Counter Convention Plan Sketch - GUCCIFER 2.0...Counter Convention Plan Sketch Overview The Republican National Convention will take place in Cleveland, Ohio from Monday, July 18 through

Counter Convention Plan Sketch

Overview The Republican National Convention will take place in Cleveland, Ohio from Monday, July 18 through Thursday, July 21, 2016. Our operation will consist of a campaign on the ground in Cleveland, from Headquarters, and in battleground and other states to amplify a message that sets the record straight on what viewers will see at the convention. The plan begins with setting the tone in Cleveland before the convention kicks off with activities previewing the most likely and most outrageous falsehoods we expect to hear at the RNC. We will deploy a core team to Cleveland to establish a fixed location for daily press conferences, as well as a mobile rapid response hub for special events. A rotating cast of senior party leaders and officials will participate each day in our events, and we will pair party leaders and elected officials with real people whose stories reflect what’s at stake in the coming election. We will also lay the groundwork with state parties to hold events that include notable officials and real people in their key markets to echo our message and set themes of the day. We will integrate these activities into a social media campaign to deliver content about everything we’re doing to as large an audience as possible. We also intend to produce advertising for Cleveland and key markets to coincide with specific themes each day, which will include both radio and online advertising.

#DemCentral and #DemMobile Rapid Response Hubs

We propose having a fixed office space that enables us to hold press conferences, host breakfasts, and serve as our war room, ideally situated close to the center of the Republican convention’s activities. In addition, we propose having a mobile rapid response hub (a wrapped RV) to serve as a mobile billboard, backdrop for events at different locations, and green room to prepare staff, validators, and real people in advance of any events. It can also serve as a meeting space for oneonone interviews. The RNC used a similar prop to great effect at one of our conventions. It provides mobility, which is key to going to reporters when they can’t come to you, and the ability to reach press from outside states that attend statedelegation breakfasts/activities.

Tentative Schedule Monday, July 11 *** RNC Summer Meeting begins in Cleveland this week

DNC Component Activity Location

Press ● Morning press conference to lay out what to expect at Republican convention, preemptive rebuttal of their main arguments

● Introduce the RV/Bus ● Booking

surrogates/validators throughout the day/week

● Begin pitching preview of RV

At DNC Headquarters DNC studio or news studio We should check with ODP to see if David Pepper (and other Ohio surrogates) can be available throughout this week for onlocation hits

Research ● Monitoring RNC Platform Committee meeting and responding

● Video?

Digital ● Planned and rapid response emails to supporters

● @DNCPress Tweets of press event

Advertising ● Teasing that we’ll do some advertising without being specific in our presser

Regional (Outside Cleveland)

● Local press statements and events echoing the message on five falsehoods to expect at next week’s GOP convention

Localized for all 50 states

Marketing

HQ

Tuesday, July 12


Press ● Booking surrogates / validators on TV nationally and regionally

● RV/Bus Tour ● Deploy staff and prep

venues ● MSNBC TOWN

HALL ON VOTING RIGHTS – PRESS CONFERENCE ON VOTER PROTECTION

● DNC studios ● And in local media

markets across the country

● DC→Philly→Pitt→Y

oungstown→Steubenville→Zanesville→Columbus→Cincy→Dayton→Lima→Toledo→Cleveland

TBD

Research

Digital

Marketing

HQ

Wednesday, July 13





HALL ON VOTING RIGHTS – PRESS CONFERENCE ON VOTER PROTECTION




oungstown→Steubenville→Zanesville→Columbus→Cincy→Dayton→Lima→Toledo→Cleveland

TBD

Research

Digital

Marketing

HQ

Thursday, July 14





HALL ON VOTING




oungstown→Steubenville→Zanesville→Columbus→Cincy→

RIGHTS – PRESS CONFERENCE ON VOTER PROTECTION

Dayton→Lima→Toledo→Cleveland

TBD

Research

Digital

Marketing

HQ

Friday, July 15


Press ● Morning press conference to launch week of activities and highlight falsehoods to expect at convention – previewing the week directly from Cleveland

● Booking surrogates/validators throughout the day

● Interviews/Gaggle with RV backdrop near site of RNC

● At fixed office/headquarters location in Cleveland

● As required by fixed site interviews such as TV sat locations, or mobile if in front of RV in Cleveland

Research ● TBD ● Possible VP

guessing game research

● Video preview on RNCC

Digital ● @DNCPress Tweets of Press events and introducing the RV

Advertising ● Preview at press conference of ads we will be running

Cleveland


● Local statements on ads that will begin running on Monday in their respective markets

● Pitching local surrogates to local tv

5 battleground states

Marketing

HQ

***We should anticipate a lot of weekend activity and develop a plan/activities. All networks will be live. Most RNC members will already be in town because of their meeting the week before, but all the others will begin to arrive Friday. Monday, July 18


Press ● Morning press conference to launch week of activities and highlight falsehoods to expect at convention BREAKFAST THEMED AS “CEREAL & BAILEY’S BREAKFAST”

● The very first meeting should be the Rules Committee Meeting and every network will be covering that

● At fixed office/headquarters location

● Florida or Ohio delegation breakfast?

