544098816">April 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Would <a href="https://twitter.com/nhrebellion">@nhrebellion</a> urge its supporters to do Internet activity in their Cong'l districts to help MAYDAY do this: <a href="http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq">http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq</a>?<br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/592093445772038144">April 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Would <a href="https://twitter.com/takebackorg">@takebackorg</a> urge its supporters to do Internet activity in their Cong'l districts to help MAYDAY do this: <a href="http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq">http://t.co/iXN7jMg7Nq</a>?<br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/592093522980835328">April 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
Should CFR organizations cross-cultivate their supporters? See <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/cqq0z9a">http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/cqq0z9a</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 4/29:</b></span><br />
I believe <a href="https://twitter.com/RepresentDotUs">@RepresentDotUs</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StampStampede">@StampStampede</a> are reacting in a positive way to my importuning of them.<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-16244373710584577722015-04-24T06:57:00.002-07:002015-04-26T02:19:57.065-07:00Start your district's CFR campaign this weekendIt's not a big deal what I have proposed in <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/you-be-congressional-candidate.html">You be a Congressional candidate</a>.<br />
<br />
You can make a difference for campaign finance reform in your Congressional district.<br />
<br />
You don't have to be the candidate.<br />
<br />
Just start talking up the idea with your friends. Find people in your Congressional district who are willing to do volunteer Internet activity. It doesn't have to be a lot. Two hours a week by a volunteer would be meaningful.<br />
<br />
Deciding on who should be the candidate can come later.<br />
<br />
Getting organized is most important for now.<br />
<br />
Once you get going, things will come naturally.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Update:</span></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/can-mayday-do-this.html">Can MAYDAY do this?</a></span>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-87365752884427047202015-04-23T08:02:00.001-07:002015-04-24T07:48:14.660-07:00You be a Congressional candidateAs <a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a> starts its Congressional calling campaign in its plan to elect a reform minded Congress by 2016, please consider being a Congressional candidate yourself.<br />
<br />
This suggestion is not so ridiculous as you may think.<br />
<br />
Please consider some things.<br />
<br />
First, be a Congressional candidate who is not subject to the restrictions of Federal campaign finance law.<br />
<br />
So long as you don't raise more than $5000 in contributions or spend more than $5000 in doing your campaign, you are not a candidate subject to the restrictions of Federal campaign finance law.<br />
<br />
This can make you a valuable asset in the battle for campaign finance reform.<br />
<br />
The $5000 limit on expenditures will largely confine you to the Internet and social media, but I believe you can still play an important role.<br />
<br />
Under the Federal campaign finance law, the Internet, by reason of its democratic nature and low cost for anyone to use, is treated favorably compared to other forms of political advertising having a higher cost and being less democratically available for anyone to use.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.fec.gov/pdf/candgui.pdf">Federal Campaign Guide</a>, at page 40, says this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Internet Volunteer Activity<br />
General Exception<br />
An uncompensated individual or group of uncompensated individuals may engage in certain voluntary Internet activities for the purpose of influencing a federal election without restriction. These exempted Internet activities would not result in a contribution or an expenditure under the Act and would not trigger any registration or reporting requirements with the FEC. This exemption applies to individuals acting with or without the knowledge or consent of a campaign or a political party committee. 100.94 and 100.155. Exempted Internet activities include, but are not limited to, sending or forwarding electronic mail, providing a hyperlink to a website, creating, maintaining or hosting a website and paying a nominal fee for the use of a website.</blockquote>
The 2016 elections are possibly shaping up to make "money in politics" a significant issue that will receive much publicity. Early in her campaign, Hillary Clinton has injected into the political debate the matter of a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United case. Today's breaking story in The New York Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/cash-flowed-to-clinton-foundation-as-russians-pressed-for-control-of-uranium-company.html?_r=0">"Cash Flowed to Clinton Foundation as Russians Pressed for Control of Uranium Company"</a> will generate much public conversation about the role of "money in politics."<br />
<br />
Consider how you could play into the Congressional calling campaign MAYDAY is trying to get going. The calling campaign in your Congressional district needs callers, and the "money in politics" issue needs publicity in your district, and that can call attention to the calling campaign. Putting yourself out as a Congressional candidate (but not subject to Federal campaign law restrictions), and getting friends and others to engage in volunteer Internet activity, could, in a couple months time, achieve material visibility in your district.<br />
<br />
Think big. Think about campaign finance reformers in other Congressional districts becoming aware of what you are doing, and they say, "Hey, we (or one of us) can do this in our Congressional district."<br />
<br />
Wow, wouldn't that be something if this got going in scores or hundreds of Congressional districts in 2015?<br />
<br />
Double wow, I would say.<br />
.<br />
So, get going. become a Congressional candidate in your district.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EDIT 4/24: <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/start-your-districts-cfr-campaign-this.html">Start your district's CFR campaign this weekend</a></b></span>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-50701333638033703132015-04-20T06:41:00.001-07:002015-04-20T06:53:24.860-07:00Lessig speaks; please you call for MAYDAYLawrence Lessig speaks tonight at 7 pm in the Flatiron District in Manhattan. The speech is part of <a href="http://www.runwarrenrun.org/lessigrsvp/">RunWarrenRun</a>.<br />
<br />
Professor Lessig explains why Elizabeth Warren should run. In <a href="http://lessig.tumblr.com/post/114666004963/elizabeth-warren-should-run-for-president-ill">Professor Lessig's words</a>, Elizabeth Warren should run:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For the thing that she speaks so powerfully about — a rigged system — is rigged precisely because of the corruption caused by the way we fund campaigns. And yet, there is a significant chance that we Democrats will have a primary without any candidate who would even mention the issue, let alone commit to reform that might address it.<br />
<br />
Hillary Clinton is incredibly strong and incredibly smart. In normal times, she’d make an extraordinary president. But these are not normal times. And the corrupt system we have now was birthed under her husband’s watch. She (and he) have depended upon it to get to the place she is now. She had nothing but impatient scorn for Obama and Edwards when they pressed the issue in 2008. And she has offered nothing to demonstrate that she either gets it or cares about addressing it. Everything indicates that she believes she can govern effectively without removing this cancer that has compromised our democracy.<br />
<br />
She can’t.<br />
<br />
No one can (which is why we’re even seeing <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-03-10/lindsey-graham-is-campaign-finance-reform-curious">rumblings about the issue from the Right</a>). And what we desperately need now is a contest that will force the issue into the center, and give us at least a chance of addressing it in 2016.<br />
<br />
Yet we’re facing the prospect of a Democratic non-primary campaign, without a single debate, that generates a nominee who has not had to enlist the support of a grassroots movement. That’s a dangerous prospect, not just for Democrats but for our democracy.<br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Senator Warren wouldn’t just create the genuine, hard-fought primary contest that this country needs. She—and, I believe, she alone—could also galvanize the movement that we’ll need if the next president of the United States is to have a prayer of actually taking on this the hardest, most important issue of our generation — because only by solving this can we solve anything else.</blockquote>
