American Majority: Difference between revisions
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|website = [http://www.AmericanMajority.org AmericanMajority.org] |
|website = [http://www.AmericanMajority.org AmericanMajority.org] |
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[[File:NedRyun.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Ned Ryun]], president of American Majority]] |
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| ⚫ | '''American Majority''' is a nonprofit, nonpartisan political training organization. Founded with an initial investment by the [[Sam Adams Alliance]], it is sustained by individual donors. The organization provides political training to [[conservatism in the United States|conservative]] activists and candidates in state and local elections.<ref name="spectator1">{{cite web|last=Hillyer |first=Quin |url=http://spectator.org/archives/2009/06/15/after-the-tea-parties/ |title=The American Spectator : After the Tea Parties |publisher=Spectator.org |date=2009-06-15 |accessdate=2010-02-10}}</ref> Registered as a [[501(c)(3)]] [[non-profit organization]], the group describes itself as "a non-partisan political training institute whose stated mission is to train and equip a national network of leadership committed to individual freedom through limited government and the free market." |
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American Majority was founded in 2008 by [[Ned Ryun]], a former presidential writer for [[George W. Bush]] |
American Majority was founded in 2008 by [[Ned Ryun]], a former presidential writer for [[George W. Bush]] and the son of former [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] U.S. Congressman [[Jim Ryun]]. Headquartered in [[Purcellville, Virginia]], the organization trains across the country with staffed offices in [[Oklahoma]], [[Wisconsin]], and [[Texas]] and will soon open state offices in [[Florida]] and [[Illinois]]. Until the spring of 2011, American Majority also operated state offices in [[Arkansas]], [[Kansas]], [[Minnesota]], and [[Missouri]]. |
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==State Office’s Impact== |
==State Office’s Impact== |
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The organization makes use of social media to disseminate their opinions and electoral information, and publishes documents to its followers illustrating the basics of social media.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/31/AR2010013102860.html |title=New media help conservatives get their anti-Obama message out |publisher=washingtonpost.com |date= 2010-02-01|accessdate=2010-02-10 | first=Jerry | last=Markon}}</ref>. American Majority has emerged as a powerhouse resource providing social media tools for activists. <ref name="ponderpost">{{cite web|last=Post |first=Ponder|url=http://www.ponderpost.com/2010/10/ponderpicks-free-social-media-resources-for-political-outreach/|title=Metrics of Success |publisher=Ponderpost.com |date=2010-10-08 |accessdate=2011-02-23}}</ref>. They provide comprehensive beginner guides on [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]] as well as videos on a range of other topics including YouTube and Wikis. |
The organization makes use of social media to disseminate their opinions and electoral information, and publishes documents to its followers illustrating the basics of social media.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/31/AR2010013102860.html |title=New media help conservatives get their anti-Obama message out |publisher=washingtonpost.com |date= 2010-02-01|accessdate=2010-02-10 | first=Jerry | last=Markon}}</ref>. American Majority has emerged as a powerhouse resource providing social media tools for activists. <ref name="ponderpost">{{cite web|last=Post |first=Ponder|url=http://www.ponderpost.com/2010/10/ponderpicks-free-social-media-resources-for-political-outreach/|title=Metrics of Success |publisher=Ponderpost.com |date=2010-10-08 |accessdate=2011-02-23}}</ref>. They provide comprehensive beginner guides on [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]] as well as videos on a range of other topics including YouTube and Wikis. |
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American Majority is on [[Twitter]] as @AM_National. <ref>[ https://twitter.com/AM_National]</ref> |
American Majority is on [[Twitter]] as [http://twitter.com/AM_National @AM_National]. <ref>[ https://twitter.com/AM_National]</ref> |
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==By the Numbers== |
==By the Numbers== |
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American Majority has launched several websites as part of its political operations, including [[Tea Party movement|AftertheTeaParty.com]], and the now-closed [[Tea Party protests, 2009|RecessRally.com]]. The former is a site designed to encourage the public to subscribe to its mailing list. The latter was a tool for coordinating additional protests during the 2010 August congressional recess. |
American Majority has launched several websites as part of its political operations, including [[Tea Party movement|AftertheTeaParty.com]], and the now-closed [[Tea Party protests, 2009|RecessRally.com]]. The former is a site designed to encourage the public to subscribe to its mailing list. The latter was a tool for coordinating additional protests during the 2010 August congressional recess. |
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American Majority has |
American Majority has actively encouraged and led anti-union protests in Wisconsin, coordinating the “I Stand With Walker” rally in Madison, W.I. on February 19, 2011. <ref name="istandwithwalker">{{cite web|url= http://newsbusters.org/blogs/lachlan-markay/2011/02/18/tea-party-plans-wisc-protest-counter-unions |
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|title=Tea Party plans Wisc. Protest to Counter Unions |publisher=http://newsbusters.org|date=2011-02-18 |accessdate=2011-02-22}}</ref>. |
|title=Tea Party plans Wisc. Protest to Counter Unions |publisher=http://newsbusters.org|date=2011-02-18 |accessdate=2011-02-22}}</ref>. |
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== AM Podcasts== |
== AM Podcasts== |
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American Majority's free podcasts |
American Majority's free podcasts include the acclaimed "Running for Office" series to practical political guides on how to "Hardwire Your Precinct" and how to hold elected officials accountable. <ref>http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/american-majority/id350020193</ref> |
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==Nonprofit status== |
==Nonprofit status== |