● As required by fixed site interviews such as TV sat locations, or mobile if in front of RV

● In conjunction with Research as specifics happen

live, so we will plan accordingly.

● RV at the site of key state delegation breakfast with a surrogate from that state

● Booking surrogates/validators throughout the day Interviews/Gaggle with RV backdrop near site of RNC

● Rapid Response to outlandish comments made at convention/media

Research ● Drop paper on how speakers that evening are as bad as Trump/Cruz

● Monitor remarks for outlandish comments to respond to


● @TheDemocrats Twitter Rapid Response to voting/floor activity and planned content highlighting how all of the candidates being considered are bad, livetweet keynote speech

● Tweeters email highlighting digital

themes for the convention

● Launch rebranded gopbingo.com

● @DNCPress Tweets of events

● Snapchat filters ● Spotify playlist of

artists who have called on Trump to stop playing their music at his rallies

● Winner of contest (to send Cleveland residents out of the state during the convention) is given their ticket and featured on social media TBD

Advertising ● Full page ad in Cleveland Plain Dealer with messaging specific to presumptive nominee or to convention chaos

● Digital video and Gif ads echoing same message

● Cleveland ● 5 battleground states


● Advertising as detailed above

● Local press conferences in states where we launch advertising

● Other events in nonad states

5 battleground states 5 battleground states As many states as possible

● CONCERT FOCUSED ON DEM BASE VOTE FEATURING LATINO AND AF AM ARTISTS

TBD – NYC? To compete on broadcast with first night press. Could also potentially be the weekend before heading into Cleveland...

Marketing ●

HQ

Gimmicks Gimmicks: ○ Bailey’s Cereal

Breakfast is a play off Reince

○ Milk Cartons featuring “Missing” GOP leaders who will be absent

Afternoon: Jerry Springer style “show” tbd Masquerade masks to give out for people embarrassed to be there. Trump Tabloid (8 page daily tabloid printed a la NY Post) Ideal for dumping oppo

Article: ”Donald Trump He’s Just Like Us!”

Advice column: “How to Talk to Women, by Donald Trump”

Horoscope: “What would your life be like with Trump in the White House?

Ad: Success for Men Mad libs Crossword puzzle

● Volunteers dressed as

limo drivers at the airport holding signs with messaging about Trump to “greet” RNC members

Tuesday, July 19


Press ● Morning press conference and breakfast for reporters

● Pushback on Keynote Speaker

● RV at targeted key state delegation breakfast with statespecific surrogate



At fixed office/headquarters location Colorado or Nevada As required by fixed site interviews such as TV sat locations, or mobile if in front of RV In conjunction with Research as specifics happen

Research ● TBD, narrative hit on whoever the

nominee/speakers will be



● @TheDemocrats Twitter Rapid Response to floor activity/VP candidate speech, planned content hitting VP candidate

● @DNCPress Tweets of Press events

Advertising (ongoing for all 4 days of convention – will be adapted for VP pick if/when that becomes public)

● Full Page Ad in Cleveland Plain Dealer calling on GOP convention to stand up to Trump


Cleveland Cleveland plus 5 battleground states



● Counter watch events to highlight falsehoods and how all speakers are as bad as Trump / Cruz or whoever.

5 battleground states As many states as possible

Marketing

HQ

Gimmicks “Go Trump Yourself” Kit ● Spray Tan

● Hair Dye ● Tiny foam fingers /

hand clappers ● Dog Whistle ● Regular whistle w/

message like “come to think about it Trump isn’t subtle about his hate”

Wednesday, July 20


Press ● Morning press conference and breakfast for reporters

● Lunch for reporters Offer food from countries Trump has offended: Tacos, Hummus + Pita, Chinese food, Fish & Chips. Celebrity chef Jose Andres? Tom Collichio?

