Dems debate outside ads & strategy for 2012

A woman signs a giant banner printed with the Preamble to the United States Constitution during a demonstration against the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling at the Lincoln Memorial.

Democratic donors and operatives are wasting no time figuring out how to avoid a repeat “shellacking” in 2012. About 150 key players are scheduled to meet next week in Washington at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Democratic Party is split in two camps: one advocates pushing on long-term intellectual battles via think-tanks such as the Center for American Progress. That strategy says shape the agenda in the national psyche so, come election day, Americans are already more inclined towards Democratic views. The other: save up those election dollars, build up the advertising armory, and hit the airwaves hard in the build-up to election day. Which strategy is likely to work? And what types of campaign finance reform efforts might change the game plan over the next two years?

Democratic donors and operatives are wasting no time figuring out how to avoid a repeat “shellacking” in 2012. About 150 key players are scheduled to meet next week in Washington at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Democratic Party is split in two camps: one advocates pushing on long-term intellectual battles via think-tanks such as the Center for American Progress. That strategy says shape the agenda in the national psyche so, come election day, Americans are already more inclined towards Democratic views. The other: save up those election dollars, build up the advertising armory, and hit the airwaves hard in the build-up to election day. Which strategy is likely to work? And what types of campaign finance reform efforts might change the game plan over the next two years?

Guest:

Kenneth Vogel, POLITICO Reporter