THE ART OF POLITICAL DONATING

Duncan has an interesting perspective on raising money for progressive candidates online over at Atrios today. "One problem that the 'netroots,' whatever that is, has is that there's tendency by Democrats to see it as just another player in the interest group checklist politics game. So, sometimes 'this will piss off the blogs' is a consideration, and a similar one to 'this might piss of NARAL' or 'this might piss off the Sierra Club.' We're a noisy somewhat influential group to be placated somehow. Now that's not how I see things as I think blogs should be seen more as an opportunity to influence media coverage and narratives, as well as helping to stitch together a broader-based political movement."

The DCCC had a less interesting perspective this morning. They sent out a fundraising e-mail-- big picture of Abu Gonzo and Bush embedded-- claiming House Democrats hold Republicans accountable.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned today because of the relentless pressure that our people-powered Democratic Majority brought to bear. We could not have done it without you. But there is no time to rest - we need to ratchet up the same kind of pressure on those Republicans who continue to obstruct our efforts to change the direction on the war in Iraq.

And then they ask for money so they can fight "more than a dozen Republicans for voting in lockstep" with Bush.

If you donate to the DCCC, how do they divvy up the money? Well, it makes sense that they give a good deal of it to endangered incumbents. I mean take a guy like John Hall in New York. He represents a pretty Republican district and he's got a very wealthy Republican opponent and Hall has voted his conscience every step of the way since being elected last year. His voting record is one of the best in the entire House and he never sells out Democratic values or principles to curry favor with right-wingers. If the DCCC was giving their donations to true blue Democrats like John Hall, Carol Shea-Porter (NH), Yvette Clark (NY), Mazie Hirono (HI), Peter Welch (VT), John Sarbanes (MD), Keith Ellison (MN), Hank Johnson (GA), Paul Hodes (NH), Dave Loebsack (IA), Steve Cohen (TN), and Betty Sutton (OH), I'd be urging you to donate. But if you look at the DCCC's Front Line Page what do you find? Well, not a dozen Republicans voting in lockstep with Bush, of course-- but more than a dozen Democrats who do!

The DCCC says they want money to elect candidates who will help end the war and who will fight against the abuses of Bush Regime hacks like Alberto Gonzales. But the donations are going to Democrats who vote with the Republicans to prolong the war and to pass execrable legislation like the FISA law. The Frontline List, which is far too embarrassing for the DCCC to include in their e-mail (in case anyone is paying attention) includes these treacherous Democrats who vote with Republicans over and over and over on the most crucial issues and against basic Democratic principles and values (the guys 'n' gals with stars next to their names voted with the GOP on giving Alberto Gonzales wiretapping powers):

Jason Altmire (PA)*
John Barrow (GA)*
Melissa Bean (IL)*
Leonard Boswell (IA)*
Chris Carney (PA)*
Joe Donnelly (IN)*
Brad Ellsworth (IN)*
Baron Hill (IN)*
Nick Lampson (TX)*
Tim Mahoney (FL)
Jim Marshall (GA)*
Heath Shuler (NC)*
Zack Space (OH)*

If you're sick and tired of the DCCC taking your donations and giving it to incumbents like Jim Marshall and John Barrow in George and like Jason Altmire and Chris Carney in Pennsylvania, all four of whom vote to enshrine the Republican agenda, donate to real progressives at Blue America. Especially crucial right now are progressives facing reactionaries in Democratic primaries. Good bets are Darcy Burner (WA), Steve Cohen (TN), Donna Edwards (MD), John Laesch (IL), Rick Noriega (TX), Angie Paccione (CO), and Victoria Wulsin (OH).

Now for an update on the Darcy Burner fundraising effort. She barreled through her $100,000 goal right on schedule. Over at Blue America, aside from shooting past $6,000 for Darcy today, almost half of the folks who came in to contribute to her also contributed to the Blue America PAC or to another one or more of the Blue America candidates. Every single Blue America candidate, in fact, gained from this funder, some significantly. Darcy donors gave the most to Victoria Wulsin, Rick Noriega, Donna Edwards, Angie Paccione, Tom Allen, and Steve Cohen.