John Kerry in Running for Vice President

[ray of light]

http://poligazette.com/2008/08/16/john-kerry-in-running-for-vice-president/

Snip

Firstly, Kerry can still count on quite some support among activists. Secondly, there is the general notion in the media and US society that the Swiftboat attacks in 2004 were lies. Many, especially journalists, believe that he was treated wrongly back then.

Thirdly, Kerry is a good fundraiser.

The fourth reason, though, is the most important one; Americans love stories of redemption. Of a comeback. Kerry was defeated soundly in 2004. He fought hard, but was destroyed by his political opponents. But now, he’s back.

That’s a true American story. The American Dream; fall, but stand up. Blasted for not being able to beat an unpopular president the one election cycle, being the vice president of the first black president the other.

It would also once again confirm the notion of hope.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fifth reason (mine not from the article)

He's been shown time and time again to be RIGHT with what he said in 2004. We're FOUR YEARS post 2004 and we'd have been a hell of a lot better off if our country would have had a legitimate election and not the farce that it was. The corrupt media--those so called 'journalists' from above were awol in their job duties! And the media covered up the biggest theft ever, and they continue to do so.

And reason six...

John Kerry has been kicking a$$ and taking names.

[GarbagemanLB]

1. Yay, let's have the guy who let himself get swiftboated and lost an election be our VP.

[iconicgnom]

10. "who let himself get swiftboated" -- interesting how some minds think...

[GarbagemanLB]

17. His campaign did not respond swiftly enough or aggressively enough. That is a fact.

[ray of light]

18. Come on...surely you're smart enough to not buy into bullshit by now.

Here's the facts:

Lack of response is a myth
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/ads04/swiftadresponse.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5715419#5715765


Kerry 2004 Campaign Response to Swift Liars


Effect of Liars was minimal

Actually this is urban myth


Polls in the fall showed that the public believed Kerry's story on Vietnam. The SBVT convinced only those who were already inclined to vote for Bush. There appeal for swing voters was minimal because they were so negative. They are given more credit than they actually earned.

The biggest issue is the one that Democrats continue to be vulnerable on: Protecting America in a time of war. This goes back 30+ years and nothing is really being done about it. The next nominee will face the same thing. It is a structural and not a candidate specific problem.



SBVT had a press conference on May 4. It got little traction then. Then they started ads in early August. The info at the link is not very well organized, but it details Kerry campaign response to each event of the SBVT campaign.

1) when the media is playing the other guys' attack and not covering your response, you're screwed. 2) it didn't make much difference anyway. Polls that fall showed that the public believed Kerry's story on Vietnam. The SBVT convinced only those who were already inclined to vote for Bush. The ads didn't work well for swing voters because they were so negative. SBVT was given more credit than they actually earned.

Still, it would be very, very nice to tie SBVT to Abramoff. I'm sure that if there was good rationale for a lawsuit, Kerry (or some other vets who were incidentally smeared by the Swift Liars' attacks) would have done it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5715419#5715765


May 4, 2004. The Kerry campaign held a press conference directly after the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" event. (Above are, r-l, Wade Sanders, Del Sandusky and Drew Whitlow). Senior Advisor Michael Meehan said, "The Nixon White House attempted to do this to Kerry, and the Bush folks are following the same plan." "We're not going to let them make false claims about Kerry and go unanswered," Meehan said. He said his first instinct was to hold a press conference with an empty room where veterans could testify to their time spent in the military with George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

The campaign provided an information package which raised significant questions about "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth." Spaeth Communications, which hosted the event, "is a Republican headed firm from Texas which has contributed to Bush's campaign and has very close ties to the Bush Administration." Lead organizer John O'Neill, a Republican from Texas, "was a pawn of the Nixon White House in 1971." Further some of the people now speaking against Kerry had praised him in their evaluation reports in Vietnam.

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/interestg/swift050404c.html


Kerry campaign's quick response to Swift boat vets By Marie Horrigan UPI Deputy Americas Editor Washington, DC, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The campaign for Democratic Party presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts issued an exhaustively researched and extensively sourced 36-page refutation Thursday of allegations Kerry lied about events during his service in Vietnam, including how and why he received medals, and had fled the scene of a battle.

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040805-012143-5349r.htm


Kerry: Bush lets attack ads do 'dirty work' McClellan points out criticism by anti-Bush group Friday, August 20, 2004 Posted: 2:37 PM EDT (1837 GMT) BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry accused President Bush on Thursday of letting front groups "do his dirty work" in questioning his military service during the Vietnam War.

