2008 Presidential Endorsement FAQ 1. I thought BPW/USA couldn’t endorse candidates? BPW/USA does not endorse candidates but the BPW/PAC, which is a separate organization, does. Business and Professional Women/USA established a political action committee (BPW/PAC) in 1979. BPW/PAC assists women and pro-women candidates who support BPW/USA's Legislative Platform by providing endorsements and campaign contributions. As the financial muscle behind BPW/USA's national legislative agenda, individual members contribute to BPW/PAC to show the collective force of BPW/USA in the American political process. BPW/PAC plays an important role in helping to shape what our government looks like and what issues they address. BPW/PAC is supported solely by voluntary contributions from BPW/USA members and is governed by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). 2. What is BPW/PAC’s relationship to BPW/USA? BPW/PAC is a separate body under BPW/USA’s organizational umbrella. Although BPW/PAC is clearly a separate organization with a separate Board and bylaws, BPW/PAC recognizes that its decisions impact the entire BPW/USA membership. That is why it is committed to an open dialogue on all its endorsement decisions. 3. Do any BPW/USA membership dues support the BPW/PAC? No, no membership dues are used to support the PAC. BPW/PAC is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from BPW/USA members. 4. Why is BPW/PAC making this Presidential endorsement? BPW/PAC supports candidates, regardless of party, who will be the best advocates for equity for all women in the workplace. An endorsement is an effective tool for educating both voters and candidates about workingwomen’s issues. 5. Who made this decision? BPW/PAC is run by a Board of Trustees that consists of seven (7) members who are appointed by the BPW/USA National President, and approved by the Executive Committee. Republicans, Independents and Democrats are on the BPW/PAC Board. 6. How was the decision made? BPW/PAC takes this decision very seriously and is committed to an open process. BPW/PAC sent a questionnaire to all the presidential candidates and invited them to speak to BPW/USA membership at the National Conference. Senator Obama responded with a 4-page letter addressing all the issues in the questionnaire. Senator McCain has not responded. Both campaigns sent top level surrogates to speak to the BPW/USA membership at the National Conference in Atlanta. The BPW/PAC researched all public statements and the voting records of both candidates. The BPW/PAC Board meets monthly to discuss candidate recommendations. The presidential endorsement conversation was begun at the BPW/PAC meeting on July 23rd 1 National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW/PAC) 1
1620 Eye Street, NW Suite 210 Washington, DC 20006 tel: (202) 293-1100 fax: (202) 861-0298 www.bpwusa.org
during the National Conference. BPW/PAC is committed to an open process and that is why it is hosted two webinars to discuss the endorsement. 7. Why now? This is a critical election for working women. The outcome will impact our rights, our pocketbooks and our future. One candidate has been consistently better on the issues that impact working women and our endorsement will help educate women about that fact. 8. Is this legal? Yes. The endorsement has been made by BPW/PAC, which is a political action committee governed by the Federal Election Commission and has the capacity to endorse. 9. Is the endorsed candidate going to appear on the cover of the BusinessWomen magazine? No. The pre-election issue of the magazine will contain articles on our issues and the elections. 10. How are you going to inform the BPW/USA membership of the decision to endorse? There will be an article on the endorsement in the Fall issue of BusinessWomen magazine. The endorsement will be featured in the Legislative Hotline and the BPW/PAC webiste. A press release will be issued to inform the media. 11. Is the PAC going to make a contribution? No. The Obama campaign does not accept PAC contributions. 12. Is BPW/PAC telling me how to vote? No. BPW/PAC is trying to educate you and the candidates about the issues. Obviously the final vote is up to you, however it incumbent upon us to point out the stark contrast between the major candidates on issues that impact working women and their families. 13. Why does a PAC endorse? An endorsement is the ultimate action a political organization can take. It is valuable tool to educate and influence both individual votes and the candidate themselves. 14. Does endorsing prevent BPW/USA from working with the other party? No. We will continue to work with both parties to advocate for working women. 15. I thought BPW/USA was a nonpartisan organization? Yes, BPW/USA and BPW/PAC are both nonpartisan organizations, but that does not prevent BPW/PAC from endorsing a candidate who is clearly a stronger advocate for workingwomen. BPW/PAC supports candidates who support our legislative priorities regardless of party. 16. Has BPW/PAC endorsed a presidential candidate in the past? Yes. BPW/PAC endorsed Sen. Kerry in 2004 and Vice President Gore in 2000.
2 National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW/PAC) 2 1620 Eye Street, NW Suite 210 tel: (202) 293-1100 Washington, DC 20006 fax: (202) 861-0298 www.bpwusa.org
17. Does BPW/PAC endorse Republicans? Yes, 23% of the BPW/PAC endorsed Congressional candidates in 2006 were Republicans. 18. How can I found out which Congressional candidates BPW/PAC has endorsed? BPW/PAC endorsements are listed on the BPW/PAC website or you can contact Terri Freer at tfreer50@aol.com or Rachel Lyons at rlyons@bpwusa.org. As of August, BPW/PAC has endorsed 8 candidates for the 2008 cycle. 19. Doesn't our PAC work on issues with whomever we need to - no matter which side of the aisle they sit on? Yes, BPW/PAC works with legislators of both parties to support our issues. An endorsement enables us to reward legislators who have been long-time advocates for women’s equality and encourage candidates like them to run for office. 20. Are you worried that BPW/USA will lose members as a result of BPW/PAC’s decision to endorse? BPW/USA’s mission is to support equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. BPW/USA formed a PAC in 1979 to further that mission. BPW/PAC hopes that members understand that a presidential endorsement is tool to support the mission we all collectively support.
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National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW/PAC) 3 1620 Eye Street, NW Suite 210 tel: (202) 293-1100 Washington, DC 20006 fax: (202) 861-0298 www.bpwusa.org