Earlier this afternoon I put up a post saying I would match all of the money that was donated while I was away watching Jackson Browne do a John Hall benefit concert for any of the Blue America primary candidates I had written about last night. Jane’s post inspired several thousand dollars in contributions from the community. Thanks you one and all. Those who donated to Steve Cohen (as well as Vic Wulsin, Donna Edwards, Mark Pera, John Laesch, Jon Powers)… your generous donations were matched. That cost me nearly a grand. Good cause though!

Oh, HOWIE! You are the BEST! I hope you know by now how much WE love you.

do nadler and solis have a race. I live adjacent to solis district and I cant imagine a threat out here in CA. and nadler has been around forever.
please, someone respond….I gave via act blue….but not to these 2.

I think it is important that all of us use the information on BA candidates as “information”, and make our own decisions accordingly. I don’t think Howie (or Jane) would want it any other way. I know that is true for Howie. On Jane’s part, I think part of the message was to highlight the BA candidates who voted for “free speech”.

I read various BA posts, BA conversations with candidates, and so forth, and then make up my own mind as to who I wish to donate to. As I don’t have huge amounts of $$ to give, this always involves informed choices on my part, according to my “druthers”. And, that is exactly what you should do also (and have just done). Like you, I prefer to give money to candidates who are “freshmen” and have done a great job, or candidates who fought an awesome battle last time around, but didn’t quite make it. Or, to someone like Tom Allen who already has served in the House, but now is challenging an odious Republican.

In short, I don’t make any apologies for the choices I make in terms of donating to certain BA candidates and not to others, and you should not feel that you need to do anything other than support the candidates who really inspire you.

Howie gives us great information. And, that is information for us to use, as we see fit. But, I always try to do some extra research, as you have done, and then follow my “druthers”.

Hope this helps.

Sparhawk @ 58

I somewhat donated $30, but (foolishly?) divided among all the candidates. It’s all I can spare right now, but I’m not sure what each of the candidates is going to do with $1.11 (or $1.12).

Oh well, every bit helps I guess.

And the problem with that (I’ve done the same thing myself) is that we get mailers totally more than what we have contributed. I wonder if there is a way to let the campaigns know that it is a one time contribution so that they don’t spend more than they received in soliciting money. Email thank yous are cheap.

I considered that after the fact. My whole point with donations like that is that I add my small amount to millions of others’ small amounts to add up to substantial numbers.

If they spend $1 sending me (and everyone else who does this) thank yous and further solicitations, it’s just not worth it. I’d say, if the person hasn’t donated $20 (or some other limit), send emails but no expensive paper mail.

Sparhawk @ 58

I somewhat donated $30, but (foolishly?) divided among all the candidates. It’s all I can spare right now, but I’m not sure what each of the candidates is going to do with $1.11 (or $1.12).

Oh well, every bit helps I guess.

And the problem with that (I’ve done the same thing myself) is that we get mailers totally more than what we have contributed. I wonder if there is a way to let the campaigns know that it is a one time contribution so that they don’t spend more than they received in soliciting money. Email thank yous are cheap.

Loo Hoo- there has been some discussion about this at FDL before- and, there are pros and cons. I am pretty much with you, but TSF has expressed a different view. And, who says it’s a one time contribution? ;) I mean, there is the first contribution, and then….

I know what you mean, but probably something we shouldn’t worry about too much. One of the great points that came out on the Eric Massa thread was how committed he was to signing letters of thanks to contributors, even tho some of his staff tried to talk him out of it on a cost/ benefit basis.

And, as I have learned from interacting with some campaigns last time around, the very fact that some one has contributed to their campaign gives the candidate a big emotional boost. It does take a huge amount of energy to get out there, and get out there, etc. and I think the “thumbs up” is every bit as valuable, or some times more valuable to the candidate than the bottom line.

I somewhat donated $30, but (foolishly?) divided among all the candidates. It’s all I can spare right now, but I’m not sure what each of the candidates is going to do with $1.11 (or $1.12).

Oh well, every bit helps I guess.

And the problem with that (I’ve done the same thing myself) is that we get mailers totally more than what we have contributed. I wonder if there is a way to let the campaigns know that it is a one time contribution so that they don’t spend more than they received in soliciting money. Email thank yous are cheap.

On Topic for a change:

For those of you who go to ActBlue, please don’t forget Barry Welsh (D-IN 6th), running against the odious Mike Pence (R-IN).

Just hung up from a pod-cast with Barry, Fini, NYBri, and others. Please, if you can, throw a few bucks this way. This is a winnable campaign; the removal of Pence, who is, imo, quite possibly a future R presidential candidate, and Grover Norquist clone to boot, can only serve to help the cause of true democratic representation.

Barry can stretch a buck – he proved that the first time around. Thanks for any and all help here.

Hey! Good for you. And, I mentioned Barry in a link above.