Federal Election Commission Unanimously Votes to Approve Unique Presidential Fundraising Strategy of New Women's Democratic PAC

Business Wire, Oct 10, 2003

Business Editors/Political Writers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2003

WE LEAD Focuses on Small Donor Fundraising for Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee

WE LEAD, the nation's newest political, professional and social network for Democratic women, today announced that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) voted unanimously to approve the group's unique strategy to raise funds for the still unknown 2004 Democratic Nominee for U.S. President. A registered political action committee (PAC) focused on creating a fundraising voice for small donors, WE LEAD will galvanize its members in the metro Washington, D.C. area and around the country, to raise earmarked campaign contributions between now and next July. WE LEAD will retain those funds in a savings account that will be turned over as soon as one candidate has the required number of delegates to secure the nomination.

"We believe that it is very important to broaden the participation by women and small donors in the political process," stated Trish Brennan-Gac, WE LEAD Treasurer. "The recent restructuring of political contribution limits only serves to further donations by those who already give -white males- while doing nothing to encourage the participation of women and minorities in this country. WE LEAD's strategy fills that void." Ms. Brennan-Gac's public response to the FEC can be found at http://www.fec.gov/aos/aor2003-23com-d.pdf.

Many Americans begin to pay attention to presidential elections after the party conventions in the summer of 2004. If they want to contribute then to a presidential candidate, they find they cannot because presidential candidates typically accept public funding, which prevents them from accepting contributions from individuals. A crucial, but misunderstood, aspect of presidential fundraising is that candidates cannot accept individual contributions if they receive public funding. As a result they accept individual contributions only during the primary election cycle, which lasts until the conventions formally select a nominee. WE LEAD's strategy educates Americans about this limitation and offers them a way to contribute what they have, when they have it, to a savings fund that will be turned over to the Democratic nominee to help begin a national campaign as soon as possible.

Standing for "Women Engaged in Leadership, Education and Action in Democracy," WE LEAD is a volunteer-driven organization that inspires and facilitates the involvement of Democratic women in the political process. After carefully reviewing and approving the group's fundraising proposal on Thursday, the FEC voted unanimously to clear the way for WE LEAD to execute its strategy to raise money for the presumptive Democratic Nominee for U.S. President through grassroots, small-donor activities. During the decision process, FEC Commissioners were impacted by a groundswell of support from individuals across the country. Letter writers from California to New Hampshire expressed their support of WE LEAD during the public comment period. The final advisory opinion is expected in the next two weeks.

Because women all over the country are responding to WE LEAD's call to action, the organization's leadership has developed tools and resources to help women throughout the country organize in their communities. For example:

-- WE LEAD is recruiting members to its Candidate's Club - a

group of individuals committed to raising $1,000 each in

Presidential campaign contributions between now and next July.

All members who join the Candidate's Club will receive a copy

of Fundraising in a Box(TM), a toolkit to help members raise

their $1,000. This toolkit includes information they need to

comply with FEC guidelines, ideas for fundraising events they

can execute on their own, and a list of WE LEAD sponsored

activities that they can participate in to raise money to meet

their goal.

-- WE LEAD recently unveiled its redesigned website

(www.weleadusa.org) that provides a variety of resources for

women and low dollar donors around the country to help them

learn more about politics and get connected to local, state,

and national activities.

Since proposing its groundbreaking fundraising campaign to the FEC, WE LEAD has won significant attention in media and campaign finance circles. Founded in the Washington DC metro area with an expanding national strategy, the group engages women in the political process by focusing on education, networking and fundraising activities. As the network grows, WE LEAD intends to find ways to support other Democratic candidates.

In addition to fundraising, WE LEAD works to create a practical means for women to break into the political process on their own terms. WE LEAD's Web site and email newsletters are key sources of information, featuring Democratic campaign news and timely news articles to help educate members on current affairs. In addition to offering valuable educational opportunities, WE LEAD hosts interactive events and forums where members can expand their network while learning about and discussing key political issues.