From the Netroots to a Cable TV Screen Near You

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Disclosure: I work for Courage Campaign

Just over a month ago, on a $2 budget, David Dayen created A Message from the California Yachting Association and unveiled it here at Calitics, mocking the California Republican Party's transformation into the Yacht Party. It was an instant smash.

That ad inspired the Courage Campaign to create another Yacht Party ad, this one taking it to the floor of the Legislature and defining the Republicans as the party that protects tax loopholes while watching schools and health care collapse:

Last week's fundraising campaign was so successful - bringing in over $11,000 in just a few days - that we've been able to get this ad onto Sacramento cable TV Wednesday night, on CNN, MSNBC, The Daily Show and the Colbert Report.

Perhaps just as significantly, the successful campaign has brought in new allies on the Yacht Party project. If Courage Campaign can raise $5,000 in the next 48 hours, both Speaker Fabian N??ez and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West have promised to each match that with $5,000 of their own. That would enable another ad buy not just in Sacramento, but in the home districts of some of the most obstinate Republicans.

This is a significant pledge. It represents the coming together of the netroots, of organized labor, and one of the most powerful Democratic politicians in our state in a shared effort to take the fight to the Republicans, and help stop their efforts to destroy our public services just so rich folks can get a tax break.

I've been in the netroots a long time, and have been an observer of California politics for even longer. And I've always hoped that such coalitions could be built - progressive coalitions to take back our state from the radicals who have governed it into the ground. These groups haven't always seen eye to eye, but they also recognize the importance of the budget fight, and the need for common action.

Even if you don't donate - though I hope you will - I think it's worth reflecting on just how significant a moment this is.

Over the flip is the fundraising email we sent out to Courage Campaign members today. And pay attention to the "P.S." at the end - if you like these Yacht Party ads, perhaps you can help us create the next one.
Wow. We've got some wonderful news for you.

On Thursday, we asked you to help us raise $10,000 by noon today to get our 30-second "Yacht Party" TV ad on the air in Sacramento, taking the budget fight to head-in-the-sand Republicans in Sacramento. With California facing a massive $16 billion deficit and teachers being laid off by the thousands, Republicans are supporting a shocking tax loophole for, get this: yacht purchases.

Californians have had enough. That's why our TV ad compelled 335 donors to raise $11,023 combined on ActBlue and our web site, surpassing our first goal. Now, because of your generosity, we just bought time on Sacramento cable to air "Yacht Party" this Wednesday on CNN, MSNBC, the Daily Show and Colbert Report -- an action that has attracted media attention across California.

The good news gets even better:

Your people-powered response to our re-framing of the Republicans has inspired our good friends -- United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) and Assembly Speaker Fabian N??ez -- to get on board.

But there's a catch. It's a match. If the Courage Campaign community can raise $5,000 more in the next 48 hours, Speaker N??ez and SEIU-UHW will each donate $5,000 as well, tripling the power of your donation.

Can you help us make this match by Thursday at 12 p.m. by contributing $25, $50, $75, $100 or $150 on ActBlue right now?

http://www.actblue.com/page/Ya...

What will it mean for our community to meet this $5,000 match by SEIU-UHW and Speaker N??ez? It means extending our ad buy in Sacramento to Thursday AND expanding it to air the ad in specific districts where California Republican "Yacht Party" Assembly members are most vulnerable.

It also means moving one step closer to making 2008 a new era for progressive politics in California. It's so exciting to see progressives working together in common cause, from the netroots and the Courage Campaign to our friends in organized labor and the Assembly.

If you can help us make this $5,000 match, we can make history. Together.

Will you take 30 seconds to watch "Yacht Party" and then contribute $25, $50, $75, $100, $150 or more on ActBlue to match Speaker Nunez and SEIU-UHW's challenge before Thursday's deadline?  

http://www.actblue.com/page/Ya...

We can't afford to close this disastrous deficit with devastating cuts. Common sense dictates that California bring in new revenue by ending these unbelievable tax loopholes for the rich. The sooner you take action either by contributing or forwarding this message to your friends, the sooner we can pressure the Republicans to stop destroying our social safety net.

Together, we helped kill the GOP's electoral college "dirty trick," count the "double bubble" votes in Los Angeles County, and block Blackwater's base on the California border. And now, SEIU-UHW and Speaker N??ez are joining you to re-frame the Republicans and end this appalling yacht tax loophole for the super-wealthy.

With 30 seconds of your time and a few dollars, we can change the conversation inside Sacramento, help fix our gaping $16 billion state budget deficit, and rebuild the California dream.

Please watch "Yacht Party" and help us make the $5,000 match before Thursday:

http://www.actblue.com/page/Ya...

And yes, thank you again for making this amazing news possible.

Rick Jacobs

Chair

P.S. Do you own a yacht? Or do you know someone who does? This campaign has gone so well, we want to film another "Yacht Party" TV ad. But this time we need an actual yacht, not just an animated version. If you know someone, preferably in Southern California,  who wouldn't mind having the Courage Campaign film a commercial on their yacht, please email us at "info@couragecampaign.org". Thanks!