Targeting Areas for Political Action

[Laurel Scott]

Ok, guys, I think part of our effort to educate the public should be to target the areas where our efforts would yield the greatest results. Factors to consider:
(a) concentration of population - better to put up a poster or do a news show or give a speech that can be accessed by 1000, rather than 100, as the same effort reaches more people.
(b) in an area with US Reps and Senators who are on the fence on immigration - less effort has greater result if all you need to do is tip the balance the other way.
(c) in an area with large immigrant population - the presence of immigrant population makes the issue more prevalent in people's minds and also working in an immigrant area gives the possibility of more people to join the cause and make the effort.
(d) in an area with US Reps and Senators who are rediculously anti-immigrant - making a major affront to a few key restrictionists will send a message to the rest, but doing so can be extremely challenging as you'd be up against the toughests fights in these areas and may exhuast your energy that could have been spent elsewhere.

Here's a list of the 25 most populous metropolitan areas:
1. New York–Northern New Jersey–Long Island NY–NJ–PA 18,818,536
2 Los Angeles–Long Beach–Santa Ana CA 12,950,129
3 Chicago–Naperville–Joliet IL–IN–WI 9,505,748
4 Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington TX 6,003,967
5 Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington PA–NJ–DE–MD 5,826,742
6 Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown TX 5,539,949
7 Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach FL 5,463,857
8 Washington–Arlington–Alexandria DC–VA–MD–WV 5,290,400
9 Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Marietta GA 5,138,223
10 Detroit–Warren–Livonia MI 4,468,966
11 Boston–Cambridge–Quincy MA–NH 4,455,217
12 San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont CA 4,180,027
13 Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale AZ 4,039,182
14 Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario CA 4,026,135
15 Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue WA 3,263,497
16 Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington MN–WI 3,175,041
17 San Diego–Carlsbad–San Marcos CA 2,941,454
18 St. Louis MO–IL 2,796,368
19 Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater FL 2,697,731
20 Baltimore–Towson MD 2,658,405
21 Denver–Aurora CO 2,408,750
22 Pittsburgh PA–WV 2,370,776
23 Portland–Vancouver–Beaverton OR–WA 2,137,565
24 Cleveland–Elyria–Mentor OH 2,114,155
25 Cincinnati–Middletown OH 2,104,218

It was easy to get a hold of the population list. Its going to be more complex to compare that list to voting history of the Senators and Reps and compare it to the percent of foreign-born so we can figure out what the priorities are. Of course, if you live in or near any of these areas, it makes sense for you to volunteer to make efforts in your locality. Can we start getting volunteers?

What does it mean to volunteer? It means you're going to report back to the forum on the Senators and Reps and start compiling a list of the reporters in the area who cover immigration issues. That at least is a start and we'll take it from there.

I got Houston (#6).

[Laurel Scott]

Something else to consider is the 15 swing states in the Presidential elections. Wikipedia lists them (in alphabetical order, with number of electoral votes) as:
- Arkansas [6]
- Colorado (will hold Democrat convention) [9]
- Florida [27]
- Iowa [7]
- Kentucky [8]
- Michigan [17]
- Minnesota (will hold Republican convention) [10]
- Missouri [11]
- Nevada [5]
- New Mexico [5]
- Ohio [20]
- Pennsylvania [21]
- Virginia [13]
- West Virginia [5]
- Wisconsin [10]

[Laurel Scott]

Found another cite that says how GOP or Democrat each state is (http://www.electoral-vote.com/). This indicates whether its a swing-state for the parties in general, not just the Presidential election.

Ok, so taking into account (a) whether its a swing state in the Presidential election, (b) how many electoral votes it has, and (c) how much its a party swing state, a priority list by state might be ...

- Pennsylvania [21]
- Ohio [20]
- Michigan [17]
- Florida [27]
- Minnesota (will hold Republican convention) [10]
- Wisconsin [10]
- Iowa [7]
- Virginia [13]
- Missouri [11]
- Nevada [5]
- New Mexico [5]
- Colorado (will hold Democrat convention) [9]
- Arkansas [6]
- Kentucky [8]
- West Virginia [5]

States listed above that do not have any metropolitan areas on the top 25 list are: Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, Arkansas and Kentucky.

[Laurel Scott]

Other considerations: 2008 Senate elections. Remember that Senate terms are six years, each state has two Senators, and every two years, one third of the Senate is up for reelection. Some Senators are planning on retiring or will probably retire. Can we get info on each Senator up for reelection and info on Senate races where the incumbant will retire? Bear in mind that democrats are not necessarily with us and republicans are not necessarily against. I've given my notes when I know the person's immigration stance. I've italicized Senators in swing states, according to the above list. I count nine Senate races in the 15 swing states.

