Bill Berkowitz: Heritage Foundation gears up to 'fight back against resurgent left'

A BUZZFLASH GUEST CONTRIBUTION
by Bill Berkowitz

The Washington, D.C.-based think tank, which celebrated its 35th anniversary earlier this year, sensed an Obama victory and got a head start on trolling for money.

These days, the missiles launched by the Heritage Foundation are coming in the form of pre- and now post-election fundraising appeals. After years of exclusively playing offense, one of the biggest and most important Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tanks is gearing up for a massive defensive stand.

Five days before the election, the Heritage Foundation sent out a fundraising letter that appeared to indicate that the think tank recognized that an Obama victory was in the offing. To understand just how much the Heritage Foundation felt that they were in for an ideological mugging of historic proportions, check out the e-mail sent out on Thursday, October 30 by the Foundation's Ed Fuellner.

Then one day after Obama's victory, Fuellner struck again.

The president of the 35-year-old institution has never been shy about asking for money. And in good times, which much of the past 35 years have been, the money came rolling in.

The Heritage Foundation was the first kid on the conservative block to admit that it looked like it would be in for some difficult times during an Obama Administration, and would need financial support from the conservative base to move forward.

Fuellner's plea:

The election is down to the wire, and conservative ideas are under attack from all quarters.

Candidates on both sides of the aisle seem ready to abandon the ideas that have made this nation great: free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

We conservatives need a strong voice in Washington to ensure that conservative principles remain strong. We need to be prepared to stand up to an energized liberal presence in Washington. That's why I'm asking you to support The Heritage Foundation today.

Support Heritage's work to defend conservative ideas after the election.

Heritage is doing the important work to fight for and defend conservative ideas against the toughest of obstacles. Our record tells the story: we helped shape President Reagan's agenda, helped beat back Bill Clinton's big-government health care plan, successfully fought for welfare reform and the Bush tax cuts, and helped lay the groundwork for missile defense.

We have a concrete plan to defend and advance our cause. As part of our Leadership for America campaign, we have developed a plan to work for real change in ten key areas, reforms that will help keep America a remarkable nation.

On October 2, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina recognized Heritage's continued achievements on the floor of the House:

Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize The Heritage Foundation on the 35th anniversary of their founding. Since 1973, Heritage has been a stalwart in promoting and educating the American people on the merits of conservative, free market principles. Their belief in the power of individual liberty, American values, and limited government is matched by their dedication to a strong national defense.

The Heritage Foundation has been intricately involved in the rise of modern conservatism. From its influence in the days of the Reagan Revolution to the Contract with America and in promoting a strong national defense and sound economic growth in the aftermath of September 11th, I commend The Heritage Foundation for over three decades of important work to help our Nation's leaders build a stronger America.

No matter what happens next week, we remain as committed as ever to the Heritage vision: Building an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.

But our work on behalf of conservative ideas is possible only with the dedicated support of our 381,000 members from around the nation. Please consider making a tax-free contribution to allow us to continue our important work.

Make a gift today to support Heritage's work.

In Washington, D.C., there are no permanent victories and no permanent defeats. We are entering a period where we will need to redouble our efforts to fight for the right principles and the right policies.

Your gift will allow us to meet this challenge head-on.

Your continued dedication to conservative principles and to The Heritage Foundation is an inspiration to me and my colleagues. Thank you for your support.

On November 5, the day after Obama's historic victory, Fuellner came up with another fundraising missile, this one aimed at "fight[ing] back against the resurgent left": "The Left is sure to claim a mandate to impose its radical agenda on America -- from the economy to energy to the war on terror, from the Supreme Court to taxes, health care and education. If we are to fight back against the liberal onslaught, we need your support today. Our goal is to raise $80,000 towards this effort by November 15."

According to Fuellner, "Triumphant liberals have already spelled out their plans":

* On the campaign trail, liberals called for tax increases, massive new government health care programs, drastic new environmental controls and more.

* Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts said, "we'll have to raise taxes ultimately" as a result of liberal spending increases. He also wants to cut defense spending by a quarter.

* House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she supports re-imposing the Fairness Doctrine -- an onerous regulation that could silence conservatives on talk radio.

* Liberals of all stripes have pledged to enact the Employee Free Choice Act, a handout to big labor that eliminates the secret ballot in unionization elections.

Fuellner assures supporters that the Heritage Foundation is up to the "challenge." "We will not stray from our mission to fight for the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

"We are ready to fight back against the liberals and advance our conservative principles. We will build on our 35-year record of success -- from welfare reform to missile defense to tax cuts -- and help get America back on track."

Fuellner is undoubtedly correct when he writes: "In Washington, there are no permanent victories and no permanent defeats. We must remain firmly committed to our principles in both good times and in bad. That's why your help is so important." Liberals and progressives should understand and adopt this credo as well. 

A BUZZFLASH GUEST CONTRIBUTION

Bill Berkowitz is a longtime observer of the conservative movement and a frequent writer for Media Transparency and other online publications. He documents the strategies, players, institutions, victories and defeats of the American Right from a progressive perspective.

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