As much fun as it has been to watch Elwyn Tinkelburg's war chest grow by

[featherman]

half a million dollars in a little over 24 hours, it saddens me to think about how many of our other seriously underfunded Congressional candidates are struggling right now and could be competitive with just a portion of that money.

Tinkelburg, endorsed by the Blue Dogs and so not exactly a shining progressive, already had over 300,000 on hand and will now be approaching a million before this craziness ends. What do you do with a million bucks in just 2 weeks, 3 days anyway?

A one million dollar war chest for the ENTIRE campaign season is generally enough to make a serious run at an incumbent.

[Matariki]

1. I think it sends a very strong message about US

about the power of Progressives. That has made this worth it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. He always has the option of giving it to the DNC, doesn't he?

I'm not sure what the legal aspects are, but I would think a candidate could move money up the chain.

But maybe not.

But even so, what all the money going to Elwyn really says is that America is not willing to accept the assholish words of Michelle Bachmann.

Symbolically, it means a hell of a lot.

[featherman]

3. Let's hope that is the case... He's not in an expensive advertising market

[OKNancy]

4. I totally understand your point, but it is a pragmatic

thing. A blue dog is still ten times better that any Republican.
How I would love a few blue dogs here is Oklahoma.

[featherman]

6. I agree a Blue Dog is far better that Michele "I'm Insane" Bachmann and I sincerely

hope Elwyn can pull this off

[No Elephants]

20. I bet. I'll put that on my prayer list, so watch out in 2010!

[Bread and Circus]

5. I've given to Obama, the DNC, and the the DSCC all year. Where else can I send money?

[featherman]

9. Several good candidates listed on the DU Act Blue page

My guy is the underfunded Jeff Morris in CA-02 who's working hard and doing well but is up against a PAC funded Bushbot incumbent with a $600,000 war chest.

http://www.actblue.com/page/du

http://www.jeffmorrisforcongress.com/

[The River]

7. I Donated

and it's worth every cent to get rid of Bachman.
I'll take a blue dog dem over a stinking Joe McCarthy
style elephant any day.

[melody]

8. What he represents in symbol is far more important than who he is

If we can take down Bachmann with this effort, it will be a huge step forward in pointing out the real power of liberal Democrats.
Maybe then even Elwin will wake-up.

[scarletwoman]

10. The importance is in the message it sends -- that McCarthyesque witchhunting will NOT be tolerated.

Tinklenberg's campaign just happened to be the vehicle by which this message could be sent.

The money poured in from all over the country -- the majority of donors had no idea who Tinklenberg was, they just wanted to fight back against the fascism of Bachmann and her ilk.

sw

[TTUBatfan2008]

13. Well said!

Took the words right out of my mouth...or keyboard. LOL. :)

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

11. It may force the GOP to put more money into Bachmann's campaign

since the race with Tinklenberg is apparently a very close one and her popularity in her district is on the decline. That in turn will hopefully deplete GOP funds that might have gone elsewhere in the remaining days of this election season.

[asdjrocky]

12. Here's one that could use some help-

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7508929

And Bill could beat this guy.

[dana_b]

14. it's a statement against Bachmann as much as(or more than) it is

for him. Let's face it, a lot of us had never heard of him before yesterday. With only two weeks left, he better get moving with all that $$!

[Eric J in MN]

15. TV ads can consume a million in a short amount of time. NT

NT

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

19. Maybe he should try to get Biden up there and rent a big venue

Maybe a rock concert would help. Tinklenberg should definitely strike without delay while the iron is hot and while he's big news.

[Eric J in MN]

22. I'd certainly be in favor of Joe Biden visiting MN-6.

NT

[TexasObserver]

16. Do you always search for the dark lining around a silver cloud?

Good Lord, that kind of cynicism must be a horrible cross to drag around.

This effort demonstrates that in today's world, a politician who is really bad can set off a counter attack that is simply awesome.

[CreekDog]

17. it's worth a half million dollars if someone lost for calling people "anti-Americans"

that would send a strong message.

also, he could give it to other congressional campaigns if he cannot spend it all.

that said, yes, 6 months ago, i would rather have seen this go to the congressional campaigns, but 2 1/2 weeks out, i don't really think this was money taken from other campaigns. i think people have found extra to send to this effort beyond what they originally planned to donate.

[L. Coyote]

25. Were this not a PRICELESS moment in politcal history, I'd say worth a million.

The rate of donations has slowed now, and Act Blue will probably hit $250,000!
That is one powerful message. He'll know how to use it!!

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18660

[quakerboy]

18. Way to find the cloud around the silver lining.

I think the point is Bachmann, not Tinklenburg.

I agree, though. It might be time to find another underdog to shift this outpouring. We all know that she is not the only one with an R who wants to start the purges.

[No Elephants]

21. This not only shows America we are to be reckoned with. It shows us we are to

be reckoned with. I think that is worth it. And El, aka Mr. T, has only about two weeks to try to unseat an incumbent. He needed this. Plus, if he gets into Congress, he has to realize he owes Dem Nation big time.

[Ichingcarpenter]

23. I agree ... But She is on Faux, MSNBC and CNN almost 6 hours a day

as a pundit for McCain. The sooner her credibility is destroyed, it helps destroy McCain's credibility.

I don't care for some of the stances her opponent exposes on women's rights, but
would 10 times rather have him in office than her. She is a talking head for the hateful right and
needs to be taken out.

[Kermitt Gribble]

24. Elwyn?? What district

of Middle Earth will he be representing?

[Willo]

26. My little $25 help send huge messages

Directly to Bachmann and to El Tink, and indirectly to the people, parties and media.

I regret not one cent.

[magdalena]

27. It sends a powerful message to whackjobs like Bachmann.

And hopefully the sudden, unanticipated deluge of support for Tinks nationwide will be impressive enough to make it into the MSM, further exposing Bachmann's gross extremism and hate. Since their race is so close, all the extra funds and publicity could definitely help tip the scales in Tinklenberg's favor.

The Blue Dog dems are exactly what we need to be running in primarily red areas. I've seen far too many progressive dems run in my red district, knowing there's no way in hell they will ever have a chance at ousting the incumbent. I have supported the dem in my district, but after seeing Bachmann - I realize our repuke incumbent isn't that bad.

I did some research on Tinklenberg and theres definitely places where I disagree with him. However, Bachmann is so incredibly insane and fundie that if she were running against a steaming hot turd, you can bet I'd throw some dollars at that turd.