If you don't know, tens of thousands of Americans are at work battling to defeat the corruption caused by the way we fund campaigns.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a> and its supporters are hard at work on this at the Congressional level.<br />
<br />
Please tweet to <a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a> and tell them you want to help out and you want to call your Representatives in Congress to ask them to support reform.Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-55782882478467535782015-04-17T02:18:00.000-07:002015-04-22T15:10:09.946-07:00Help MAYDAY's Congressional calling campaign<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>[</b></span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Update 4/22:</span></b> I am going to try again with the CFR organizations. It would seem so easy for them to tweet to their followers to let their followers know about MAYDAY's Congressional calling campaign, in case some would like to pitch in. Maybe the reason the organizations won't do this is they don't believe it would do one iota of good for MAYDAY and their own mission. Maybe the organizations believe that any good for MAYDAY would be offset by an undesirable distraction of their followers away from their particular CFR's activities. I don't know. It just seems worth another try with them.]<br />
<br />
To organizations and others out there who have grassroots action experience:<br />
<br />
MAYDAY is trying to start a Congressional calling campaign in order to put members of Congress on "notice" and get on the "right side" of reform. A discussion of this is taking place on the MAYDAY Reddit at <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/">http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/32pf6i/seeking_citizen_input_on_maydays_goals_in_2015/</a>.<br />
<br />
Can you organizations and others make suggestions for MAYDAY getting its Congressional calling campaign going?<br />
<br />
Concerning grassroots action such as the calling campaign, I have asked the question of how important is it that there be a "social" aspect.<br />
<br />
I gave as an example, the #RepDay15 of Represent.Us on Wednesday. Groups of people around the country got out with signs. The groups had a physical "social" aspect, which I think people like very much. The "socializing" was buttressed by sharing on Twitter. See <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23RepDay15&src=tyah">https://twitter.com/search?q=%23RepDay15&src=tyah</a><br />
<br />
Another example of the attraction of physical "socializing" seemed to me the NHRebellion walks.<br />
<br />
I don't think the "social" dimension must be physical, in person "socializing" in order to attract grassroots participation, but I think MAYDAY should give much thought to how to create a "social" dimension to the Congressional calling campaign MAYDAY wants to carry out.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Can you organizations and others who have grassroots action experience.offer any ideas to MAYDAY for its Congressional calling campaign?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope you do.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Update 4/18</span></b><br />
<br />
Yesterday, I sent the below tweets to organizations</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/takebackorg">@takebackorg</a>, help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> with ideas for Cong'l calling campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/getmoneyout?src=hash">#getmoneyout</a> <a href="http://t.co/0jhP270wyC">http://t.co/0jhP270wyC</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/589040835125059584">April 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/nhrebellion">@nhrebellion</a>, help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> with ideas for Cong'l calling campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHRebellion?src=hash">#NHRebellion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/getmoneyout?src=hash">#getmoneyout</a> <a href="http://t.co/0jhP270wyC">http://t.co/0jhP270wyC</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/589040614248873984">April 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/StampStampede">@StampStampede</a>, help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> with ideas for Cong'l calling campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stampstampede?src=hash">#stampstampede</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/getmoneyout?src=hash">#getmoneyout</a> <a href="http://t.co/0jhP270wyC">http://t.co/0jhP270wyC</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/589040075620556800">April 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/WolfPAChq">@WolfPAChq</a> , help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> with ideas for Cong'l calling campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wolfpac?src=hash">#wolfpac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GetMoneyOut?src=hash">#GetMoneyOut</a> <a href="http://t.co/0jhP270wyC">http://t.co/0jhP270wyC</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/589007302935482368">April 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveToAmend">@MoveToAmend</a> , help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> with ideas for Cong'l calling campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/movetoamend?src=hash">#movetoamend</a> <a href="http://t.co/0jhP270wyC">http://t.co/0jhP270wyC</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/589006863359873024">April 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/RepresentDotUs">@RepresentDotUs</a>, help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> with ideas for Cong'l calling campaign. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/representus?src=hash">#representus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/getmoneyout?src=hash">#getmoneyout</a> <a href="http://t.co/0jhP270wyC">http://t.co/0jhP270wyC</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/589006379509108736">April 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-58893178138180097852015-04-16T00:20:00.000-07:002015-04-16T00:54:05.375-07:00A startling day for campaign finance reformYesterday (Tax Day) was a startling day for campaign finance reform.<br />
<br />
For a prelude, Represent.Us had supporters around the country out with signs saying "Congress won't fix corruption. We will." An example is below. For more coverage, go to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RepDay15?src=hash">#RepDay15</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCqMr3FVEAAWkZB.jpg:large" /></blockquote>
<br />
Then, Doug Hughes blew things away by flying a gyrocopter through protected airspace and puting it down on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, to try to deliver 535 letters to 535 members of Congress in protest of "a corrupt government that sells out to the highest bidder." <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/ruskin-mailman-tries-flying-to-capitol-in-gyrocopter-to-deliver-campaign/2225584">http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/ruskin-mailman-tries-flying-to-capitol-in-gyrocopter-to-deliver-campaign/2225584</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="332" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" noresize="" scrolling="no" src="http://launch.newsinc.com/?type=VideoPlayer/Single&widgetId=1&trackingGroup=69016&siteSection=tbtimes&videoId=28899727" width="590"></iframe>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-6042627408094054222015-04-15T17:20:00.003-07:002015-04-15T17:37:37.595-07:00Circling on #TweetToDefeatMoney My last posting on this was <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/report-on-tweettodefeatmoney.html">Report on #TweetToDefeatMoney</a>, posted on March 27th.<br />
<br />
I have been particularly working on MAYDAY to get behind this, starting with this post on the MAYDAY Reddit: <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/300r1n/proposed_tweet_to_defeat_money_monster_tweeting/">Proposed Tweet to Defeat Money Monster tweeting campaign</a>.<br />
<br />
There has been great grassroots interest, as evidenced by scores, if not hundreds, of retweets, favorites, follows, and replies I have received from grassroots I have tweeted to.<br />
<br />
Please continue to try to help me, by pushing on your organization to support <a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23TweetToDefeatMoney&src=typd">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>, whatever your preferred organization is, be it <a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a>, <a href="https://movetoamend.org/">MoveToAmend</a>, <a href="http://represent.us/">Represent.Us</a>, <a href="http://www.wolf-pac.com/">WolfPac</a>, <a href="http://www.stampstampede.org/">Stamp Stampede</a>, <a href="http://www.nhrebellion.org/">NHRebellion</a>, <a href="http://www.takeback.org/">Take Back Our Republic</a> or other organization.<br />
<br />
Thank you.Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-71458285569222292712015-04-15T05:37:00.004-07:002015-04-15T06:04:11.881-07:00Would MAYDAY please clarify?I am trying to understand the limitations MAYDAY is imposing on itself under the "coordination" rules.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, on the MAYDAY Reddit, I posted a link to <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-limitations-of-mayday.html">The limitations of MAYDAY</a>. MAYDAY deleted my post, and I wish to understand why.<br />
