Flag on book

7 messages

Hi John -

I read an article yesterday in the Sun on the NAACP's activities for this year, in relation to their last brush with the IRS, and it got me thinking about our book particularly the Obama-McCain discussions in the prologue and epilogue.

While the prologue seems okay, the epilogue states, "Nonetheless, John McCain's election would be a catastrophe for the United States," based on his conservative positions on taxes, the war, health care, etc. Later in the epilogue, we state, "Barack Obama understands the urgency of breaking sharply and immediately with the Bush administration's conservative path..."

We can defend these statements easily based on the ideological content of the book. These are analytical statements and the book is not something distributed by the Center - people have to buy it.

But the given the level of exposure you and the institution will face this year, I thought it should be flagged regardless. It is not outside the realm of possibility that some opponent of ours might raise a stink about this. That might be a good thing, who knows.

Although not a Center project, the book jacket cites your affiliation with CAP and the copyright (negotiated long ago) is "Center for American Progress."

Perhaps I'm analyzing this a bit too much. Just wanted to make sure this was on your radar and didn't come as a surprise.

Take care - John

you coming in today?

On 7/7/08, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi John -

I read an article yesterday in the Sun on the NAACP's activities for this year, in relation to their last brush with the IRS, and it got me thinking about our book particularly the Obama-McCain discussions in the prologue and epilogue.

While the prologue seems okay, the epilogue states, "Nonetheless, John McCain's election would be a catastrophe for the United States," based on his conservative positions on taxes, the war, health care, etc. Later in the epilogue, we state, "Barack Obama understands the urgency of breaking sharply and immediately with the Bush administration's conservative path..."

We can defend these statements easily based on the ideological content of the book. These are analytical statements and the book is not something distributed by the Center - people have to buy it.

But the given the level of exposure you and the institution will face this year, I thought it should be flagged regardless. It is not outside the realm of possibility that some opponent of ours might raise a stink about this. That might be a good thing, who knows.

Although not a Center project, the book jacket cites your affiliation with CAP and the copyright (negotiated long ago) is "Center for American Progress."

Perhaps I'm analyzing this a bit too much. Just wanted to make sure this was on your radar and didn't come as a surprise.

Take care - John

I'm joining the Progressive Media meeting by phone. Trying to finish up the Glaser proposal with Martin. Hopefully will have this arrangement nailed down by the end of August.

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:02 AM, John Podesta <john.podesta@gmail.com> wrote:

you coming in today?

On 7/7/08, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi John -

I read an article yesterday in the Sun on the NAACP's activities for this year, in relation to their last brush with the IRS, and it got me thinking about our book particularly the Obama-McCain discussions in the prologue and epilogue.

While the prologue seems okay, the epilogue states, "Nonetheless, John McCain's election would be a catastrophe for the United States," based on his conservative positions on taxes, the war, health care, etc. Later in the epilogue, we state, "Barack Obama understands the urgency of breaking sharply and immediately with the Bush administration's conservative path..."

We can defend these statements easily based on the ideological content of the book. These are analytical statements and the book is not something distributed by the Center - people have to buy it.

But the given the level of exposure you and the institution will face this year, I thought it should be flagged regardless. It is not outside the realm of possibility that some opponent of ours might raise a stink about this. That might be a good thing, who knows.

Although not a Center project, the book jacket cites your affiliation with CAP and the copyright (negotiated long ago) is "Center for American Progress."

Perhaps I'm analyzing this a bit too much. Just wanted to make sure this was on your radar and didn't come as a surprise.

Take care - John

I listened to the whole call and have some ideas. I am creating a c-3 model with Glaser that will fund CAP to spearhead the intellectual development, research and creative marketing side of branding (Institute of Progressive Studies). We will focus on the philosophy and history, ongoing public opinion research, and creative content about progessivism that we will give to the community and move through multiple distribution channels.

In order to be effective and have a real vision, I think we should keep this Institute of Progressive Studies a CAP only project. Some of the info could feed into the education side of the new c-4, however, and could be complementary to the efforts you all discussed.

