New Hampshire GOP Presidential Debate, September 5, 2007

The AFBI was a prime sponsor of the G.O.P. Presidential Debate on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. In addition to national television coverage, the debate was attended by about 4,000 enthusiastic citizens and students. AFBI’s overall theme at the debates was that the Death Tax will be a key issue facing the nation in the next President’s first term:  Current law means the tax will expire in 2010 and revive in 2011. That message seems to have been received loud and clear. 

Media Briefing: We held a media briefing on the UNH campus and invited the 194 credentialed media personnel in attendance. Our purpose was to familiarize them with the issue and keep it in focus. Approximately 40 volunteers came from the UNH College Republicans and from the campaign of Dean Scontras, a congressional candidate from the first district of Maine. A highlight of the seminar was the signing of the AFBI Death Tax Repeal Pledge by presidential hopeful Ron Paul.  Another feature of the seminar was a new paper presented by Steve Entin, President of the Institute for Research, on the Economics of Taxation (see the AFBI website for this important new work). Steve also serves on the AFBI Board of Advisors.

Pre-Debate Reception:  We participated at a reception for all debate attendees. AFBI’s visible presence at the reception included banners, t-shirts, “Kill the Death Tax” buttons, a booth with literature and even “Death Tax” fortune cookies!

The “Spin Room”: As a major sponsor, AFBI President Dick Patten, AFBI Communications Director Josh Kahn and AFBI Board of Advisors member Steve Entin were invited to the Spin Room after the debate, where all the candidates were available to reporters for additional questions. AFBI was there to make sure the Death Tax issue was raised and to provide expertise. As expected, Mayor Giuliani, Governor Romney and Senator McCain made appearances. AFBI was able to touch base with several other candidates to get their promises of support of our efforts.

Our New Hampshire press release included the following:  “The death tax is scheduled to expire in 2010 but return at a full 55% in 2011,” said American Family Business Institute President Dick Patten. “To quote Paul Krugman, ‘That creates some interesting incentives.’ No matter who’s elected president, the death tax will be at the top of the agenda in 2009. The public deserves to know where every presidential candidate stands on the death tax, and what they’ll do to make repeal permanent before 2011.”