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American Majority is registered as a [[501(c)(3)]] [[non-profit organization]]. Legally the organization is only able to keep this status by not explicitly endorsing any party or candidate, the organization openly admits its conservative views and "identifies" conservative candidates for its members.<ref name="dallasnews1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-americanmajority_05met.ART0.State.Edition2.4ba21b6.html |title=American Majority holds Dallas workshop | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News |publisher=Dallasnews.com |date=2009-10-05 |accessdate=2010-02-10}}</ref> |
American Majority is registered as a [[501(c)(3)]] [[non-profit organization]]. Legally the organization is only able to keep this status by not explicitly endorsing any party or candidate, though the organization openly admits its conservative views and "identifies" conservative candidates for its members.<ref name="dallasnews1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-americanmajority_05met.ART0.State.Edition2.4ba21b6.html |title=American Majority holds Dallas workshop | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News |publisher=Dallasnews.com |date=2009-10-05 |accessdate=2010-02-10}}</ref> |
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==Criticism of Tea Party Candidates== |
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American Majority has openly critiqued some Tea Party-backed candidates. On February 7, 2011, Ned Ryun criticized remarks by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin regarding protests in Cairo, Egypt. Ryun described Palin's speech as "a cheap, political swipe" with "no real substance" and opined that Palin was "not displaying any deep grasp of policy." According to Ryun, Tea Party leaders "are starting to ask, 'is she [Palin] going to show any depth of substance to any of her policy stances?'" <ref> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4uDo8R7SFA</ref>. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 21:00, 2 June 2011
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (March 2011) |
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| Formation | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-Profit |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | Purcellville, VA 20134 |
Region served | National |
President | Ned Ryun |
| Website | AmericanMajority.org |
American Majority is a nonprofit, nonpartisan political training organization. Founded with an initial investment by the Sam Adams Alliance, it is sustained by individual donors. The organization provides political training to conservative activists and candidates in state and local elections.[1] Registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the group describes itself as "a non-partisan political training institute whose stated mission is to train and equip a national network of leadership committed to individual freedom through limited government and the free market."
American Majority was founded in 2008 by Ned Ryun, a former presidential writer for George W. Bush and the son of former Republican U.S. Congressman Jim Ryun. Headquartered in Purcellville, Virginia, the organization trains across the country with staffed offices in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Texas and will soon open state offices in Florida and Illinois. Until the spring of 2011, American Majority also operated state offices in Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri.
State Office’s Impact
Arkansas
Mark Darr and his future campaign manager attended an American Majority training in December 2009. Mark faced a formidable primary opponent but won his primary to face a long-term incumbent that had a loyal following on both sides of the aisle. Mark’s opponent was overwhelmingly popular in is district and surrounding areas, but Mark applied what he learned through American Majority and won his campaign for Lt. Governor in November of 2010 by just over two points. [2]
Kansas
In the spring 2009 local elections, 23 of 54 American Majority trained candidates won. Fall 2010 victories include Terry Calloway who was identified and trained by American Majority in hopes that he would challenge a very liberal state house incumbent who had voted for the second-largest tax increase in Kansas history. Calloway handily beat a primary challenger, then went on to win the general election with 52% of the vote. In addition, his campaign manager was trained through American Majority’s Campus Majority program, as was his online director, who created Calloway’s website and managed his new media. [3] American Majority has also held successful activist trainings across Kansas that covers various topics and factors in political activism such as coalitions, holding events, the structure of government in Kansas, holding elected officials accountable, and how to effectively use wikis, blogs, and social media.[4]
Minnesota
Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik was identified and trained by American Majority and is currently in her first term on the commission board. She opposed a recent ½ cent sales tax increase, and has been very vocal in her support of rescinding a tax on transit projects. Lisa recently came out strongly against the city administrator’s proposal to raise property taxes in Washington County’s 2011 budget. [5] American Majority has continued to expand its presence in Minnesota by training 37 conservative candidates in 2010. [6]
Oklahoma
In spring 2009 local elections, 17 of 27 candidates trained by American Majority were victorious. Victories in 2010 include Josh Brecheen, who attended an American Majority candidate training in Oklahoma City in the spring of 2010, declaring, “Guys, I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m gonna do the best I can.” He ran against a two-term and very popular incumbent state senator, Jay Paul Gumm. Brecheen’s campaign manager was also trained by American Majority. As they report, they ran their race based on what American Majority taught them and executed it flawlessly. Breechen defeated Gumm by double-digits in Oklahoma’s “Little Dixie,” where Republicans have never won a state senate race. [7] In the same year 8 of 12 school board candidates that the organization trained in Oklahoma were elected. The organization also trained the state’s superintendent of public instruction, Janet Barresi, who was elected in 2010.[8]
Wisconsin
American Majority trained Dr. Pam Galloway. Despite not having held any prior political office, she definitively beat Wisconsin State Senate’s Majority Leader Russ Decker, who was a five-term incumbent, by ten points. Pam’s victory was called one of the most stunning results of election night in Wisconsin. [9]
American Majority has been a leader in encouraging anti-union protests in Wisconsin, coordinating the “I Stand With Walker” rally in Madison, W.I. on February 19, 2011. [10].