● Push back on the VP pick

● RV at targeted key state delegation breakfast with state specific surrogate

● Booking surrogates/validators throughout the day Interviews/Gaggle

At fixed office/headquarters location Colorado or Nevada As required by fixed site interviews such as TV sat locations, or mobile if in front of RV In conjunction with Research as specifics happen

with RV backdrop near site of RNC


Research ● Hit on the VP pick tied to the nominee



● @TheDemocrats Twitter Rapid Response to floor activity/Presidential candidate speech, planned content hitting Presidential candidate

● @DNCPress Tweets of Press events







● Counter watch events to highlight falsehoods and how all speakers are as


bad as Trump / Cruz, or whoever.

Marketing

HQ

Gimmicks ● Lunch for reporters Offer food from countries Trump has offended: Tacos, Hummus + Pita, Chinese food, Fish & Chips. Celebrity chef Jose Andres? Tom Collichio?

● Handout: Trump Successful Businessman Starter Kit”

● Check from “your Dad” for $40 million

● Diploma from Trump University

● Need more ideas here.

Thursday, July 21


Press ● Morning press conference and breakfast for reporters Unity theme with Bernie

At fixed office/headquarters location Colorado or Nevada

and Hillary surrogates

● RV at targeted key state delegation breakfast with state specific surrogate



As required by fixed site interviews such as TV sat locations, or mobile if in front of RV In conjunction with Research as specifics happen

Research ● Night of the nominee’s big speech. Hits will be focused on the nominee.



● @TheDemocrats Twitter

● @DNCPressz Tweets of Press events







● Counter watch events to highlight falsehoods and how all speakers are as bad as Trump / Cruz or whoever


Gimmicks Handout: ● Trumpocalypse

Survival kit (tote bag) ○ Barf bag ○ Tylenol/Advil ○ Clothespin (to

hold nose while voting for Trump)

○ Alka Seltzer/Pepto Bismol (because you’re going to be sick to your stomach after voting for Trump)

Digital: ● Promote Trump

Against Humanity (if Cards Against Humanity creates it)

● Push out “Billy on the Street” Video

Staffing

RNC Summer Meeting 7/11 7/16 The RNC Summer Meeting will be held in Cleveland the week before the convention and include meetings of their Rules Committee and Platform Committee. As these meetings could generate a lot of pressand it is likely that a solid contingent of the press corp will be on the ground in advance of themit may be prudent to send a few staff down to monitor and respond to things happening on the ground. The Platform Committee will meet at the beginning of the week, and the Rules Committee will meet in the later part of the week.

Department Number of Staff Notes

Research 24 researchers 3 trackers

Communications

Digital

Republican National Convention 7/19 7/21

Department Number of Staff Notes

Research 12 researchers (including DNC & campaign) 3 trackers

Communications

Digital

Surrogates We will identify surrogates for the national events, deferring to state parties to identify state surrogates. Specific categories:

● 1 Week Out at DNC ○ DWS ○ DGA / DCCC / DSCC

● RV/Bus Tour ○ DWS ○ TBD

● Friday Before (Jul 15) in Cleveland ○ TBD

● Day 1 ○ TBD

● Day 2 ○ TBD

● Day 3 ○ TBD

● Day 4 ○ TBD

State Amplification Here are the top 50 media markets (in order of size) within battleground states. We will develop an instate operation for each of these.

1. Philadelphia 2. Washington D.C. 3. Boston 4. Atlanta 5. TampaSt. Pete (Sarasota) 6. Phoenix 7. Detroit 8. MinneapolisSt. Paul 9. MiamiFt. Lauderdale 10. Denver 11. ClevelandAkron (Canton) 12. OrlandoDaytona BeachMelbourne 13. St. Louis 14. Charlotte 15. Pittsburgh 16. RaleighDurham (Fayetteville) 17. Indianapolis 18. Columbus, OH 19. Kansas City 20. Milwaukee 21. Cincinnati 22. GreenvilleSpartanburgAshevilleAnderson 23. West Palm BeachFt. Pierce

24. Las Vegas 25. Grand RapidsKalamazooBattle Creek 26. NorfolkPortsmouthNewport News 27. HarrisburgLancasterLebanonYork 28. GreensboroHigh PointWinston Salem 29. Jacksonville 30. AlbuquerqueSanta Fe 31. Wilkes BarreScrantonHazleton 32. RichmondPetersburg 33. Dayton 34. CharlestonHuntington 35. Green BayAppleton 36. RoanokeLynchburg 37. Tucson (Sierra Vista) 38. FlintSaginawBay City 39. Des MoinesAmes 40. Toledo 41. PortlandAuburn 42. Madison 43. Colorado SpringsPueblo 44. Cedar RapidsWaterlooIowa CityDubuque 45. El Paso (Las Cruces) 46. GreenvilleNorth BernWashington 47. DavenportRock IslandMoline 48. Reno 49. TallahasseeThomasville 50. Lansing

