The Marker: 109 ... or 121
I'm not privy to the precise calculations, but since Richard Morrison chimes in with an update, I thought I'd highlight the skyrocketing growth of riches that the "Texroots" have now accumulated via their "people-powered" "campaign" ...
Morrison points out that ActBlue has registered 109 contributors toward the goal of 800 for Rick Noriega. I'm just now getting around to checking in, but the number I see now is a tad higher: 121 (toward both Noriega and the Nominee fund). That's total ... since day one and not unique to the "Drive for 800."
When I made my original post, the number was at 93. So taking the best case scenario, there's been 28 new donors to the "people-powered" cause. Two - eight.
And to think, all it took was a post on each of the two big national blogs: one by Fearless Leader Markos himself.
Put another way, all it took was a post quoting Digby and Markos to lead to another post by Markos quoting the post that quotes him in the first place ... to get to twenty eight new donors.
My reasons for airing this matter right now are as follows: I don't want to find myself watching an otherwise decent person putting ads with sock puppets on in October because they've backed into a poorly thought-out plan. Right now, there are good people screwing up despite the best of intentions and that has an effect on someone other than themselves. My suggestion is simple: put the kool-aid down, drop the delusions of Montana and Virginia, and put rethink your mission. After all, it would be a shame to see a candidate running against a poorly thought plan of attack in Iraq when they haven't done the requisite homework for their own backyard.
I seem to remember Richard Morrison using his email list to bail you out on many a futile but well-meaning Texas Tuesday fundraiser that raised no money.
What do you suggest we do, re-launch your draft Nick Lampson campaign?
I seem to remember you backing that war pretty enthusiastically as late as, oh, mid 2006.
Still mad because Joe Lieberman's no longer in the party? How'd that work out for you?
Is it only 800 supporters, in regards to online donors? Or are checks also included in the 800 goal?
Wow, Nate. If only bitterness earned votes, I suspect you'd have a better won-loss record and would still be working in Texas. Maybe if you'd commit your energies toward actually executing a plan FOR a Democrat instead of AGAINST Democrats, that might also be true.
Wouldn't it?
Gentlemen:
It was not my intention in my previous post to have you two end up in a circular firing squad. You guys need to take it easy on each other.
Fight on!
Richard,
Your comments were taken by at least me precisely for what they were. I don't chide anyone (you or Nate or anyone else) for making the effort to elect any Democrat they see as worthwhile. And certainly not in the case of Rick, whom I openly support. My present issue is the fact that people who suggest they can carry Rick across the finish line (ie: Nate) have thought their plan of action out very poorly.
It's clear at this point (122 donors and counting) that the massive internet funds that Nate Wilcox has sold on everyone being available for Rick are not there at least in this early stage. If I had my druthers, I'd much prefer to see someone beat a drum and whip up 800 donors in a flash. I'd be the first to applaud that and congratulate the friends of mine that have helped make it happen.
But right now, the effort isn't working. Note that even Nate doesn't argue to the contrary on that point. There's still time to correct that. And to reiterate my central point in even raising the issue, it's that I'd much prefer to see it corrected in time to finish the fight properly in November 2008 rather than feel like I need to sit by quietly as someone with a great resume ends up putting junk commercials on cable that only embarrass themselves as they limp toward the finish line. I'd rather sprint.
I love how you think i"m the great machiavelli.
If I could control the Texas bloggers they would've started the draft effort way back in february.
And they would currently be doing a push for volunteers instead of donors.
Believe it or not though, $6600 here and there ads up.
And believe it or not the positive attention Noriega has been getting on Kos and MyDD does help his campaign.
Yes, Nate ... I recall your many tales of what an innocent babe in the woods you really are. And while I do agree that $6600 here and there does indeed add up and that there is nothing wrong with positive attention, the fact remains that there is not a here AND there to that $6600 right now.
You've incorrectly made comparisons to this contest and the ones preceding it in Montana and Virginia. In doing so, you've taken the wrong lessons and tried to shoehorn them into a Texas Senate race. When I see that language on the part of others, I know that the talking points originate from you, Nate. We all do.
Let me know when the "people powered" campaign actually has more people powering it than the other campaign down the highway.
You flatter me as always Greg.
But I'm not the only one the Texas bloggers listen to,
we also listen to you.
And as a fellow Noriega supporter, you'll be glad to hear that the reports from the YDA convention this weekend are saying that Noriega had massive support. Watts, nada.
I remember when you were leading the run everywhere charge together Greg. And your post about my post about the Borris Miles campaign is still one of my proudest moments.
Hopefully we'll find more things to work together on in the future. Like supporting the nominee against Cornyn.
Now I'm depressed!
How many supporters-per-month is Cornyn getting contributions from? How many supporters-per-month is Watts connecting with?
Are we gonna win this thing?