Is the DNC falling short on fundraising?

[Clarkie1]

DEAN'S DEBACLE

"Democratic National Committee (DNC) fund raising under the chairmanship of Howard Dean shows a disappointing $16.7 million raised in the first quarter of 2005, compared with $34 million reported by the Republicans.

That tends to confirm dire predictions by old-line Democratic fund-raisers of a fall-off in money if Dean became chairman. He had promised to bring in heavy individual contributions, as he did in his 2004 campaign for president. But the DNC in the first quarter received only $13 million from individuals, compared to $31 million for the Republican National Committee (RNC).

A footnote: A recent DNC fund-raising appeal promised to send field workers to North Carolina, which does not have a major statewide election until 2008."

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20050507.shtml

I came across this Novak propaganda today on Drudge (don't ask me what I was doing there). I'm just wondering if there is any truth to this at all, and do Republicans typical raising twice as much as Democrats in off-election years?

This statement by Novak is particularly bizzare: "tends to confirm dire predictions by old-line Democratic fund-raisers of a fall-off in money if Dean became chairman."

Why would contributions fall-off if Dean became chairman? I mean, who is there that could be doing a better job of fundraising right now? I can't think of anyone.

[Cha]

1. This is a great link

to answer your question..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1768600

[Clarkie1]

3. Thanks. That thread clarifies a lot.

Especially Madfloridian's analysis which puts things in perspective.

[Califooyah Operative]

15. indeed, thanks. - anyone-else want to donate for the 3 month anniversary?

as clarkie1 pointed out, madfloridian breaks it down pretty well in that thread.

regardless, I think It'd be a good thing if we tryed to organize a donation drive on the 3 month anniversary of his election to dnc chair as a show of support and to provide a little boost. If i'm not mistaken it's the 12th.

anyone else think this a good idea/interested?

[madfloridian]

16. That sounds like a good idea.

Good thought. If we quit all the infighting and concentrate on 06, we could make a huge difference.

[Cha]

17. Brilliant, Califooyah!

And it is the 12th..Dean was voted in on Lincoln's Birthday!

Let's Do It!

[Califooyah Operative]

18. thank you. nt

[snowbear]

2. Screw Novak

How actively has Dean been pushing for funds?

When he's ready... no one does it better. :thumbsup:

In the meantime.... SCREW NOFACTS!

[madfloridian]

4. Here is my repost from the other Novak thread.

Remember he is being buffeted from both ends of the party. He is concentrating on internet and smaller donors at first. An article I posted last night said he was working with larger donors as well. The way things are going with so many Democrats already forming their PACs for their presidential runs...it makes it tougher. There are many demands for money, and a lot of folks are still lined up behind their candidates from last year. I think it will be ok, though, and as he says....we don't need as much as the Republicans because Democrats have lower overhead.

There are many candidates still running their PACs. Nothing wrong with that, but the GOP probably already has their field narrowed down. This is starting very early on, may have an effect. But that is the choice of the ones who don't donate...that is their right.

If we are not on board, he won't succeed.

Here is a good article about the new ideas and innovations.

http://www.pulsejournal.com/news/content/shared/news/nation/stories/05/08_DEAN_DNC.html

"Howard Dean is doing a great job," said Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Bobby Kahn. "He's been focusing on the nuts and bolts of building the party. This is no surprise. I saw him do the same thing when he was chairman of the Democratic Governor's Association."

Just as he promised in his campaign for the DNC chairmanship, Dean has focused most of his attention on raising money for cash-strapped state parties and in recruiting candidates to challenge Republicans, even in GOP strongholds.

"You have to show up," he repeatedly tells Democratic audiences.

"It was the right hand-off at the right time," Jennifer Palmieri, a former DNC press secretary, said of the transition from McAuliffe to Dean. McAuliffe rebuilt the national party infrastructure, and Dean is using that infastructure to rebuild the state parties.

