The Campaign for Free Enterprise, the advocacy blitz that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently launched, is searching for a manager, has started fundraising, and is using focus groups to help shape its message, according to a chamber official involved in its development.

The fundraising for the campaign, which reportedly could cost as much as $100 million over two years, is being handled by Agnes Warfield, the chamber's long time chief fundraiser. Initially, the campaign is trying to tap new financial sources, such as "entrepreneurial types who have not been active in the chamber to date," said the official.

The campaign's focus on new financial angels is prompted by concerns that the chamber could face a "robbing-Peter-to-pay-Paul problem," unless it attracts fresh donors. Senior chamber officials are slated to hold a brainstorming session about the free enterprise campaign - including potential outside candidates to manage it - a week from Sunday at the swank Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.

The session will coincide with a separate two-and-a-half day semi-annual meeting that the chamber hosts for leaders of scores of major trade groups known as the Committee of 100.

The official said that chamber President Tom Donohue will probably discuss the free enterprise initiative at the larger meeting as well. Donohue unveiled the new campaign as a broad ideological drive to defend free markets in the face of mounting government regulations, financial bailouts, and other encroachments by Washington, including attacks on the business world.

"Supporters and critics alike agree that capitalism is at a crossroads," Donohue said in his June 10 statement announcing the campaign.

The campaign's arsenal is expected to include a large paid advertising budget, grassroots tactics, and an issue-advocacy and education program leading up to the 2010 elections.

                                                                                                              -- Peter H. Stone