<br />
It would be helpful if MAYDAY would expressly state whether or not there is an absolute prohibition that no candidate may post anything on Reddit.<br />
<br />
If there is not an absolute prohibition, would MAYDAY please state guidelines for what a candidate is allowed to post on Reddit.<br />
<br />
If there is a prohibition that a candidate may not post on Reddit, would MAYDAY please state whether MAYDAY will take any steps to prevent the candidate from tweeting to MAYDAY followers on Twitter (i.e., will MAYDAY block a candidate from accessing MAYDAY's Twitter account page and its follower list)?<br />
<br />
Will MAYDAY seek to regulate how candidates use the MAYDAY name, such as if a candidate says to the voters in the district that he or she will best advance MAYDAY's objectives? If MAYDAY will seek to regulate how the MAYDAY name is used, could MAYDAY please give an indication at this time about possible regulation that MAYDAY will attempt?<br />
<br />
Could MAYDAY please post on the MAYDAY website guidance for candidates that answers some or all of the foregoing questions?<br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
<br />Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-59124853400525843662015-04-15T01:13:00.002-07:002015-04-15T01:13:39.996-07:00Fresh Questions About "Coordination" RulesI have discovered a campaign finance law blog <a href="http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/">More Soft Money Hard Law</a>.<br />
<br />
An April 3rd posting in the blog, entitled <a href="http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/2015/04/fresh-questions-coordination-rules/">Fresh Questions About "Coordination" Rules</a>, should be read for greater understanding of how hemmed in MAYDAY may be under the "coordination" rules in how MAYDAY is able to carry out its plan to elect a reform minded Congress by 2016.<br />
<br />
Also, the complaint that was made to the FEC about MAYDAY is discussed at <a href="http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/2015/02/cause-complaint-fec/">Cause For Complaint to FEC</a>.<br />
<br />
Copied and pasted below is the <a href="http://www.moresoftmoneyhardlaw.com/2015/04/fresh-questions-coordination-rules/">Fresh Questions About "Coordination" Rules</a> blog entry.<br />
<br />
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The Brennan Center regularly devotes space to a review of the literature on the money-in-politics debate, and this week, <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/print/13578" style="color: #138aaf; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Benjamin Brickner discusses</a> an insightful paper on “coordination” by Professor Michael Gilbert of the University of Virginia and Brian Barnes, a J.D. candidate there. The authors present the case that anti-coordination rules don’t operate to prevent corruption achieved through independent spending–and that they can’t, even if strengthened. There are too many ways around coordination restrictions: a spender can comply with the law, spending “independently” for a candidate, but still offer the politician value that can be “cashed in” later. If coordination rules do not deter corruption but do limit speech, then their constitutionality is thrown into question.</div>
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It is not difficult for an independent group to figure out what the politician may need and appreciate. Public sources of useful information are plentiful and these can be supplemented by private polling and other expert advice; and if there is a risk of missing the mark and timing or targeting an ad imperfectly, there remains value to be conveyed. As Gilbert and Barnes point out, this is a question only of the efficiency of the expenditure, and some ground can be made up by just spending more money. A politician can still be grateful for $75,000 of discounted benefit from an ad that cost $100,000. As Gilbert and Barnes frame the point, “[U]nless the law prohibits candidates from publicizing their platforms and strategies, and outsiders from paying attention, then outsiders will always have enough information to make expenditures that convey at least <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">some</em> value.”</div>
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<span id="more-6201" style="color: #459480; font-size: 1.27em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div>
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And corrupt deals can be stuck without “coordinating” in violation of existing rules. Bargaining over a paid ad needs to be distinguished from making a corrupt deal that value of some kind will be provided in return for an official act. The politician need not know that payment will be in the form of an ad, and she does not have to request, control or directly influence the timing or content of an ad so long as she has confidence that ads eventually run will have this threshold value: “some value,” perhaps enhanced by the level of funding that is committed to it.</div>
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The tightening of coordination rules can’t solve this problem. Mr. Brickner seems to believe otherwise. But the example of <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.unitedrepublic.org/docs/AACA_Full_Provisions.pdf" style="color: #138aaf; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">one reform proposal</a>, among the more aggressive, tends to support a skeptical view. It would compel a finding of “coordination” in the event that the candidate privately or publicly expresses appreciation for or approval of an ad. If constitutional—not a condition this proposal could easily satisfy—it still presents little problem for the value exchange described by Gilbert and Barnes. The well-advised candidate would simply say nothing about any ad, anywhere and at any time, and press questions could be answered with a simple “I don’t discuss these matters.” This is a key point made by Gilbert and Barnes: discussion of the ad is <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">not necessary</em> to the extraction of exchange of value in which the independent expenditure is the “pay-off”—the quid of the quid pro quo.</div>
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The problem here can be traced back to the beginning. Independent groups now stirring up controversy are not the ones the Court in <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Buckley</em> had in mind: outfits springing up to voice voice concerns as they please, indifferent or insensitive to the candidate’s needs. Now we have highly professional groups finely tuned to those needs and savvy about satisfying them.</div>
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The first type of group envisioned by the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Buckley</em> Court might be seen as dedicated to expressing <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">its own reasons</em> for wishing a candidate elected or defeated. The second type, at the center of the “coordination” debate today, is more looking to speak <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">as the candidate</em> <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">would</em> on her own behalf. The conception of independence underlying these two cases are quite different. It is a difference between independence of advocacy and strategy, and independence understood as keeping a group from speaking too much like the candidate.</div>
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When reformers proposing tighter coordination rules speak of the requirement of “total independence,” the second type is the one they have in mind – – no close ties to the candidate, no sophisticated means of acquiring information about what broadcast appeals would be most consistent with her campaign’s strategic interests, no dedication to mimicking the candidate’s arguments or themes on the stump or on the air. The reform program is keep independent speech from becoming too helpfully like the candidate’s own. It is a dubious proposition and it has nothing to do with illegal coordination.</div>
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When the Court was doing the best it could, on the fly, in 1976, its conception of independence may have made some sense. As Gilbert and Barnes show, it makes little sense now.</div>
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Concern about the rise of Super PACs and their independent spending can be based on reasons other than the risk of corruption: the danger that they will weaken or eclipse the parties, or raise costs and other complications for candidates in running their campaigns, or worsen the ills as some perceive them of “negative campaigns,” and more. But “corruption” is not the problem, if the problem is one that rules to prevent “coordination” rules are expected to solve.</div>
Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-551677178624951062015-04-14T17:30:00.001-07:002015-04-14T17:31:25.318-07:00Can MAYDAY allow candidates to post?I have been doing research on the question of whether MAYDAY can allow candidates to post on its website and Facebook pages.<br />
<br />
