Al Franken's Important Request - Democratic Underground

Infinite Hope

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Mon Mar-26-07 04:06 PM
Original message

Al Franken's Important Request

Dear Friend,

It's the end of the fundraising quarter, and political analysts are watching closely to see how much money candidates can raise by March 31st. That's why people like me are going to be flooding your inbox this week with a plea for those last few dollars that could push them over their quarterly goal.

Great system we have here, huh?

I'll be honest: I need your help just as much as anyone else. And I'm hoping that you'll choose to support my campaign (or, if you've already made a contribution, consider doubling your commitment) because that early support will show the chattering class (not to mention my opponent) that I'm serious.

But I'm also asking for your money because, frankly, we could use it. Even a small contribution can make a big difference.

Click here to contribute! - https://secure.alfranken.com/page/contribute

$25 buys us a phone for a month. Every phone we can buy goes into our phone bank, and it means we can get one more volunteer in our office calling Minnesotans to let them know about our campaign and our events.

Speaking of volunteers...

$50 buys us pizza for a volunteer shift. We already have dozens of folks, young and old, who give up giant chunks of their free time to come in and stuff envelopes, make phone calls, open mail - they are the fuel for our campaign, and they need fuel themselves.

Speaking of fuel...

$100 buys us enough gas to drive up to the Iron Range, over to Duluth, and back to campaign headquarters. It does not include snacks for the trip. We've traveled all over the state, from Nashwauk to Fulda, and although we usually take my Ford Escape hybrid (which gets GREAT mileage), my staff and I are putting in a lot of miles.

Speaking of overworking my staff...

$250 buys us a BlackBerry for a staffer. It's not just a fancy piece of technology that I don't really understand how to use. It's a mobile communication device that allows our field staff to work from a union hall in Rochester or a railroad depot in Dilworth. We use this technology so that we can have a truly mobile campaign, which allows us to talk to more Minnesotans.

Speaking of talking to Minnesotans...

$500 buys us a mailing to 1,000 Minnesotans. It's one of the most effective ways to spread the word about our campaign and my agenda for our country - universal health care, an end to George W. Bush's war in Iraq, and a real investment in technology to harness the potential of stem cell research and alternative energy sources.

Speaking of technology...

$1000 buys us a computer and some software for our office. Our staff, interns, and volunteers use these to build events, research issues, organize our supporters, and generally make the campaign go while I'm out talking to Minnesotans on the campaign trail. Even when I'm in Mankato or Detroit Lakes, our office here in Minneapolis is always bustling.

And speaking of our office...

$2300 pays our rent for a month. Or, I suppose, buys us a whole lot of phones and pizza.

Campaigns cost a lot of money, even before we start talking about TV commercials and get-out-the-vote drives. That's why I need your help.

Click here to contribute! - https://secure.alfranken.com/page/contribute

And, as you know, I'm going to be up against a well-financed and well-organized opponent. I need to show him and the people watching our race that I have the support I need to win. That's why I need your help TODAY.

I'm sure you're being swamped with requests for your time, attention, and especially money, even though the next election isn't for another 589 days. But our campaign is already underway, and if you share our goal of a fairer, stronger America and our confidence that we can get there by working hard for our beliefs, then I'd really appreciate your support at this crucial time.

And, I promise, I won't ask you for money again. (For at least a couple days.)

Thank you for your support!

Yours truly,

Al Franken