Subject: reporting requirement
From: "Chris Lu" <[email-masked]>
To: "John Podesta" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 16:11:54 -0500

FYI – Campaign is fine not disclosing anything about the transition or our donors on Sept. 15.  See below

 

From: Anita Dunn 
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 3:41 PM
To: Chris Lu; Dan Pfeiffer; Bob Bauer (Perkins Coie)
Subject: RE: two quick things

I am fine not releasing anything.  Presumably the McCain campaign is as well.  If we are asked we will just answer the question and not be defensive.  

From: Chris Lu 
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 3:36 PM
To: Dan Pfeiffer; Anita Dunn; Bob Bauer (Perkins Coie)
Subject: FW: two quick things

Bob didn’t send his response around, so I’m circulating.  But back in July, when we first discussed this, I think we thought there would be more talk about transitions at this point.  But there really hasn’t been.  Since no one has asked, should we just sit on all of this until someone does?  We can make sure the list of donors is vetted and ready to release, in case this comes up.

Just so you know, there are probably 60-70 people who are working on the transition, we’ve raised $175,000 from about 40 people, we’re meeting with the WH (which the McCain team is aware of) and we’re signing contracts for things like the website and Nexis.  So, the universe of people who know about this is expanding, so it’s only a matter of time before this leaks out.

From: Bauer, Bob (Perkins Coie) [mailto:[email-masked]] 
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 2:50 PM
To: Chris Lu
Subject: Re: two quick things

 

The reasoning was: people are raising money: so if it comes out and we have said nothing about it or do not disclose unless asked, we may find it awkward--particularly on the "reform" front.

But there is no legal requirement until the election is over, because the law is focused on post-election transition preparations.

One issue to consider is whether other campaigns made voluntary disclosures--I don't recall offhand. 

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Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Lu <[email-masked]>
To: Anita Dunn <[email-masked]>; Dan Pfeiffer <[email-masked]>
CC: Bauer, Bob  (Perkins Coie)
Sent: Sun Sep 07 14:42:26 2008
Subject: RE: two quick things

Looping in Bob on this email.  Sitting here in a meeting with BO and Podesta.  BO doesn’t think we should disclose the existence of the transition or our donors, as we had planned to do in a few weeks.  Are we legally required to make a disclosure?