The dirty little secret of political campaigns
Kari Chisholm
Sometimes, in the hurly-burly of the final days of a campaign - especially the close ones - campaigns wind up spending a bit more than they actually have on hand. Sometimes the mail costs a bit more than expected, or an unexpected invoice shows up from a vendor, or a volunteer needs gas money in order to deliver lawn signs.
But those payments have to be made, and there's often only one place where a campaign manager can go to find a little last-minute cash flow: Her own paycheck.
It's one of the dirty little secrets of campaigns: Sometimes, if you lose, you don't get your last paycheck. You see, a winner can easily do post-election fundraising -- everyone wants to be your friend. But a losing campaign can't.
In the end, that campaign manager who works 100 hours a week for months on end, abandoning her personal life, committing every ounce of energy, passion, drive, time, and yes, blood, sweat, and tears... winds up unemployed and without even that last paycheck. None of us do this for the money, but the paycheck still matters.
Well, my friends, that's the story over at the Rob Brading campaign. Marah Hall committed everything of herself to this campaign for two and a half years. She decided to pour everything the campaign had into the final efforts to eke out a victory. And there's not even enough money left for that last small paycheck.
As I wrote last week, we can thank the Brading campaign for the bare 31-seat majority won by the Oregon House Democrats. If you're thankful, as I am, that the Democrats finally - after 16 long years - will be able to move progressive legislation in the Oregon House... well, make a small donation to the Brading campaign.
Make a small donation today - and let's close out the 2006 Brading campaign on a grace note.
[And a little full disclosure, before the trolls jump on me: Rob Brading is NOT a client of mine, and never has been.]
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connect with blueoregon
10:13 a.m.
Nov 13, '06
Kari, maybe the trolls will donate since we have provided them with so much entertainment this election cycle. Marah certainly deserves donations for a hard fought campaign. She helped all Dems win the war and take back the House in Salem.
11:25 a.m.
Nov 13, '06
Also remember that $50 per person political donations are deductible on your Oregon tax return. Time for tax planning!
12:02 p.m.
Nov 13, '06
I did it! Marah did a wonderful job.
12:08 p.m.
Nov 13, '06
How much is the short-fall and how much is needed to be raised?
12:39 p.m.
Nov 13, '06
I pledge every last cent in my PAC (about 60 bucks). Marah was a true rock star!
1:40 p.m.
Nov 13, '06
Lestatdelc -- I believe it's a few thousand bucks.
2:40 p.m.
Nov 13, '06
That helps a little, but to be honest, a hard target number needs to be issued and explained since my money this morning went to help in the LA-02 run-off race.
If a firm number can be arrived at, it is an easier thing to justify and to help... need $3000...?
Make the pitch we need "30 people to kick in $100" or "60 people to kick in $50". Throwing money into an dart board with the lights out is no way to rally the effort IMNSHO. Just sayin'
Nov 14, '06
Hey Kari,
Since arguably Dems in the Oregon House owe the Brading campaign their majority, how about some of the individual House Dems chip in?
A lot of them have campaign funds available and they won't be using them for a 18 months. And now that they're in the majority, House Dems arguably will have an easier time replenishing that money.
<h2>I'd like to see the new Majority leadership and future committee chairs pony up.</h2>