Retiring or likely to retire
Wayne Allard (R) of Colorado
Joe Biden (D) of Delaware
Thad Cochran (R) of Mississippi
Larry Craig (R) of Idaho
Chuck Hagel (R) of Nebraska
Tim Johnson (D) of South Dakota
John Warner (R) of Virginia

Democratic incumbent races
Max Baucus of Montana
**** Durbin of Illinois [note: we like him]
Tom Harkin of Iowa
John Kerry of Massachusetts
Mary Landrieu of Louisiana
Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey
Carl Levin of Michigan
Mark Pryor of Arkansas
Jack Reed of Rhode Island
Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia

Republican incumbent races
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee
Saxby Chambliss of Georgia
Norm Coleman of Minnesota
Susan Collins of Maine
John Cornyn of Texas [note: against relief for violators of immigration law, but in favor of immigration that boosts our economy. Generally considered a restrictionist, but can be reasonable on the topic as he seems to understand the practical considerations. Has prominently sponsored multiple immigration bills, many of which are on the restrictionist side, but some, such as the SKIL bill, are positive.
Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina
Pete Domenici of New Mexico
Michael Enzi of Wyoming
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma
Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
Pat Roberts of Kansas
Jeff Sessions of Alabama
Gordon Smith of Oregon
Ted Stevens of Alaska
John Sununu of New Hampshire

Need info on the House, too, you guys.

[Laurel Scott]

If it sounds like I'm all over the place, its because I am. My partner on the film is (wisely) pushing me to make arrangements for appearances to show the film. I might be able to hit 10-30 locations before the 2008 Presidential elections, excluding nearby towns in Texas. I'm trying to decide which places to hit would be the most effective. I'm going to try to meet with reporters at each locale while I'm there.

Now, I'm not quite arrogant enough to think I'm going to single-handedly influence the debate on immigration reform, but - you know - we should all do our part and each of us should use our time and effort in the most effective manner.

[IBMMuseum]

...Now, I'm not quite arrogant enough to think I'm going to single-handedly influence the debate on immigration reform, but - you know - we should all do our part and each of us should use our time and effort in the most effective manner.

We saw how at least leading in to try to give legal status to a workforce went. I think the effort (as it has always has) needs to be focused on the U.S. citizens forced to be separate from their families. Strong, personal stories that are well defined.

It has to move all those Americans that didn't say anything this last time around, and silence those that did...

[Laurel Scott]

Oh, certainly. That's why I chose to do a film about the DREAM Act kids as I find them to be the most sympathetic subjects. The target segment of the population to view the film is US citizens who either need a little convincing or are already a bit to the left on the subject, but don't know just how bad it is. Basically, the film will be educating those already kind-of in favor. I'd love to show it to every American; I think its suitable for widespread viewing, BUT ... I can't just give it to NBC and say "here, put this on at 8pm on Thursday." Every place I'm going to show it, I have to (a) ask nicely if they'll allow me to come and show it, and (b) work out schedules with them. Universities are the most likely to agree to show it. And then, if 20 people show up to each viewing, I'll be happy. I went to college and I've been to stuff like this, so I know that 20 is a good turnout for an unknown. Since we're talking small audiences, I need to pick and choose locations strategically.

Oh, but even though it may only be 20 people at each place, and maybe one meeting with a local reporter, those few people can be influential. College students are intelligent and motivated about social issues and they have limited responsibilities, i.e. no kids. The loyalty and efforts of a few college students can go a long way.

What I need to know is - what parts of the country should I be going to?

[ujcdv]

Michigan!

There are alot of "Traditional" people here ( I use the word traditional because they are not conservative or liberal) in the Ann Arbor area. Inside Ann Arbor Michigan it is very liberal, but outside in the suburbs it is very pro family, split on pro life/choice, split on homosexual/lifestyle (even though enough votes were cast to amend the constitution against gay marriage), split on global warming, anti Iraq, etc.

Senator Stabenow is against illegal immigration and "amnesty", Senator Levin is slightly less against it. His office told me that he would vote for immigration reform if it was like that last years. Stabenow's office would not give me their position on the issue.

Congressman Dingell's (Washtenaw county) office is more open to immigration as is Congressman Conyers (Wayne/Oakland/Monroe county's).