Notes: SEIU has office space in downtown Cleveland close to convention that can be the base of operations and host the wrapped mobile RV. Livestaged activities onsite:

● Jerry Springer “Live” fake show between Trump/Cruz/Kasich delegates Jerry said he wanted to be involved

● Fake debate between Trump and Cruz ● Cleveland / Ohio delegation presser ● House TriCaucus chairs press conference (CBC, CHC, CAPAC) – plus women’s

caucus, LGBT caucus Offsite activities:

● Find a structurallydeficient bridge, have surrogates discuss how Republicans have fallen down on the job when it comes to infrastructure funding

○ Would need topline surrogates for this – Anthony Foxx / Tom Perez ● Infiltrate friendly union hotels and properties around the convention that Republicans will

be patronizing to distribute “care” packages ● Bracket Rob Portman’s “miniconvention”:

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/20160401/atrumpbufferportmanplansownminiconventionincleveland

○ Get other Senators asked if they will boycott convention if Trump or Cruz is set to be the nominee

● Pick one day to have press conferences in every media market in Ohio. ○ Message: While the Rs might be having fun bribing each other in Cleveland,

Democrats are focused on the needs of Ohioans across the state. ● Fast food worker strike around the city or just at franchises around convention. ● Voter registration drive

Gimmicks to hand out:

● Bribe packages for delegates – “Cruz Cruises,” Trump steaks, Vodka, Water, etc., monopoly money, tickets to Trump’s failed USFL football team

● “That’s why you leave a little tip” envelopes – for Kasich’s comments about hotel workers – work with Hotel Trades on this

● Bottles of dirty water from Sebring, OH (had a lead crisis under Kasich’s watch a la Flint) ● Care packages for folks who will be sick after Trump / Cruz nomination – with

singleserve Advil, AlkaSeltzer, Pepto Bismol, Vitamin C ● Reporter swag bag? ● Clothespins so delegates can hold their nose voting for Trump/Cruz

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-04-01/a-trump-buffer-portman-plans-own-mini-convention-in-cleveland



http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/legalities-wooing-delegates-contested-republican-convention/story?id=38202865

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-09172015-htmlstory.html

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/02/01/much-went-wrong-to-delay-public-notice-of-lead-in-sebring-water.html

● Milk cartons with GOP faces local Wisconsin farm Paid Media:

● Banner ads in the airport ● Billboards on the highway from the airport to Quicken Loans Arena ● Ads in restaurants and bars around town ● Have places doing “drink specials”

Other ideas:

● See if any Cavaliers, Browns, or Indians players would be interested in bracketing ● WH / Administration ask – can they send any topline surrogates / cabinet secretaries? ● Send letters to major companies who are boycotting RNC that they can invest in DNC

and not be embarrassed (can work in companies leaving GOP states over social policies like Indiana Religious Freedom Act and HB2 in North Carolina)

● Volunteers / interns in Trump costumes performing Trump things ● Concert / Rock the Vote

Estimated Budget

Item Description Base Cost Days / Multiples Subtotal

Meeting Space For pressers and war room $450.00 7 $3,150.00

Bus Wrapped Bus for Bus Tour and Mobile Visibility $2,500.00 15 $37,500.00

Bus Wrapping $10,000.00 1 $10,000.00

Online Ads $0.00

Cleveland Daily Online Presence $15,000.00 4 $60,000.00

Ads in Other STates 5 Other Markets in Battlegrounds, 4 days $20,000.00 20 $400,000.00

Travel Travel for Staff $0.00

Hotels For 16 Staffers From Multiple Departments 6 Nts $200.00 96 $19,200.00

Airfare For 16 Staffers $500.00 16 $8,000.00

Transportation To from hotels / airport / $150.00 12 $1,800.00

Billboards / Benches / Airport Ads $150,000

Airport Billboards In Cleveland $20,000.00 4 $80,000.00

Battleground Billboards 5 Battlegrounds $5,000.00 4 $20,000.00

Signs At all events $200.00 10 $2,000.00

Gimmicks Dog whistles / printing / etc / Trump Tabloid $15.00 100 $15,000.00

TOTAL $806,650.00

ADD TECH COSTS WIFI, MIFIS, POWER CORDS, PODIUM, BACKDROP TVS

Documents

Counter Convention Plan Sketch - GUCCIFER 2.0...Counter Convention Plan Sketch Overview The Republican National Convention will take place in Cleveland, Ohio from Monday, July 18 through