cross-posted @ Daily Kos
The DNC is in trouble.
Yes, trouble in Denver.
Yes, trouble in raising money.
Yes, trouble all around.
Yes, trouble with a prolonged primary.
What are we going to do now?
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I don't care what anyone writes, says, etc., this prolonged primary has zapped energy and hardened hearts, somewhat.
With the DNC Rules and Bylaws Meeting on Saturday, with rumor of only half of the delegates being allocated, who knows what Hillary Clinton will do?
I do know that I can vision her barnstorming her case throughout the summer until August. I can vision that people will be so turned off that she will be a target for "how we lost the election in November". And I can vision that she is still listening to Mark Penn, with Bill in her ear to do this. Finally, I can vision the superdelegates finally saying no to her, rallying behind Barack, but Hillary still doing all the above.
But, in the background is the DNC and how it has been unable to raise funds, with many pointing to this prolonged primary fight.
There are many reasons that have been floated for the money woes faced by the Denver committee. It is not uncommon for host committees to lag in fund-raising, only to see large donations arrive in the month before the convention. And some are concerned that the protracted nominating fight between Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has made fund-raising more difficult.
Why is it that the RNC is able to raise their money, appear to be on target, and we are strikingly behind?
The Democrats’ situation contrasts markedly with that of the Republicans, whose committee is on budget in its $39 million fund-raising drive for the Republican National Convention, to be held in Minneapolis-St. Paul on Sept. 1-4. Teresa McFarland, a spokeswoman for the host committee, said it expected to meet its June 15 target of having 80 percent of the money raised by that date.
In fact, the Twin Cities committee has budgeted $58 million for the convention, nearly $20 million more than it is contracted with the Republican National Committee to raise. Half of that $58 million is to be raised from Minnesota companies, and half from national fund-raising, according to the committee’s marketing material.
OK. Is the commonwealth or city or state of Denver, Colorado giving the Democrats any breaks? Offering any subsidies? Anything?
Mr. Lopez cited a lagging economy in explaining the Democrats’ fund-raising problems. Since the bulk of the money is raised from major corporations, corporate financial restraints are affecting all charitable contributions, the Denver committee included.
“We’ve got to deal with the fact that there is belt-tightening all across corporate America,” Mr. Lopez said. “They are reducing spending, and that has had a big impact. We are no different than others trying to raise money in this environment. Everyone is facing it.”
But overall, no one cannot think or look at the prolonged primary and the effects it is having in donations.
Denver’s mayor, John W. Hickenlooper, has suggested that the Democrats’ long nominating battle has distracted potential donors.
Overall, the DNC seems confident in raising the capital needed. Worrying? Yes. Confident to pull this together? Yes. But hopefully after the primary wars are over. YES.
Please donate to the DNC, here.
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