"The president keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that," Kerry told a firefighters' union conference in his hometown of Boston.

"Well, if he wants to have a debate about our service in Vietnam, here is my answer: Bring it on." http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/19/kerry.attackads /

http://www.johnkerry.com/petition/oldtricks.php

On Aug. 19, 2004 Kerry himself responded directly in a speech to the International Association of Firefighters' Convention in Boston. (from prepared remarks)

...And more than thirty years ago, I learned an important lesson—when you're under attack, the best thing to do is turn your boat into the attacker. That's what I intend to do today. Over the last week or so, a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has been attacking me. Of course, this group isn’t interested in the truth – and they're not telling the truth. They didn't even exist until I won the nomination for president.

But here's what you really need to know about them. They're funded by hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Republican contributor out of Texas. They're a front for the Bush campaign. And the fact that the President won't denounce what they’re up to tells you everything you need to know—he wants them to do his dirty work.

Thirty years ago, official Navy reports documented my service in Vietnam and awarded me the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Thirty years ago, this was the plain truth. It still is. And I still carry the shrapnel in my leg from a wound in Vietnam.

As firefighters you risk your lives everyday. You know what it’s like to see the truth in the moment. You're proud of what you’ve done—and so am I.

Of course, the President keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that. Well, if he wants to have a debate about our service in Vietnam, here is my answer: "Bring it on."

I'm not going to let anyone question my commitment to defending America—then, now, or ever. And I'm not going to let anyone attack the sacrifice and courage of the men who saw battle with me.

And let me make this commitment today: their lies about my record will not stop me from fighting for jobs, health care, and our security – the issues that really matter to the American people...

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/ads04/swiftadresponse.html

August 5, 2004

VIA FACSIMILE

Re: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

Dear Station Manager:

We are counsel to the Democratic National Committee and John Kerry, respectively. It has been brought to our attention that a group calling itself "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" has bought time, or may seek to buy time, on your station to air an advertisement that attacks Senator Kerry. The advertisement contains statements by men who purport to have served on Senator Kerry's SWIFT Boat in Vietnam, and one statement by a man pretending to be the doctor who treated Senator Kerry for one of his injuries. In fact, not a single one of the men who pretend to have served with Senator Kerry was actually a crewmate of Senator Kerry's and the man pretending to be his doctor was not. The entire advertisement, therefore is an inflammatory, outrageous lie.

"Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" styles itself as a group of individuals who personally served with John Kerry in the United States Navy in the Vietnam War. In truth the group is a sham organization spearheaded by a Texas corporate media consultant. It has been financed largely with funds from a Houston homebuilder. See Slater, Dallas Morning News, July 23, 2004.

In this group's advertisement, twelve men appear to make statements about Senator Kerry's service in Vietnam. Not a single one of these men served on either of Senator Kerry's two SWIFT Boats (PCF 44 & PCF94).

Further, the "doctor" who appears in the ad, Louis Letson, was not a crewmate of Senator Kerry's and was not the doctor who actually signed Senator Kerry's sick call sheet. In fact, another physician actually signed Senator Kerry's sick call sheet. Letson is not listed on any document as having treated Senator Kerry after the December 2, 1968 firefight. Moreover, according to news accounts, Letson did not record his "memories" of that incident until after Senator Kerry became a candidate for President in 2003. (National Review Online, May 4, 2004).

The statements made by the phony "crewmates" and "doctor" who appear in the advertisement are also totally, demonstrably and unequivocally false, and libelous. In parrticular, the advertisement charges that Senator Kerry "lied to get his Bronze Star." Just as falsely, it states that "he lied before the Senate." These are serious allegations of actual crimes -- specifically, of lying to the United States Government in the conduct of its official business. The events for which the Senator was awarded the Bronze Star have been documented repeatedly and in detail and are set out in the official citation signed by the Secretary of the Navy and the Commander of U.S. Forces in Vietnam. And yet these reckless charges of criminal conduct are offered without support or authentication, by fake "witnesses" speaking on behalf of a phony organization.

Your station is not obligated to accept this advertisement for broadcast nor is it required to account in any way for its decision to reject such an advertisement. Columbia Broadcasting System v. Democratic National Committee, 412 U.S. 94 (1973), You Can't Afford Dodd Committee, 81 FCC2d 579 (1980). The so-called "Swift Boat Veterans" organization is not a federal candidate or candidate committee. Repeated efforts by organizations that are not candidate committees to obtain a private right of access have been consistently rejected by the FCC. See e.g., National Conservative Political Action Committee, 89 FCC2d 626 (1982).

