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Text File | 2014-12-11 | 8KB | 141 lines

OPPOSITION RESEARCH

THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH:
The success of the right wing relies on local organization and the
use of stealth and deception. The success of the fight to defeat
the right wing will rely on local counter-organizing, and research
on local right wing groups that front national right wing
organizations. Effective local anti-right research operations will
be the basis for developing a detailed and comprehensive picture of
the right wing that will cut through the veil of secrecy and lies,
and help local groups strengthen their efforts to defeat the right
wing.

WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research involves collecting and analyzing data on your opponents,
your community and the problem you are addressing. Doing good
research is the first step in effective community organizing, and
it is vital to the fight against the right. There are three
different types of research that are important in fighting the
right:

COVERT INVESTIGATION: Involves penetrating the public facade of the
right and documenting the internal workings of their groups and
individuals as a participant observer.

ACADEMIC: Academic research involves using the methods of
anthropologists, economists, political scientists, sociologists,
historians, etc. to study the right and its political, economic,
social and/or cultural impact on our communities and institutions.
Public opinion polls such as those as those we normally associate
with election campaigns fall into this category.historical
documentation and social movement analysis also fall into the
category of academic research. groups like political Reasearch
Associates and the Center for Democratic Renewal are grassroots
leaders in academic research that is accessible to activists.

PUBLIC RECORD RESEARCH: Involves data collection from public
sources, and is the foundation for most other research. Some key
sources are newspapers, radio, television, right wing newsletters,
anti-right wing newsletters, historical societies, public
libraries, campaign contributions and expenditures reports,
articles of incorporation, annual reports, and public agencies such
as police, the judicial system, and the IRS.

WHERE TO BEGIN?
Although a certain amount of mixing of methods is necessary in
order to conduct effective research into any group or social
movement, the best place to start in researching the right wing is
usually public record research. The following guide offers a mix of
tips most of which focus on getting information from public
sources.Some good points of entry into research against the right
are:
    Forming Personal Relationships:Many people, particulary
activists working in groups or on issues targeted by the right
wing, have information. Pro-choice groups that have been involved
in election battles with the right wing are likely to be experts
about some aspects of the movement in your area. Don't recreate the
wheel. Go to those who have information already and form
relationships.Monitoring the media:You can monitor print media by
hiring a clipping service to collect articles from local newspapers
and magazines that contain key words or phrases that indicate they
contain what you are seeking. clipping services are convenient but
costly. If you can't afford one, get volunteers to clip articles.
file information by geographic area, type of activity, group
involved, etc.Tune into right wing TV and radio programs. Assign
someone with a TV and VCR, or a radio and tape recorder to monitor
programs and record items of significance.Journalists are often
good sources of information. Form relationships with people in the
media that are particularly knowledgeable or sympathetic.
    Mail Infiltration:Get post office boxes and solicit right wing
mail through local clergypeople, youth, churches in communities of
color--each may receive different mail from the same groups. Take
note of events or meetings. Record names that appear in right wing
literature, including writers. enter the information you collect
into a computer or hard copy database so you conduct cross checks
as you continue your research.
    Attending Public Events:Attend right wing events. Collect the
literature that is distributed, note which groups have booths or
tables present, list speakers, and listen to speeches using a tape
recorder if possible.
    Mapping Churches:churches are the cultural base of the
religious right, representing both a soft entry point into the
right wing through religion, and a resource base for the movement.
Use church directories to find out who pastors congregations, leads
social justice groups, etc. anti-gay or anti-choice coalitions,
groups opposed to busing, or promoting English only, school
vouchers, etc. list endorsers and have records of donors. Cross
refrence the names of these individuals and groups.got to church.
Right wing churches need to be visited to find out what they are
like and who they include. Listen to sermons, raise questions with
congregants, check church bulletins and collect literature. Using
a map, pin churches geographically, and create a color coded legend
about the various political positions taken ny churches. As you
break down your research to target neighborhoods, representative
districts, and school districts, use maps and voter list availables
at local election offices.The next step in the "mapping" process
involves developing a political profile of churches in your
community. Do this by matching the names of key right wing leaders,
organizers, and donors to churches. The ultimate goal is to collect
enough data about local right wingers that you can identify the
institutions that they control in your community. You will know how
much cross over there is between the right wing and the local
Kiwanis club, PTA's, school boards, etc.
     Monitoring Elections:Identify right wing candidates for school
boards and other elected bodies. Go through the slate of candidates
and find out if their names show up anywhere in your research. If
all else fails, call candidates up and find out where they go to
church.
     Conducting Surveys and Personal Interviews:Conduct interviews
with right wing political leaders, support staff, etc. over the
phone or in person. Most of these people will be open to talking to
you if you are polite and seem interested in their organization or
political positions.Other interviews with people in the community
who have been involved in fights with the right, or lead lives that
bring them into close contact with them are useful in creating a
fuller picture.
     Checking the Public Record:The Secretary of State ussually
lists Political Action Committeea and lobbies. Sometimes these
lists contain information about their political track record. In
all cases, at least some officers of the board are listed.
Additionally, camaign contributions and expenditures reports are a
matter of public record in most states. these reports are a rich
source of information, and are also usually available through the
Secretary of State.Historical societies and media archives are rich
sources of infromation. Libraries almost always keep archives of
the major dailies. talk with the librarian to find out what is
available.Keeping Secure and Accurate Records:Create a filing
system for your information. If you have access to a computer and
the necessary skills and software, create a data base of names,
organizations, and other pertinent information. As you carry out
these tasks, remember to keep your records in a secure place, and
back everything up with copies that are stored in a second secure
site.Make sure that your records and reports are accurate. One of
the functions of a well ordered research operation is to sift the
fact from the fiction regarding the right wing so that the
information can be used to ORGANIZE effective community responses.
Inaccurate information will cause you to lose your legitamacy in
the eyes of the press, the community, and current and political
allies.