Subject: FW: TIME SENSITIVE: LAURA NICHOLS
From: Anna Canfield <[email-masked]>
To: "[email-masked]'" <[email-masked]>, "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 09:42:51 -0500

Meeting with Laura this afternoon any reaction before that would be much appreciated. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Wartell 
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 5:15 PM
To: [email-masked]'
Cc: 'John Podesta'
Subject: TIME SENSITIVE: LAURA NICHOLS

See below.  I read more closely and it appears she wants to do this at CAP with maria Shriver and her organization.   She's hoping for Obama/WH blessing/interest.  Doesn't sound like any money in the project now to pay for Laura -- might be some later.   Sounds speculative -- could work but I fear another First Tuesday like long jestation while we front Laura's involvement.  

She is meeting with me tomorrow. I would be inclined to say that sounds like a good project but she's got to be fully paid for by money she raises with maria or otherwise.  If Obama folks are interested, I wouldn't apply the 50-50 rule -- So a go-no go decision is not dependant up on her raising twice what she costs us.  But if she wants CAP to make major investment in project beyond just her time, she's got to raise twice as much and cover all costs and other staff time.

That's a bit harsh.  Does it sound right?   

Sarah Rosen Wartell
[email-masked] 

-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Nichols
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 9:02 AM
To: Peter Ogden; Sarah Wartell
Subject: 09 work plan

I owe us still but have new developments that would change.   This past week, I've been working through prospects of a potential  project that if we can help make happen,  would occupy most if not all of my time.  It involves a partnership with Maria Shriver and a natl study of the state of the American woman.  Early conversations have been had with Valerie Jarrett (with Maria and her staff) about President requesting or blessing in advance.     ( Btw, CAP potential involvement not mentioned in that convo, just the general idea of the need for a natl study). ) Next step is Mel and First Lady's office.   CAP would serve as a voice on policy and oversight of commissioned natl polling project, planning and potentially media outreach.  Maria would chair roundtables throughout the year in various settings and with all kinds of women - women on their own, who constitute more than half of all women -- Single, divorced and widowed. Professional women.  Blue and pink collar women.  Stay at home moms.  Retired women. Single women.  Likely to Involve  activist voices (incl celeb types attached to relevant causes) and electeds tbd.  In addition to 'state of' report would be recommendation of policy proposals that would directly impact their  unique needs.  Much of which I suspect will fall under exsisting CAP ideas and recommendations from the Povery Commission.  Nirvana would be presenting the work to the President, followed by a day long conference and congressional hearing.    Regardless of admin blessing or involvement Maria would still want to do - can be presented at her annual women's conference which has become an oprah like day-long seminar devoted to women.  Sparkly presenters in past have incl everyone from martha stewart to maureen dowd to suze orman and fergie presents.  Very long list.   Extremely well attended,  I think the one I went to was 10.000 plus.   Other bonus: its in LA.  
They do not want to dally..going to give cutting through WH red tape for a month but then go anyway.   A lot of potential for a media sponsor.     Anyway a long way of saying I am starting to knock on doors to sound this out - talking to jessica and debbie goldberg today.  Sarah tomorrow (Pete, your welcome to join) to  gauge what the interest and feasibility is for CAP involvement.   Maria has an organization behind the conference and will raise $ for.  Feels like foundation support to be had.   And if they manage to get blessing or commission from admin,  seems like we'd have a good shot at both.    We are I on ground floor, no one else involved yet.  I'm writing a memo for maria for next week.   Anyway, wanted to let u know.  Am psyched about prospect of.  L
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