Thus, your station my freely refuse this advertisement. Because your station has this freedom, and because it is not a "use" of your facilities by a clearly identified candidate, your station is responsible for the false and libelous charges made by this sponsor.

Moreover, as a licensee, you have an overriding duty "to protect the public from false, misleading or deceptive advertising." Licensee Responsibility With Respect to the Broadcast of False, Misleading or Deceptive Advertising, 74 F.C.D.2d 623 (1961). Your station normally must take "reasonable steps" to satisfy itself "as to the reliability and reputation of every prospective advertiser." In re Complaint by Consumers Assocation of District of Columbia, 32 F.C.C.2d 400, 405 (1971).

Under these circumstances, your station may not responsibly air this advertisement. We request that your station act immmediately to prevent broadcasts of this advertisement and deny andy future sale of time. Knowing that the advertisement is false, and possessing the legal authority to refuse to run it, your station should exercise that authority in the public interest.

Please contact us promptly at either of the phone numbers below to advise us regarding the status of this advertisement.

Sincerely yours, Marc Elias Perkins Coie 607 14th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005

General Counsel Kerry-Edwards 2004 Joseph Sandler Sandler, Reiff & Young 50 E Street, S.E. #300 Washington, D.C. 20003

General Counsel Democratic National Committee

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/ads04/dem080504ltrswift.html

Some Responses to the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" Ad Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ran its initial ad, the :60 TV spot "Any Questions," starting August 5, 2004 in select markets in OH, WV and WI. O'Neill and Corsi's book Unfit for Command (Regnery) came out in the second week of August. On August 20 the Swift Boat Veterans announced a second ad "Sell Out."

The Kerry campaign was seen as too slow, and many observers said inept, in responding to the Swift Boat charges and they dominated discussion for much of August. Democrats called on President Bush to specifically repudiate the "smear" ad, but he would only repudiate the 527 ads generally. Democrats also sought to show a "web of connections" between the Swift Boat group and the Bush campaign and associates.

The DNC in an Aug. 5, 2004 posting on its Kicking Ass blog ("Swift Boat Veterans for Trash") described "Any Questions" as a "negative smear ad." According to Kicking Ass, "Not a single veteran in the ad served on a Swift Boat with John Kerry. Not a word of the ad is true." The blog also cited Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) description of the ad as "dishonest and dishonorable."

* * *

On Aug. 5, 2004 the General Counsels to the DNC and the Kerry-Edwards 2004 campaign faxed a letter to station managers at the relevant stations stating that the ad is "an inflammatory, outrageous lie" and requesting that they "act immediately to prevent broadcast of this advertisement and deny any future sale of time."

* * *

From the transcript of the Aug. 5, 2004 White House Press Briefing with Scott McClellan:

Q Do you -- does the President repudiate this 527 ad that calls Kerry a liar on Vietnam?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President deplores all the unregulated soft money activity. We have been very clear in stating that, you know, we will not -- and we have not and we will not question Senator Kerry's service in Vietnam. I think that this is another example of the problem with the unregulated soft money activity that is going on. The President thought he put an end -- or the President thought he got rid of this kind of unregulated soft money when he signed the bipartisan campaign finance reforms into law. And, you know, the President has been on the receiving end of more than $62 million in negative attacks from shadowy groups.

* * *

In the days after the release of the ad a host of major newspapers published editorials condemning it including the Arizona Republic ("Campaign Non-Starter," August 6), Los Angeles Times ("It's Not All Fair Game," August 6), Plain Dealer ("Ad Says Kerry Lied; Record Says Otherwise," August 8), St. Petersburg Times ("An Ugly Attack," August 9), Las Vegas Sun ("Ad's Smear Should Be Condemned," August 9), Oregonian ("Now It Gets Nasty," August 11), and Washington Post ("Swift Boat Smears," August 12).

* * *

On Aug. 10, 2004 Democracy 21, the Campaign Legal Center and the Center for Responsive Politics filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) charging that Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is illegally raising and spending soft money on ads to influence the 2004 presidential elections.

