To begin with, it arrived in a very governmental appearing envelope. If I didn't know better, I might have thought it was an official document. The survey itself borrows typeface and paper feel from things like the tax return or the census, further increasing the "official" feel. I do not think this is a coincidence.
Follow me below the jump for the letter's text.
They amused me with the cover letter (All paragraphing and bolding copied from original):
Dear Mrs. Lynch,
Strengthening our party for the 2010 elections is going to take a massive grassroots effort all across America.
That is why I have authorized a Census to be conducted of every Congressional District in the country.
Enclosed is your official 2010 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CENSUS registered code #A12BC345(changed by me) in your name as a representative of your area.
Your registered Census is one of a select few being mailed into Indiana's 6th Congressional District.
Because of your high level of political involvement and steadfast commitment to the Republican Party, your personal input on the questions presented in your Census Document is critical to our Party's future.
Your completing and returning this Census today is central to our Party's ability to devise a winning Republican strategy in your area-- especially as we take on the Democrats in the fight for the future of our nation. It is absolutely critical that we act immediately to build a state-of-the-art grassroots organization in every district around the country.
Your participation will provide us with the detailed information we need concerning Indiana's 6th Congressional District. We will use the answers you provide to help us win races for Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, and other key campaigns all the way down the ballot.
So please, Mrs. Lynch, take a moment to answer the important questions contained in your 2010 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CENSUS and do your best to get it back to me at RNC headquarters by May 28th.
And when you send back your completed Census, I urge you to also demonstrate your commitment to the Republican Party by including a generous donation of $25, $50, $100, $250, or even $500.
I know things are tough financially right now, but I'm making a special appeal for your financial help because we need to make sure we have the funds to fight back against Barack Obama's, Nancy Pelosi's and Harry Reid's liberal agenda for America.
By greatly expanding government and spending trillions and trillions of dollars, the Obama Administration and the Pelosi-Reid dominated Congress are taking action today that will prove disastrous to our nation in the long-term. The very fact that our children and grandchildren will be repaying today's debts decades from now should be incentive enough for you to join in this project.
Barack Obama was barely in the White House a month when he dropped all pretense of "hope" and "change" and laid bare his real agenda of massive tax increases, government-run health care, amnesty for illegal aliens, and bigger, more intrusive government. Today the Democrats disastrous agenda is becoming a reality for all Americans, and we must stop them.
This is a crucial time in our Party's and our nation's history.
That is why, as Chairman of the Republican National Committee, I have no higher priority than the success of this Census project. And the reason this is so important is-- Given the challenges our country faces-- we simply can't let the Democrats continue to have complete control of America's future.
We Republicans have got to join forces now to build a nationwide, activist grassroots network pairing the best strategies with the newest technologies to get the truth of our conservative agenda to the American people.
that means we need to go into every Congressional District and election precinct to make sure we know what's most important to the the voters in their area.
BY COMPLETING YOUR CENSUS TODAY, YOU CAN HELP MAKE THIS EFFORT A HUGE SUCCESS.
Your answers on key questions will help us gather the critical data we need to target specific campaigns and energize and expand our Republican base. Hearing directly from you will make it easier for our Republican candidates to speak specifically to the issues most important to America's voters.
Your opinions will represent literally thousands of Republicans in your Congressional District when it comes to key questions such as:
*Do you believe the huge, costly, Democrat-passed stimulus bill has been effective in creating jobs or stimulating America's economy?
*Do you think the Obama Administration is right in dramatically scaling back our military?
Should Republicans continue to stand firm and united to block the creation and expansion of government programs that will crush future economic growth?
*What do you consider the most important issues that are directly relevant to your life and your family?
The answers you provide in this Census will guide our campaign strategists and candidates as they take our Party message to the voters and fight for our core Republican principes of fiscal restraint, smaller government, personal freedom and national security.
Your responses when tallied with other respondents in the Anderson area will help our Republican candidates explain in detail that we are the Party best equipped to guide America's economy to prosperity and to empower the people of this nation-- not the government.
In the coming months, the RNC must engage in opposition research, voter identification and grassroots organizing. And we must use the latest technology to lay the groundwork to execute our campaign plans.
Mrs. Lynch, to be successful, this all-around effort must begin now and operate around the clock all the way up to Election Day.
That is why I sincerely hope you will send a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, or even $500 along with your 2010 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CENSUS.
We must be prepared to fight for every vote in every race up and down the ballot-- that includes contests in your Congressional District-- but we can only do it with your support today.
The democrats are advancing an agenda that is against so many of the noble principles this great country was founded on-- unobtrusive government and individual liberty. The only way we can unlock their iron grip on the Federal Government is to do everything within our power to elect Republicans all across the country this November-- and break their majorities in Congress.
With your help today, we can meet America's challenges head on with the right solutions and lead our Party to victory. Please let me hear from you soon.
Sincerely, Michael Steele.