 |
|
|
'Liberal' Influences in 2002 |
|
By Bill Berkowitz
It's not that Heritage has fallen on hard times. Just the opposite is true. According to Media Transparency, a web site tracking right-wing money, from 1986 through 1999, right-wing foundations doled out more than $35,500,000 to the Heritage Foundation. And, it wasn't that long ago that Washington's premier right-wing think tank concluded its multiyear campaign celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary by raising over $100 million. That's not enough for this ambitious and wildly successful policy institute. Now it plans to double its size, add more staff, solidify old projects and develop new ones, as it positions itself as Washington's number one right-wing think tank for the twenty-first century. New conservative digs A while back, the policy powerhouse received a "miraculous" donation from the family of the late Thomas Johnson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It came in the form of an 8-story building attached to the current Heritage Foundation's headquarters, located just three easy-access blocks from the U.S. Capitol. According to the foundation's website, the gift "presents an incredible opportunity, and a significant challenge." The opportunity is clear -- Heritage can double its size from 65,000 square feet to 128,000 without having to call in a moving van. For the Heritage Foundation, however, there's also a political opportunity worth taking advantage of. With the president's "war on terrorism" still tipping the charts at a higher than 80% public approval rating, Edward Fuellner, President of the Heritage Foundation, believes it's time to seize the time, so to speak. In a recent letter sent to foundation supporters, Fuellner writes: "The point I want to emphasize is the enhanced opportunity this gives us to deliver our conservative message. It's a psychological point: People often understand things most vividly by their opposites…. A great surge of patriotism-love of country-is America's instinctive response to those who hate us. We are rejecting evil by cherishing what is good. Therein lies the enhanced opportunity to deliver our message." For Fuellner and his colleagues, it's time for an all-out assault on social programs dating back to the New Deal: "One problem we've noticed is a deficient understanding of America's founding principles, especially among young congressional staff. Too often their grasp of present-day issues is cut off from any historical context. For instance, staff members working on welfare reform need to understand that today's policies are a product of the Great Society of the 1960s, which grew out of the New Deal of the 1930s, which was an assault on founding principles articulated in the 18th century. You can't restore those principles if you don't understand how they apply to particular policies in the 21st century. Connecting the historical dots is no small task."
If I was to ask, what are some of the characteristics that have distinguished right-wing think tanks and policy institutes over the past twenty years, how would you answer? You'd probably respond by saying: they've raised bundles of cash, produced an endless flow of frequently flawed research, developed ongoing access to the media and right-wing politicians, etc. etc. While all of that is true, the fundamental answer lies in the word "vision." Right-wing funders, philanthropists, think tanks, and policy institutes have all kept their eye firmly on the goal line.
"We constantly relate fundamental principles to current legislative issues staffers are dealing with in their jobs. To make the course practical, we fit it to staff members' work schedules, hold sessions on their turf, and charge no fee. Early responses have been enthusiastic. "Young Hill staff have never been offered an opportunity like this, and they welcome it because they can see that it fills gaps in their education. As we refine this program, we hope to formalize it enough to issue certificates of completion that, when listed on résumés, will be recognized by senior staff as marks of accomplishment." Buying in to the right-wing future The other significant challenge is to raise more money - enough for the $9.4 million building renovation. The new facilities will allow the foundation to add staff, strengthen existing projects and add new ones, "defeat liberal myths," host major media events, "house conservative interns," and, while they're at it, add a few amenities that is certain to attract young people. $1000 buys you a spot on the "Heritage Wall"; One-hundred sixty-five $2,500 donors will get their names affixed to an auditorium chair; $10,000 buys your name on the two-person intern apartments under construction; $15,000 for an intern study room in your name; $25,000 to have a guest scholar apartment named after you; two $100,000 donors will have an intern floor named for them; one lucky $100,000 donor will have the "Green Room" named in their honor. You get the picture. The building will also house a conference center, a broadcasting center, two "Research Floors" for Heritage researchers, "The Dale and Jackie Phelon Rooftop Terrace," already named in recognition of the Phelon's $500,000 gift, and the "The Douglas and Sarah Allison Auditorium," named in recognition of the Allison's $2,000,000 gift. My personal favorite is plans for a "complete fitness center" for Heritage staff and guests, providing them with "a safe, no-cost health club facility right on the premises." So not only will Washington be teeming with right-wing policy nerds but they'll all be buffed, healthy and feeling good. For a donation of $500,000 you can have your name attached to the Fitness Center. Finally, picture this: A host of conservative policy wonks batting around welfare reform while dipping their tootsies in a hot tub and kanoodling in the jacuzzi. Bill Berkowitz is an Oakland-based freelance writer covering right-wing movements. |
Edward Fuellner, president of the right-wing Heritage Foundation: Capitalizing on the War on Terrorism 
© 1997-2002 BEI