People here think about illegal immigration as a bad thing, but when they know someone like a U.S. citizen whose family is effected by it, they think a little differently. Some look up things on the net and find out just what is going on (like how the patriot act equates into how long they can hold you, or how Combat veterans from Iraq find out their spouse is being deported and there is nothing they can do about it, among other things) and then they get ...not mad, more like sad.

Bottom line is they don't know what to do about it and if they do call their elected representatives and tell them how they feel, then they are done and are at a loss for what else they can do. Most are too busy to get involved or feel that it's an uphill battle.

UofM in Ann Arbor is great University for this type of movie, if it can be made available not just to the college kids, but their parents as well.

The parents of regular American families need to be educated and or informed by what the laws are, and some analogies need to be made so it shows them what happens to families/children and above all else, U.S. citizens. The parents of regular families are the ones most likely to vote.

We will never get true immigration reform until we educate the populace. To do that, Universities are a great start for future voting but those kids parents are the real targets. I'm trying to educate people for my particular issue, and I'm always asked about my kids. U.S. citizens who have effectively been exiled because their mother was removed.

I think Michigan is as good a place as any and Ann Arbor is VERY close to Livonia, only 20 minutes away and that's with traffic.

As a side note Laurel, have you or your movie partner contacted Michael Moore's agent? He/they might be able to give you some tips on how to present it. Also, what about film festivals? Those get alot of attendance.

[Laura]

I would say for some of the same reasons as ujcdv said, Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Madison in particular, are good places. Of course I'm from here, and I know the college areas and all that, and I'm also very willing to help make connections for showing the film here.

I know from writing columns about immigration issues, particularly with a very human-interest angle, that there are certainly the anti-immigrant respondents, but also a number that will comment that they didn't understand the issue before, and perhaps see it a bit differently after getting more information.

There is a lot of negativity on the other thread, and while I totally understand that negativity, we have to at least try to stay positive, or else just give up and hope for another crappy bill in two years. I'm a fairly cynical person, but I've personally had a number of experiences where people have "seen the light" a little bit on some part of the issue, and that gives me a lot of hope....

[Laurel Scott]

Here's today's version of my ever-evolving list:

Ten cities to hit for strategy (target CO, MN, MI, KY, NM and VA)
1. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria (retiring Senator in VA, lots of electoral votes, my son has family nearby we can visit)
2. Detroit (Senate reelection)
3. Minneapolis–St. Paul (nat'l convention, Senate reelection)
4. Denver (nat'l convention, retiring Senator, many of the subjects of the film are in or near Denver)
5. Virginia Beach VA (retiring Senator, lots of electoral votes)
6. Louisville, KY (Senate reelection, I have family in KY I can visit)
7. Grand Rapids, MI (Senate reelection, lots of electoral votes)
8. Richmond, VA (Senate reelection, lots of electoral votes)
9. Albuquerque NM (Senate reelection, large immigrant population)
10. Lexington, KY (Senate reelection, I have family in KY I can visit)

Cities to hit for size
1. New York
2. Los Angeles
3. Chicago
4. Miami
5. Atlanta
6. Philadelphia

Other cities
1. Milwaukee (Laurafern is already pioneering change there, I want to help build on that)
2. Boston (lots and lots of colleges, my assistant is there and I can stay with her)
3. El Paso (near CDJ, I can pop down and check things out in CDJ as I've never been there) [note: El Paso may be in Texas, but its a 12 hour drive.]

Cities in driving distance
1. New Orleans (5 hours)
2. Dallas (5 hours)
3. San Antonio (3 hours)
4. Austin (3 hours)
5. Waco (3 hours)

And, of course, I live in Houston

Total number of cities: 25

[IBMMuseum]

I would say for some of the same reasons as ujcdv said, Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Madison in particular, are good places. Of course I'm from here, and I know the college areas and all that, and I'm also very willing to help make connections for showing the film here.
I would say all of California, much of Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida would be out for states. Phoenix, Hazleton (PA), and definately Washington can wait until there would be more critical mass. There are many areas thoughout the United States that would be good however.

I know from writing columns about immigration issues, particularly with a very human-interest angle, that there are certainly the anti-immigrant respondents, but also a number that will comment that they didn't understand the issue before, and perhaps see it a bit differently after getting more information.
I don't doubt your abilities, but I think the anti-immigrant groups are feeling like they are riding high now. They are just looking for the next target. Any "immigration" idea unfortunately has to follow in the heels of the failed CIR.