Funding the new c-4 will be hard. "Progressive Branding" doesn't go over well because there is massive disagreement on what both terms mean and imply. Outside of Glaser, we found few interested parties. Everyone thinks they are best able to do it or are more creative or know more about branding. My model, as with the ads, is just to try to put out good product and know as much and probably more about progressivism than anyone out there. I think this helps CAP much more. Regardless of the Progressive Media outcome, we don't want to lose our authority (through your book, through the ads and research) on this key subject.

Let me know if or how I can help. Take care - John

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:19 AM, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm joining the Progressive Media meeting by phone. Trying to finish up the Glaser proposal with Martin. Hopefully will have this arrangement nailed down by the end of August.

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:02 AM, John Podesta <john.podesta@gmail.com> wrote:

you coming in today?

On 7/7/08, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi John -

I read an article yesterday in the Sun on the NAACP's activities for this year, in relation to their last brush with the IRS, and it got me thinking about our book particularly the Obama-McCain discussions in the prologue and epilogue.

While the prologue seems okay, the epilogue states, "Nonetheless, John McCain's election would be a catastrophe for the United States," based on his conservative positions on taxes, the war, health care, etc. Later in the epilogue, we state, "Barack Obama understands the urgency of breaking sharply and immediately with the Bush administration's conservative path..."

We can defend these statements easily based on the ideological content of the book. These are analytical statements and the book is not something distributed by the Center - people have to buy it.

But the given the level of exposure you and the institution will face this year, I thought it should be flagged regardless. It is not outside the realm of possibility that some opponent of ours might raise a stink about this. That might be a good thing, who knows.

Although not a Center project, the book jacket cites your affiliation with CAP and the copyright (negotiated long ago) is "Center for American Progress."

Perhaps I'm analyzing this a bit too much. Just wanted to make sure this was on your radar and didn't come as a surprise.

Take care - John

I'm meeting with Martin in DC next Thursday the 17th if you have any interest in talking with him about ideas.

Rob really liked the earlier work and wants us to figure out a structure with CAP at the center and number of spokes coming off the hub (projects, allies, etc). They will probably fund us to manage the project and then fund the individual projects that we collectively agree upon. I think they want to put a full $1.5 million towards the effort -- not all to CAP obviously, but towards the total effort.

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 4:19 PM, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:

I listened to the whole call and have some ideas. I am creating a c-3 model with Glaser that will fund CAP to spearhead the intellectual development, research and creative marketing side of branding (Institute of Progressive Studies).   We will focus on the philosophy and history, ongoing public opinion research, and creative content about progessivism that we will give to the community and move through multiple distribution channels.

In order to be effective and have a real vision, I think we should keep this Institute of Progressive Studies a CAP only project. Some of the info could feed into the education side of the new c-4, however, and could be complementary to the efforts you all discussed.

Funding the new c-4 will be hard. "Progressive Branding" doesn't go over well because there is massive disagreement on what both terms mean and imply. Outside of Glaser, we found few interested parties. Everyone thinks they are best able to do it or are more creative or know more about branding. My model, as with the ads, is just to try to put out good product and know as much and probably more about progressivism than anyone out there.   I think this helps CAP much more. Regardless of the Progressive Media outcome, we don't want to lose our authority (through your book, through the ads and research) on this key subject.

Let me know if or how I can help. Take care - John

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:19 AM, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm joining the Progressive Media meeting by phone. Trying to finish up the Glaser proposal with Martin. Hopefully will have this arrangement nailed down by the end of August.

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:02 AM, John Podesta <john.podesta@gmail.com> wrote:

you coming in today?

On 7/7/08, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi John -

I read an article yesterday in the Sun on the NAACP's activities for this year, in relation to their last brush with the IRS, and it got me thinking about our book particularly the Obama-McCain discussions in the prologue and epilogue.

While the prologue seems okay, the epilogue states, "Nonetheless, John McCain's election would be a catastrophe for the United States," based on his conservative positions on taxes, the war, health care, etc. Later in the epilogue, we state, "Barack Obama understands the urgency of breaking sharply and immediately with the Bush administration's conservative path..."

We can defend these statements easily based on the ideological content of the book. These are analytical statements and the book is not something distributed by the Center - people have to buy it.

But the given the level of exposure you and the institution will face this year, I thought it should be flagged regardless. It is not outside the realm of possibility that some opponent of ours might raise a stink about this.   That might be a good thing, who knows.

