From A Candidate: Campaigns Don't Work Without Donations

[Missy Vixen]

Or, my alternate title: Wake Up And Smell The Cost Of Bulk Mailings.

I was just reading the fury of several DU'ers over multiple requests for funds from one of the Presidential candidates. I am not a Presidential candidate. I am running to retain my city council seat in a small town. However, this candidate and I have something in common.

I love the righteous outrage! of those who huffily insist that "money has nothing to do with this" and that all politicians are intent on stripping one's wallet. To my immediate knowledge, we have two elected officials on this site (Maine Mary and myself,) and several current candidates. There are many on DU who complain about the lack of viable Democratic candidates, and the Republicans' stacking of school boards and city councils around the country. Let me explain how this happens.

Like it or not, money drives the machine. One of my Republican colleagues, also running to retain his seat, was told by a campaign consultant that his campaign would cost $10,000.00. We live in a town of less than 6,000 people; most campaigns are won here by doorbelling the entire town, posting campaign signs, and by judicious mailings. One of our state representatives spends a quarter of a million dollars every two years to retain her office. The Republicans run a veritable donation bank in comparison. For instance, when both Republican colleagues went for endorsements from the local party, it was made clear to those assembled that they would be writing a check to these guys, no matter how humble, on the spot.

I'm always surprised by people who say that the progressive cause is important to them, but there's always a reason why they can't contribute. I'm not talking about those who are out of work, or those who make less than $20K per year. I'm talking about those who would rather sit back and let others do the heavy lifting for them. At this point, I'm self-financing; however, I'm now wondering if I need to give a small fundraiser to finance mailings. It's not cheap. For those who want to win, as long as there is not public financing of elections, it's necessary to raise even a bit of money. If we had not saved a bit because I knew I was running, I could not afford to run at all against my very aggressive, very well-funded oppponent.

We have also given several times to the candidate whose campaign sent out multiple messages this morning. The campaign e-mails didn't bother me; I have given as much as we can afford right now, and I'm paying for my own campaign as well. As his campaign has shown, you can get pretty damn far on donations of $25 and $50 if enough people are chipping in.

If the Democratic party truly wants to change what is happening in this country, it's going to take a lot more than hoping and wishing. It's going to take cold, hard cash.

Julie

[Walt Starr]

1. I am living proof somebody can run a campaign on ten dollars

I am further proof that you get 1/3 of the vote with no money in your campaing.

Anything over 1/3 of the vote, costs, and it costs BIG TIME.

Yep, you can run with no money, but you damn sure can't get elected with no money.

[Missy Vixen]

2. Now, this sounds like a story

>I am further proof that you get 1/3 of the vote with no money in your campaing<

Please tell me how this happened, I'd love to hear it!

Julie

[Walt Starr]

3. LOL, Actually, it happened TWICE

In 1986, I went to the primary in Cheyenne, WY. I always check both sides in a primary and found no candidate filed for the Democratic nominee for Clerk of the District Court of Laramie County, and the Republican incumbant was running unopposed on the Republican side.

So I got my Democratic ballot, and wrote in my name for Clerk of the District Court of Laramie County. It is in the Wyoming Constitution that you can write upon the ballot, the name of any other candidate.

I always try to show up at the polling place first thing in the morning. Now Wyoming is also interesting in that you are allowed to register to vote at the polling place during a primary, so I drove around to five friends, got them to register as Democrats and write me in for Clerk of the District Court of Laramie County.

I won the nomination in a landlside as the guy who got closest to my six votes only had two.

I paid my $10 filing fee and was the Democratic candidate in the general election. I shook hands and made it to a few of the candidate events, but spent no money.

I took one-third of the vote.

In 1990, I did it again.

[sendero]

4. Just like....

.... you cannot fight vehement BS lies with namby-pamby hang wringing responses, you cannot oppose millions with a sock full of pennies.

Elections are won and lost on tv ads, press releases, mailers and the like, and they all cost money.

Those of us with the means have to open our wallets!

[eyesroll]

5. Amen, Julie!

I've been shilling here and elsewhere for my husband's Congressional candidacy. (He's Whitacre D_WI, but I've been a DUer longer.) This is probably the single most obnoxious part of campaigning. I've asked my parents for money. I've annoyed the daylights out of people I work with. My blog is getting annoying. I've turned social occasions, in my head anyway, from "Oh, we haven't seen them in awhile, let's hang out!" to "Oh, we can ask them for money!"

This also marks the first year I've ever done more than toss a few dollars in a hat for anyone running for office. I'd been a very active volunteer and contributor to a presidential candidate -- yes, the one who's been sending e-mail -- but I've had to pull back considerably, for obvious reasons.

Now, I realize why so few legislators push for full public financing of campaigns -- the current system is the best incumbency protection there is (I'm talking specifically about Congress here, and perhaps my state's politics -- I know it doesn't work that way on a city level).

Good luck, Julie. We need good Democrats at all levels of government, from city recycling committees on up.

[FloridaPat]

6. 2002 was the first time I ever gave to a political party - I think.

Everyone I gave to lost - all Democrats. During the reply of Lousiana, I didn't contribute and she won. I am almost afraid to financially support any Democrat at this point. OF course the fact that I've been unemployed for 9 months is a great restraint. I had lots of money in 2002.

[Missy Vixen]

7. Kick

:kick:

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

8. This is the first election I've ever...

...donated to a campaign, and WOW does it feel good. I also am giving my time, but I know that both are equally important. I don't give a lot, but I do give what I can. The sad truth is that money is powerful in elections. You can hate it, but the Dems won't beat Bush on policy alone. We've got $200M to contend with, and a LOT at stake!

[imhotep]

9. no wonder this country has turned to shit

It isnt democracy if money controls elections.

[Missy Vixen]

10. No wonder most qualified candidates decide not to run

>It isnt democracy if money controls elections.<

Then what do you suggest, imhotep?

Do I refuse to spend a cent, and get beaten by someone who has already shown that she does not have the slightest idea of how our city works, let alone the huge issues in our current budget?

How about the presidential candidates? Should they, too, just quit now? After all, they wouldn't want to "soil" themselves by actually spending some money to get elected.

Julie

[DemBones DemBones]

11. Thanks for posting this, Julie. I understand how sometimes it

could bother someone to get several e-mails asking for $ in one day but we do need to realize why politicians need money.

It is the end of the quarter tomorrow so it's understandable that the mailings are greater in number this week. I'm not sure if you mentioned this or not nut it can't hurt to mention it again, right?

Good post! :hi:

[w4rma]

12. I agree, I hope JulieRB reminds DUers often with posts like this about how

important it is to be well financed in running for elected offices. I think that many Americans don't really understand how much money it takes and where that money comes from, etc. etc.

[catzies]

13. Everyone, cut down your soft money contributions! Give only to candidates

As much as I love al the groups who ask me for donations ever year, I feel my money is best put to use GOING DIRECTLY TO CANDIDATES AND THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

Yes, I want to save the world and everything and everyone in it and I believe the best way to do so is give directly to people on my ballot.

Good government and politics begins right at home. :)