As I said in the preceding entry, <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-limitations-of-mayday.html">The limitations of MAYDAY</a>, MAYDAY has not publicly articulated much about the limitations MAYDAY considers itself to be under by reason of the coordination rules. I said that my impression is that MAYDAY made a decision for 2014 that Congressional candidates would not be allowed to post on the MAYDAY website and Facebook pages, and that I did not know whether this decision was set in concrete for MAYDAY for 2016, and whether Congressional candidates will continue to be banned from posting on the MAYDAY website and Facebook pages.<br />
<br />
Related to these matters, here is part of what I am able to piece together from Appendix D of the <a href="http://www.fec.gov/pdf/candgui.pdf">FEC Candidate Guide</a>:<br />
<br />
First, the "Content Prong" divides communications between "electioneering communications" and "public communications."<br />
<br />
"Public communication" is defined as a communication made by means of:<br />
• Any broadcast, cable or satellite communication;<br />
• Newspaper;<br />
• Magazine;<br />
• Outdoor advertising facility;<br />
• Mass mailing (more than 500 pieces of substantially similar mail within any 30-day period);<br />
• Telephone bank (more than 500 substantially similar telephone calls within any 30-dayperiod);<br />
• An advertisement placed for a fee on another person’s website; or<br />
• Any other form of general public political advertising.1 100.26, 100.27 and 100.28.<br />
<br />
There is a footnote that says:<br />
1 The term general public political advertising does not include any Internet communication except for a communication placed for a fee on another person’s website.<br />
<br />
If a candidate posts on the MAYDAY website or Facebook pages, it would not appear that a "public communication" is being made.<br />
<br />
"Electioneering Communication" is defined as "any broadcast, cable or satellite communication that (1) refers to a clearly identified candidate for federal office; (2) is publicly distributed within certain time periods before an election and (3) is targeted to the relevant electorate.100.29. See Appendix D.<br />
<br />
The periods of time in question are 30 days before a primary election and 60 days before a general election.<br />
<br />
Even though there may be some safe harbors here that MAYDAY could avail itself of in allowing candidates to post, I can appreciate that MAYDAY could still choose to go for a blanket prohibition against allowing Congressional candidates to post.<br />
<br />
If MAYDAY adopts such a blanket prohibition. there are significant questions for MAYDAY to address about candidates.<br />
<br />
What will MAYDAY do if a a candidate wants to wave the MAYDAY banner to the effect of "I back MAYDAY, and if you back MAYDAY, you should support me."<br />
<br />
What if a candidate in a state, say California, tries to start a group, trumpeting "We are the MAYDAY supporters of such and such Congressional district in California?"<br />
<br />
Does MAYDAY consider the foregoing use of the MAYDAY name and of expenditures that MAYDAY has made to publicize the MAYDAY name as creating a risk of "coordination"?<br />
<br />
I know these questions may be viewed by MAYDAY as not yet ripe, but they are ripe for me.Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-27673228457181148412015-04-14T09:38:00.000-07:002015-04-14T13:10:48.956-07:00The limitations of MAYDAYThis morning I posted on the MAYDAY Reddit a post with the title "Doing it the old fashioned way." The text of my post was:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I would be interested in your comments on "Doing it the old fashioned way," as described in this blog entry <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/doing-it-old-fashioned-way.html">http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/04/doing-it-old-fashioned-way.html</a>.</blockquote>
MAYDAY deleted my posting. I was not provided with an explanation of the deletion. Until I am informed otherwise, I am assuming the deletion was made by reason of the "coordination" rules under Federal campaign finance law as applicable to "independent expenditures" by Super PACS.<br />
<br />
Those "coordination" rules potentially impose significant limitations on how MAYDAY will be able to pursue its goal of electing a reform minded Congress by 2016.<br />
<br />
MAYDAY supporters should be aware of those limitations so that they know how MAYDAY is limited in what MAYDAY does, and so supporters can make decisions about whether there are things they (or others) can do (which MAYDAY believes it cannot do) and decide whether they should do such things.<br />
<br />
MAYDAY has not publicly articulated much about the limitations MAYDAY considers itself to be under by reason of the coordination rules.<br />
<br />
I believe MAYDAY made a decision for 2014 that Congressional candidates would not be allowed to post on the MAYDAY website and Facebook pages.<br />
<br />
I do not know whether this decision is set in concrete for MAYDAY for 2016, and whether Congressional candidates will continue to be banned from posting on the MAYDAY website and Facebook pages.<br />
<br />
Such a ban on Congressional candidates would be detrimental for MAYDAY's plan. It will curtail the ability of Congressional candidates to inform MAYDAY supporters about the candidates' positions on campaign finance reform and curtail engagement by Congressional candidates with MAYDAY supporters about the same. The ban will limit Congressional candidates who back MAYDAY in learning about one another and in having discussions about their respective campaigns and their tactics and strategies.<br />
<br />
One of the reasons I started this blog in 2014 was to create an alternative venue for the foregoing activities to take place if the activities could not take place on MAYDAY venues. See the entry <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2014/08/engaging-with-congressional-candidates.html">Engaging with Congressional candidates</a>.<br />
<br />
Any venue set up as an alternative to MAYDAY's venues would need to be evaluated under the Federal campaign finance law. Below I have indicated some provisions of Federal campaign finance law, which are described in this <a href="http://www.fec.gov/pdf/candgui.pdf">FEC Candidate Guide</a>. Please note the favored treatment that is given to Internet activity. I think an alternative venue to MAYDAY's venues is a realistic possibility.<br />
<br />
Also, consider the posting that MAYDAY apparently believed it needed to delete by reason of the "coordination rules. I am about the only person posting on the MAYDAY Reddit who is strenuously urging messaging to persons outside of MAYDAY to tell them about MAYDAY and telling about the messaging I have been doing and the results I have been getting.<br />
<br />
I don't know what is going to be in the platform MAYDAY announces on May 1st to support the biggest citizen lobbying campaign that MAYDAY possibly can, and maybe there will be a lot in that platform. Thus far, MAYDAY has chosen to make no comment or give any encouragement regarding ideas that I and others have put forth on Reddit and elsewhere.<br />
<br />
All of what I am doing is in the public domain, and MAYDAY is aware of it is in the public domain. Instead of just deleting things that MAYDAY thinks may violate the coordination rules, MAYDAY should be proactive in searching out ideas, and writing up the ideas itself on its website and Facebook pages.<br />
<br />
CANDIDATE GUIDE<br />
<br />
The Glossary in Appendix H of the Guide has these definitions to consider.<br />
<br />
Candidate – An individual seeking nomination<br />
for election, or election, to federal office becomes<br />
a candidate when he or she (or agents<br />
acting on his or her behalf) raise contributions<br />
that exceed $5,000 or make expenditures that<br />
exceed $5,000.<br />
<br />
Contribution – A gift, subscription, loan,<br />
advance or deposit of money or anything of<br />
value given to influence a federal election; or<br />
the payment by any person of compensation<br />
for the personal services of another person if<br />
those services are rendered without charge<br />
to a political committee for any purpose. 100.52(a) and 100.54. See Chapter 3, “Understanding<br />
Contributions.”<br />
<br />
Coordinated Communication – A communication<br />
that satisfies a three pronged test:<br />
• The communication must be paid for by a<br />
person other than a federal candidate, authorized<br />
committee, or a political party committee,<br />
or any agents of the aforementioned<br />
entities with whom the communication is<br />
coordinated. (See, “Party Coordinated Communication,”<br />
below);<br />
• One or more of the five content standards<br />
set forth in 109.21(c) must be satisfied; and<br />
• One or more of the five conduct standards<br />
set forth in 109.21(d) must be satisfied.<br />
• A payment for a communication satisfying all<br />
three prongs is an in-kind contribution to the<br />
candidate or political party committee with<br />
which it was coordinated. 109.21. See Appendix<br />
D, Section 2.<br />
<br />
Electioneering Communication – Any<br />
broadcast, cable or satellite communication<br />
that (1) refers to a clearly identified candidate<br />
for federal office; (2) is publicly distributed<br />
within certain time periods before an election<br />
and (3) is targeted to the relevant electorate.<br />
100.29. See Appendix D.<br />
