Memorandum

TO: Sam Rohrer Supporters & Allies
FR: Jeff Coleman, Senior Strategist
DA: 15 January 2010
RE: Corbett Campaign Launches Opposition Research Effort

Late yesterday afternoon we learned that the campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett began the first phase of an opposition research effort against Representative Rohrer. A Corbett campaign investigator began research efforts in the State Capitol this week by filing a comprehensive “Right-to-Know” request to the House of Representatives. This development signals that a decidedly more aggressive, negative approach to our campaign is about to begin.

Old politics. New Tactics.

The politics of personal destruction is not new. For decades, digging for dirt or some “useful” piece of information on an opponent has been effectively used to intimidate, distract and derail a campaign that threatens conventional political assumptions about who should win an election and when. During a December press conference on Bonusgate indictments, this is how Attorney General Corbett described the process of investigating political opponents:

“Opposition research is an extensive investigation into the personal and professional life of political opponents and details the strengths and weaknesses of an opponent in an attempt to find general and specific campaign strategies for defeating the opponent. These opposition research reports are detailed, often taking weeks to prepare and are frequently more than 100 pages in length.”

In recent years much of Harrisburg’s political community has lost tremendous professional credibility because of shadowy tactics and questionable ethics by its participants. From taxpayer and privately-funded smear campaigns to publicly subsidized mega-bonuses for campaign work, new technology has even accelerated this race to the bottom.

How should we respond?

Representative Rohrer has made it clear to all of us involved in this effort that this campaign will be a debate about big ideas not people or personalities. That means you’ll never see a private investigator, staffer or intern who works for us, sifting through our opponent’s personal or professional life in search of that backdoor to victory.

Think back to the beginning of this young campaign, just a few weeks ago. Representative Rohrer entered the race because he feels a sense of duty to confront the unprecedented challenges Pennsylvania will face in the next four years. He has asked all of us to remain respectful of our opponents, their families and supporters, while fighting off any tug to be personal, petty or political in our responses to attacks. That’s his challenge to us, and we’re committed to this kind of campaign.

What can you do?

It’s pretty simple. We need you to keep your eyes and ears open for any sign of negative or misleading campaign activity. If you receive an attack email, letter or phone call – let us know immediately so we can set the record straight. You’ll find the campaign tipline at www.TheStrategyRoom.org.

Let’s keep our eye on the finish line in May. Keep making phone calls, telling your friends and introducing people to this campaign for conservative change!

Plan to attend the February 13, 2010, SamRohrer.org “Mobilize for Liberty in 2010” Grassroots Action Conference in Harrisburg.

CONFERENCE LOCATION & TIMES:

“Mobilize for Liberty in 2010”
Grassroots Action Conference
Harrisburg Hilton and Towers
1 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
11AM – 4PM

PRESENTER AND PANEL FOCUS:

• Winning the Precinct Wars
• Building the Online Movement
• Mastering the Issues for 2010
• Impacting Your Media Market

COST:

• $25/per adult
• $10/ student rate

If you are unable to attend due to prohibitive travel or ticket costs, don’t let that deter you! Email Ryan@SamRohrer.org for event scholarship information. We will do our best to help. Tickets are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets will go on sale this Wednesday at SamRohrer.org.

«DOWNLOAD THE EVENT FLIER HERE»

MEMORANDUM

TO:  Sam Rohrer Supporters & Allies
FR:  Jeff Coleman, Senior Campaign Strategist
RE:  State of the Republican Governor’s Race
DA:  8 January 2010

The race for the Republican nomination for governor is up for grabs.  Polls continue to indicate the vast majority of Republican Primary voters are undecided, unsure or ambiguous about their options. With Congressman Jim Gerlach’s exit from the race, the Republican choice for governor becomes stark – a moderate Republican or a comprehensive, ideas conservative.

In the past, Attorney General Tom Corbett has always positioned himself as the moderate, centrist, consensus builder – not an ideological conservative.  The support and sponsorship given to him from the old-guard, establishment wing of the Republican Party like Pittsburgh’s Elsie Hillman, has prevented him from making more aggressive movements toward the base of the Party.

While non-controversial, statewide row officers like Attorney General Tom Corbett generally benefit from early name recognition and a generally positive profile associated with his job performance, Primary Republican voters are far from the point of decision the governor’s race.

What about the early polls?

It is instructive that at a similar point in 1990, the presumptive gubernatorial nominee, State Treasurer General Barbara Hafer, benefited from name recognition and strong backing from Republican State Committee, but remained undefined on core Republican issues early in the process.  Hafer narrowly defeated a vastly underfunded Primary Election opponent, and lost 68%-32% to Bob Casey Sr., in the General Election.   In 2002, the GOP nominee, state Attorney General Mike Fisher won early support from Republican State Committee with strong name ID and a solid law enforcement record.  Fisher would lose to Ed Rendell 53.4%-44.4%.  In 2006, Republican State Committee endorsed Lynn Swann, based on an argument of positive name ID and celebrity.  Swann lost to Ed Rendell by a margin of 60-40%.

The lesson?  Early name ID predicts little or nothing about the eventual electoral outcome in the fall.  Name ID, money and establishment support often clears the field – but fails to create real grassroots passion.  Their support can’t be manufactured or rented, and candidates will never generate a compelling, conservative message from a briefing book.

2010 is a year for the courageous, ideas-driven conservative. That’s Sam Rohrer.

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Visit www.TheStrategyRoom.org for 24/7 insider updates from the campaign.
See where Sam will be campaign this weekend at www.SamRohrer.org.

It’s an early morning, but worth the effort to attend this Saturday’s Lancaster County Action breakfast with Sam. Details»

We’re launching the SamRohrer.org Faith & Family Network this week thanks to the great efforts of David Nyce (david@samrohrer.org). We’ll be announcing the first Pastor’s Policy Briefing dates for the month of January and posting downloadable materials. The URL will be posted shortly.

Sam will be in Philly Thursday morning for the Center-right coalition meeting at the Union League.  If you’re interested in attending, email ryan@samrohrer.org.   His next public event will be the York County Campaign for Liberty.  This event is open to the public.  Details»

Our friends with the Carlisle Area 9.12 have organized tonight’s Townhall in Carlisle. Click here for details»