USA Next Launches $10 Million Campaign to Attack AARP on Social Security

The conservative lobbying organization, USA Next, has hired several high-profile consultants, including Chris LaCivita and Rick Reed, to orchestrate attacks on AARP, a powerful lobby opposing President Bush's plan to overhaul Social Security. USA Next plans to spend up to $10 million on commercials and other tactics to discredit AARP and sway public opinion in favor of the president's plan. The group, which has poured millions of dollars into Republican policy battles, will portray AARP as a liberal organization out of step with Republican values.

Key Takeaways:

• USA Next has hired Chris LaCivita, a former marine who advised Swift Vets and P.O.W.'s for Truth, to help set their strategy, and will pay him more than $30,000 for his work.
• The group is also seeking to hire Rick Reed, a partner at Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm, who was paid more than $276,000 by Swift Vets for media production.
• USA Next will spend up to $10 million on commercials and other tactics to attack AARP, citing the group's stance on private investment accounts as a major obstacle to the president's plan.
• Charlie Jarvis, president of USA Next, said the group's goal is to peel off one million members from AARP by presenting itself as a conservative, free-market alternative.
• USA Next claims to have 1.5 million members, but its annual budget was over $28 million last year, and it does not have to disclose its donors.
• The group has also spent millions in recent years supporting Bush proposals on tax cuts, energy, and the Medicare prescription drug plan.
• AARP, the largest organization representing middle-aged and older Americans, is considering a major obstacle to Mr. Bush's Social Security plan, and is already responding with its own advertisements and comments from officials.

Statistics:

• USA Next plans to spend up to $10 million on its campaign to attack AARP.
• AARP has 35 million members and has spent roughly $5 million on print advertisements opposing private accounts.
• USA Next has already spent $28 million last year, and has a separate budget for its current campaign.
• Chris LaCivita, the group's consultant, was paid more than $30,000 for his work advising Swift Vets and P.O.W.'s for Truth.
• Rick Reed, a potential hire for USA Next, was paid over $276,000 by Swift Vets for media production.
• USA Next's national chairman, Art Linkletter, has appeared on Fox News and various television programs as part of the group's campaign.
• The group spent $9 million on television commercials and mailings supporting Republican prescription drug legislation in 2002.

Sources:

• The New York Times, "Conservative Group to Spend $10 Million on Ads Against AARP", February 2005
• Public Citizen's Congress Watch, "Hired Guns: The Use of Veterans to Attack Democrats", 2002
• Wisconsin Advertising Project, "Interest Groups in the 2002 Elections", 2003
• AARP, "AARP's Stance on Social Security Reform", 2005
• USA Next, "USA Next: Fighting for Free Market Principles", 2005