There is a lot of negativity on the other thread, and while I totally understand that negativity, we have to at least try to stay positive, or else just give up and hope for another crappy bill in two years. I'm a fairly cynical person, but I've personally had a number of experiences where people have "seen the light" a little bit on some part of the issue, and that gives me a lot of hope....
I'm sorry for making comments viewed as negative, and fully support getting this train back on the tracks. Almost all of the time I am very positive in my outlook on life. Any cynicism is just stress.

[Laura]

I don't doubt your abilities, but I think the anti-immigrant groups are feeling like they are riding high now. They are just looking for the next target. Any "immigration" idea unfortunately has to follow in the heels of the failed CIR.

I'm not saying I have any special abilities at all. My point is just that in my experience, a lot of people, given a little information, will at least be somewhat more sympathetic.


I'm sorry for making comments viewed as negative, and fully support getting this train back on the tracks. Almost all of the time I am very positive in my outlook on life. Any cynicism is just stress.

I wasn't offended, and it's totally understandable. I just think in general we need a little positive thinking. Of course, it's easy for me to say being 8 days from the visa pick-up, and there are thousands of families who are suffering because they have no options or only bad ones...

Personally, I was not in favor of that bill AT ALL. So I'm glad it's done for this year, although I wish it were not that way. I'm hoping for something better in a year or two, because I wish so many of the other wonderful immigrants I know who don't have any chance for legalization could get the same opportunities my husband will...

[cherrycandy001]

I don't know too too much about the dream act
because it was something proposed while I was still
a child. What I do know though is that my sisters
and I would of benefited from it.

Is there any way that maybe PBS would show your film.
It would be accessible to many people...
just an idea :dunno:

-Candy

OOPS I MEANT TO PUT THIS IN THE DREAM ACT SECTION!!!!! SORRY

[Laurel Scott]

It would be great if PBS would pick it up. Lorena and I would be thrilled by that. Its something we've discussed. Creating a buzz by showing it at universities would help make that happen.

[epm525]

There's nothing immigration-related going on in my town, "Whitebread," PA, but I'll take the Philly area. So basically we should dig up info and report back to you, Laurel? Now I will have something to do at work when I'm bored!

[everything4love]

Laurel- I think a great place to go would be to go to Juarez like you mentioned. Across the street from the consulate for almost a whole block are people waiting for their love ones to come out of the consulate, they even have rows of benches set up and some people bring their own chairs. It would make some great footage of real people going thru this and I get you could get some great interviews too.

[emt103c]

I saw Richmond, VA on your list. VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) is usually really open to these types of presentations, and usually has a better turnout than 20 students (they couple these presentations with a movie showing or activities in the commons.) It is also a VERY large school, with a very active political environment, and a lot of international students. It would be a good choice. There are other universities in Richmond, and University of Richmond would likely be your best second bet...THAT is where all the money and influence is.

VCU gets you large audience, U of R gives power. Richmond would be a good choice, and you'd probably have a sympathetic ear on this topic with Senator Webb.

[Laurel Scott]

Good suggestions, guys. Thanks for the input. I'm taking everything into considering and am putting together a tentative schedule. I was looking at a book about Public Relations and it says that in order to get the media interested, you've got to do something to create a buzz. Kind of like how David Blaine promotes himself by doing really creative, dumb, intersting things. Now, I'm not planning on holding my breath for 8 minutes for immigration reform, but maybe you all can help me brainstorm easy to pull off events to get attention.

Here are things I thought of an crossed off the list:
- naturalization workshop: good because the media is always willing to donate time for a free natz workshop, but no good because it requires too much planning and coordination if I'm breezing into and out of town the same day
- blood drive: good because if you tell Red Cross you want to do a blood drive, they do most of the coordinating, but no good because I like this idea as maybe a nation-wide event to show solidarity for immigration reform on Primary Day
- Clothing drive or canned food drive: good because its easy to pull off, but no good because its not interesting enough

For anything that's going to bring a lot of people simultaneously, bear in mind that outside stuff would require permits, port-a-potties and police and anything inside would require either rental fee or would have to be a very charitible thing in order to get space donated.

The ideal thing should be something interesting and unusual that can be put together quickly or mostly put together by another organization, and something lots of people can participate in on the spur of the moment without gathering in the same place in large numbers. It would also be great if it highlighted immigration issues and made immigrants look good.

[pen1137]

what about something with couples who have mortgage and credit card debt? do these mortgage lenders and cc companies really think they'll get paid if the USC and spouse are kicked out of the country? that's quite a bit of money...if we personally get booted, there's over $100,000 many people are not getting from us...that'll be the end of our story here...and multiply that.:crazy: