WASHINGTON -- Credit unions took the Little Guy, CUNA's cartoon character meant to represent credit union's service to its members, to make another visit to federal lawmakers recently.
The Little Guy's Feb. 7 visit to Capitol Hill was meant to promote a new Web site, www.lookoutforthelittleguy.org, and to remind legislators and staff that credit unions exist to serve the Little Guy. About 3,000 "Little Guy '08" buttons were handed out.
"Political campaigns use stand outs to demonstrate support for a particular candidate or cause by gathering a group of supporters equipped with signs to distribute literature or buttons or other campaign paraphernalia," explained CUNA spokesman Pat Keefe remarking on the use of a large cut out image of the character. "We felt congressional staff, in this historic political year when they are paying close attention to the elections, would be drawn to an election event look and feel when reintroducing the Little Guy for the year."
The credit union representatives positioned themselves at locations close to the commuter entry points of the Capitol South and Union Station Metro stations on the House and Senate sides of the Hill, respectively. Commuters were offered buttons while the credit union representatives waved the signs and placards and chanted the slogans.
Some of the slogans that the representatives used included "Show the Little Guy some big love in '08; "Careful! Don't step on the Little Guy;" "You cannot deny the Little Guy;" and" How 'bout some big props for the Little Guy."
"Once again in 2008, we will be using alternative means that typified our campaign in '07 for sending the message that Congress should 'look out for the Little Guy,' by supporting credit unions and their issues," Keefe said. "Look for other events and activities in months to come."
--dmorrison@cutimes.com
