Ron Paul Blimp Questions??? I have answers.

[Mckarnin]

I just waded through 33 pages of forum-talk (my brain is now mush) and I didn't see the answer to this question.

What is the minimum amount that needs to be raised in order to get the blimp in the air? I saw $200,000 on another thread, I think. There was also talk of the company taking out a loan in order to get the blimp off the ground. I think that may make sense, particularly for a small business startup.

I'm convinced that once the blimp is in the air and people see the sheer awesomeness of a giant, smiling Ron Paul visage staring down at them, they will be moved within the deepest part of their freedom-loving hearts to give more to the cause.

Let the rEVOLution continue!

The blimp is $350,000 a month. The first month there will be an additional expense for the decals (we had to switch to more expensive decals from banners because they were out of banner material and it would have delayed our project) of $25,000. So, the bare minimum to getthe blimp off the ground will be $375,000 BUT the owner is really cutting us some slack and a $200,000 downpayment by Wednesday will keep the blimp in preperation.

 

[Mckarnin]

Wall Street Journal online mentions the Blimp.

http://online.wsj.com/public/articl...J7SWQNqn0Q_20080102.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

Thanks! It also mentions a quote from the president of my alma mater, Jeffery Nelson. He doesn't come accross as much of a Ron Paul fan. I'll have to try and change that.

 

[Mckarnin]

This makes complete sense, the LLC makes it possible for each time "purchase" to count as an independent expenditure, but even independent expenditures cannot be made by foreigners. By the way, then, why is it that Paul's website cannot be referenced directly, nor can "for president"? Independent expenditures are allowed to say these things.

I'll have to dig further for the answer to that question.

 

[Mckarnin]

Please check the Answers thread.

Those of you who asked questions I could not answer immediately. Please look at the answers thread in this Q/A section:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=46637


Let me know in this thread if I missed your question!

Katharine Memole
Customer Relations
www.RonPaulBlimp.com

 

[tremendoustie]

Please respond to the two suggestions I had on the previous page, when you get a chance. Thanks!

 

[Mckarnin]

Some may remember that I had been critical of the staffing plan for the blimp project. I am highly encouraged by the good faith the blimp team has shown by reducing salaries, eliminating one of the videographers, and setting up a plan for an audit committee. Thank you so much, because I was strongly hoping we could all come together on this project.

There are a couple remaining issues that I hope can be addressed, for the purpose of transparency:

1. There should be job descriptions for each paid staff position, so it's clear what the purpose of each position is, and what actual daily duties will be fulfilled. As part of this change, the line, "The man who made the This November 5th money bomb happen" should probably be removed. I know, Trevor, that you are probably not blowing your own horn, and that another person likely wrote this in the descriptions about you, but I think it's fairly clear that this could be (is being) viewed as a slap in the face to many grassroots supporters who also worked hard for the 5th. Indeed, this section should probably describe duties, not past accomplishments.

I know that you are all working hard, I'm not suggesting that anyone's slacking, but I think it's reasonable for people to know what the purpose/responsibilities of each position is. Trust and verify, as they say.

2.
# Bryce Henderson- Company Media Coordinator

* $1,000/week

# Joe Amidon - Assistant Manager

* $1,000/week

Are these positions necessary, or at least can the salaries be reduced to $500 here as well? I think it's understandable that people would wonder what the purpose of another manager is, and it seems like Trevor and Elijah are dealing with the press already. Maybe this will all become clear with descriptions as outlined above, but I hope at least we can bring the salaries down to match the others.


That said, I am thrilled with the responsiveness and good faith the blimp team has shown, and I plan now to fulfill my pledge. Let's all come together, and make this amazing, epic project happen people! Go BLIMMMPP!!!!!

I am working on passing this information on to others now and will get back to you on most of it.

I can say that we are planning to get more detailed information up about our job duties, hours worked, etc... We are just so busy now that we've had a hard time stopping to put that together.



Thanks!

 

[tomaO2]

Wait, so people outside the USA cannot donate to the blimp?

When we were first asked for the pledges, I am positive that this was acceptable. How many Foreigners have pledged?

That is potentially a huge change and, in my mind, a much bigger potential project killer. I'm sure there are many non-US citizens that would want to donate and help Ron Paul in some way.

 

[Mckarnin]

Wait, so people outside the USA cannot donate to the blimp?

When we were first asked for the pledges, I am positive that this was acceptable. How many Foreigners have pledged?

That is potentially a huge change and, in my mind, a much bigger potential project killer. I'm sure there are many non-US citizens that would want to donate and help Ron Paul in some way.