* * *

From the transcript of Bush's Aug. 12, 2004 appearance on CNN'S Larry King Live:

KING: In view of that, do you think that it's fair, for the record, John Kerry's service record, to be an issue at all? I know that Senator McCain... G. BUSH: You know, I think it is an issue, because he views it as honorable service, and so do I. I mean... KING: Oh, so it is. But, I mean, Senator McCain has asked to be condemned, the attack on his service. What do you say to that? G. BUSH: Well, I say they ought to get rid of all those 527s, independent expenditures that have flooded the airwaves. There have been millions of dollars spent up until this point in time. I signed a law that I thought would get rid of those, and I called on the senator to -- let's just get anybody who feels like they got to run to not do so. KING: Do you condemn the statements made about his... G. BUSH: Well, I haven't seen the ad, but what I do condemn is these unregulated, soft-money expenditures by very wealthy people, and they've said some bad things about me. I guess they're saying bad things about him. And what I think we ought to do is not have them on the air. I think there ought to be full disclosure. The campaign funding law I signed I thought was going to get rid of that. But evidently the Federal Election Commission had a different view...

Kerry spokesman Chad Clanton's response to Bush's Aug. 12, 2004 appearance: "Tonight President Bush called Kerry's service in Vietnam 'noble.' But in the same breath refused to heed Senator McCain's call to condemn the dirty work being done by the 'Swift Boat Vets for Bush.' Once again, the President side-stepped responsibility and refused to do the right thing. His credibility is running out as fast as his time in the White House."

* * *

MoveOn PAC weighed in with the ad "Swift Response."

* * *

On Aug. 17, 2004 the campaign held a press conference at which Gen. Wesley Clark (ret.), Adm. Stansfield Turner (ret.), and several swift boat veterans rebutted the charges.

* * *

DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe issued a statement on Aug. 18, 2004:

"By saying nothing at all George W. Bush is a complicit contributor to the slanderous, lie-filled attack ads that have been launched on John Kerry on Bush's behalf. Instead of stepping up and taking the high road, George Bush's response has been evasion, avoidance, everything but disavowal.

"Larry King asked George Bush to 'condemn' it. He refused. Reporters asked the President's Press Secretary if he'd 'repudiate' it. He ducked. They can try to blame it on the rules or whoever else they want, but the blame belongs squarely on the Republicans. They wrote it. They produced it. They placed it. They paid for it. And now it is time for George W. Bush to stand up and say, 'enough.'

"This is not debate, Mr. President, and this unfounded attack on Senator Kerry has crossed the line of decency. I call on you today to condemn this ad, the men who put their lies behind it, and the donors who paid for it. It's time."

* * *

On Aug. 19, 2004 Kerry himself responded directly in a speech to the International Association of Firefighters' Convention in Boston. (from prepared remarks)

...And more than thirty years ago, I learned an important lesson—when you're under attack, the best thing to do is turn your boat into the attacker. That's what I intend to do today. Over the last week or so, a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has been attacking me. Of course, this group isn’t interested in the truth – and they're not telling the truth. They didn't even exist until I won the nomination for president.

But here's what you really need to know about them. They're funded by hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Republican contributor out of Texas. They're a front for the Bush campaign. And the fact that the President won't denounce what they’re up to tells you everything you need to know—he wants them to do his dirty work.

Thirty years ago, official Navy reports documented my service in Vietnam and awarded me the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Thirty years ago, this was the plain truth. It still is. And I still carry the shrapnel in my leg from a wound in Vietnam.

As firefighters you risk your lives everyday. You know what it’s like to see the truth in the moment. You're proud of what you’ve done—and so am I.

Of course, the President keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that. Well, if he wants to have a debate about our service in Vietnam, here is my answer: "Bring it on."

I'm not going to let anyone question my commitment to defending America—then, now, or ever. And I'm not going to let anyone attack the sacrifice and courage of the men who saw battle with me.

And let me make this commitment today: their lies about my record will not stop me from fighting for jobs, health care, and our security – the issues that really matter to the American people...

* * *

Also on Aug. 19, 2004 the campaign announced its own ad "Rassmann."

* * *

On Aug. 22, 2004 the campaign announced another ad "Issues" which addressed the Swift Boat group's attacks.

* * *

The Kerry-Edwards campaign generated some media attention on Aug. 25, 2004 when it dispatched former Sen. Max Cleland and Jim Rassmann, whose life Kerry saved in Vietnam, to Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas to deliver to the President a letter signed by Democratic Senators who are veterans. The Senators asked Bush to "recognize this blatant attempt at character assassination, and publicly condemn it." They did not get through. The Bush-Cheney campaign responded with a letter of its own in which veterans expressed concern about Kerry's activities upon his return from Vietnam.

