U.S. Chamber of Commerce Press Release
CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Eric Wohlschlegel
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
U.S. Chamber Enters Political Debate
for Next White House
Calls Legal System Abuses too Important to Ignore
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce announced
it would participate in two new political initiatives to educate voters
about the devastating impact of a runaway legal system on the American
way of life – during this fall’s presidential campaign.
“We cannot ignore what may prove to be a make-or-break election
for legal reform at the national level,” said Thomas Donohue, Chamber
President and CEO. “When voters go to the polls, they need to
know lawsuit abuse destroys jobs, drives doctors out of business and
forces companies into bankruptcy. The extraordinary circumstances
surrounding this election have compelled us to support two important
new initiatives.”
The Chamber is joining others in supporting a new 527 Group called
The November Fund, which aims to raise public awareness about lawsuit
abuse. The group is co-chaired by Craig Fuller, former chief-of-staff
to Vice President Bush, and Bill Brock, former Senator and Republican
National Committee Chair.
This team has identified seven battleground states where there is
the greatest potential to effectively educate voters through a
concerted program of TV, radio and print advertising and direct mail,
an Internet campaign, and earned media discussing the truth about trial
lawyers.
“The impact of the trial bar’s influence on the legal,
legislative, regulatory and economic decisions of an administration is
impossible to calculate,” said Donohue.
In addition, while maintaining its policy of not issuing
endorsements in presidential elections, the Chamber will run a voter
education program in 6-10 key states, stressing legal reform issues
with its federation members. The program will highlight the
growing political influence of the trial bar and remind the business
community of the dangers of having this group closely aligned with the
White House.
These initiatives add to an already aggressive political program.
The Chamber endorses pro-business Senate and House candidates of both
parties and is mobilizing the business vote through a Web-based voter
registration, education and get-out-the-vote program called
VoteforBusiness.com. The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform
supports voter education efforts in state Supreme Court and attorney
general races that have begun to fundamentally change the legal
environment for business.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business
federation representing more than three million businesses and
organizations of every size, sector and region.
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