anyone want to stop by Milwaukee Athletic Club Thursday, 11:30 a.m. for lunch

[auburnmarquette]

OK, I have no idea why a political guy like me has just never been in the habit of jumping into the Super Bar all the time. I love Marquette and spend most of my time talking about issues related to campaigns - though I left running campaigns to start a conservative campaign finance reform group www.takeback.org after pulling off a big upset of Congressional Majority Leader Eric Cantor (so you can blame me or thank me for clearing the path for Paul Ryan to eventually become Speaker). Most people on the basketball side know both "auburnmarquette" and "bamamarquettefan" before it are me - John Pudner (I had to change the screen name because people kept congratulating me when our rival Crimson Tide won a title.

So with all that out of the way, we are hosting a get-together at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. In building up www.takeback.org, I recently hired the wife of a 2005 Marquette grad and when it came to hire our consulting team I hired one that included several Marquette grads and is still based in Milwaukee. We want to build out a great state chapter here, and if anyone would like to come by and just say hello or grab a free lunch (it is a "drop in") then please do - and if you do get a chance to RSVP to the info on the attached invitation or just reply to this message and let me know we are coming it would help us with our food count. (though even a last minute drop in will be welcome)

Thanks! John Pudner (cell 404.606.3163)

[Blackhat]

Pretty cool, unfortunately I'm working.    If you ever have a Friday or weekend event let me know.

[Galway Eagle]

The Superbar is supposed to be politics free

[naginiF]

If i lived in MKE i'd make a showing both because clearly campaign finance reform is something that is needed and it's difficult for those of us not in the political machine to to have a good understanding past the high level issues AND because you roomed with the elder naginiF while at MU.

On the former, which clearly is the less important of the two, is foreign influence the primary effort of your group or are you using it as a main talking point because there isn't a lot of "pro foreign influence" arguments?  it seems like a much less convoluted issue than individual contribution levels, PAC roles, contributions being public record, etc.  Again, at least it seems that way from outside the machine.

BTW - you did a good job keeping any specific party labeling, or alignment, out of your dialogue.  Hopefully we can keep it that way here.

Good luck with your event/endeavor.

[Benny B]

The Superbar is supposed to be politics free

Campaign finance reform should be an apolitical issue... not sure what the difference would be between "conservative CFR" and "liberal CFR" when getting foreign/outside money out should be the goal of both.

Frankly, the best campaign finance reform for both parties would be to simply make voting mandatory... damn near 100% of the money in campaigns these days is being spent with one singular purpose: getting people to show up to the polls.  Make attendance mandatory, and the influence of money in elections goes away.  And it's completely apolitical.

I don't see any politics here.

[GGGG]

He's a good guy who I disagree with on many issues.  He's just inviting people to lunch.  No biggie.

[Galway Eagle]

Campaign finance reform should be an apolitical issue... not sure what the difference would be between "conservative CFR" and "liberal CFR" when getting foreign/outside money out should be the goal of both.

Frankly, the best campaign finance reform for both parties would be to simply make voting mandatory... damn near 100% of the money in campaigns these days is being spent with one singular purpose: getting people to show up to the polls.  Make attendance mandatory, and the influence of money in elections goes away.  And it's completely apolitical.

I don't see any politics here.

The issue itself is apolitical but, like he listed on his post, it's a conservative finance reform group which turns it from apolitical to a partisan topic.

[brandx]

He's a good guy who I disagree with on many issues.  He's just inviting people to lunch.  No biggie.

Except for the bragging about how he is aiding conservative causes.

You and I have been able to resist the urge to make political comments since that board was shut down. Others should show the mods (and us) the same respect.

[Benny B]

Again, there's nobody discussing politics here.  CFR is, in and of itself, an apolitical topic.  And simply posting notice of an event - whether being put on by a particular party or political group or not - is no more political than simply stating that "Obama is holding a fundraiser in Chicago next month" or "the GOP convention starts next week."  If you want to go to the event, great... if not, fine.  A simple "calendar of events" shouldn't be political so long as there is no discussion about the substance of the event itself.

