A peek inside the workings of ItStarts.Today

[LAS14]

Here is an interchange with someone at ItStarts.Today (maybe it really is Jonathan Zucker). I was intrigued to see that they were willing to launch their effort in a timely fashion while waiting for the more complicated underpinnings. This is an e-mail interchange, so you have to start at the bottom. And here's a link to their extremely simple web site: https://contribute.itstarts.today/2018


Jonathan Zucker
10:29 AM (12 minutes ago)

to me

The existing ~$10 one has been halted and refunded (it may take a few
days for your card company to show the credit).

So glad you want to raise your subscription!

And thanks for the help spreading the word. We're really excited
about what we are doing... it is so gratifying to see others sharing
the enthusiasm.

Jonathan

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 10:27 AM, xxxxxxx <[e-mail]> wrote:
> Yes, please. I'll increase it to $25/month (or whatever is closest of your
> options). I just didn't want multiple charges to deal with.
>
> Thanks!
>
> I'm spreading the word every way I can think of. Great idea! Who knows
> where pockets of Dems will explode into a critical mass with some financial
> encouragement!
>
> xxxxxxxxxx - Credit card ending in xxxx
>
> On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 9:15 AM, Jonathan Zucker <[e-mail]>
> wrote:
>>
>> Hi xxxxxx...
>>
>> Given where the platform is at present (just the beginnings of what we
>> envision, which will include robust tools to let you increase,
>> decrease, pause or halt, your subscription on your own), the easiest
>> thing to do is for us to cancel your existing one and for you to start
>> a new one.
>>
>> Do you want us to refund the money on the current one?
>>
>> Jonathan
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 7:05 AM, xxxxxxxxxxxx <[e-mail]>
>> wrote:
>> How can I increase my monthly donation?
>> > Thanks,
>> >xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>

[brooklynite]

1. This sounds like a REALLY bad idea...

grassroots donors can fund every Democratic nominee for the House and Senate. We don’t play favorites or write anyone off

It's is a lovely, abstract concept to say you're "funding every candidate", but it's incredibly poor organization. The reality is, some candidates (think Chuck Schumer) don't need your money, and as desirable as it is to have a candidate in every race, some candidates honestly will have no chance. Available funds should go where they're needed and useful.

[LAS14]

2. This is a way to get a critical mass started in places...

... which currently "have no chance." Funding Chuck Schumer is the price we pay for not pre-judging democratic campaigns. Not pre-judging allows for surprises.

[brooklynite]

3. But if your funds are being divided among EVERY candidate in every district...

...the amount you're giving to each is likely to be minimal. Consider that the Bernie Sanders grassroots fundraising magic never translated to the other Berniecrats, even with his endorsement and encouragement. I wouldn't expect this to translate into a groundswell of financial support.

Add to which, while I'll be meeting with the heads of DCCC and DSCC in the near future, I'm honestly not planning to put ANY significant funds into House and Senate races; the major focus of the 2018 election has to be State House (Gov, AG, SOS) and Legislature wins.

[LAS14]

4. A minimum of $7692 by the end of 2017....

... for the 2018 election could go a long way to helping the scattered Dems in some Wyoming district coalesce and mount a good campaign against the GOP who have never had to spend any money or exert any energy. Even if our Dem didn't win in 2018, there would be a whatch-a-callit pole (senior moment) to attract more Dems in 2020.

I got 7692 by dividing 300,000 by 468. A week or so ago ItStarts.Today had raised that much. I multiplied that by 12 since donations to ItStarts.today are monthly pledges. It would be very realistic to double that, assuming more people come on board and hang in there through 2018.