* * *

Kerry-Edwards campaign manager Beth Cahill sent a letter to Bush-Cheney campaign manager Ken Mehlman on Aug. 26, 2004 asking him to explain the "web of connections."

* * *

The DNC ran a full page ad in the Aug. 27, 2004 New York Times terming the Swift Boat campaign a smear.

* * *

http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/ads04/dem080504ltrswift.html

[kimbo fleiss]

19. Please keep your comments to yourself,

you don't know what you're talking about.

[ray of light]

21. Bull shit! Do you have a clue who Creative Response Consepts is?

Well here's a big hint. They're a P.R. firm DEVOTED to the Republican Party who has STRONG TIES to the Bush White House and the Republican Party AND to the Swift Boat Liars for Bush.



These are the big guns in the conservative pr world. Creative Response Concepts plays a prominent row in promoting conservative causes.

From reference number one:

They were integral to the Swift Boat attack against John Kerry in 2004 and the attack against Dan Rather.

The firm also played a major role that year in assailing CBS — then a corporate sister of Paramount at Viacom — for the “60 Minutes” report on President Bush’s record in the Texas Air National Guard that led to Dan Rather’s resignation as anchor of the “CBS Evening News.”

Heading into the 2005 Supreme Court nomination battles, it advised members of the Federalist Society on how to handle television interviews and was active in promoting the nominations of John G. Roberts Jr. and Samuel A. Alito Jr. When the AARP came out against President Bush’s plan to overhaul Social Security, the firm went to work for a conservative group that took on the AARP. And it promoted Newt Gingrich’s 1994 political strategy, Contract With America.

Clients of Creative Response Concepts have included the three national Republican campaign committees, the Christian Coalition, Manhattan Institute, Free Enterprise Foundation, National Taxpayers Union and Regnery Publishing, home to conservative authors like Tony Blankley and Michelle Malkin.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/27/movies/27stone.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1154008912-9NVzSo70dPZs/2xzsd/qHA



From Their Website

Clients

A partial list of Creative Response Concept's clients listed below as shown on their website July 27, 2006:

AgustaWestland
American Bankruptcy Institute
American Education Reform Foundation
American International Automobile Dealers Assoc.
Americans for Fair Taxation
Americans for Hope, Growth & Opportunity
Associated Builders and Contractors
AT&T
Coalition for Patient Choice
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes
Contract With America
Corn Refiners Association
Credit Union Campaign for Consumer Choice
Discovery Institute
Federalist Society
Forbes 2000 (Steve Forbes for President)
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Free Enterprise Foundation
Golden Rule Insurance Company
Joseph Seagram & Sons, Inc.
LexisNexis
Manhattan Institute
Media Research Center
Microsoft Corporation
National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Senatorial Committee
National Taxpayers Union
Parents Television Council
PAX Television
Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Assoc.
Privacy Council
Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration
Regnery Publishing
Republican National Committee
Simon & Schuster
Small Business Survival Committee
Stone Investments, Inc.
Telecel International, LTD
TIME Warner Inc.
Universal Studios, Inc.
U.S. Business & Industrial Council
Viacom Inc.
Visa USA
Walden Media
The Walt Disney Company
Warner Brothers Television Network

http://www.crc4pr.com/firm/clients.asp



Capabilities

Creative Response Concepts is a full service public relations firm specializing in issues management, strategic communications, and media relations. CRC provides strategic counsel and implements comprehensive programs designed to meet our client’s unique public relations and communications needs.

For nearly two decades, CRC has worked extensively with editors, producers, and journalists at media outlets including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, business publications, newsletters, and the Internet.

We invite you to learn more about our practice areas and our media expertise.

http://www.crc4pr.com/capabilities/


Projects Building Towards the Future

Coalition to Salute America's Heroes

Situation Analysis

Many injured soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan face significant hurdles adjusting to a life with serious disabilities. CRC was tapped to help launch the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (CSAH), a group dedicated to providing support for these disabled heroes.

Strategy & Implementation

CRC has helped manage the development of the organization, the planning of its events, and the creation of its marketing materials. CRC works with the Coalition to identify and train disabled heroes from Iraq as spokespeople and implements comprehensive communications campaigns targeting print, television, radio, online media and bloggers.