Why should anyone have a problem with someone else posting a notice of an event for a meeting to discuss women's rights, gun control, fiscal responsibility, racial relations, education reform, environmental issues, economic development, etc. no matter who's putting it on provided that there's no discussion regarding women's rights, gun control, fiscal responsibility, racial relations, education reform, environmental issues, economic development, etc. here.

Clear?

[4everwarriors]

Free Chicos 2016

[brandx]

Again, there's nobody discussing politics here.  CFR is, in and of itself, an apolitical topic.  And simply posting notice of an event - whether being put on by a particular party or political group or not - is no more political than simply stating that "Obama is holding a fundraiser in Chicago next month" or "the GOP convention starts next week."  If you want to go to the event, great... if not, fine.  A simple "calendar of events" shouldn't be political so long as there is no discussion about the substance of the event itself.

Why should anyone have a problem with someone else posting a notice of an event for a meeting to discuss women's rights, gun control, fiscal responsibility, racial relations, education reform, environmental issues, economic development, etc. no matter who's putting it on provided that there's no discussion regarding women's rights, gun control, fiscal responsibility, racial relations, education reform, environmental issues, economic development, etc. here.

Clear?

Other than bragging he was part of the tea party that took down Cantor.

He could have just posted the luncheon and no one would have said a thing as I agree about being able to post notice about any event.

[Benny B]

Other than bragging he was part of the tea party that took down Cantor.

He could have just posted the luncheon and no one would have said a thing as I agree about being able to post notice about any event.

So what?  People brag all the time. 

Not to mention, he's "bragging" about a Republican candidate beating another Republican candidate in a primary.  That's as apolitical as it comes... Republicans can cheer because a Republican won, and Democrats can cheer because a Republican lost.

Pull the stick out of your six and chillax.

[real chili 83]

In before the lock.....

Hey John, hope the lunch went well.  Did any Scoopers give you the secret Scoop handshake and reveal their Scoop identity?

[tower912]

Free Chicos 2016

Chicos reaped what he had sown.   

[auburnmarquette]

The Superbar is supposed to be politics free

We are recognized by the IRS as a non-profit, meaning we cannot engage in any electioneering of any kind - for politicians or parties. We left politics to try to fix the system for the public good and must stay on that mission for the IRS to continue to acknowledge us as such.

[auburnmarquette]

Campaign finance reform should be an apolitical issue... not sure what the difference would be between "conservative CFR" and "liberal CFR" when getting foreign/outside money out should be the goal of both.

Frankly, the best campaign finance reform for both parties would be to simply make voting mandatory... damn near 100% of the money in campaigns these days is being spent with one singular purpose: getting people to show up to the polls.  Make attendance mandatory, and the influence of money in elections goes away.  And it's completely apolitical.

I don't see any politics here.

The reason we focused on foreign giving is that while it is completely illegal - it is happening more and more. A consultant was nailed for getting half a million in foreign money into a US race, a overseas porn company put $327k into a Los Angeles vote, etc. We also have hundreds of millions in unverified dollars coming in via unverified credit card contributions - and that is an easy avenue for undetected foreign money. We start with foreign money as what we consider the most outrageous abuse (though the SuperPAC that was just caught taking $200k in illegal Government contractors donations is bad too as we argue they are trading gifts for your tax dollars. We do discuss the other solutions you mention.

[auburnmarquette]

The issue itself is apolitical but, like he listed on his post, it's a conservative finance reform group which turns it from apolitical to a partisan topic.

Legally that is not the case. We formed the group because there were many progressive groups pushing for campaign finance reform but there was a void from conservatives. So our focus has been on getting conservatives on board. Not to sound like a legal/splitting hairs, but from the legal perspective if we said that we were a Republican group then we would be viewed as advocating the election of Republicans etc. Our focus is more of a "come on conservatives, you should be just as concerned about the corruption that can come from our current campaign finance system." So I hope there is a distinction between telling conservatives they need to support reform and my past decades of trying to get people to elect certain candidates.

