Subject: Board Update: Pre-Debate Update
From: "Liz.Schrayer" <[email-masked]>
To: "Liz.Schrayer" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2016 19:57:16 +0000

[http://www.usglc.org/downloads/2015/09/usglc-logo.jpg]

Dear Board of Directors,

With 100 million viewers expected to watch tonight's debate, I wanted to share a few quick items:

1. Debate Rapid Response. I hope we'll have nothing to do tonight, but just in case, we're prepared to fact-check for reporters and TV surrogates if necessary - like we did during the primary debates and when Trump surrogates recently suggested diverting foreign aid to Mexico to pay for the wall

If Trump says something specific and damaging in our space, we have military and neutral GOP leaders ready with quotes on the substance to distribute to press. Hopefully, we won't need to use any of them. Also, we've encouraged surrogates on both sides of the aisles to reinforce positive statements without attribution to USGLC.

2. USGLC Ohio Event. We're gearing up for our Impact 2016 event featuring Secretary Bob Gates and Governor John Kasich on Wednesday. Senator Sherrod Brown is unlikely since Congress will still be in session. We have over 550 RSVPs and both the GOP and Democratic State Party Chairs will be giving opening remarks at our VIP Reception to punctuate the bipartisan support for our issue - not bad given the polarization of this election cycle.

Lastly, in the run-up to our event, check out our op-ed<http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/09/us_global_engagement_must_cont.html> "U.S. global engagement must continue after Nov. 8" that appeared today in the largest newspaper in Ohio - signed by the former GOP Governor Bob Taft and former Democratic National Chairman David Wilhelm.

3. ICYMI: A few articles from this weekend that I thought were of interest.

  *   Government At Its Best - Ruth Marcus' column<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/and-the-oscars-for-good-government-geeks-go-to-/2016/09/23/2666552a-81b2-11e6-8327-f141a7beb626_story.html> highlighting winners of the Sammie awards, federal employees that are making a difference. I always love reading about these exceptional individuals.
  *   Potential Moderator Questions - As you know, one of three topics tonight will be "Securing America." Interestingly, the Washington Post asked readers for suggested questions and Foreign Policy ranked #1. Check out their questions.<https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2016/09/22/you-be-the-moderator-the-questions-post-readers-would-ask-the-candidates/>
  *   "A Republican Worth Voting For" - George Will's column<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-republican-worth-voting-for/2016/09/23/28830f36-80f6-11e6-8327-f141a7beb626_story.html> is a story about Rep. Mike Coffman, who the USGLC hosted for a state event last month. He's emerging from foe to friend - another turn-around for us.

Hoping for a quiet night - at least on our issue.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGL