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MEMORANDUM
TO:
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON STAFF
FROM:
ALEXIS M. HERMAN
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC LIAISON
RE:
Frequently asked questions about the Office of Public
Liaison
DATE:
January 27, 1993
Following are some key questions frequently asked about the
function of the Office of Public Liaison, and my answers
consistent with the mission of the OPL as we discussed in the
staff meeting today. Let me re-emphasize that we are the "Office
of Public Liaison for Presidential Priorities."
I.
Question: HOW SHOULD THE PUBLIC LIAISON OFFICE BE
ORGANIZED?
Answer:
Organize around a group of senior assistants who
are capable of dealing with a variety of issues
and interest groups and focus on support for
Presidential policies.
II. Question: WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE OPL HAVE IN POLICY
FORMULATION?
Answer:
The OPL should be involved in policy involving
major Presidential priorities from the beginning
of the policy development process.
III. Question: SHOULD THE OPL BE INVOLVED IN CONGRESSIONAL
LOBBYING ACTIVITIES?
Answer:
The OPL should only participate in lobbying and
develop lobbying strategies with interest groups
in coordination with the Congressional Liaison
office.
IV. Question: HOW SHOULD INTEREST GROUP REQUESTS FOR ROUTINE
WHITE HOUSE OR PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS -- SUCH AS
MEETINGS WITH THE PRESIDENT, GREETINGS FROM THE
WHITE HOUSE -- BE COORDINATED?
Answer:
Routine interest group requests should be
responded to only in coordination with the OPL
although other White House offices might be in
charge of that request.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
TO:
To Interested White House Staff
FR:
Alexis Herman
RE:
Routine Requests from Interest Groups
Routine requests from interest groups can include meetings with
the President or senior White House staff; photo opportunities
with the President; speakers; letters or acknowledgements. It
is imperative that these kind of requests from interest groups be
coordinated with the OPL.
Requests can arise from all sorts of sources. For example, a
member of the Administration or a Member of Congress could
request that the President meet with a particular group. The
danger is that the President's meeting with that group could be a
precedent requiring the President to meet with other groups or it
could send signals to other groups which might have different
policy objectives. The OPL should be the repository of political
information concerning the impact of White House involvement with
interest groups. Even the wording of a Presidential greeting to
a particular organization could have political ramifications
within an interest group or for Presidential priorities that may
not be recognized by the requestor.
This is not to say that the Congressional Liaison Office should
not coordinate Presidential meetings with interest group
representatives when requested by a Senator or House Member.
Rather, it is to say that those types od requests should be
coordinated with the OPL prior to being granted and in terms of
the substance of the meeting. Although scheduling and the
logistics of the President's involvement is the responsibility of
the Appointments Secretary, the development of the strategy for
the particular meeting, the agenda and the substance is the
responsibility of the OPL working with the relevant White House
policy staffs, communications and media personnel, congressional
liaison and key agency officials where relevant.
Issue:
How should interest group requests for routine White House or
Presidential actions -- such as meetings with the President,
greetings from the White House -- be coordinated?
Options:
A.
Routine interest group requests should be responded to only
in coordination with the OPL although other White House
offices might be in charge of that request.
B.
All interest group routine requests should be handled
through the OPL in consultation with other White House
staffs.
C.
White House staffs receiving routine interest group requests
should be in charge of handling those requests.
Recommendation:
Option A is recommended. Although the OPL should be consulted
prior to agreeing or responding to a routine interest group
request, it is not essential that the OPL actually implement that
request. Indeed, it may be to the advantage of the Congressional
Liaison Office to carry out the response to a Member's request.
The same is true for requests through the political side of the
White House or from the Vice President. Prior coordination
should be required in order to make sure that the handling of the
request does not conflict with other activities or with the
politics of various interest groups which may be directly or
indirectly affected. For example, a meeting with one interest
group can require a meeting with another interest group which may
or may not be desirable.
We should determine the course of action and communicate it to
our staffs.
Attached please find suggested flow charts/drafts for handling
interest group requests and staging of meetings or events.
CC: Mark Middleton
Mark Gearan
David Dreyer
Communications
Political
Congressional
DoD
CoS
Input from Other
Commerce
Departments
Agriculture
Intergovernmental
etc.
Distribute to
Interested
- Screen requests
Divisions
Weekly Review Meeting
- Attach Cover Sheet
- Distribution list to
- Review Pending
Request
other divisions
Requests
- Deposit in Master
Pass
- Input Solicited
Database
Screen
Priority Process
Respond
to All
Internal Research
- ID Key Issues
- Legislative Strategy
- Communications
Strategy
- Presidential & VP
Calendar
Staff the
- Risk/Reward
Formalize Event
Event
Summary
- Invites out
- Research attendees
- Prepare Briefing
Consult with
Book
appropriate
If Viable, coordinate and
- Coordinate with
individuals
involve, as appropriate,
Other Divisions
other individuals for
meetings.
1 Week Out
Input from other Divisions,
"HOSTILE" Review of
- Select Event Mgr.
Select Event
(Agencies and Congressmen
all aspects of Event
- ID Tentative Dates
Manager
when appropriate)
- Draft Attendees List
- Develop "Win" Strategy
- Outline of Briefing/Agenda
EVENT
MEMORANDUM
TO:
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON STAFF
FROM:
ALEXIS M. HERMAN
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC LIAISON
RE:
Overview of the Office of Public Liaison
DATE:
January 26, 1993
I.
INTRODUCTION
The new Administration's ability to work with a wide-range
of interest groups (whether or not they support each
initiative of the Administration) will be an important
factor in the President's ability to implement his public
policy agenda and in the public's perception of the
effectiveness of his actions. The perception of these
groups - that they have been listened to and had their
opportunity to participate and their understanding of the
purposes of the President - will be crucial to their support
of (or to minimize their opposition to) Presidential
priorities and, thus, to the President's ability to exercise
leadership and implement his public policy agenda.
The White House Office of Public Liaison (OPL) has
historically served as the President's interface with
interest groups. Its first priority is to organize
(generally, through interest groups) public involvement in
and support of Presidential public policy priorities.
Subsidiary to that, it serves as the mechanism by which
interest groups interface with The White House, either
directly through the OPL or by coordination with other White
House staff members. As a consequence, it provides
political advice to the President and The White House staff
on the President's relations with various interest groups.
II. PUBLIC LIAISON FUNCTIONS
The OPL has traditionally performed two functions, the
second of which is subordinate to the first.
A.
Develop and Coordinate Interest Group Involvement in
and Support for High Presidential Policy Priorities.
This activity starts with the beginning of the policy
process and continues through policy implementation.
The OPL works with other White House staffs (domestic
policy, national security, economic security, political
and OMB -- depending on how The White House is
MEMORANDUM (continued)
January 26, 1993
Page Two
structured) and relevant agencies in shaping the
highest Presidential priorities by obtaining the views
of a broad variety of interest groups on those policies
(including coordination of agency interaction with
interest groups). The OPL then participates internally
in policy decisions by providing the views of various
interest groups. The Office serves both as a buffer
for policy makers and a conduit for information.
The OPL then works with White House and agency staffs
in announcing the President's proposals to the public,
including briefings of interest groups and citizens
from around the country. The next step involves
regular interaction between the OPL and relevant
interest groups to build support for the President's
position while solving disagreements where possible.
One key function is to involve interest groups which
might not otherwise actively support a particular
issue. The goal is to create broad-based coalitions
actively supporting the President's position. This
work requires careful coordination with the
Congressional Liaison Office and the relevant policy
staffs.
B. Interaction with Interest Groups.
The second function of the OPL is to serve as a bridge
between the President and the wide range of interest
groups seeking to have a voice at The White House or
with whom the President desires to maintain
relationships. These liaison activities include
organizing meetings with interest group representatives
to receive their views or to communicate the
President's views, assuring appropriate Presidential or
high level administration representation or greetings
at meetings and assuring appropriate interest group
representation at White House and Presidential
functions.
File Public Leason-
MEMORANDUM
TO:
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON STAFF
FROM:
ALEXIS M. HERMAN
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC LIAISON
RE:
Frequently asked questions about the Office of Public
Liaison
DATE:
January 27, 1993
Following are some key questions frequently asked about the
function of the Office of Public Liaison, and my answers
consistent with the mission of the OPL as we discussed in the
staff meeting today. Let me re-emphasize that we are the "Office
of Public Liaison for Presidential Priorities."
