Mediaboss Marketing

Extraordinary opportunities abounded in our inbox last week.

One was the chance to attend a virtual fundraiser that Barack Obama is throwing this week for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, "where youll have the chance to meet them one-on-one and talk about whats at stake this election."

"Chip in any amount to automatically enter to win," the email urges. "Contribute for the automatic chance to meet a former, and future, president in an intimate, virtual setting."

But that mere "chance" to win was topped in a missive from Donald Trumps reelection campaign, which contained an unqualified promise to join the president at the GOP convention in Jacksonville, Florida: "Please contribute ANY AMOUNT by 11:59 PM TONIGHT to win a free trip to the 2020 Convention Celebration."

Trump also was quoted as saying, "I've requested that YOU be there with me as my special VIP guest." And he adds, "Please contribute $42 TODAY to win a trip to the Republican National Convention Celebration."

Oh, wait ... there is that paragraph that starts "If you win ..."

Of course, both offers have fine print saying that you dont actually have to contribute money to enter the contests, a nicety that makes them legal.

Speaking of the Trump campaign ...

The presidents reelection team announced the Senate Captains program last week, "a new effort to engage Republican members of the Senate as volunteer fundraisers for the Trump Victory Finance Committee."

One of four "co-captains" of the push to raise money for Trumps reelection is Ohio Sen. Rob Portman of Cincinnati.

State workers take a pass

The administration of Gov. Mike DeWine wanted state employee unions to come up with a cost-savings plan by last Monday. But that deadline came and went with no proposal by the union.

And there wont be one, says Sally Meckling, communications director for the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, which represents about 30,000 state and local government workers.

"The state wants us to go along with the (4% salary) cuts its making to exempt employees," she said. "However, being in a union and having a collective bargaining agreement provides certain protections for union members.

"While the state appears to have made up its mind on what it wants, there are other ways to address the projected budget shortfall, including the rainy-day fund."

That fund contains $2.7 billion. The projected shortfall for the state fiscal year starting July 1 is $2.4 billion.

Instead of providing a plan, the union submitted "a detailed document request asking for information, just like we do during any bargaining session." Essentially, the union is just getting a head start on negotiations for a new contract talks that would begin this fall anyway.

Under their current contract, unionized state workers will receive a 3% raise starting July 1.

Strong language

It has dawned on us that the campaign of Shannon Freshour, a Democrat mounting a long-shot challenge against GOP Congressman Jim Jordan of Urbana, has been trying to get a subtle message across in emails this month. Can you help us figure it out?

"Jim Jordan is slandering peaceful protesters as rioters in a racist attempt to silence those speaking against police brutality ..."

"Trumps favorite racist bootlicker bully Jim Jordan ..."

"Jim Jordan and his fellow fascist apologists ..."

"Racist buffoon Jim Jordan ...

"Trump and Jordans brand of hatred and divisive rhetoric is a direct threat to our rights as Americans ..."

Jordan has not publicly acknowledged his opponent.

See the original post here:
Capitol Insider | Wow, offers to meet with Trump, Biden and Obama all in one week! - The Columbus Dispatch