Although not a Center project, the book jacket cites your affiliation with CAP and the copyright (negotiated long ago) is "Center for American Progress."

Perhaps I'm analyzing this a bit too much. Just wanted to make sure this was on your radar and didn't come as a surprise.

Take care - John

Maybe. You around? Would like to discuss face to face. Friday aft?



On 7/8/08, John Halpin  wrote:
> I'm meeting with Martin in DC next Thursday the 17th if you have any
> interest in talking with him about ideas.
>
> Rob really liked the earlier work and wants us to figure out a structure
> with CAP at the center and number of spokes coming off the hub (projects,
> allies, etc).  They will probably fund us to manage the project and then
> fund the individual projects that we collectively agree upon.  I think they
> want to put a full $1.5 million towards the effort -- not all to CAP
> obviously, but towards the total effort.
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 4:19 PM, John Halpin  wrote:
>
>> I listened to the whole call and have some ideas.  I am creating a c-3
>> model with Glaser that will fund CAP to spearhead the intellectual
>> development, research and creative marketing side of branding (Institute
>> of
>> Progressive Studies).   We will focus on the philosophy and history,
>> ongoing
>> public opinion research, and creative content about progessivism that we
>> will give to the community and move through multiple distribution
>> channels.
>>
>>
>> In order to be effective and have a real vision, I think we should keep
>> this Institute of Progressive Studies a CAP only project.  Some of the
>> info
>> could feed into the education side of the new c-4, however, and could be
>> complementary to the efforts you all discussed.
>>
>> Funding the new c-4 will be hard.  "Progressive Branding" doesn't go over
>> well because there is massive disagreement on what both terms mean and
>> imply.  Outside of Glaser, we found few interested parties.  Everyone
>> thinks
>> they are best able to do it or are more creative or know more about
>> branding.  My model, as with the ads, is just to try to put out good
>> product
>> and know as much and probably more about progressivism than anyone out
>> there.   I think this helps CAP much more.  Regardless of the Progressive
>> Media outcome, we don't want to lose our authority (through your book,
>> through the ads and research) on this key subject.
>>
>> Let me know if or how I can help.  Take care - John
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:19 AM, John Halpin  wrote:
>>
>>> I'm joining the Progressive Media meeting by phone.  Trying to finish up
>>> the Glaser proposal with Martin.  Hopefully will have this arrangement
>>> nailed down by the end of August.
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:02 AM, John Podesta 
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> you coming in today?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 7/7/08, John Halpin  wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi John -
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article yesterday in the Sun on the NAACP's activities for
>>>>> this year, in relation to their last brush with the IRS, and it got me
>>>>> thinking about our book particularly the Obama-McCain discussions in
>>>>> the
>>>>> prologue and epilogue.
>>>>>
>>>>> While the prologue seems okay, the epilogue states, "Nonetheless, John
>>>>> McCain's election would be a catastrophe for the United States," based
>>>>> on
>>>>> his conservative positions on taxes, the war, health care, etc.  Later
>>>>> in
>>>>> the epilogue, we state, "Barack Obama understands the urgency of
>>>>> breaking
>>>>> sharply and immediately with the Bush administration's conservative
>>>>> path..."
>>>>>
>>>>> We can defend these statements easily based on the ideological content
>>>>> of the book.  These are analytical statements and the book is not
>>>>> something
>>>>> distributed by the Center - people have to buy it.
>>>>>
>>>>> But the given the level of exposure you and the institution will face
>>>>> this year, I thought it should be flagged regardless.  It is not
>>>>> outside the
>>>>> realm of possibility that some opponent of ours might raise a stink
>>>>> about
>>>>> this.   That might be a good thing, who knows.
>>>>>
>>>>> Although not a Center project, the book jacket cites your affiliation
>>>>> with CAP and the copyright (negotiated long ago) is "Center for
>>>>> American
>>>>> Progress."
>>>>>
>>>>> Perhaps I'm analyzing this a bit too much.  Just wanted to make sure
>>>>> this was on your radar and didn't come as a surprise.
>>>>>
>>>>> Take care - John
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

-- 
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Whatever you need. Looks like your Friday is packed, however. Want to shoot for around 4 after your Wonk Room meeting?