Texas
Lt. Colonel Brian Birdwell attended an American Majority candidate training in the summer of 2009 and was encouraged to pursue public office at the state level. He won a tough election for state senator in 2010 against the establishment favorite, with many of his campaign volunteers trained through American Majority’s activist workshops. [11]
Training
The organization's main focus is training. Offering three “tracks” including activists, candidates and college students, American Majority seeks to transition the tea party movement from protests to local activism. [12] Trainings cover a variety of topics from the history of our political system to effective ways to campaign online.[13].
Social Media
The organization makes use of social media to disseminate their opinions and electoral information, and publishes documents to its followers illustrating the basics of social media.[14]. American Majority has emerged as a powerhouse resource providing social media tools for activists. [15]. They provide comprehensive beginner guides on Twitter and Facebook as well as videos on a range of other topics including YouTube and Wikis.
American Majority is on Twitter as @AM_National. [16]
By the Numbers
Since January of 2009, American Majority has trained 12, 774 activists on how to hardwire precincts, build coalitions, be effective online, and work for greater transparency and accountability in our government. Trained 1,099 candidates on how to run for office and win politically so that the new leaders can implement policies that reflect free enterprise, limited government and fiscal responsibility and conducted 395 trainings in 40 states. [17]
Activism
American Majority has launched several websites as part of its political operations, including AftertheTeaParty.com, and the now-closed RecessRally.com. The former is a site designed to encourage the public to subscribe to its mailing list. The latter was a tool for coordinating additional protests during the 2010 August congressional recess.
American Majority has actively encouraged and led anti-union protests in Wisconsin, coordinating the “I Stand With Walker” rally in Madison, W.I. on February 19, 2011. [10].
New Leaders Project
On November 16, 2010 American Majority announced the New Leaders Project. [18] Working with local tea party leaders, American Majority aims to identify and train 10,000 new leaders by the 2012 elections. [19]
AM Podcasts
American Majority's free podcasts include the acclaimed "Running for Office" series to practical political guides on how to "Hardwire Your Precinct" and how to hold elected officials accountable. [20]
Nonprofit status
American Majority is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Legally the organization is only able to keep this status by not explicitly endorsing any party or candidate, though the organization openly admits its conservative views and "identifies" conservative candidates for its members.[21]
References
- ^ Hillyer, Quin (2009-06-15). "The American Spectator : After the Tea Parties". Spectator.org. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ [ https://americanmajority.box.net/shared/q0k5j58pj6]
- ^ [ https://americanmajority.box.net/shared/q0k5j58pj6]
- ^ [http://wichitaliberty.org/politics/american-majority-activist-training-a-success
- ^ [ https://americanmajority.box.net/shared/q0k5j58pj6]
- ^ [http://www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2010/06/02/american-majority-becoming-political-force-in-minnesota/
- ^ [ https://americanmajority.box.net/shared/q0k5j58pj6]
- ^ [http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/04/06/27boards.h30.html?tkn=MOSF5PLCY8wE9NnSuBqZ3ImRR1mz9Cy7Twos&cmp=clp-edweek
- ^ [ https://americanmajority.box.net/shared/q0k5j58pj6]
- ^ a b "Tea Party plans Wisc. Protest to Counter Unions". http://newsbusters.org. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ [ https://americanmajority.box.net/shared/q0k5j58pj6]
- ^ http://wwww.americanmajority.org/training
- ^ Demme, Ethan (2011-01-22). "American Majority schedules Candidate Training in Broomball PA". keystoneconservative.com. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Markon, Jerry (2010-02-01). "New media help conservatives get their anti-Obama message out". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ Post, Ponder (2010-10-08). "Metrics of Success". Ponderpost.com. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ [ https://twitter.com/AM_National]
- ^ Erickson, Erick (2010-12-03). "Metrics of Success". Redstate.com. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
- ^ "American Majority announces New Leaders Project". http://www.scribd.com. 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives/2010/11/17/organizing-for-freedom-american-majority-and-the-new-leaders-project/
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/american-majority/id350020193
- ^ "American Majority holds Dallas workshop | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News". Dallasnews.com. 2009-10-05. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
External links
- American Majority's Official Website
- [1] Talking points memo