I.
Question: HOW SHOULD THE PUBLIC LIAISON OFFICE BE
ORGANIZED?
Answer:
Organize around a group of senior assistants who
are capable of dealing with a variety of issues
and interest groups and focus on support for
Presidential policies.
II. Question: WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE OPL HAVE IN POLICY
FORMULATION?
Answer:
The OPL should be involved in policy involving
major Presidential priorities from the beginning
of the policy development process.
III. Question: SHOULD THE OPL BE INVOLVED IN CONGRESSIONAL
LOBBYING ACTIVITIES?
Answer:
The OPL should only participate in lobbying and
develop lobbying strategies with interest groups
in coordination with the Congressional Liaison
office.
IV. Question: HOW SHOULD INTEREST GROUP REQUESTS FOR ROUTINE
WHITE HOUSE OR PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS -- SUCH AS
MEETINGS WITH THE PRESIDENT, GREETINGS FROM THE
WHITE HOUSE -- BE COORDINATED?
Answer:
Routine interest group requests should be
responded to only in coordination with the OPL
although other White House offices might be in
charge of that request.
File - office
of Public
wason
MEMORANDUM
TO:
OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON STAFF
FROM:
ALEXIS M. HERMAN
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC LIAISON
RE:
Overview of the Office of Public Liaison
DATE:
January 26, 1993
I.
INTRODUCTION
The new Administration's ability to work with a wide-range
of interest groups (whether or not they support each
initiative of the Administration) will be an important
factor in the President's ability to implement his public
policy agenda and in the public's perception of the
effectiveness of his actions. The perception of these
groups - that they have been listened to and had their
opportunity to participate and their understanding of the
purposes of the President will be crucial to their support
of (or to minimize their opposition to) Presidential
priorities and, thus, to the President's ability to exercise
leadership and implement his public policy agenda.
The White House Office of Public Liaison (OPL) has
historically served as the President's interface with
interest groups. Its first priority is to organize
(generally, through interest groups) public involvement in
and support of Presidential public policy priorities.
Subsidiary to that, it serves as the mechanism by which
interest groups interface with The White House, either
directly through the OPL or by coordination with other White
House staff members. As a consequence, it provides
political advice to the President and The White House staff
on the President's relations with various interest groups.
II. PUBLIC LIAISON FUNCTIONS
The OPL has traditionally performed two functions, the
second of which is subordinate to the first.
A. Develop and Coordinate Interest Group Involvement in
and Support for High Presidential Policy Priorities.
This activity starts with the beginning of the policy
process and continues through policy implementation.
The OPL works with other White House staffs (domestic
policy, national security, economic security, political
and OMB -- depending on how The White House is
MEMORANDUM (continued)
January 26, 1993
Page Two
structured) and relevant agencies in shaping the
highest Presidential priorities by obtaining the views
of a broad variety of interest groups on those policies
(including coordination of agency interaction with
interest groups). The OPL then participates internally
in policy decisions by providing the views of various
interest groups. The Office serves both as a buffer
for policy makers and a conduit for information.
The OPL then works with White House and agency staffs
in announcing the President's proposals to the public,
including briefings of interest groups and citizens
from around the country. The next step involves
regular interaction between the OPL and relevant
interest groups to build support for the President's
position while solving disagreements where possible.
One key function is to involve interest groups which
might not otherwise actively support a particular
issue. The goal is to create broad-based coalitions
actively supporting the President's position. This
work requires careful coordination with the
Congressional Liaison Office and the relevant policy
staffs.
B. Interaction with Interest Groups.
The second function of the OPL is to serve as a bridge
between the President and the wide range of interest
groups seeking to have a voice at The White House or
with whom the President desires to maintain
relationships. These liaison activities include
organizing meetings with interest group representatives
to receive their views or to communicate the
President's views, assuring appropriate Presidential or
high level administration representation or greetings
at meetings and assuring appropriate interest group
representation at White House and Presidential
functions.
Public
THE WHITE HOUSE
varion
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
TO:
To Interested White House Staff
FR:
Alexis Herman
RE:
Routine Requests from Interest Groups
Routine requests from interest groups can include meetings with
the President or senior White House staff; photo opportunities
with the President; speakers; letters or acknowledgements. It
is imperative that these kind of requests from interest groups be
coordinated with the OPL.
Requests can arise from all sorts of sources. For example, a
member of the Administration or a Member of Congress could
request that the President meet with a particular group. The
danger is that the President's meeting with that group could be a
precedent requiring the President to meet with other groups or it
could send signals to other groups which might have different
policy objectives. The OPL should be the repository of political
information concerning the impact of White House involvement with
interest groups. Even the wording of a Presidential greeting to
a particular organization could have political ramifications
within an interest group or for Presidential priorities that may
not be recognized by the requestor.
This is not to say that the Congressional Liaison Office should
not coordinate Presidential meetings with interest group
representatives when requested by a Senator or House Member.
Rather, it is to say that those types od requests should be
coordinated with the OPL prior to being granted and in terms of
the substance of the meeting. Although scheduling and the
logistics of the President's involvement is the responsibility of
the Appointments Secretary, the development of the strategy for
the particular meeting, the agenda and the substance is the
responsibility of the OPL working with the relevant White House
policy staffs, communications and media personnel, congressional
liaison and key agency officials where relevant.
Issue:
How should interest group requests for routine White House or
Presidential actions -- such as meetings with the President,
greetings from the White House -- be coordinated?
Options:
A.
Routine interest group requests should be responded to only
in coordination with the OPL although other White House
offices might be in charge of that request.
B.
All interest group routine requests should be handled
through the OPL in consultation with other White House
staffs.
C.
White House staffs receiving routine interest group requests
should be in charge of handling those requests.
Recommendation:
Option A is recommended. Although the OPL should be consulted
prior to agreeing or responding to a routine interest group
request, it is not essential that the OPL actually implement that
request. Indeed, it may be to the advantage of the Congressional
Liaison Office to carry out the response to a Member's request.
The same is true for requests through the political side of the
White House or from the Vice President. Prior coordination
should be required in order to make sure that the handling of the
request does not conflict with other activities or with the
politics of various interest groups which may be directly or
indirectly affected. For example, a meeting with one interest
group can require a meeting with another interest group which may
or may not be desirable.
We should determine the course of action and communicate it to
our staffs.
Attached please find suggested flow charts/drafts for handling
interest group requests and staging of meetings or events.
CC: Mark Middleton
Mark Gearan
David Dreyer
Communications
Political
Congressional
DoD
CoS
Input from Other
Commerce
Departments
Agriculture
Intergovernmental
etc.
Distribute to
Interested
- Screen requests
Divisions
Weekly Review Meeting
- Attach Cover Sheet
- Distribution list to
- Review Pending
Request
other divisions
Requests
- Deposit in Master
Pass
- Input Solicited
Database
Screen
Priority Process
Respond
to All
Internal Research
- ID Key Issues
- Legislative Strategy
- Communications
Strategy
- Presidential & VP
Calendar
Staff the
- Risk/Reward
Formalize Event
Event
Summary
- Invites out
- Research attendees
- Prepare Briefing
Consult with
Book
appropriate
If Viable, coordinate and
- Coordinate with
individuals
involve, as appropriate,
Other Divisions
other individuals for
meetings.
1 Week Out
Input from other Divisions,
"HOSTILE" Review of
- Select Event Mgr.
Select Event
(Agencies and Congressmen
all aspects of Event
- ID Tentative Dates
Manager
when appropriate)
- Draft Attendees List
- Develop "Win" Strategy
- Outline of Briefing/Agenda
EVENT
Proposal for Service
by Christopher S. Hyland
White House Office for Public Liaison
Christopher S. Hyland, Assistant to the President, Director of the Office of Public Liaison
Deputy Asst. to the President, Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison
Deputy Assistant(s) to the President for Public Liaison
Associate Directors
Visiting White House Fellows/Issue Coordinators
Assistant Issues Coordinators
Support staff
The White House and the President ought to have access to the best ideas and widest possible
diversity of people. The White House Office of Public Liaison (OPL) exists to ensure that
connection between the Presidency and the people. As has been said in no uncertain terms by
Bill Clinton, "We don't have a person to waste."
OPL will continue in its traditional role as liaison to various special constituencies (ethnic
communities, business, labor, non-profits, presidential campaign supporters, etc.). It will also
be responsible for organizing discussion meetings to enable various constituencies to be
actively included in a Clinton coalition. Such a feeling of inclusion is crucial, both to the
process of governing and to the process of solidifying the winning 1992 coalition as a solid
base for the 1996 election and beyond. Blockage after the raised expectation about inclusion
generated in this campaign is more dangerous politically than almost anything else.
In addition to the regular daily liaison with constituents, the meetings that OPL organizes will
fall into three broad categories: Roundtables, Conferences, and Town Meetings.
Roundtables and Conferences will bring together the appropriate people to discuss issues of
personal interest to the President and other issues of interest to particular constituencies that
ought to have a "hearing" in an inclusive White House of ideas.
White House Roundtable meetings will involve between 10-25 people. Roundtable
participants would likely include a few appropriate senior White House and/or Departmental
heads and staff, private citizen experts on the issues under discussion and/or related issues, as
well as other appropriate individuals. Of course, given the purpose of OPL, the President,
Vice President, First Lady, and Second Lady would be invited to attend any meetings they so
wish.
White House Conferences would occur from time to time for meetings that may require a
substantially larger attendance than a Roundtable. Certain Roundtables and/or Conferences
might be held in Arkansas, as an aspect of the Arkansas White House.
Presidential Town Meetings would be organized at the request of the President to help build
public support for particular legislative initiatives, to get "the pulse" of the public at a given
moment in time, to keep the President in touch with "real people", and to hold to the campaign
commitment that town meetings and the spirit that animates them shall continue. Town
Meetings, of course, would be held at various locations "outside the beltway" in traditionally
civic settings.
OPL staff will be responsible, when appropriate, for writing up Reports to the President
regarding the ideas discussed during these Roundtables, Conferences, and Town Meetings.
Such reports will be circulated, as well, to appropriate White House and Departmental staff.
Except, for obvious reasons, in the case of public Town Meetings, these Reports will be for
internal purposes only, unless otherwise determined.
Private dinners and/or cocktail parties for the participants in the regular White House OPL
Roundtables or the occasional Conferences will be held at Blair House or the White House
after the meetings occur. Some of those larger dinners at Blair House or the White House
might be organized as "Working Dinners." Otherwise a block of seats will be set aside for
OPL guests at official state dinners and other important White House events that occur between
OPL Roundtable/Conference meetings.
OPL will be located in the White House and in the Old Executive Office Building, comprising
at least 10 offices (each sufficient to house at least 2 staff) and a reception/support staff area.
OPL will also have easy access to meeting room(s) in the White House, the Old Executive
Office Building, and other locations sufficient to hold the meeting participants, when
necessary.
During the Transition Period, the nascent OPL staff will be responsible for working with other
appropriate policy and personnel staff and others to bring together the appropriate people to
discuss and plan for (A) ethnic diversity and inclusiveness in the administration, (B) the
National Service Trust Fund, and (C) the plan for the first series of OPL meetings to take place
during the new Administration.
Christopher Hyland, in addition to being one of the most successful and inclusive fundraisers
since the Exploratory Committee days of this campaign, has worked for one year to mobilize
and organize politically over 35 different ethnic/racial constituencies, representing tens of
millions of Americans. He has earned the reputation both within and without the campaign as a
person sincerely committed to inclusiveness based upon merit and as a neutral facilitator of
people and ideas. In April, he was appointed directly by Bill Clinton as the campaign's Deputy
National Political Director for Ethnic Constituencies. Mr. Hyland has organized Roundtables
and large events, as well as spoken to people of all backgrounds in many states ensuring that
people feel part of the Clinton effort to change America. In August 1992, Mr. Hyland moved
to the National Campaign Headquarters in Little Rock to continue his previous work. The
"Democracy Speech" in Milwaukee and the leaders representing over 35 ethnic groups who
attended it represent an example of his political efforts during the campaign. He has spoken
recently with Bill Clinton specifically about ensuring the spirit of inclusiveness during the
transition period and beyond and Mr. Clinton agreed that such inclusiveness was necessary,
that Mr. Hyland should help to ensure it, and that he would speak to Mickey Kantor about it.
Mr. Hyland indicated that he would be available to serve in that capacity after his obligations to
his political work in the campaign were fulfilled on November 3.