<br />
Expenditure – A purchase, payment, distribution,<br />
loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money<br />
or anything of value made for the purpose of<br />
influencing a federal election. A written agreement<br />
to make an expenditure is also considered<br />
an expenditure. 100.111 and 100.112. See<br />
Chapter 8.<br />
<br />
Independent Expenditure – An expenditure<br />
for a communication that expressly advocates<br />
the election or defeat of a clearly identified<br />
candidate and that is not made in cooperation,<br />
consultation or concert with, or at the request<br />
or suggestion of, any candidate, or his or her<br />
authorized committees or agents, or a political<br />
party committee or its agents. 100.16. See<br />
Appendix D.<br />
<br />
Mass Mailing – A mailing by U.S. mail or facsimile<br />
of more than 500 pieces of mail matter<br />
of an identical or substantially similar nature<br />
within any 30-day period. This does not include<br />
electronic mail or other Internet communications.<br />
100.27. See Public Communication.<br />
<br />
Public Communication – A communication<br />
by means of any broadcast, cable or satellite<br />
communication, newspaper, magazine, outdoor<br />
advertising facility, mass mailing or telephone<br />
bank to the general public, or any other form<br />
of general public political advertising. The term<br />
general public political advertising does not include<br />
communications made over the Internet,<br />
except for communications placed for a fee on<br />
another person’s website. 100.26, 100.27 (definition<br />
of mass mailing) and 100.28 (definition of<br />
telephone bank).<br />
<br />
There are these substantive provisions in the Guide:<br />
<br />
Definition<br />
Goods or services offered free or at less than<br />
the usual charge result in an in-kind contribution.<br />
Similarly, when a person pays for services on<br />
the committee’s behalf, the payment is an in-kind<br />
contribution. 100.52(d)(1) and 100.111(e)(1). An<br />
expenditure made by any person in cooperation,<br />
consultation or concert with, or at the request or<br />
suggestion of, a candidate’s campaign is also considered<br />
an in-kind contribution to the candidate.<br />
109.20. See Appendix D, “Communications.”<br />
<br />
Coordinated Communications<br />
If a committee, group or individual pays for a communication<br />
that is coordinated with a campaign or<br />
a candidate, the communication may result in an<br />
in-kind contribution to the campaign committee.<br />
For more information on determining whether a<br />
communication is coordinated, see Appendix D.<br />
<br />
Personal Services<br />
An individual may volunteer personal services to a<br />
campaign without making a contribution as long as<br />
the individual is not compensated by anyone for the<br />
services. 100.74. Volunteer activity is not reportable.<br />
<br />
Internet Volunteer Activity<br />
General Exception<br />
An uncompensated individual or group of uncompensated<br />
individuals may engage in certain<br />
voluntary Internet activities for the purpose of<br />
influencing a federal election without restriction.<br />
These exempted Internet activities would not result<br />
in a contribution or an expenditure under the Act<br />
and would not trigger any registration or reporting<br />
requirements with the FEC. This exemption applies<br />
to individuals acting with or without the knowledge<br />
or consent of a campaign or a political party<br />
committee. 100.94 and 100.155. Exempted Internet<br />
activities include, but are not limited to, sending or<br />
forwarding electronic mail, providing a hyperlink to<br />
a website, creating, maintaining or hosting a website<br />
and paying a nominal fee for the use of a website.<br />
<br />
11. INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES<br />
An independent expenditure is an expenditure<br />
for a communication that expressly advocates the<br />
election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate<br />
and which is not made in coordination with any<br />
candidate or his or her campaign or political party.<br />
100.16, 109.21 and 109.37. Independent expenditures<br />
are not subject to any limits but may be<br />
subject to reporting requirements. (The campaign<br />
of a candidate benefiting from an independent expenditure<br />
has no reporting obligation.) See Citizens<br />
United v. FEC and AOs 2010-11 and 2010-09.<br />
Appendix D provides detailed information on independent<br />
expenditures. The appendix may be reproduced<br />
and distributed by a campaign to anyone who<br />
requests FEC guidelines on independent spending.<br />
Campaign staff should pay special attention to the<br />
section “Coordinated Communications” which explains<br />
when the independence of an expenditure is<br />
compromised through contact with a campaign and<br />
thus results in an in-kind contribution, subject to<br />
contribution limits, to the campaign. If a corporation<br />
or labor organization funds the coordinated expenditure,<br />
it results in a prohibited contribution<br />
limitations,<br />
source prohibitions and reporting. To avoid<br />
receiving an illegal excessive or prohibited contribution,<br />
campaigns should avoid certain interactions<br />
with those making electioneering communications.<br />
See 109.21(d) and Appendix D, Section 2 for more<br />
information.<br />
<br />
12. ELECTIONEERING<br />
COMMUNICATIONS<br />
Any broadcast, cable or satellite communication<br />
that is publicly distributed within 30 days of a<br />
primary or 60 days of a general election, refers to<br />
a clearly identified federal candidate and is targeted<br />
to the relevant electorate is an electioneering communication.<br />
100.29(a).<br />
If a registered political committee makes an electioneering<br />
communication, it must report it as it<br />
reports an expenditure or independent expenditure<br />
under the Act. 104.20(b).<br />
Coordination of Electioneering<br />
Communications<br />
If a communication is considered coordinated<br />
under the Commission’s three-part test, it results in<br />
limitations,<br />
source prohibitions and reporting. To avoid<br />
receiving an illegal excessive or prohibited contribution,<br />
campaigns should avoid certain interactions<br />
with those making electioneering communications.<br />
See 109.21(d) and Appendix D, Section 2 for more<br />
information.<br />
<br />
2. DISCLAIMERS<br />
Any public communication made by a political committee,<br />
even those that do not contain a solicitation<br />
or express advocacy, must include a disclaimer. 52<br />
U.S.C. §30120(a); 110.11(a)(1).<br />
Public Communications<br />
Public communications include electioneering communications<br />
and any other form of general public<br />
political advertisement, including communications<br />
made using the following media:<br />
• Broadcast, cable or satellite;<br />
• Newspaper or magazine;<br />
• Outdoor advertising facility;<br />
• Mass mailing (more than 500 substantially<br />
similar mailings within 30 days);<br />
• Phone bank (more than 500 substantially<br />
similar calls within 30 days); and<br />
• Communications placed for a fee on another<br />
person’s website.<br />
100.26, 100.27 and 100.28.<br />
The following communications are not considered<br />
to be public communications, but still require a<br />
disclaimer:<br />
• Electronic mail: More than 500 substantially<br />
similar communications sent by a politic<br />
similar communications sent by a political<br />
committee; and<br />
• Web sites of political committees.<br />
110.11(a)(1).<br />
<br />
Appendix D<br />
Communications<br />
NOTE: This section discusses communications that<br />
are not made by the campaign, but that are made by<br />
others in support of, or opposition to, a candidate.<br />
Candidates and their campaigns may reproduce and<br />
distribute this appendix to anyone who requests<br />
FEC guidelines on such communications. Citations<br />
refer to Federal Election Commission regulations,<br />
contained in Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations<br />
(11 CFR). Advisory opinions (AOs) issued by<br />
the Commission are cited as well. If you have any<br />
questions after reading this appendix, please call the<br />
Commission: 800/424-9530 (toll free) or 202/694-<br />
1100.<br />
1. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS<br />
It is important to understand how the Act and FEC<br />
regulations define “public communication” because<br />
many of the rules regarding political communications<br />
depend upon whether the communication in<br />
question is a public communication.<br />
Definition<br />
A public communication is a communication made<br />
by means of:<br />
• Any broadcast, cable or satellite communication;<br />
• Newspaper;<br />
• Magazine;<br />
• Outdoor advertising facility;<br />
• Mass mailing (more than 500 pieces of<br />
substantially similar mail within any 30-day<br />
period);<br />
• Telephone bank (more than 500 substantially<br />
similar telephone calls within any 30-day<br />
period);<br />
• An advertisement placed for a fee on another<br />
person’s website; or<br />
• Any other form of general public political<br />
advertising.1 100.26, 100.27 and 100.28.<br />
