The Colorado Model

One of the more admirable qualities of certain wealthy liberals is their passionate belief in a particular ideal coupled with their willingness to expend large sums of their money to advance that ideal. Whether through the efforts of a business titan (George Soros), entertainment icons (George Clooney and Barbara Streisand), or other like minded wealthy liberals, millions of dollars are raised and spent to help elect liberal candidates to public office. They are committed, unashamed, and they are winning.

The attached Weekly Standard article written by conservative opinion leader Fred Barnes, entitled "The Colorado Model" lays bare the playbook used by four wealthy liberals to reshape Colorado's political landscape. Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges, Jared Polis, and Pat Stryker spent $7.7 million dollars of personal funds to defeat Colorado Senate candidate Bob Schaffer and U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave because both officeholders sponsored a proposed constitutional amendment to ban homosexual marriage. The Colorado Four put their money where their mouth was and succeeded in capturing the state's governorship, both houses of the state legislature, a U.S. Senate seat, and two U.S. House seats. Yet Democrats only comprised 31.2% of registered Colorado voters. The game plan worked.

Their plan was brilliantly conceived, flawlessly executed, and left their opponents in complete disarray. To be sure, there are numerous well-financed conservative PAC's, 527's, and think tanks. Conservatives have faired well in with some outlets of the ideological air and print war (Fox News, EIB, and Glen Beck) as well as in the academic and single issue arena (Heritage Foundation, NRA, and Conservative Coalition). Yet conservatives have fallen short in doing what is necessary to win at the grassroots level, leading to the growth and popularity of the Tea Party Movement. Heretofore, campaigns have been defined and shaped by political consultants whose principal interest lies in making sure they get paid. Should the candidate win, the consultancy becomes an annuity. Should the candidate lose, the candidate is blamed, not the consultant (McCain/Palin and Virginia's Creigh Deeds come to mind).

This is not news. Many traditional large donors recognize the sordid state of big time political races and are showing their disapproval by withholding or reducing donations. As a contrast, imagine a well-funded organization whose sole mission is to defeat liberal Congressional candidates. Imagine an organization with no long or short-term debt or mortgages, no permanent staff, and whose leadership is NOT seeking public office; an organization whose single minded focus for 2010 is directed to a favorable outcome for conservatives and those who value freedom in 55 Congressional races.

2010 is not just another Congressional election year given the alarming erosion of basic freedoms resulting from the Pelosi-driven legislative juggernaut. Having the financial means to help stop this downward spiral but opting not to do so, brings to mind the words of Thomas Paine, one of the Fathers of the American Revolution and author of Common Sense, who said:
"Those who expect to realize the blessings of freedom, must...undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

The American Freedom Council is looking for Founding Partners who believe as we do and will commit finances, despite their fatigue, to help AFC draw a line for freedom in the sand and say, "Enough!" Your financial support is vital to securing the blessings of freedom for present and future generations of Americans.