Don’t Worry, I Got The Dollars

35 Responses to “Don’t Worry, I Got The Dollars”

1. LeftWingCracker writes
   February 2nd, 2009 6:56 pm

   Well, that’s a start. Now, they have to get serious about engaging the grassroots in EVERY COUNTY, because the one thing the trolls got right is that we need to take the rural area again. Nashville-centric (or Memphis-centric) isn’t going to work, and neither is top-down.

2. newscoma writes
   February 2nd, 2009 7:39 pm

   How about Hoots-centric?
   I tease, I keed.

3. Morpheus122 writes
   February 2nd, 2009 7:47 pm

   I join LWC and others in calling for the release of the contributor names. After all, we need to know names to know if these contributions are real. Nothing anonymous can be trusted. I’d also like to see copies of receipts. A commitment does not a contribution make. Tell us how much money you take in the door. That’s what counts.

4. FtCampbellDem writes
   February 2nd, 2009 8:04 pm

   More importantly, Forrester needs to tell us when he’s going to pay that whopping legal bill that he incurred for stealing a legitimate election from Rosalind Kurita. Yes, I say that he incurred the bill because he stood up and made the motion to the executive committee that they steal the election.

5. GoldnI writes
   February 2nd, 2009 8:13 pm

   Nothing anonymous can be trusted. I’d also like to see copies of receipts. A commitment does not a contribution make.

   Agree on the second part, disagree on the first. They should only count actual money and not pledges. But people have all sorts of reasons for wanting to remain anonymous when donating money. That’s why higher ticket campaigns are only required to disclose the names of donors who give more than a certain amount–to cut the risk of anyone being harassed over their political donations, especially in a state like this.

6. Heatseeker writes
   February 2nd, 2009 8:24 pm

   So, GoldnI, you think it is acceptable for Forrester to throw out a fundraising figure without any sort of proof? After respected leaders of your party roundly criticized his fundraising ability and after a week of media reports that they won’t help Forrester fundraise and that the party is broke, do you not think that Forrester has a reason to make something up? I’m not saying he’s lying. I’m saying I want some evidence.

   I also find it interesting that you, Left Wing Cracker, and others have spent quite a bit of time trying to find out who anonymous bloggers are, but you’re okay with anonymous political contributors. In the grand scheme of things, who has more influence, bloggers or contributors?

7. Harrison writes
   February 2nd, 2009 8:26 pm

   Let’s assume Chip really did raise that amount (which I doubt). Most contributions come within 72 hours of “the ask.” If he sent out an all-call on the TNDP list, then that means he has maxed out. So that means he has raised 1/8 of his own salary so far. Where does the other $500k that it takes to run the Party come from?

8. GoldnI writes
   February 2nd, 2009 8:36 pm

   Heatseeker, they’re still required to disclose those names to the FEC, but the FEC doesn’t have to disclose that over a certain amount (guess I should have clarified that). They can’t lie to the FEC, you get fined for that.

9. Harrison writes
   February 2nd, 2009 8:41 pm

   I think his point is: Who’s going to check with the FEC? Answer: Nobody. What’s to stop Chip from fibbing on this blog just like he told the Exec Committee that the elected Democrats would be with him after the election (which they’re not). Chip has a proven track record of exaggeration/fabrication. Let’s show some proof tonight! For once! (Do you like how I thrown in exclamation points !!! to evoke Chip’s faux enthusiasm/outrage?!)

10. GoldnI writes
    February 2nd, 2009 8:47 pm

    So anyone can just submit fake numbers (and not misleading numbers, outright fake ones) to a federal agency and not get caught, not have anyone double-check that? Good. Try that out on your taxes in April and see how far it gets you.

11. d writes
    February 2nd, 2009 9:04 pm

    Harrison, people actually spend a lot of time poring over those FEC records. Especially journalists. Even if the average Joe doesn’t do it, he’ll find out when he reads the paper. If he doesn’t read the paper or watch the news, he doesn’t really deserve to have much of a say either way.

12. GoldnI writes
    February 2nd, 2009 9:06 pm

    Let me frame this in more practical terms. When I donated, say, $20 to the Obama campaign, I was required to give all my personal information. Not just my name, address, and billing information, but also my occupation and employer. These are all measures to prevent fraud. It’s very easy for the FEC to figure out when campaigns are stretching it, and campaigns (or parties, in this instance) get fined on a fairly regular basis. Mr. Forrester would have to submit these numbers to the FEC, and considering that we’re not in a major election cycle right now, we’ll find out if he’s lying pretty quickly.

    But if you need more proof, I’m sure Kleinheider could file another FOIA request.

13. Heatseeker writes
    February 2nd, 2009 9:18 pm

    Wow, the Chipinista are nervous.Looks like they don’t trust Chip’s numbers any more than I do. I don’t think it’s asking too much that Chip tell us who these people are that supposedly gave him contributions. The email in itself is suspicious. It’s the oldest political trick in the book. Put out some inflated numbers to make everyone think you’re raking in campaign cash. But Chip is such an amateur he didn’t know you have to give some details to make it seem real.

    Nice try, Chip. Better luck next time.

14. Morpheus122 writes
    February 2nd, 2009 9:24 pm

    GoldnI, the next reporting deadline probably isn’t for six months. TNDP won’t have to give info to the FEC until then. I also agree with you that I want to see actual contributions. Anyone can say they will make a contribution. I have a hard time believing a small-donor program took in $15K in one week.

15. GoldnI writes
    February 2nd, 2009 9:48 pm

    Actually Morpheus, state parties are required to report once a month (Congressional campaigns are only required to do it on a quarterly basis), so it won’t be too long.

    Heatseeker, no one’s getting nervous, just trying to explain to you what the law is. I know that “the law” never gets in the way of anyone’s knee-jerk reactions, just thought I’d give it a try. I know Republicans spent a good chunk of last year trying to cast doubt on Obama’s small donations based on the fact that the campaign didn’t have to disclose the names, but there was nothing fraudulent about it.

16. benintn writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:06 pm

    Another $2 in honor of Harrison. Keep it up! I’m telling all my friends to donate in your honor too.

    Harrison - you are truly a great fundraiser. And you’re making Chip Forrester look really good right now. Way to go!

17. benintn writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:10 pm

    Morpheus, you don’t read too well, do you?

    Se habla “two pronged approach”?

    Muy bien.

18. Sue Justice writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:12 pm

    morph, you been asleep the last 2 years? still don’t get the small donation concept? god bless your heart. this is going to be fun to watch for those of us who get it! hell, if you’re a democrat, we’d love to have you join us in raising money to elect good dems. the people spoke, the chair is elected, now let’s get to work.

19. GoldnI writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:14 pm

    Ooooh Ben, you’re such a cultist Chipinista! You’re trying to drive REAL Democrats out of the party! I’ll bet you also voted for your Obamessiah, who’s way too elitist and liberal and will NEVER be able to attract votes from anyone who’s not elitist and liberal…

20. Noodles Sarducci writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:15 pm

    Harrison, remember that you have to comment 120,000 times each year to cover Chip’s salary, not that anyone believes benindenial and his friends have that much money to contribute.

    Why is there so much opposition among Chip’s supporters to him releasing the names of contributors? Because they know he doesn’t have any. I don’t know. Maybe Chipper got a couple of old time big money contributors to write checks. I’m betting with Harrison. Chip’s probably tapped out.

    And someone do the math on a small donor program. Does Chip have any idea how much money he needs and how many small donors he would need to raise that amount?

    This guy is an idiot.

21. benintn writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:19 pm

    OK, Noodles … don’t get all jealous.

    A dollar for you too!

    Keep up the good work.

22. Sue Justice writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:30 pm

    oooh noodles, now you insult the bank accounts of fellow dems. you are certainly proof that money can’t buy brains. what a douche bag republican thing to say!

23. Harrison writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:30 pm

    I’m glad to take up the mantle of Chip’s best fundraiser. Everybody donate now!

24. glostik writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:33 pm

    hey benintn, i hear the count is at 36…i am sending my $36 dollar donation now!

25. H. McMannis writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:43 pm

    Okay, benintn, Sue, and GoldnI, those were really mature responses.

    One of the big myths of the 2008 presidential election cycle is that he funded his campaign through online, small-dollar fundraising. While the Obama campaign was very successful with this effort, it took the traditional large-dollar fundraising for him to raise the tremendous amount of money that he did.

    That being said, does small-dollar translate to the state level? Welllllll . . .

    Theoretically, a presidential campaign has the entire country as it’s contributor pool, but let’s narrow it down to the third or so of the people that actually vote in presidential elections. That’s a pool of about 100 million people. Just for the sake of argument, let’s say a Democrat has a pool of half of those that will support him/her. Okay, 50 million people.

    How many small-dollar contributors did Obama have? What, a couple million? Or about two percent of his contributor pool.

    Guess what, folks? A two-percent return is pretty good for online fundraising. And remember, that’s for a candidate. A party won’t do as well.

    But let’s take that two percent and apply it to the Tennessee Democratic Party. How many Tennesseans voted in 2008? A million? Okay, let’s say half are Democrats. Two percent of that would be 10,000. If TNDP could get these 10,000 to give $5 to the party, that would be $50,000. Okay, that would be a decent total, but nowhere near what the party needs to run campaigns in 2010.

    But here’s the kicker for all of you dreamers - there is NO WAY Forrester will get 10,000 Tennesseans to give him money.

    Here’s the more likely scenario: Forrester sent out about 30,000 emails last Friday during his first soliciation. I’m willing to bet that’s the size of the TNDP email list. About 10% of those were opened - 3,000. Of those 3,000, about 100 clicked the “contribute” link. If Forrester was lucky, 20 of those contributed.

    If you people had thought to consult with people that have done this, you would know that small-donor programs have been in place in Tennessee and other states for years. State parties and state legislative candidates do not have the same success as presidential candidates.

    But, wait, I forgot benintn, Sue Justice, and others know everything. That’s why their candidate won the presidential primary in Tennessee . . .

    benintn and Sue, please tell us how much money you have raised prior to becoming the TNDP fundraising consultants.

26. LeftWingCracker writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:55 pm

    Where the hell did I come out against open donor lists? I have to respectfully disagree that anyone has a good reason for not disclosing their donations. I am for complete transparency for ALL donations.

27. Heatseeker writes
    February 2nd, 2009 10:56 pm

    Keep rolling, Harrison! At this rate, these twits might be able to pay Forrester’s salary after all.

    I don’t give a shit because I have no intention of voting for any candidate this income tax lover puts on my ballot, but how do you people justify the fact that this guy is taking a $120,000 a year salary? With all of your big talk about small donor fundraising and getting a sea of Tennesseans to contribute, a quarter million dollars of what you raise over the next two years will go into Chipper’s pocket. Not into the campaigns of your little liberal weiners, but right into Chipper’s pockets.

    I swear, you guys are getting conned and you don’t even know it.

    And why doesn’t somebody answer Fort Campbell’s question? When is Chipper going to pay off that legal bill. That’s another 100 grand that won’t go to campaigns.

28. Morpheus122 writes
    February 2nd, 2009 11:05 pm

    Again, I agree with LWC. TNDP should release the donor names immediately. I’m all for Chip, but it’s our job to hold everyone accountable. He could start sending out a weekly email listing all contributors for that week.

29. Noodles Sarducci writes
    February 2nd, 2009 11:10 pm

    Dixie Chick, who said I’m a Democrat? Try not to slander me like that.

30. benintn writes
    February 2nd, 2009 11:16 pm

    I’m not personally partial to income taxes. But at the same time, I’m also not in favor of underfunded DCS, or second-rate schools, or a healthcare system that is bloated by fraud and fails to provide care to those who need it most. I know that good government costs money, and I’m willing to chip in (ha ha - I said “chip”) a few extra bucks out of my paycheck to make it happen.

    This whole “purity troll” crap against an income tax is totally foreign to me. Tennessee is one of just a few states that doesn’t have an income tax, and the only good reason I can find to oppose an income tax is that I don’t want to give Steve Gill another reason to send people driving around in circles.

    Having said that … wasn’t it the GOP governor Sundquist who pushed for the income tax? And if we’re not going to raise taxes, then does anyone have any realistic suggestions about where we can further cut costs in the state government?

    That’s a debate worth having … and frankly $600K for the TNDP is the least of my concerns.

31. Milton writes
    February 2nd, 2009 11:54 pm

    The income tax crowd in Tennessee has some money, and Forrester is working hard to put as much of it as possible in his coffers, as he should.

    As for the income tax, Ben, it is unconstitutional, which should end the argument; however, Forrester and his colleagues continue to fight, constitution be damned.

    As for cutting the budget, Governor Bredesen has increased the state budget by several billion dollars since he took office. We should take a hard look first at that new spending.

32. benintn writes
    February 3rd, 2009 12:41 am

    Go ahead - figure it out, Milton…

    http://www.state.tn.us/finance/bud/bud0708/0708Document.pdf

33. Harrison writes
    February 3rd, 2009 5:10 am

    Six words: One hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Ask yourself: Is Chip worth it? Where’s the money coming from? Small dollar fundraising? Are we getting conned? (Meanwhile, I’ve just marked my calendar to check on this $15k claim in the next filing period. Rest assured: I’ll report back when I confirm the lie.)

34. Milton writes
    February 3rd, 2009 9:55 am

    First, benintn, tell us what you’re willing to fund and at what level. You say you’re willing to pay more to make Tennessee a “progressive” state, in your mind. How much can you put toward that goal?

    Then tell us what you would be willing to cut. We’ll work from there.

35. Tommy the Troll writes
    February 3rd, 2009 10:59 am

    Well . . . let’s do some figgering . . .

    Chip pays himself $10,000 a month . . .

    He started a call program, which means he has hired a fundraiser . . . He’s paying that fundraiser between $3,500 and $5,000 a month, I guarantee . . .

    He still has an office manager . . . So that’s at least another $3,000 a month . . .

    He has told numerous people that he’ll rehire the tech guy . . . Count that as $4,000 a month . . .

    He will need a press secretary. Another $4,000 . . .

    So, at the low end, Chip is shelling out $25,000 a month in payroll . . . if we round off . . .

    That, boys and girls, is $300,000 a year . . . if Chip doesn’t hire other staffers . . . I’ve heard of consulting contract offers to various Chip confidants . . .

    And I’m not even getting into the rent for office space and other misc. overhead . . . I’m just pointing out to all you Chip supporters . . . you aren’t raising money to elect Democrats. You’re raising money to pay Chip and his pals . . .