1 The term general public political advertising does not include<br />
any Internet communication except for a communication<br />
2. COORDINATED<br />
COMMUNICATIONS<br />
When a committee, group or individual pays for a<br />
communication that is coordinated with a campaign<br />
or a candidate, the communication is either an inkind<br />
contribution or, in some limited cases, a coordinated<br />
party expenditure by a party committee.<br />
Coordination Defined<br />
Coordinated means made in cooperation, consultation<br />
or concert with, or at the request or suggestion<br />
of, a candidate, a candidate’s authorized<br />
committee, or their agents, or a political party<br />
committee or its agents.2 109.20.<br />
Determining Coordination<br />
FEC regulations provide for a three-pronged test to<br />
determine whether a communication is coordinated.<br />
A communication must satisfy all three prongs<br />
of the test to be considered a coordinated communication<br />
(and as a result, count against contribution<br />
limits). 109.21(a).<br />
The three prongs of the test consider:<br />
• The source of payment (payment prong);<br />
• The subject matter of the communication<br />
(content prong); and<br />
• The interaction between the person paying<br />
for the communication and the candidate or<br />
political party committee (conduct prong).<br />
When the payment prong, the content prong and<br />
the conduct prong are all satisfied, then the communication<br />
is a coordinated communication and<br />
results in an in-kind contribution. (See Chapter 13,<br />
Section 10 for instructions on how to report such a<br />
contribution.)<br />
Payment Prong<br />
The payment prong is satisfied when a coordinated<br />
communication is paid for, in whole or in part, by<br />
a person other than the candidate, an authorized<br />
committee or a political party committee with<br />
whom the communication is coordinated. 109.21(a)Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-44581838942840839082015-04-14T05:31:00.000-07:002015-04-14T05:31:54.024-07:00Doing it the old fashioned wayYesterday I tweeted in Alabama this message and link:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What is the Alabama Congressional delegation doing to defeat the Washington machine? <a href="http://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2015/04/who-in-al-wants-to-defeat-washington.html">http://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2015/04/who-in-al-wants-to-defeat-washington.html</a></blockquote>
I considered several possible follower lists to tweet to and selected the follower list for <a href="https://twitter.com/MadisonCoDems/followers">@MadisonCoDems</a>. There were 126 followers shown. I was selective in tweeting to individuals with an Alabama geographic location.<br />
<br />
I got 45 page views of the link, and had the following email interchanges ensue:<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Crumpton_US_Sen">@Crumpton_US_Sen</a> Please consider whether <a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a> is for you. <a href="https://t.co/WiZiWYjrlO">https://t.co/WiZiWYjrlO</a></p>— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/587901938924003328">April 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/MorteDeMocknbrd">@MorteDeMocknbrd</a> Can you get with MAYDAY? <a href="https://t.co/WiZiWYjrlO">https://t.co/WiZiWYjrlO</a></p>— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/587754199904948224">April 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/konoboe">@konoboe</a> Do you expect to enjoy the Presidential War for the next 18 months? And rest of America will enjoy with you? <a href="http://t.co/Sot44MbG1h">http://t.co/Sot44MbG1h</a></p>— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/587753927749148672">April 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/konoboe">@konoboe</a> Why don't you contact MAYDAY? <a href="https://t.co/WiZiWYjrlO">https://t.co/WiZiWYjrlO</a></p>— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/587756994477428736">April 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-18332759609586237912015-04-08T07:06:00.001-07:002015-04-08T07:39:23.598-07:00"Defeat the Washington machine"Rand Paul has handed out the campaign slogan: "Defeat the Washington machine. Unleash the American dream." See campaign poster at <a href="http://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2015/04/who-in-al-wants-to-defeat-washington.html">Who in AL wants to defeat the Washington machine?</a>.<br />
<br />
MAYDAY is advancing with its bipartisan effort. "To prove that reform is possible, we need to close the gap on a majority in Congress — both Republicans and Democrats — committed to reforming the system of corruption in Washington, D.C., by changing the way campaigns are funded."<br />
<br />
On its Twitter page @MAYDAYUS is tweeting to numerous Republican and Democratic members of Congress, soliciting them as allies.<br />
<br />
The bipartisan nature of the effort is showing in the news: See <a href="http://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2015/01/conservatives-and-citizens-united.html">USNews: A Case for Reform</a>; Concord Monitor, <a href="http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/14928117-95/my-turn-a-remedy-for-bipartisan-political-corruption">"My Turn: A remedy for bipartisan political corruption"</a>, by Republican Jim Rubens.<br />
<br />
Following this path, I am using Rand Paul and "Defeat the Washington machine" in Alabama.<br />
<br />
I have sent the tweets to the Alabama legislative delegation in Washington that are appended below.<br />
<br />
What do you think of how I am using Rand Paul and "Defeat the Washington machine" in Alabama.<br />
<br />
Will you join me and start using Rand Paul and "Defeat the Washington machine" in your state and Congressional district?<br />
<br />
Please put your comments on <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/31vjdw/rand_paul_and_defeat_the_washington_machine/">MAYDAY Reddit</a>, where I am posting a link to this.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is <a href="https://twitter.com/SenShelby">@SenShelby</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585785696008314880">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorSessions">@SenatorSessions</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585785472498020352">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is <a href="https://twitter.com/RepTerriSewell">@RepTerriSewell</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585785076136280064">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is <a href="https://twitter.com/USRepGaryPalmer">@USRepGaryPalmer</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585784812373278721">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMoBrooks">@RepMoBrooks</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585784478074740736">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is Rep. <a href="https://twitter.com/Robert_Aderholt">@Robert_Aderholt</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585784264110706688">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeRogersAL">@RepMikeRogersAL</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585783993510924288">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMarthaRoby">@RepMarthaRoby</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585783668414652416">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
What is Rep. <a href="https://twitter.com/BradleyByrne">@BradleyByrne</a> doing to defeat the Washington machine? …<a href="http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A">http://t.co/UEP0wtsS6A</a> …<a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/585783293582315520">April 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-12273039363339976492015-04-04T03:40:00.002-07:002015-04-04T03:49:23.514-07:00Organizing "silence on airwaves" proposal<a href="https://twitter.com/bearskey">@bearskey</a> has posted on MAYDAY Reddit the following proposal:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a class="title may-blank loggedin" href="http://www.reddit.com/r/MaydayPAC/comments/30ye8z/proposal_silence_on_the_airwaves_kicking_money/" style="background-color: white; color: #551a8b; font-family: verdana, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-right: 0px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="1">(Proposal) Silence on the airwaves: kicking money out of politics once and for all</a></blockquote>
Please click on the above link and read the proposal.<br />
<br />
My main suggestion for the proposal is for it to be organized in its various facets, including organized in publicizing the proposal, organized in its implementation, and, once it starts to get implemented, organized in publicizing youtube videos, etc., which are created under the proposal.<br />
<br />
A starting point for publicizing the proposal could be for MAYDAY to post the proposal on its website and on its FB pages and to tweet to MAYDAY's followers a link to the proposal.<br />
<br />
I am trying to get going <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a> tweeting campaigns. I would be pleased to include tweets and links for publicizing the "silence on the airwaves" proposal. The tweeting campaigns require people willing to tweet. I am willing to tweet and have been tweeting, but the campaigns will only work if others join in and tweet as well.<br />
