Help with an idea (McCaskill vs. Talent)

[scratchtasia]

After seeing some of the latest news about the Missouri Senate race (it's close, but Talent may be edging up), and knowing that Bush is coming to KC next week to raise even more money for Talent, I had an idea. While I am certainly planning to protest Bush on foot, that will accomplish nothing to hurt Talent's huge cash advantage in this race.

So I'm thinking we should target next Friday, the day of Bush's appearance, as a day to contribute to Claire. If enough people want to make even a symbolic protest (using cash) against Bush and Talent, it could really help out Claire.

And people could participate from everywhere, not just locally. I'm thinking to post on DU, write a diary for DailyKos, and pass the idea along to other bloggers in hopes of increasing netroots participation. This could also be suggested to groups like DFA and ProVote. Of course, anyone can contribute at any time (I just did today), but countering Bush and Talent would be the fun part of targeting Sept. 8.

Is this a good idea or am I out of my mind? Do you have any suggestions? Here's a draft of what I would post:

Friday, September 8: Contribute to Claire!

George W. Bush is coming to Kansas City to do a fundraiser for his lackey, Missouri Senator Jim Talent. Admission? Just $1000 per person. While many local residents plan to hit the streets to protest Bush, there's more we can do: contribute to Claire.

Talent already has a huge cash advantage that we need to overcome. As of 7/19/06, Talent had $6.9 million on hand, compared to Claire's $2.7 million. (Source: the Center for Responsive Politics and OpenSecrets.org.)

Few of us have $1000 to chip in, but most of us can afford to move the decimal point over for a $10 contribution--and if you can give more, great! This can be both a symbolic protest against Bush and Talent and a way to boost Claire's coffers for the final months of the campaign.

A McCaskill win could give the Senate to the Democrats, and we all know how much that would change things in Washington. So on Sept. 8, help us bust the Bush-Talent machine and raise some cash for Claire.

Thoughts?

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. That is an absolutely wonderful idea!

Post it here:

http://dfha.org/

[scratchtasia]

3. It's up!

I just created an ActBlue page!

http://www.actblue.com/page/protestbush-helpclaire

I'm going to start getting word out right away. Some posts (like here on DU) will be timed for Thursday night and Friday morning.

[galloglas]

2. Damned good idea!

But put the word out so that everyone knows that it is a "targeted" donation day. Be great if you can figure how to keep a running total, even pre-donating to be credited on Fun Friday.

Grassroots things like that drive them :woohoo:crazy!!

[scratchtasia]

4. Thanks

I made an ActBlue page here:

http://www.actblue.com/page/protestbush-helpclaire

I'm going to start getting the word out right away. I'll try to mention it tonight at a DFA meeting. I will e-mail a couple of discussion lists I'm on, post it where I can (DU, DailyKos, etc.), e-mail it to some of the liberal bloggers and hope they pick it up, and of course send it to all my friends and family.

I'm hopeful and excited to see how this turns out!

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. We will also be collecting donations at

55th and Ward Parkway Friday afternoon.

[scratchtasia]

8. Excellent

Who will be collecting? Maybe I can make up some small flyers for them to give to people who don't have a lot of cash on them. The ActBlue page is a great way to contribute with a credit card.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I will do it

Yes that is a great idea about the flyers!

[galloglas]

6. This just went out to about 2800 people RE: Claire

Hi Scratch,

One of my lists just had a request that I was able to piggyback an appeal for Claire onto. I will cut'n'snip some of it and put it below. If everyone who reads this page would do the same on their discussion groups, it could be a visible impact.


Subject:Fw: ShowMe State to see Bush on Friday. Reception planned !! ;-)

Allen Holtwood has written (see below) asking for help to defeat the GOP, citing races called by MSN.

"Missouri
Claire McCaskill 45.4 Democrat..get him Claire!<--------------------------------------
Jim Talent 46 Repuke/Bush lacky"

In Missouri, where we are expected to be one of the "new OHIOs" at the polls, where disenfranchisement by voter ID requirements may wipe out up to 175,000 (usually Dem.) voters, and where Sen. Jim (no)Talent has a huge warchest built up, we have the privilege of seeing Bush this Friday, coming to town to raise more money for Sen. Lack of Talent.

Wanna hit Bush and Talent below the belt, anyone??

We will be arranging a "rousing reception" for His Dishonor, the idea being to take Talent off the map. Talent has already outspent McCaskill 3 to 1, and has a boatload in the bank. The link below will take you to where there is more information on the race.

http://www.actblue.com/page/protestbush-helpclaire

The fact is that Talent is, and should be, vulnerable. He is the biggest weenie in the world, with not a lick of sense, and the fact that Claire is close is amazing! He is an empty-headed, march-in-step, Bush Storm Trooper who supports the infamous Constitutional Restoration Act (S.B. 2082 of 2004).

So here is what I would ask of each of you. Go to the link above and give something!

If you have a dollar, send it. And say "this George Washington says Talent's gotta go!"

Likewise five bucks says "Abe Lincoln says Talent must leave!"
And Hamiltons, Jacksons, Grants, and Franklins also talk turkey!
Whatever you got, send it.

And include the above message, via the site's "contact me" emailer, because there are important parties watching this Friday event. Particularly the recently purchased Kansas City Star, and the money people who decide where the National Democratic money goes.

Both Bush and Talent hate the Grassroots! We're it, so make them feel the burn!
Make it happen on FRIDAY!

Thanks, my friends, from the long absent

Phil Lindsey
(please note new email addy)

P.S. And send this everywhere you can. We want them to remember the word "grassroots", so show them you are here!

[RayOfHope]

7. I got that email this morning!

And will of course contribute.

Good job guys!

[scratchtasia]

9. Thanks

Thanks for helping to spread the word! I've sent out a bunch of e-mails but still have a couple of lists to get to, not to mention a few posts (including here at DU).