In fact, I was invited to speak in Massachusetts a couple of months ago, and then we found an invite only that said that people attending were contributing to a local Republican PArty. We promptly cancelled the trip and they had to announce to the press that they were cancelling the event because we can't use our resources to advance a party or candidate.

[auburnmarquette]

Other than bragging he was part of the tea party that took down Cantor.

He could have just posted the luncheon and no one would have said a thing as I agree about being able to post notice about any event.

No, the history on Cantor is why the Shepherd Express was the first Milwaukee media to cover our efforts. http://shepherdexpress.com/article-26887-a-conservative-case-for-campaign-finance-reform.html

Obviously if they had viewed our efforts as partisan - or if I was giving a talk on how to duplicate Brat's win over Cantor to elect people - that would be partisan. But to say I lived through the ultimate big money opponent and that is what got me out of politics  because we have to change the system is almost the opposite. I think if you read through the 100+ media pieces since we launched this you will see the Cantor reference is what makes people understand we get the problem - FORMER political people trying to fix the system from the outside. Come on BrandX, let's put our past basketball conflicts behind us :-)

http://takeback.org/mediatbor-articles-2-2/

[auburnmarquette]

In before the lock.....

Hey John, hope the lunch went well.  Did any Scoopers give you the secret Scoop handshake and reveal their Scoop identity?

hah, it is actually this coming Thursday so I will let you know

[auburnmarquette]

sorry for the late responses - I forgot notifications that I had replies were going to another of my emails addresses. Still getting used to clicking on the Superbar after clicking on Hangin' at the Al :-)

[Jay Bee]

a overseas porn company put $327k into a Los Angeles vote, etc.

Wait... you guys are anti-overseas pr0n? Upsetting.

[Galway Eagle]

Legally that is not the case. We formed the group because there were many progressive groups pushing for campaign finance reform but there was a void from conservatives. So our focus has been on getting conservatives on board. Not to sound like a legal/splitting hairs, but from the legal perspective if we said that we were a Republican group then we would be viewed as advocating the election of Republicans etc. Our focus is more of a "come on conservatives, you should be just as concerned about the corruption that can come from our current campaign finance system." So I hope there is a distinction between telling conservatives they need to support reform and my past decades of trying to get people to elect certain candidates.

In fact, I was invited to speak in Massachusetts a couple of months ago, and then we found an invite only that said that people attending were contributing to a local Republican PArty. We promptly cancelled the trip and they had to announce to the press that they were cancelling the event because we can't use our resources to advance a party or candidate.

Kinda sounds like splitting hairs. You're basically saying it's not political because you're saying "conservative" not "republican". If I were to post a cop shooting video on here saying "it's a shame" I wouldn't be taking a Democrat side, however, the majority of liberal people would agree with my statement and many conservatives would tend to disagree. It's not involved in any type of election but it still is a political topic. Essentially topics are still political even if you call it "right/left" "conservative/liberal" "republican/democrat".

This all being said I didn't flag your post, I'm not trying to start any argument. I agree in what your doing is necessary on both sides. I do think that when you say you're only targeting one side though, it's a political topic. If I lived in Milwaukee I'd attend the lunch and see for myself, probably ruffle a few feathers while there.

[Jay Bee]

Kinda sounds like splitting hairs. You're basically saying it's not political because you're saying "conservative" not "republican". If I were to post a cop shooting video on here saying "it's a shame" I wouldn't be taking a Democrat side, however, the majority of liberal people would agree with my statement and many conservatives would tend to disagree. It's not involved in any type of election but it still is a political topic. Essentially topics are still political even if you call it "right/left" "conservative/liberal" "republican/democrat".

This all being said I didn't flag your post, I'm not trying to start any argument. I agree in what your doing is necessary on both sides. I do think that when you say you're only targeting one side though, it's a political topic. If I lived in Milwaukee I'd attend the lunch and see for myself, probably ruffle a few feathers while there.