You are right, it was acceptable when we were considering organizing as a PAC but a PAC was not going to work to get the blimp into the air so we are now a political advertising agency and as such cannot accept money from foreign nationals for political advertising that focuses on a person.

Please ask for more information if I didn' address your concerns.

 

[tremendoustie]

You are right, it was acceptable when we were considering organizing as a PAC but a PAC was not going to work to get the blimp into the air so we are now a political advertising agency and as such cannot accept money from foreign nationals for political advertising that focuses on a person.

Please ask for more information if I didn' address your concerns.

Ok, I just thought I'd throw this out there. Can a PAC buy advertising from you? And, if so, how about a PAC which takes foreign money and contributes to the blimp. Legal?

 

[robert4rp08]

I am pretty sure that although the donation limit to a PAC is higher that to the campaign directly, the first $2300 you donate to a campaign directly or a PAC counts towards your limit for direct campaign contributions and after that campaign contributions are no longer legal but you still have $2700 left that you can donate to a PAC.

I can double check that if you like.

First, I appreciate the response and all of the time your taking to answer questions!

I don't know much of PACs, FEC rules, etc., but that doesn't quite make sense. From what I understand the PAC is completely unaffiliated with the campaign. Money raised in the PAC goes towards efforts to promote the candidate, but are not direct donations. So it makes no sense that contributions to a PAC count toward the $2300 limit for direct donations since the campaign will NEVER see the money from the PAC.

I tried to find information about this and came across this blurb on a webpage:

Leadership PACs have become commonplace in recent years, even among freshman members. These PACs are considered separate from a politician’s campaign committee, providing donors with a way around limits on contributions to the politician’s own campaign. Individuals can contribute up to $5,000 per year to a member’s leadership PAC, even if they have already donated the maximum to that member’s campaign committee.

So yeah, you should clarify this point as soon as possible and update the web page. It may come across as disleading information.

 

[Mark]

I asked this in the pay cut thread, but, I guess this is the place for these type of questions.

.
I noticed that Joe is still getting paid $1000 every week.

Why didn't he take a pay cut to $500 every week?

.
Especially since he says he's doing it because it's fun.

Maybe if it's fun for him he shouldn't be paid at all,
he should be happy to volunteer, and you could save $52,000 every year that way.

Joe joined the company because sponsorship political advertising on blimps

and other ideas the company is floating

sounded like to much fun to miss out on.

.
Also, Bryce is still making $1000 every week too.

Why are these 2 people still being given $1000 every week?

 

[Mark]

..

 

[BeFranklin]

Sticky

My name is Katharine and you can see me under Media on the Ron Paul blimp site. Please ask questions in this thread or email them to: [email protected]


P.S. I am not a lawyer and I do not know everything. I think I can clarify a lot of things and provide helpful information. Please do not consider anything I say to be legally binding. If I contradict the website it trumps me until I can get it fixed if it's wrong and it trumps me forever if I'm wrong. Basically, I'm going to do my best to answer your questions in a straightforward and honest manner but I make no absolute guarantees that I am right.


*I have unthinkingly been using Liberty Advertising as shorthand for Liberty Political Advertising so please take note that Liberty Political Advertising is the real name of this company.

Could you sticky a few of these threads to the top of the forum, like this one, news articles, &ct.

 

[Mark]

Okay, I guess there's a reason to not answer. Still want some money from me?

 

[RonPaulCult]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLZPIqwMmvk&feature=related

 

[slantedview]

Okay, I guess there's a reason to not answer. Still want some money from me?

You raise many valid points, but in a harrassing way. IMO, your 1 trillion posts here are way more trouble than it's worth for your business.

 

[Mckarnin]

Okay, I guess there's a reason to not answer. Still want some money from me?

As of yesterday afternoon neither Bryce or Joe were down for $1000 anymore.

 

[dvictr]

i have a feeling after the 16th bomb... the attention on rp will have enough money to go around... but i dont want the blimp to be over funded compared to the ronpaul2008.com... thats the whole point of the blimp.. more money for nov. 2008 not the blimp in january

 

[Mckarnin]

i have a feeling after the 16th bomb... the attention on rp will have enough money to go around... but i dont want the blimp to be over funded compared to the ronpaul2008.com... thats the whole point of the blimp.. more money for nov. 2008 not the blimp in january

Could you clarify your post? I am confused. Thanks!

 

[tremendoustie]

I posted this a bit earlier, will repost:

Can a PAC buy advertising from you? And, if so, how about a PAC which takes foreign money and contributes to the blimp. Legal?

It seems like this could be a way to get foreign donations, if foreigners are allowed to donate to a PAC but not to make indepedent expenditures. It would limit such donations to $5000 of course.