I provide research support to a progressive coalition here in central Ohio and was recently asked to scan press coverage of the Coingate scandal and compile some messaging suggestions and tactics for our members to use when writing letters to the editor, etc.
The goal is to develop more unified messaging - I think we can all appreciate the power of unified messaging - and give folks who would like to write but aren't sure how or where to start a boost.
I'm sharing the results here to get the most benefit out of the time and effort expended to pull this together - feel free to use whatever you like.
I scanned the last few months' press coverage - sources included The Columbus Dispatch, The Blade, LA Times, and the NY Times, among others.
This was a Labor of Love - and I'm still learning - so your feedback and input are welcome. (Plus I really suck at diaires so my apologies if this isn't too pretty to look at!)
COINGATE SUGGESTED MESSAGING
VALUES
Starting from one (maybe two) over-arching values makes writing letters to the editor, etc., much faster and easier (as I have learned - the hard way.)
Also, repeating a set of core values, and using "values" language, makes it easy for voters to know what your party stands for. And knowing your party's values helps them understand how you arrive at your positions on issues. Many issues can fall under any single value. (Thank you DailyKos! Kos recently posted on this and I'm trying to use it at every opportunity - powerful stuff.)
I don't pretend to have the Master List of Values from the DNC, but it can't hurt to start using values language and determine what works. So, for Coingate, here goes:
SUGGESTED VALUE: Smart Government.
Issue #1: Clean Up Political Corruption
Issue #2: Fiscal Responsibility
Putting money reserved for injured Ohio workers into speculative coin investments was reckless and irresponsible.
Issue #3: Accountability
We need public officeholders who are responsive and accountable to the people of Ohio.
ANGLES TO WORK
One-Party Rule / Power Corrupts
This is what happens when you have one-party rule. The Republicans have controlled Ohio government for 10 years.
This is what happens when one party has too much power. Republicans have dominated Ohio government for 10 years.
Senator Marc Dann (paraphrase) [If we had a system of checks and balances in Ohio state government where the fox wasn't guarding the hen house, we would have answers to a lot of the questions about where the money went.]
Just the Tip of the Iceberg / What Else Are They Hiding?
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
It would be nice if this were a case of one bad apple, but this is a systemic problem.
What else are the Republicans hiding?
Ohio Government Ripe for Reform
Ohio's government is ripe for reform. The 2006 elections - when five statewide offices, half the Ohio Senate and the entire Ohio House are up for election - can't come soon enough.
The only real change is going to occur at the ballot box in 2006 when the people will send a message that they want bipartisan governance in Ohio.
The government of Ohio is a $25 billion a year business with 60,000 employees. Republicans have been in control of Ohio's government for 10 years and have shown that they can not be trusted with the public's money.
Why Choose Such A Risky Investment?
With plenty of sound investment opportunities available, why would a state agency risk money intended for injured workers by putting it in such a secretive and speculative investment as rare coins? And do so through a politically connected Republican coin dealer?
What took so long? Coverup?
Gov. Taft was notified about the huge investment loss just days before the Nov. 2 election - when public release of the information could have affected the race in Ohio, which decided the presidency.
Coverup - rather than come clean about this colossal loss of state money, Republican leadership chose to hide the truth from the people of Ohio.
Knowledge and information about the lost money lingered in the governor's office for 6 months with no action taken to recover money for injured workers.
FACTS
At least $12 million of Ohio's public money is missing from speculative investments in coins and collectibles, and at least another $215 million of public money was lost in risky hedge-fund investments.
POINTS TO MAKE
November 2006 Elections
In November 2006, the entire Ohio House and half the Ohio Senate are up for election.
All 3 Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Took Money From Noe
All three Republican candidates for governor - Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, State Auditor Betty Montgomery and Attorney General Jim Petro - took campaign contributions from Noe.
Blackwell accepted $3,000 in campaign contributions from Noe and initially defended the speculative investment in rare coins. When Blackwell finally gave in to intense pressure to return the public's money that found its way into his campaign coffers, he donated it to an anti-abortion group.
Great quote from Ohio Sen. Marc Dann: "People understand when money is stolen and they understand the connections to the Republican Party. The Republicans might try to give the money back, but they are tainted."
Exposes Pay-to-Play Culture of Corruption
This scandal dramatically exposes the pay-to-play cancer that Republicans have inflicted on state government for three consecutive gubernatorial administrations and legislatures.
Noe used big campaign contributions to buy influence and access to Republicans in Ohio government and now Ohio taxpayers are paying the price. Through his purchased connections, Noe convinced Republican leaders in Ohio to invest $50 million in rare coins. Noe took state money from a fund for injured workers and used it to buy and sell coins, keeping 80% of the profits for himself. At least $12 million of that money for injured workers is now missing.
Noe used the influence that he purchased with campaign contributions he made to Republican candidates to relax enforcement, and not pay taxes, and make a profit.
Senator Marc Dann (paraphrase) [It's unbelievable that they took money intended for injured Ohio workers and placed it in such a risky and speculative investment just to please a big campaign donor.]
Funneling Public Money to Republican Campaigns
Noe also allegedly funneled public money to Republican candidates.
Thomas Noe was Bush's re-election chairman in northwestern Ohio and raised at least $100,000 for the Bush-Cheney campaign. As much as $100,000 of the money stolen from Ohio may have made its way to George W. Bush's campaign war chest. And, Noe is under FBI investigation for an October 2003 fund-raiser in Columbus that raised $1.4 million for the Bush campaign. Allegations are that Noe gave money to people who then donated it to Bush's reelection campaign.
Even the Investigation Smells Fishy
Attorney General Jim Petro - who plans to seek the Republican Party's gubernatorial nomination - appointed retired bankruptcy judge William T. Bodoh to oversee the liquidation of two funds Noe controls. Bodoh's current law firm, Frost Brown Todd, has contributed heavily to Republicans.
State Auditor Betty Montgomery - another hopeful Republican candidate for governor - wants to choose auditing firm KPMG to conduct a special audit of the coin investment program. KPMG's employees support Republican candidates 96% of the time.
Other
Republicans gave Noe $50 million in state money to play with.
Thomas Noe was aided and abetted by the Republican culture of corruption that rewards the pursuit of power above the public good.
The coin investments was like investing in baseball cards.
BUZZ WORDS / CATCH PHRASES
Republican culture of corruption
pay-to-steal
Lacking a culture of accountability
breakdown in accountability
fiscal obscenity
speculative investment
reckless and irresponsible
gambling with money for injured workers
state money intended for injured workers was diverted to Republican politicians
funneling money intended for injured workers into Republican campaign coffers
watching Republican officeholders scramble to distance themselves by unloading campaign contributions received from Noe, contributions that very likely were stolen from state funds
Republican ethics deficit
public servants greasing the skids for political cronies using public money
Republican officeholders allowed Noe to take state money and do whatever he wanted with it and the connections are widespread to Republicans holding public office.
this is what happens when one party has too much power
coverup
rather than come clean about this colossal loss of state money, Republican leadership chose to hide the truth from the people of Ohio.
doesn't pass the smell test