Election Watch 2008
Credit Unions Go to the Conventions
It is late summer of a presidential election year, which can only mean one thing for political junkies everywhere: the arrival of that quadrennial, uniquely American spectacle, the presidential nominating conventions. This year, the Democrats convene August 25 - 28 in Denver, followed by the Republicans in Minneapolis-St. Paul September 1 - 4. Credit unions will be fully represented at both by CUNA, credit union system partners, and the leagues.
Long gone are the days when conventions actually decided which candidate would carry the party's banner into the election. Today, of course, everyone knows that Barack Obama and John McCain will emerge from the four-day confabs as their parties' nominees. That does not mean the conventions are not important, though, especially for anyone engaged in politics. As many as 50,000 people will converge on each convention city, including political insiders, policymakers, journalists, and virtually every statewide and federal elected official in the country.
It thus pays to make sure credit unions are well represented and that we put our best foot forward to this "captive audience" of political and policy elites.
CUNA has been working with its partners (Co-Op Financial Services, the Corporate Credit Union Network, and CUNA Mutual Group) and the leagues of the host states (the Credit Union Associations of Colorado & Wyoming and the Minnesota Credit Union Network) for over a year to ensure credit unions are visibly and positively represented in both cities. The centerpiece of our activities has been a living example of the credit unions' "people helping people" philosophy: our partnership with Homes for Our Troops to build a specially adapted new home for a wounded Iraq war veteran in each city. An embodiment of the credit union difference, this project sets credit unions apart from the dozens of other industries and trade associations who merely come to the conventions to throw parties.
CUNA is also a lead sponsor of National Journal's "Daily Briefing Live," held each morning during both conventions. This insider's briefing will feature panel discussions by leading political journalists, campaign insiders, pollsters, Congressional leadership, and policy stakeholders on the daily news and developments at each convention. Each briefing will be moderated by well known journalists and pundits, including Ron Brownstein, political director of the Atlantic Media Company (publisher of the Atlantic Magazine), noted political analyst Charlie Cook, MSNBC television host and media personality Chris Matthews, and Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of the Hotline.
America's Credit Unions are also hosting a private "VIP Lounge and Viewing Party" where key lawmakers and policy elites will be viewing the convention activities. These nightly events, together with dozens of other events throughout the two weeks, will allow credit union representatives the opportunity to interact with the political leaders who often decide credit unions' legislative and regulatory fates.
Finally, CUNA and its partners are working with individual leagues to host events honoring their state delegations to the conventions. In Denver, twelve leagues representing thirteen states and the District of Columbia are co-hosting with CUNA and its partners a "VIP Reception for America's Credit Union Supporters" on Wednesday evening, August 27. In Minneapolis-St. Paul, the Colorado, Wyoming and Minnesota leagues are jointly hosting a reception for their delegates on Tuesday, September 2. Both events will give participating leagues the chance to mingle with their states' delegates and share the credit union difference.
Ultimately, credit union activities at the conventions are about just that: sharing the credit union difference with a captive audience of political insiders and policy decision-makers. From showcasing community service to sponsoring insider briefings to hosting delegate receptions, CUNA and the leagues will ensure that when the last balloon drops, delegates to both conventions will leave with a positive image of credit unions.
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