<br />
If anyone is interested in joining in to tweet to publicize the "silence on the airwaves" proposal, please contact me.Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-20848823930921933492015-03-31T05:59:00.000-07:002015-04-09T05:45:18.052-07:00Attn: Nominators of MAYDAY reform alliesIn the <a href="https://mayday.us/">MAYDAY action plan for 2015</a>, MAYDAY's goal is "to prove that reform is possible, by closing the gap on a majority in Congress — both Republicans and Democrats — committed to reforming the system of corruption in Washington, D.C."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To do this, MAYDAY is "looking for leaders who understand that the way campaigns are funded is broken." MAYDAY has compiled information about <a href="http://www.repswith.us/">which Members have already committed to reform</a>, and it wants its supporters to "<a href="https://mayday.us/#">Tell us who you think we could persuade to join us next, and why</a>."<br />
<br />
In response, many MAYDAY supporters are submitting to MAYDAY nominations of Congresspersons to be reform allies. Ostensibly this is being handled in the form of private communications by the supporters suggesting to MAYDAY Congresspersons as possible allies, and MAYDAY then tweeting to the Congresspersons a message that their name has been put forth as a possible ally. See <a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a>.<br />
<br />
How successful MAYDAY is going to be in achieving its 2015 goal remains to be seen.<br />
<br />
I think its action plan could be significantly buttressed if there was added in a heavy amount of tweeting in the Congressional districts of Congresspersons who have been nominated as possible reform allies.<br />
<br />
If you are a nominator of a Congressperson as a potential ally, and you would like to initiate a tweeting campaign in your Congressional district, I would like to work with you. Please contact me if you are interested.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Note:</b></span> MAYDAY has a website page for submitting ideas to MAYDAY and internal processes for deciding which ideas to take up. I have been doing a lot of direct contacting of MAYDAY supporters about my ideas. While I have called MAYDAY's attention to things I have been doing, and ideas I am trying to put out, I have not done any formal submissions using MAYDAY's website page for submitting ideas. I do not know what MAYDAY's views are about the above idea for bolstering its activity for seeking reform allies that is currently going on.</div>
Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-78166495270639883952015-03-27T01:12:00.001-07:002015-03-28T13:32:11.163-07:00Report on #TweetToDefeatMoney I am still trying to get organization of <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html">I tweet to defeat the money monster</a> going.<br />
<br />
Thus far, there is minimal or no expression of support for #TweetToDefeatMoney by <a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a>, <a href="https://movetoamend.org/">MoveToAmend</a>, <a href="http://represent.us/">Represent.Us</a>, <a href="http://www.wolf-pac.com/">WolfPAC</a>, <a href="http://www.stampstampede.org/">Stamp Stampede</a>, <a href="http://www.nhrebellion.org/">NHRebellion</a> and <a href="http://www.takeback.org/">TakeBackOurRepublic</a>.<br />
<br />
I continue to interpret retweets and favorites of my tweets by those in the "grassroots" as encouraging of <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TweetToDefeatMoney&src=typd">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>.<br />
<br />
More urging by the grassroots to the organizations to get behind #TweetToDefeatMoney would be helpful. See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/tweettodefeatmoney-tweet-sheet-1.html">#TweetToDefeatMoney, Tweet Sheet 1</a>.<br />
<br />
Please pardon if I continue to tweet directly to those who have retweeted and favorited me. I do that to try to keep #TweetToDefeatMoney alive.<br />
<br />
If #TweetToDefeatMoney does not pick up more support, at some point it will need to be killed.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, please bear with me.<br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update</b></span>: No luck from the below tweets sent this morning:<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Any chance that <a href="https://twitter.com/StampStampede">@StampStampede</a> could tweet to its followers that StampStampede supports <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? Thanks. <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I">http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581426276214308864">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Any chance that <a href="https://twitter.com/RepresentDotUs">@RepresentDotUs</a> could tweet to its followers that Represent.Us supports <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? Thanks. <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I">http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581426453159366658">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Any chance that <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveToAmend">@MoveToAmend</a> could tweet to its followers that Move To Amend supports <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? Thanks. <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I">http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581426612350033921">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Any chance that <a href="https://twitter.com/WolfPAChq">@WolfPAChq</a> could tweet to its followers that WolfPAC supports <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? Thanks. <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I">http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581426781137158144">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Any chance that <a href="https://twitter.com/nhrebellion">@nhrebellion</a> could tweet to its followers that NHRebellion supports <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? Thanks. <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I">http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581426961932689409">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Any chance that <a href="https://twitter.com/takebackorg">@takebackorg</a> could tweet to its followers that TBOR supports <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? Thanks. <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I">http://t.co/CWsA1BKU6I</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581427146628800512">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 3/28:</b></span> I tried again this morning with the below tweets:<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
How can I get <a href="https://twitter.com/MAYDAYUS">@MAYDAYUS</a> to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi">http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581796930294005760">March 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
How can I get <a href="https://twitter.com/MoveToAmend">@MoveToAmend</a> to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi">http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581797035331960832">March 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
How can I get <a href="https://twitter.com/RepresentDotUs">@RepresentDotUs</a> to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi">http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581797131335442433">March 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
How can I get <a href="https://twitter.com/WolfPAChq">@WolfPAChq</a> to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi">http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581797213493456896">March 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
How can I get <a href="https://twitter.com/nhrebellion">@nhrebellion</a> to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi">http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581797291230674944">March 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
How can I get <a href="https://twitter.com/takebackorg">@takebackorg</a> to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi">http://t.co/CWsA1C2vvi</a><br />
— Rob Shattuck (@RobShattuckAL06) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobShattuckAL06/status/581797373430665216">March 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-88880645186511627562015-03-22T05:49:00.000-07:002015-03-27T13:33:42.593-07:00#TweetToDefeatMoney, Tweet Sheet 1[Update 3/25: Yesterday, Stamp Stampede favorited this tweet message: "Will <a href="https://twitter.com/StampStampede">@StampStampede</a> support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/dAthvy6tRH">http://is.gd/56NqOW </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/getmoneyout?src=hash">#getmoneyout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/representus?src=hash">#representus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wolfpac?src=hash">#wolfpac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/movetoamend?src=hash">#movetoamend</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a>" That favoriting could mean Stamp Stampede supports <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>. Maybe that would persuade MAYDAY, Move To Amend, Represent.Us, and WolfPAC to support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>. Maybe that would induce supporters of the organizations to tweet in tweeting campaigns. That would be very good news.]<br />
<br />
[Update 3/23: There were about 250 page views of this yesterday. There were many retweets and favorites, but only three or four people copied and pasted tweet messages and tweeted the same to MAYDAY, Move To Amend, Represent.Us, and WolfPAC. I would say, if those organizations cannot express support for the organized tweeting campaign being attempted, it is probably a waste of time and should be dropped. Right now those organizations are not reacting, and I think more tweets need to be sent to them. Today, I will tweet links to this entry again to those who retweeted (or favorited) yesterday. I ask those persons please to copy and paste one or more of the tweet messages into tweets and send the tweets to the organizations. We have to get MAYDAY, Move To Amend, Represent.Us, and WolfPAC (and other organizations) at least to express support, and this is the only way I know how to do it. Thanks.]<br />
<br />
Thank you, all you retweeters, etc., from the past several days.<br />
<br />
Your retweets, etc., indicate to me you want the <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html">I tweet to defeat the money monster</a> campaign to work.<br />
<br />
To make it work, we need to get <a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a>, <a href="https://movetoamend.org/">MoveToAmend</a>, <a href="http://represent.us/">Represent.Us</a>, <a href="http://www.wolf-pac.com/">WolfPac</a>, <a href="http://www.stampstampede.org/">Stamp Stampede</a>, <a href="http://www.nhrebellion.org/">NHRebellion</a>, etc., to be behind the campaign and to promote it. See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/to-cfr-organizations.html">To campaign finance organizations</a>.<br />
<br />
Maybe <a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a>, <a href="https://movetoamend.org/">MoveToAmend</a>, <a href="http://represent.us/">Represent.Us</a>, <a href="http://www.wolf-pac.com/">WolfPac</a>, <a href="http://www.stampstampede.org/">Stamp Stampede</a>, <a href="http://www.nhrebellion.org/">NHRebellion</a>, etc. don't believe enough yet.<br />
<br />
So, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TweetToDefeatMoney&src=typd">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a> needs to make them believers and get behind this.<br />
<br />
And you need to tweet to make them believe.<br />
<br />
Below is a "tweet sheet". For now, you have to copy and paste tweets from the tweet sheet into your "Compose new Tweet" popup box on your Twitter. (I have not yet learned how to create "tweet this tweet" buttons for this page. I am trying to find out.)<br />
<br />
So please copy individual tweet messages from the below tweet sheet as you wish to tweet, paste the same into your "Compose new Tweet" popup box on your Twitter, and tweet it.<br />
<br />
TWEET SHEET MESSAGES<br />
<br />
Message 1:<br />
<br />
Hey, @MAYDAYUS, you should get behind the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TweetToDefeatMoney&src=typd">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a> tweeting campaign. Thanks. #maydayus #maydaypac http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html<br />
<br />
Message 2:<br />
<br />
Hey, @RepresentDotUs, you should get behind the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TweetToDefeatMoney&src=typd">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a> tweeting campaign. Thanks. #getmoneyout http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html<br />
<br />
Message 3:<br />
<br />
Hey, @WolfPAChq, you should get behind the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TweetToDefeatMoney&src=typd">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a> tweeting campaign. Thanks. #getmoneyout http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html<br />
<br />
Message 4:<br />
<br />
Hey, @MoveToAmend, you should get behind the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TweetToDefeatMoney&src=typd">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a> tweeting campaign. Thanks. #movetoamend http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.6400012969971px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Update 3/24:</b> </span></span>Will or will not <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydaypac?src=hash">#maydaypac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maydayus?src=hash">#maydayus</a> support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TweetToDefeatMoney?src=hash">#TweetToDefeatMoney</a>? <a href="http://t.co/dAthvxOSt7">http://is.gd/56NqOW </a> <br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Update 3/27:</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/report-on-tweettodefeatmoney.html">Report on #TweetToDefeatMoney</a><br />
<br />
<br />Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1933300143159897241.post-37824170073297939072015-03-19T01:14:00.003-07:002015-03-21T05:44:31.598-07:00MAYDAY's 2015 plan and public mobilization<a href="http://mayday.us/">MAYDAY.US</a> says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So in 2015, we’re doing something different. To prove that reform is possible, we need to close the gap on a majority in Congress — both Republicans and Democrats — committed to reforming the system of corruption in Washington, D.C., by changing the way campaigns are funded.<br />
Help us find allies in Congress.<br />
We’re looking for leaders who understand that the way campaigns are funded is broken. <a href="http://www.repswith.us/">You can see which Members have already committed to reform here</a>.<br />
<a href="https://mayday.us/#">Tell us who you think we could persuade to join us next, and why</a>.</blockquote>
The above suggests approaching Members of Congress singly.<br />
<br />
The above suggests that there are Members of Congress who do not understand that the way campaigns are funded is broken.<br />
<br />
This is in the context of an ostensible, stark partisan divide about "campaign finance reform," with Democrats ostensibly on the side of "reform" and Republicans ostensibly against "reform." See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/01/soul-searching-re-govt-by-people-act.html">Soul searching re: Gov't by People Act</a>.<br />
<br />
And yet, this is supposed to have nothing to do with Democrats versus Republicans. See November 14, 2014 Forbes magazine article <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphbenko/2014/11/24/lawrence-lessig-shows-that-todays-political-struggle-has-nothing-to-do-with-democrats-vs-republicans/">Lawrence Lessig Shows That Today's Political Struggle Has Nothing To Do With Democrats Vs. Republicans</a>. The article states:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The mortal struggle at hand today is not between the right and the left. It is not between Republicans and Democrats. It is not between the Congress and the president. It is between us (currently outsiders to our own government) voters and the Washington Insiders.</blockquote>
<div>
How will approaching Members of Congress singly work in the aforesaid environment of ostensible stark partisan divide, where it is supposed to be really about outside voters versus Washington Insiders?<br />
<br />
How will it work particularly in light of the Republicans taking control of Congress in the 2014 elections?<br />
<br />
Is there going to quiet, behind the scenes, persuasion of some additional Members of Congress that "reform" is not really Democrats versus Republicans, it is really about outside voters versus Washington Insiders, and you can quietly be part of a triumph for the American people that gets their Republic back for them with their barely knowing of the feat?<br />
<br />
What about "massive public mobilization? Can the 2015 plan happen without that? See <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2014/11/wheres-our-massive-public-mobilization.html">Where's our massive public mobilization?</a><br />
<br />
Some clarification on this could be helpful.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EDIT:</b></span><br />
I believe "public mobilization" should be sought. The question is how can it be fomented. MAYDAY has money to spend. Maybe MAYDAY agrees with me and MAYDAY has ideas for how to spend some money to get some public mobilization in 2015. For that, we will have to wait and see.</div>
<div>
Can the "tweet to defeat" tweeting campaigns I am advocating (see <a href="http://maydaysupporters.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-tweet-to-defeat-money-monster.html">I tweet to defeat the money monster</a>) contribute to public mobilization? </div>
<div>
Here is what I am currently trying in Alabama. I am tweeting links to this: <a href="http://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2015/03/scrutinizing-alabama.html">Scrutinizing Alabama's legislative delegation</a>. Yesterday I got about 140 page views of the link. Do you think if I keep on the path I have started with this tweeting, I will be able to increase the public attention to the subject in Alabama and begin to get public mobilization?</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
Rob Shattuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02707865352312442808noreply@blogger.com0