Morever, Palmieri said, in Dean, the party has "someone who is ready to kick the table over and doesn't accept the premise that we have to play on the Republicans' turf."END SNIP
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Dean on donations, from the Tavis Smiley transcript:

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200504/20050420_transcript.html

"We're actually doing fairly well. We've only been there for two months.
We've just gotten our folks up and running. We're raising about $1 million a
week, which is--I would like to do more, but that's a good start. It's
certainly going to break the record for the first year after an election if
we continue on this pace. But we need to do better than that. We're working
hard with our large donors and we're working hard with the small donors.
We're going to redo the website. That's going to be out there sometime in
the middle of June. So I don't think we're going to raise as much as the
Republicans, but hopefully we're going to have lower expenses than the
Republicans, and that's going to help us some, too."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.democrats.org/news/200504200003.html
DNC Raises Record Amount of Money from Low-Dollar Donations
Dean Brings in over $1 million Each Week since Becoming Chairman

Washington, DC - During the first quarter of the year (January 1 - March 31,
2005), the Democratic National Committee (DNC) raised an unprecedented
amount of funds from low dollar donations. The DNC received $14.1 million in
contributions; $12.1 million from small dollar donations. Since becoming
chairman in mid-February, Gov. Howard Dean has focused on the grassroots,
raising over $1 million a week - a record amount of money.

This is double the amount of money raised during a similar period four years
ago - after one of the most contested Presidential elections - and proves
that Americans are anxious to change the direction of this country.

"This is a strong start for the year, but it is just the beginning" said DNC
Chairman Howard Dean. "I have traveled across the country - from Mississippi
to California and have seen first hand the hunger and desire of the American
people to get our country back on track and restore integrity."

The average donation to the DNC during the first three months of the year
was $50.80. There were approximately 20,000 new donors this quarter. The DNC
has $7.2 million cash-on-hand.

Dean has also kept his pledge to provide funds for state parties. He has
already raised over $650,000 for four state parties and will continue to
attend other state party fundraisers."

[K-W]

5. The democratic party needs people power, not capital.

I would hope Howard Dean knows that. We will never win an advertising war with corporations.

[movonne]

7. I feel you are right....we will never get the kind of money that the

repugs get because the big corporations will always have more... I too think it will be the people that will have to donate time and effort to this next campaigner. People power will work and Dean can get that.

[shance]

8. That's it. If we were unified and realized our power and value united

we would without question regain a more civilized, Democratic government.

That takes transparency of government, more humility and less ego. Thats the test and that's the challenge. In the end though, everyone wins.

[JNelson6563]

6. Dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1768600

[mattclearing]

9. Don't you think your post is EXACTLY what Novak was aiming for?

Are these the same old-line Democratic fund-raisers that have completely forfeited power in their rush for corporate cash?

I'll take someone who fights hard and makes correct decisions over someone who wants to sell my interests out to corporations and not even win elections for it anyday.

Stop the madness.

[carrowsboy]

10. Who has the $$$???

I'm maxed out on my credit cards and live paycheck to paycheck.

I'm down to eating pb&j sandwiches everyday while trying to get my stuff paid off.

All my extra money goes in the goddamn gas tank to get the 40 miles to work so I can sustain this lifestyle.

My rent was raised, my electric bill was raised, my water, garbage etc...

I got a 3% increas on my pay thsi year but this still falls short $5 of my rent that was increased. When you pile everything else on top what are you left with???

I can't even friggin donate to DU anymore.

All I have is my vote and I'll be damned if that even counts for anything anymore thanks to our city adopting DieBold last Novemeber.

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat & I'm pretty damned sure I'm still one of the "lucky" ones cause I still have health coverage.

Do people still not see what is happening to this country? Our dollar is headed for collapse!

[Kolesar]

11. There are a lot of non-donor Democrats who could do better

I meet people who are all pissed off about what is going on but it never occurred to them to donate. These are people with means to pay for cable tv and finance new cars. They should pick up the slack

[mandyky]

12. Last I heard, we have 1 million a week coming in

so I think Bob got his info wrong. He actually said this on CNN Friday. He's a liar, what else do we expect.

[Gyre]

13. Pre-2004 gen election was their high-water mark.

Lots of us thought Kerry was a contender and we opened our wallets to absolutely ZERO EFFECT.

I don't think I'll ever be that generous again unless they demonstrate to me daily, that they're not the idiots I now believe them to be.

PS: they're also going to have to demonstrate to me that the vote is no longer rigged. I'm not throwing my $$$ down a rat-hole without a purpose. The Green party has earned my money from now on. They at least fought for a recount.


Gyre

[ClarkUSA]

14. I'll bet Gyre speaks for more DNC contributors than we care to count

It may very well be political fatigue on many people's part --- and waiting for the DNC to openly and forcefully push for meaningful election reform.