Sunlight Foundation

The Sunlight Foundation now turns our attention to the upcoming Democratic National Convention and will once again be using Party Time as our guide. We will be on site in Charlotte attending and reporting on the events, fundraisers and other happenings around what the Democrats are billing as the “most open and transparent” in the party’s history. Please do not hesitate to contact us, we are happy to help out with research, insight and whatever else may come up as your report on the convention. Contact information is above, including cell phone number.

Party Time

In terms of number of events in Party Time [http://politicalpartytime.org/search/Entertainment_Type/convention/], we are tracking more invites for Charlotte than the GOP convention had in Tampa. Here are some highlights of the nearly 400 events planned for the week:

LDS Democrats

Nancy Pelosi 25th Anniversary concert

Searchlight Leadership Fund reception with Sen. Harry Reid

SEIU / Families USA Health Care Forum

Sex, Politics and Cocktails: Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Please let me know if you would like the full list of all DNC Charlotte events as a .csv file.

Pyramid Convention, part 2

In Tampa, it became quickly apparent that money was the great divider, in terms of access, at the GOP convention. Enthusiastic delegates were happy to be part of the nominating proceedings and attend popular concerts like Kid Rock. Lobbying and special interest groups held or sponsored policy forums, client receptions and late-night dance parties, mostly invite-only. At the top, Romney bundlers, super PAC donors and party influencers held exclusive, private events from a Crossroads GPS strategy briefing with Karl Rove to a reception on a luxury yacht.

This access structure will certainly be on our minds in Charlotte. The three top Democratic super PACs — Priorities USA Action, Majority PAC and House Majority PAC — are having a “Super-O-Rama” under the Unity Convention 2012 banner at the convention with contributions recommended between $25,000 and $100,000. The agenda includes a policy update cocktails reception (9/4), Capitol Hill leaders brunch (9/5) and the actual Super-O-Rama party and concert (9/6).
Clandestine Corporate Cash?

The Charlotte 2012 host committee is not taking money from corporations, registered lobbyists and PACs, as well as limiting individual donations to $100,000 or less. While limiting this influence sends a message contrary to the GOP, corporations will still have a notable presence. Whether it is an in-kind service or a donation to the host committee's sister nonprofit, New American Cities, to Charlotte being a banking hub they can't really disappear.

Companies and lobbying groups sponsoring or hosting events include:

Bob Johnson / RJL Companies After the Gavel parties

CSX Corporation Salute to the Carolinas

John Buscher / Holland & Knight lobbyist sky box

Google Party

The Forum on American Competitiveness

Latinos Leaders Luncheon

Verizon / Montana Big Sky Party

Various events for the Congressional Black Caucus

Loyal to the Left and the Right

A number of groups are hosting events in both convention cities, they include:

ArtsSpeak and ArtsJam in and Charlotte

Distilled Spirits Council in Tampa and Charlotte

Financial Services Roundtable in Tampa and Charlotte

Personal Care Products Council

StartUpRockOn

RNC Recap

From convention bingo playing to super PAC sleuthing, Sunlight dispatches from the Republican National Convention are available on our conventions hub page: SunlightFoundation.com/conventions2012.

Key posts include:

-- The Pyramid Convention
-- GOP Platform Moves from Light to Dark
-- Taxpayers Paying for Convention Observers
-- The Many Parties of the RNC Mapped
-- Koch-funded Groups Denies Access to Sunlight at Reception

The Sunlight Foundation is a non-partisan non-profit that uses cutting-edge technology and ideas to make government transparent and accountable. Visit http://SunlightFoundation.com to learn more about Sunlight’s projects, including http://PoliticalPartyTime.org and http://influenceexplorer.com.