The awful first paragraph of yours above is VERY political. Shame on you.

[auburnmarquette]

Kinda sounds like splitting hairs. You're basically saying it's not political because you're saying "conservative" not "republican"...

I get what you are saying - but I guess the bigger point for me is we aren't saying, "Here is why we need to elect conservatives (or Republicans)." In fact, some Republicans go after me because they feel like I am advancing an overall issue that helps elect Democrats. I don't think I am doing that either - rather I am trying to get everyone to acknowledge we have a problem because of how elections are funded and run. One big concert producer told me a couple of months ago, "You get all the conservatives to back campaign finance reform and I'll get all the liberals to back campaign finance reform and once we do that then the grassroots on both sides can battle over all the other issues."

I believe we are trapped in a system where Members of Congress must spend almost all their time asking for big money out of districts - and we want to fix the system so they can get back to governing.

[Galway Eagle]

The awful first paragraph of yours above is VERY political. Shame on you.

Generally when you say something to me it's through one ear and out the other due to how much I respect you... this is one of those instances.

[auburnmarquette]

... If I lived in Milwaukee I'd attend the lunch and see for myself, probably ruffle a few feathers while there.

Hecklers are welcome - we are talking a small room of 5 or 10 people where we are paying for lunch - so if you want a friend to come "ruffle a few feathers" for you I am game. Happy to start a discussion - don't view it as arguing.

[Galway Eagle]

Hecklers are welcome - we are talking a small room of 5 or 10 people where we are paying for lunch - so if you want a friend to come "ruffle a few feathers" for you I am game. Happy to start a discussion - don't view it as arguing.

Haha I was only kidding about that, I would honestly be very interested in what you had to say and just how far you'd be hoping to reform. As I believe I stated a few years back, I disagree vehemently with your ideological positions but I respect your work and realize you are a very smart individual. 

[Jay Bee]

Generally when you say something to me it's through one ear and out the other due to how much I respect you... this is one of those instances.

I think it's more to do with nothing to stop what comes in one ear, a''ina? You're not a very bright fellow.

[Galway Eagle]

I think it's more to do with nothing to stop what comes in one ear, a''ina? You're not a very bright fellow.

I guess that doesn't say much about our alma mater then does it? Must really irk you that someone could care less what you think for you to lash out like this. 

[Jay Bee]

I guess that doesn't say much about our alma mater then does it? Must really irk you that someone could care less what you think for you to lash out like this.

I think you mean "couldn't care less."  I'm well aware my alma mater allows some dipsh1ts to matriculate.

I'm not lashing out. You're obviously not a very bright guy, that's all.

[Galway Eagle]

I think you mean "couldn't care less."  I'm well aware my alma mater allows some dipsh1ts to matriculate.

I'm not lashing out. You're obviously not a very bright guy, that's all.

You are right I did mean that. Thanks for correcting me. And once again I really couldnt care less what a middle aged perv who gets his rocks off insulting people half his age and being the second creepiest guy on a basketball forum thinks. So go on think what you'd like about me.

[Benny B]

You are right I did mean that. Thanks for correcting me. And once again I really couldnt care less what a middle aged perv who gets his rocks off insulting people half his age and being the second creepiest guy on a basketball forum thinks. So go on think what you'd like about me.

Hey, just because I'll defend your right to midget-midget-gay-armadillo-bbw-Michael Jackson impersonator-pirate-starving Somalian-CFNM porn doesn't make me #1 creepy.

[bamamarquettefan]

Haha I was only kidding about that, I would honestly be very interested in what you had to say and just how far you'd be hoping to reform. As I believe I stated a few years back, I disagree vehemently with your ideological positions but I respect your work and realize you are a very smart individual.

No - thought you were kidding on that but appreciate your comment. I do occasionally get worked up about a particular political issue here and there, but most progressives  I deal with tell people I'm good natured and open minded on most issues. Maybe another event will give us a chance to connect!