Results

Between its launch in the middle of 2004 and the end of that year, more than 40 million people read, listened to or watched news stories about the Coalition on outlets as diverse as US News & World Report, CNN & FOX News, The Washington Post, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dallas Morning News, and the Jim Bohannon Show. During this time, the Coalition raised millions of dollars, was able to significantly expand its programs, and has helped hundreds of disabled heroes.

http://www.crc4pr.com/casestudies/AmericasHeroes.asp

Parents Television Council

Situation Analysis

The PTC was founded 10 years ago to protect children from being constantly bombarded by gratuitous sex, violence and profanity on television and other entertainment media. Working with the PTC since its inception,CRC was recently tasked with branding the organization as the recognized authority on entertainment decency issues.

Strategy & Implementation

Working with the PTC, CRC developed a program to change the way the Federal Communication Commission addresses complaints about indecency on television. CRC trained local and national spokespeople, publicized PTC studies on indecency, and distributed op-eds written by the PTC. CRC reached out to trade publications, talk radio hosts, print journalists and television producers about the PTC’s programs.

Results

Spokespeople for the PTC have been included in stories on NBC’s Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, Entertainment Tonight, CBS’ Sunday Morning, FOX News, CNN, and MSNBC. Articles about the PTC have run in Entertainment Weekly, Family Circle, Wall Street Journal, Ladies Home Journal, New York Times, and USA Today among scores of other publications. Recently, the PTC was the focus of a cover story in Time.

http://www.crc4pr.com/casestudies/ParentsTVCouncil.asp


Medical Savings Accounts-Health Savings Accounts The misleading name on their page is Golden Rule Insurance


Golden Rule Insurance

Situation Analysis

Golden Rule Insurance has been a market leader in the development and sale of Health Savings Accounts (originally Medical Savings Accounts). With the passage of legislation making these accounts widely available, CRC developed a campaign to help Golden Rule maintain its position as the market leader.

Strategy & Implementation

CRC developed a strategic communications program to demonstrate market need and growing acceptance for HSAs. The messaging and geographic focus of the multi-tracked program was coordinated with Golden Rule’s marketing team and targeted small business publications, business editors at major newspapers, talk show hosts, opinion page editors, and local television news programs.

Results

This year, Golden Rule has seen a 133% increase in HSA applications. They have appeared on numerous local television stations including Philadelphia’s KYW-TV and Indianapolis’ WISH-TV. In addition, they have received coverage in a variety of publications such as San Diego Business Journal, Crain's New York Business, Indianapolis Business Journal, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Boston Globe, and The Washington Post and Golden Rule spokespeople have conducted hundreds of talk radio segments in targeted markets.

http://www.crc4pr.com/casestudies/GoldenRuleInsurance.asp

AgustaWestland

Situation Analysis

The U.S. subsidiary of AgustaWestland needed to shed its image as a “foreign” company to be more competitive in the United States. CRC was engaged to develop and execute a communications program that would reposition the company’s brand.

Strategy & Implementation

Market analysis showed it was critical to highlight the extensive amount of manufacturing that AgustaWestland does in the United States and the positive impact it has on local economies across the nation. CRC developed and executed a multi-faceted campaign to educate the media, government decision makers, and the public. The campaign included events highlighting the high caliber U.S. jobs created, media tours, and desk side briefings with the company’s president, as well as op-eds placed in major daily newspapers of targeted regions.

Results

Some of the coverage which resulted from this campaign included articles in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Investor’s Business Daily, Associated Press, Reuters, Philadelphia Inquirer, and the San Diego Business Journal. Recently, <[AugustaWestland>] was awarded the prestigious contract to build the President’s newly designed Marine One helicopter.

http://www.crc4pr.com/casestudies/AgustaWestland.asp


Issue Advocacy in Practice

General Action Plans:

Success in modern issue advocacy requires organizations to educate and inform decision makers, community leaders, and the general public about the benefits of supporting their position. It is no longer enough just to have a traditional Washington presence in the form of a lobbyist.

Media coverage is critical to the success of any issue based effort. Publicity is the most trusted means of informing and educating your target audiences.

Gaining positive publicity for your issue through television coverage, editorials, newspaper articles, talk radio interviews, and on the Internet is no longer an option. It is a requirement.

http://www.crc4pr.com/capabilities/practice/IssueAdvocacy.asp

Litigation Support

Law suits are a reality in today’s business climate.

