Fwd: Just a heads up

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: Just a heads up
To: "Antonio M. Elias" <Antonio@legrowforuscongress.com>

You've got a good point there. I'll take that into account in thinking up questions. I'll also try to think up ways by which to get attention on these without sending out continuous press releases (which, as you say, probably wouldn't work).

On Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 1:09 PM, Antonio M. Elias <Antonio@legrowforuscongress.com> wrote:

Regarding sending this out to the local media, I'll let Evan consider that, but I'm of the opinion that a press release a day will not get any attention.

I don't care much how they're formatted - but regarding your question, I kindof want to avoid "gotcha" questions like that. I think the entire point of this is to offer completely simple, straightforward questions and let people realize how fucking ridiculous it is that Forbes won't even offer his opinion next to that of his opponent on the budget, education, military, foreign policy, jobs, etc.

That's what wins votes. There's already people in this district amazed that Forbes won't debate - when we point out that we're not there to corner him, just to bring up totally legitimate, serious issues, they'll go for the guy answering the questions.

My thought, at least.

On Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 1:05 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:

I hadn't thought of doing these in a faux-debate format, as just sending out questions would better facilitate repetition by local media outlets. On the other hand, those outlets might just ignore this entirely (do you know if there has been any mention of the press release?), in which case this format would work for presenting them on the website. One solution would be to phrase them like this on the website and just send out the question itself to both the media and to the Forbes campaign itself. As for this one, I would phrase it like this: "Do you see how it might be ironic that the mailers you sent out to spread the word about your alleged commitment to reducing spending were produced and mailed at the taxpayer's expense?"

On Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Antonio M. Elias <Antonio@legrowforuscongress.com> wrote:

Awesome. How's:

Moderator: The first question is for Mr. Forbes. In July of this year, your Congressional office sent out a pamphlet advertising your desire to reduce the federal budget deficit. Could you explain your plan for addressing this country's budget problems?

Mr. Forbes: [no answer given]

Moderator: Dr. Legrow?

Dr. LeGrow: First of all, I would like to point out that that pamphlet was sent out at taxpayer expense. It contained no real policy proposals and amounted to nothing more than campaign advertising. I believe we need to reform entitlement spending to keep medicare and social security economically viable and strong. We need to seriously consider scaling back on all of our largest programs. The military comprises over half (I'll check on that) of our discretionary federal spending. Much of that money is spent on unneeded military bases abroad and on outdated weapons systems that do nothing for our national security and only line the pockets of my opponents' largest business supporters. Our deficit is bad for our economy and our security - we need new leadership in Washington to address this serious issue.

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Overall I don't want the "questions" to sound too biased - as I want to maintain some level of realism and keep on with the message that we're totally serious about this debate (hence the lack of chicken costumes).

-AE

On Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 11:27 AM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:

I understand, of course, and that's obviously his decision to make.

Also, for the question-a-day program, the point you made about Forbes sending out taxpayer-funded mailers claiming that he's a fiscal conservative would make for a strong question to put out early. I've got more ideas which I'll phrase and send to you soon. Also, should have that op-ed finished today, been busy with some other stuff.

On Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 9:33 AM, Antonio M. Elias <Antonio@legrowforuscongress.com> wrote:

Wynne has asked me to delete some of the "dumb" comments made in "his" name on Reddit.

I'll edit some to make it clear they came from you, but Wynne doesn't want an account wit his name calling Texans stupid (I can't see why...)

--
Antonio M. Elias
Campaign Manager
LeGrow for Congress
www.legrowforuscongress.com
o.: 434.348.1077
c.: 571.274.9840

--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
512-560-230

--
Antonio M. Elias
Campaign Manager
LeGrow for Congress
www.legrowforuscongress.com
o.: 434.348.1077
c.: 571.274.9840

--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
512-560-2302

--
Antonio M. Elias
Campaign Manager
LeGrow for Congress
www.legrowforuscongress.com
o.: 434.348.1077
c.: 571.274.9840

--
Regards,

Barrett Brown
512-560-2302