April 9, 2007
MEMORANDUM FOR AEI SCHOLARS, FELLOWS, AND STAFF
During election years many people at AEI are asked to provide advice and assistance of one kind or another to election campaigns or candidates for political office. This is not a national election year, but organizing, fundraising, and campaigning for the 2008 primary and general elections have started early this time around, and I know that several of us have been already been approached by potential candidates for policy briefings and other advice, some of it going beyond the consultations with public officials that are part of our regular AEI work. So I am writing now to remind everyone of the Institute's policies and procedures regarding participation in political campaigns.
It is natural and desirable that people at AEI should take an interest in electoral politics. And it is just as appropriate for us as for employees of other sorts of organizations to work individually on political campaigns of our choosing. We all need to be aware, however, of two special circumstances affecting us as employees and representatives of AEI. First, AEI is a tax-exempt organization, strictly forbidden from institutional involvement in partisan political activity. Second, AEI is a highly visible institution in the often contentious world of policy debate; our independence from partisan politics is one of our most important assets, and it is essential that this independence be preserved in both reality and appearance.
I ask, therefore, that AEI employees who become involved in political campaigns follow these guidelines:
- If you take a substantial position in a political campaign, write me a memo describing your position and the approximate amount of time you will be devoting to it. This would apply to any position for which you are compensated, any position involving a title in a campaign hierarchy, and any relationship that involves more than occasional kibitzing with a candidate or campaign staff. It would not apply to occasional consultations or appearances at campaign functions, membership on a host committee for a fundraising event, etc.
- AEI resources may not be devoted directly or indirectly to the support of a campaign or candidacy for political office. This includes not only the direct expenditure of AEI funds but also your time while working on the AEI payroll and the use of AEI office, communications, and other facilities and supplies. There will be occasions when very minor ("de minimis") exceptions are permissible; thus, if you receive a telephone message at AEI from a candidate or campaign office, it's okay to return the call from AEI (using your personal charge number if it's a long distance call, of course). But it is important to approach even such small matters with the utmost care and circumspection.
- Be aware that the demands of political campaigns can become highly consuming of time and energy. Your campaign involvement must not compromise your ability to devote full attention to your AEI responsibilities. If you think this might happen, you should immediately consult with me or with David Gerson (and with your immediate supervisor in appropriate cases). In some circumstances, we may be able to arrange full- or part-time leaves of absence.
- Consult me, David, or your immediate supervisor if you have any questions about particular campaign-related activities.
- This really goes without saying, but just for completeness let me add that you should avoid saying or doing anything that might be taken as implying that AEI is institutionally committed to any candidate or party. Similarly, and especially as the campaigns heat up, it will be important for all of us to maintain the strictly nonpartisan character of all AEI conferences, meetings, publications, and other activities.
These guidelines are just that. What is most important is that we all exercise prudent judgment and ample regard for our special institutional responsibilities throughout the long election season.
Christopher DeMuth