Too often, companies make a fundamental mistake in their litigation response. They fail to recognize the need to manage two trials: one playing out in the court room and the other in the media. Public relations is essential to protecting the millions – even billions – of dollars invested by companies in their reputation and brand.

CRC’s litigation support experience includes extensive work with some of the world’s largest, most recognized brands. Working in concert with the legal team, CRC crafts the strategies and implements the tactics to carry your message from the court room to Wall Street to the general public.

http://www.crc4pr.com/capabilities/practice/LitigationSupport.asp


Crisis Communications

One of the most significant challenges that a company will ever face is dealing with the media at a time of crisis. Whether it is the result of litigation, legislation, a product defect or a false claim made against you – your company, brand, and reputation are on the line.

Each crisis situation is different - requiring unique strategy and immediate response. Failure to do so can have far reaching affects ranging from loss of reputation and decreased market share to diminished customer loyalty and reduced stock value.

CRC has a successful track record representing clients in crisis situations. From Presidential candidates, to the nation’s largest corporations, to the most recognized non-profit groups, CRC’s highly experienced staff develops strategy, works with the media, presents your message, and protects your brand at a time of crisis.

http://www.crc4pr.com/capabilities/practice/CrisisCommunications.asp

[Jackpine Radical]

23. I'm gonna tell blm on you.

Then he'll dump about 1500 words on you from the research forum that explains everything Kerry did to fight back, but no matter what he did he could get no traction in the media. He will then go on at some length about how the media continue to cover up their failure to report the story, and how they have created the myth that blames Kerry for their defalcation.

[ray of light]

28. Sounds like this person, BLM, is right. Thanks for bringing that to our attention. n/t

[Mass]

2. No, he is not. He is running for Massachusetts senator.

Not that anything in your post is wrong, but Kerry is running for Senator and cannot run for both positions.

[polmaven]

26. Exactly...

I am in close touch with his local campaign staff. There was a visibility this morning, there is phone banking going on Wednesday night, there are other events planned well past the convention.

John Kerry is not IMO, even interested in VP.

[Hippo_Tron]

34. Actually he can, Lieberman did it in 2000

[Mass]

35. Not according to MA laws.

[Hippo_Tron]

39. Ahh okay, that makes sense

[Schema Thing]

3. "I do not think that word means what you think it means"

"comeback"

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Author's going to rely on a media which was capable of being...

>>>>>Secondly, there is the general notion in the media and US society that the Swiftboat attacks in 2004 were lies. Many, especially journalists, believe that he was treated wrongly back then.>>>>

... deceived by such tripe in 04 to treat Kerry fairly in '08?

Why don't we just pitch the tent on some quicksand? I like Kerry... but you're engaging in wishful thinking, seems to me. It's also unlikely that Obama is going to want to revisit the election of 04 or any other previous year.

"Change"... and all that.

[ray of light]

27. Actually, Kery learned a lot about how to fight the media at their own game.

And he's been a rock solid surrogate for the Obama campaign, and I'm sure an advisor in some way as well.

Right now ANY democrat is on quicksand. But having someone who navigated the quicksand once and has learned how to push through it, that person is an asset to a campaign.

[BlueManDude]

5. In addition - he's qualified to be president.

[MonteLukast]

6. I love this-- but I don't think he'll leave Mass.

Especially with Ted Kennedy ill, Massachusetts needs a long-serving Senator in place.

But I do love his redemption in our eyes. I do love that finally people are rejecting that "he didn't fight back" narrative.

[MBS]

7. what you said. n/t

[99th_Monkey]

8. It would make a certain kind of sense on several fronts.

a) Kerry is clearly qualified to be a heartbeat away from being prez.

b) hell, Kerry already was elected once to be President in 04, so he kinda "has it coming" in a way.

c) Kerry's been showing signs lately that he's learned a thing or two since 04 about
how to deal with swiftboaters (see his recent strong statements to rebut lies about
Obama).

[musicblind]

9. Kerry would be an EXCELLENT VP imho

I do NOT blame him, nor do I understand why others blame him for the swiftboating. That is like blaming the victim for the rape :shrug:

[MBS]

13. exactly! n/t

[knixphan]

36. EXACTLY!!

[blm]

11. "especially journalists" THEY were the ones most responsible for swifts spreading their lies

because they needed to do the bidding of their fascist masters aligned with Bush.


THIS is why corpmedia could not allow Kerry to have the win he earned. And too manyy in the Dem powerstructure went along with the fascist agenda against Kerry.


Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"

Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval

Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.

Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."

[tokenlib]

12. Kerry would be the "in your face" "paybacks are hell" VP candidate

Kerry has been perhaps Obama's strongest surrogate. Put him in the "attack dog" role after what happened in 2004 and I think the swiftboat slime bags would be in trouble. Obama could stay above it all and Kerry could kick some ass.

The ticket dreams are made of----for those of us who want to rumble with the wingnuts...

[iamthebandfanman]

14. nah, the strongest payback woulda been

Gore/Kerry

lol

[knixphan]

37. actually, good point there.

[MarjorieG]

15. My decades dream come true, but still unlikely.

Rumors started with omission from speaking slot, but would make sense as the person introducing Obama, if not already decided.

I somehow think Kerry's support would be turned into a criticism of his motives, as more self-serving. He has been said to think he shares foreign policy DNA with Obama, and that surrogate's sincerity could be lost. I just want respect and vindication for such a class act.

All the Dems have to step up as they didn't in 2004, without having to be VP. That job is how they best work together. I am so unexcited about Bayh, but my hubby reminds that he is a good man, who would get things done, without the drama. Maybe temperamentally more suited to Obama in the bunch.

[Diane R]

16. Kerry is the perfect pick....if he is willing. He was robbed in '04.

[jillan]

20. Kerry is one of my favorite pols - but -

I don't see him being vp after the last election.

Make him Sec of State, something like that instead.

[globalvillage]

22. He'd be a brilliant choice.

And since Obama is a brilliant guy ...

The two of them work really well together. They are two of the few people who seem to have learned the lessons of '04, they're in sync on most issues, and I think JK would love to kick some right wing ass. Nothing left to throw at him, either. They did it all last time, and they won't have any more lies to smear him with. Even Republicans are admitting that he was right about fighting terrorism, and most of the people I know who voted for Bush realize they screwed up.

I love the thought of heads exploding on the other side, especially McCain's.

I really don't think he'd do it, though. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't.

[YvonneCa]

30. I hope you're wrong, too...

...GV. :7 But this make sense: "Nothing left to throw at him, either." Not one thing left. Nothing. Everything's been thrown and broken and Obama is sweeping it out the door! :)

But I am afraid to get my hopes up...

[Stevepol]

24. Kerry ran a fine campaign and won the election by a considerable margin.

He lacked the courage to dispute the OH mess. Maybe nobody else would have had the courage to do that, I don't know. But he knew about how the voting machines were being used (along with other dirty tricks) to steal the election and yet didn't raise his voice even to ask a point of order. He meekly conceded immediately.

He would have made a good president. He would make a good vice-president too.

The voting machines will certainly be manipulated this time as they were in 04. If Obama loses, it will be largely because of the voting machines this time, though there will be plenty of dirty tricks too I feel sure. If Obama's margin of victory is great enough, maybe he'll win.

[ray of light]

25. courage wasn't lacking EVIDENCE was. Furthermore, the Democrtic Party TOLD HIM

the night of the election that there was suppression but no evidence of fraud.

Additionally, one only needs to read Woodward's book to discover that our 'friend' Carville was calling his wife to tell her DEMOCRATIC plans and what JK was going to do. Of course his wife just happens to have the ear and corrupt machine attached to Cheney.

[YvonneCa]

31. Maybe it wasn't about courage...

...but about timely evidence.

[LisaL]

29. Oh you have got to be kidding.

[DCBob]

32. Please not Kerry. I love the guy but...

he has the loser tag stamped on his forehead.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[ray of light]

42. Thanks for the reminder! Let's go folks! Take the plunge and donate!

[knixphan]

38. (looking for 'loser tag')

I don't see it...

[ray of light]

41. Shame on you! So you'd call Gore a loser?

[knixphan]

43. that was for #32, right?

I'm on your side -

[Prophet 451]

40. Solid choice

Two things that count in his favour for me are his wealth of experiance (counters Obama's major weakness) and the fact that he was robbed in 2004 so a VP slot would only be fair. For a long time, I wanted to see a ticket of Gore/Kerry campaigning as "The Restoration Ticket".

[book_worm]

44. he's a good man, but considered more of an "elitist" than Obama

so I doubt it will be him.

[ContinentalOp]

45. Hurray, a really dull candidate who voted for the Iraq war and lost his presidential race!

I couldn't think of anyone better. :eyes:

Thankfully this will never happen.