Political discourse in this country has reached record levels in the past year in terms of volume and passion, giving Americans and organizations more reason than ever to come together and make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.
NAA again delivered a strong message in support of the apartment industry during the annual NAA Capitol Conference, March 7-10, in Washington, D.C.
The annual meeting was one of the best attended in NAA’s history, as 427 attendees participated in a record 209 Capitol Hill visits to representatives from 24 states across the nation.
On topics such as health care, employment, regulations, energy and taxation, so much of what the country has become accustomed to is now subject to change on Capitol Hill. NAA members learned more about these issues, as well as those more specific to their rental property businesses, during a briefing delivered by the NAA/NMHC Joint Legislative Program staff, led by Jim Arbury, NMHC’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.
This briefing served as preparation for attendees before they took to the Hill on the final day of the conference (See page 74).
The four major issues staff presented were the potential reorganization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; carried interest; card check; and cap and trade. Arbury also emphasized to attendees that they should make Congress aware that it is estimated that half of the housing needed in the United States between now and 2020 will consist of rental properties. NAA members also discussed capital markets, renter protections, energy-efficient buildings and the need for a balanced housing policy.
“The majority of my job focuses on what is occurring at the city, county and state levels,” says Emily Osterberg, Director of Public Affairs, Apartment Association of Orange County (Calif.). “The Capitol Conference gave me insight into issues affecting our industry nationwide and the opportunity to learn more about problems associations in other parts of country are facing. I found the conference not only to be extremely informative, but it also was a great way to develop relationships that will help me better serve our members. Being able to take our concerns to Capitol Hill and meeting with members of Congress made me realize that the Apartment Association of Orange County not only has a voice in California, but also in Washington, D.C.”
Presidential Politics
Conference kick-off speaker Mark Halperin, co-author of New York Times best seller “Game Change” and Senior Political Editor of Time magazine, provided insider knowledge from the 2008 presidential election campaign cycle and current analysis and opinion of the Obama Administration and its governing style.
Halperin, who worked for nearly 20 years at ABC News, where he covered five presidential elections, said, “I never thought we’d see a more polarizing president than Bill Clinton, but then we got George W. Bush, and now we’ve got Obama.”
Speaking at the Capitol Conference, Halperin said Obama’s even-keel persona as president was not playing as well as it had when he was campaigning for office. He said Obama’s over-reliance on his White House advisory staff prevents him from considering alternative approaches to governing. Halperin added that Obama’s reluctance to change course when attempting to carry out his primary political agenda objectives probably “would come back to hurt him and his party politically.”
Politics for Lunch
The conference’s Government Affairs Roundtable Luncheon welcomed renowned national political analysts Charlie Cook and Stu Rothenberg as guest speakers. They shared thoughts on the current polls and the November 2010 elections.
Cook, who also spoke during NAA’s 2007 Capitol Conference, told the audience that “change” once again is the operative word in politics, and that the electorate is seeking just that from the current Congress and Administration. He predicted that incumbents, especially those in the Democrat Party, will have a tough time winning in November.
Cook suggested that the Republican Party could regain the house. He said the GOP also could pick up five to seven Senate seats, creating a near 50-50 split.
He did not rule out the possibility that an even greater wave of change could come, as it did in 1994 during Bill Clinton’s first mid-term election, when the GOP gained 54 seats in the House, eight in the Senate and 12 gubernatorial seats to grab its first majority in Congress in 40 years, or 2006, when the Democrats re-took control of the House and Senate during George W. Bush’s second mid-term election.
Cook also said history shows that mid-term elections are poor harbingers for the following presidential election. He said losing the Hill could ultimately politically benefit Obama and help to show him how to better govern because, with the GOP controlling the Hill, he would be more inclined to work with Republicans to gain passage of his policy priorities.
Rothenberg opened his remarks by reiterating to members that visiting members of Congress in person and contributing through political action committees (PAC) is the best way to participate in the political process.
He reviewed recent polling data that showed a majority of Americans opposed many of Congress’s and Obama’s policy positions, with a particular emphasis on the sway of Independents who no longer support Obama and the Democrats’ positions.
“Disappointment might be a better way to describe their feelings than disagreement,” Rothenberg said. “And if you are in the GOP, everyday you are feeling happier, as if your world view has been validated,” he said.
Rothenberg said he believes that even though some think that the GOP hasn’t put forth many solutions to today’s challenges, the Republicans will fare well in November. “This election will again be all about change, and just ask how that turned out two years ago for Obama.”
Kevin Wolfgang, President of Evergreen Realty in Newport, Del., and President of the Delaware Apartment Association, says he found Cook and Rothenberg’s presentation to be interesting.
Regarding the news that Republican fortunes were looking good, Wolfgang says, “We’re in favor of change, so it’s obviously good news. We still want to see a little more balance in Washington.”
Greg Lozinak, COO, Waterton Residential, Chicago, says: “Hearing about the importance of the Independent voters was interesting. In today’s politics, things can change so quickly.”
NAAPAC Raises Record Funds
Fundraising for National Apartment Association Political Action Committee (NAAPAC) and the Better Government Fund (BGF) once again set records.
The NAAPAC’s annual fundraising affair was called “Sparkling in D.C.” The event, which featured the opportunity to win a pair of diamond earrings, was attended by over 250 members who mixed and mingled during the champagne reception.
NAAPAC raised over $40,000 during the event and the Conference.
NAAPAC is the political arm of the apartment industry that allows our collective voice to be heard on Capitol Hill. It also serves to help elect candidates to Congress who are sympathetic to our industry and educate them about the impact our member-ship and services have on the economy.
Members also attended the annual Better Government Fund reception at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington, D.C. The event raised over $37,000.