$60 million. Total amount AFSCME will spend on political activities in 2008 (working family issues)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscme.org/press/24501.cfm

AFSCME 2008: A Look at Our Political Program

In 2008, AFSCME is spending a record $60 million and mobilizing an unprecedented 40,000 members on the most aggressive political effort in our union’s history. Along with more than 500 professional staff, AFSCME members are knocking on doors, making phone calls and contacting more of their co-workers and neighbors than in any previous election year. Our goals are to win the presidency, increase our majorities in the U.S. Senate and House, and influence key state and local races and initiatives to advance the cause of working families throughout the country.

With 1.6 million members, AFSCME is widely recognized as one of the most effective forces in American politics. Our members are a powerful grassroots army of volunteers and opinion leaders who make the difference in close elections. This year, we identified and have been systematically contacting key blocs of undecided and swing voters in presidential battleground states, plus priority congressional and other important races.

AFSCME – and Labor – have played a decisive role in the most competitive political campaigns over the last several election cycles. In 2006, for example, union households made up one-quarter of the electorate and gave Democratic candidates a 30-point advantage in the most hotly contested elections for the House of Representatives, while the general public was split evenly between the parties.
National Program by the Numbers

$60 million. Total amount AFSCME will spend on political activities in 2008.

$13 million. Total amount of political action funds being spent, including our Independent Expenditure campaigns, making AFSCME one of the top political action committees (PACs) in the nation and the second-largest labor union PAC in the country.

2.2 million. Total number of calls made to members in targeted districts in the presidential campaign; 700,000 additional calls will be made for targeted down-ballot races. More than 400,000 personal calls have been made by AFSCME members and activists in select districts.

1.25 million. Number of pieces of mail sent to members in battleground states, in addition to multiple mailings in 22 key Senate and Congressional races.

166,000 members. The number of swing or undecided members identified in 17 battleground states that have been part of a more intensive voter contact program consisting of direct mail, calls and personal visits throughout the campaign.

10-12 times. Total number of phone, worksite, canvass and mail contacts to AFSCME swing and undecided members in 17 battleground states.

40,000 members. Total number of highly active volunteers – doubling our political army from 2006 – who are making a record number of persuasion and GOTV contacts.
Highlights

Independent Expenditure (IE). AFSCME expects to spend $13 million on targeted television advertising and direct mail in the presidential, congressional and non-federal races and ballot measures during this election cycle. AFSCME’s IE spending includes $725,000 for non-federal express advocacy.

Battleground States. AFSCME has particularly large memberships in battleground states, including 125,000 in Ohio and 95,000 in Pennsylvania. AFSCME members in non-battleground states have been contacting their counterparts in the swing states, both in person and by phone. Member volunteers are traveling to key states: Buses of activists from California, Connecticut, Illinois and New York are participating in our efforts in Indiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Staff Deployments. AFSCME has deployed more than 500 professional staff to work on AFSCME’s member communication and the Labor 2008 program in key communities in more than 20 states. Staff is also working on AFSCME’s non-partisan voter registration, early voting and GOTV operations in Florida, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

Retirees. AFSCME is working to educate and mobilize this critical constituency with voter registration drives; a special election edition newsletter mailed to 235,000 members; GOTV events with President McEntee and political leaders; and targeted mailings to New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin. As in previous election cycles, AFSCME retiree activists continue to play a major role in our political action efforts.

Voter Protection. AFSCME has been actively supporting voter protection programs in several battleground states. Utilizing staff and other resources, the program includes turnout, voter education, pre- and Election Day poll monitoring, and voter education to eliminate disparities in voter treatment. AFSCME staff lead these efforts in Colorado and New Mexico, plus they have incorporated voter-protection activities into programs in Florida, Virginia and Wisconsin.

[SmileyRose]

1. Thank god someone will fight for us.