On a separate note, I talked with Mark Schmitt about joining CAP and the Prospect a bit more now that he is editor. I'll try to put together a meeting on this. He also floated the idea of me doing a bi-weekly column for them on intellectual history and progressivism. Might be some good opportunities in both areas.

Also, if you have any interest in doing more book projects, the head of New Press would like to explore some ideas with us. I'm sure othe publishing opportunites could emerge with Crown as well (if this first round turns out alright). We can chat about this as well.

On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 3:50 PM, John Podesta <john.podesta@gmail.com> wrote:

Maybe. You around? Would like to discuss face to face. Friday aft?

On 7/8/08, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm meeting with Martin in DC next Thursday the 17th if you have any
> interest in talking with him about ideas.
>
> Rob really liked the earlier work and wants us to figure out a structure
> with CAP at the center and number of spokes coming off the hub (projects,
> allies, etc). They will probably fund us to manage the project and then
> fund the individual projects that we collectively agree upon. I think they
> want to put a full $1.5 million towards the effort -- not all to CAP
> obviously, but towards the total effort.
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 4:19 PM, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I listened to the whole call and have some ideas. I am creating a c-3
>> model with Glaser that will fund CAP to spearhead the intellectual
>> development, research and creative marketing side of branding (Institute
>> of
>> Progressive Studies). We will focus on the philosophy and history,
>> ongoing
>> public opinion research, and creative content about progessivism that we
>> will give to the community and move through multiple distribution
>> channels.
>>
>>
>> In order to be effective and have a real vision, I think we should keep
>> this Institute of Progressive Studies a CAP only project. Some of the
>> info
>> could feed into the education side of the new c-4, however, and could be
>> complementary to the efforts you all discussed.
>>
>> Funding the new c-4 will be hard. "Progressive Branding" doesn't go over
>> well because there is massive disagreement on what both terms mean and
>> imply. Outside of Glaser, we found few interested parties. Everyone
>> thinks
>> they are best able to do it or are more creative or know more about
>> branding. My model, as with the ads, is just to try to put out good
>> product
>> and know as much and probably more about progressivism than anyone out
>> there. I think this helps CAP much more. Regardless of the Progressive
>> Media outcome, we don't want to lose our authority (through your book,
>> through the ads and research) on this key subject.
>>
>> Let me know if or how I can help. Take care - John
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:19 AM, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I'm joining the Progressive Media meeting by phone. Trying to finish up
>>> the Glaser proposal with Martin. Hopefully will have this arrangement
>>> nailed down by the end of August.
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:02 AM, John Podesta <john.podesta@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> you coming in today?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 7/7/08, John Halpin <jlrhalpin@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi John -
>>>>>
>>>>> I read an article yesterday in the Sun on the NAACP's activities for
>>>>> this year, in relation to their last brush with the IRS, and it got me
>>>>> thinking about our book particularly the Obama-McCain discussions in
>>>>> the
>>>>> prologue and epilogue.
>>>>>
>>>>> While the prologue seems okay, the epilogue states, "Nonetheless, John
>>>>> McCain's election would be a catastrophe for the United States," based
>>>>> on
>>>>> his conservative positions on taxes, the war, health care, etc. Later
>>>>> in
>>>>> the epilogue, we state, "Barack Obama understands the urgency of
>>>>> breaking
>>>>> sharply and immediately with the Bush administration's conservative
>>>>> path..."
>>>>>
>>>>> We can defend these statements easily based on the ideological content
>>>>> of the book. These are analytical statements and the book is not
>>>>> something
>>>>> distributed by the Center - people have to buy it.
>>>>>
>>>>> But the given the level of exposure you and the institution will face
>>>>> this year, I thought it should be flagged regardless. It is not
>>>>> outside the
>>>>> realm of possibility that some opponent of ours might raise a stink
>>>>> about
>>>>> this. That might be a good thing, who knows.
>>>>>
>>>>> Although not a Center project, the book jacket cites your affiliation
>>>>> with CAP and the copyright (negotiated long ago) is "Center for
>>>>> American
>>>>> Progress."
>>>>>
>>>>> Perhaps I'm analyzing this a bit too much. Just wanted to make sure
>>>>> this was on your radar and didn't come as a surprise.
>>>>>
>>>>> Take care - John
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

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