Subject: Imitations
From: Denise Cardinal <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2013 09:00:29 -0500 (CDT)

::: ProgressNow - Advancing Progressive Agendas, State by State ::: 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, and if
that's the case then Progress Michigan and Alliance for a Better
Minnesota should be very proud of their work. In these two states
right-wing groups have attempted to create communication organizations
to counter our affiliates' work. As hard as the right wing may
try they cannot stop what we do every day - make progress
happen, and happen NOW.

As always, let me know what you think, or even better, contribute to
us here.

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=mPjvikS7BokVHPlstBWaXA

Best,

Denise Cardinal
Executive Director
ProgressNow
ProgressNow Education

 

Is the Michigan Freedom Fund the Conservative Response to Progress
Michigan?

On August 23rd's edition of Off the Record, Tim Skubick
discussed what the struggle for power between Republican Party
stalwarts and Tea Party activists means for Medicaid expansion in
Michigan. Chad Livengood, a reporter at the conservative-leaning
Detroit News, cited The Michigan Freedom Fund as evidence of a
Republican party realignment. Specifically, he said
"They've gone from Right to Work debate, to now being the
conservative, right-wing answer to Progress Michigan."
That's right - the fact that Progress Michigan is calling
out Republicans and holding them accountable has inspired
conservatives to attempt to do the same.
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=6mQYsTETfqRQIN2wCmSchA

According to the Detroit News, the Michigan Freedom Fund has increased
their capacity and staff members in order to branch out into political
fights with Democrats. While promoting freedom might be the
group's stated goal, it seems that their true intention is to
attack Democrats. This includes Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi
and gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer. Unlike Progress Michigan,
the Michigan Freedom Fund's actions may be motivated by a fear
of losing rather than a need for accountability. Their attempt to
bring up seven-year-old campaign finance violations against Schauer
shows that Republican Governor Rick Snyder is in trouble and is trying
any tactic he can to paint Schauer in a negative light.

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=G2FkccWd8zZ91kew5hj1tA

Right-Wing Groups Take Tips from Alliance for a Better Minnesota

In Minnesota, right-wing groups have been attempting to copy Alliance
for a Better Minnesota for years. This year, however, three groups
have been successful in uniting corporate and business interests with
common messages and themes. These include: Minnesota Jobs Coalition,
United for Jobs, and Minnesota Action Network. The MN Jobs Coalition
seems to be imitating ABM's rapid response use of social
networks. Recently, they have been hitting Democratic Governor Dayton
on Twitter about the farm equipment repair tax, "secret"
trips, and regarding the Lieutenant Governor re-election. United for
Jobs is a new advocacy organization that was formed during the 2013
legislative session. They represent corporate special interests and
their main focus has been on taxes. This is seen in TV ads they ran
against the Governor's tax bill that increased income taxes on
the richest 2% of Minnesotans, and the petition they are currently
running to repeal all three business taxes.
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=j2-AtJmymzsIE5TvWetHzw
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=ufShNHjdkaSMrmLHBnMe6A

Lastly, the MN Action Network is the Minnesota arm of former Senator
Norm Coleman's American Action Network. This group has been
consolidating conservative power and building funds for paid election
communications for next year. In a fundraising letter, media mogul
Stan Hubbard and CEO Tom Rosen each committed $50,000 to flip the
Governor's seat and legislature to Republican control. With
conservative groups increasing their communication efforts, it is
extremely important that we continue to hold right-wing groups and
politicians accountable.
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=wMwhHyZ6wFQiNtxKq82Lrw

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=i71spodL9a1LWsLwE3e4HQ

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