Novick hits $190,000; adds campaign staff
It's the end of the second-quarter fundraising period (your inbox is thankful) and so it's time for campaigns to tout their fundraising totals.
The Steve Novick for US Senate campaign announced that they've raised $190,000 so far in the campaign, and that they've hired key staffers. In a statement:
Today Steve Novick for U.S. Senate announced that the campaign had raised over $190,000 in the second quarter and was adding two paid staff, Jake Weigler as campaign manager and Aviva Groner as its finance coordinator....Weigler will be departing Governor Ted Kulongoski’s office where he served as deputy communications director. Weigler was previously research director for the Governor’s reelection campaign and Media Matters for America, as well as also working at the Democratic National Committee and for State Representative Jackie Dingfelder.
Groner was previously part of the finance teams of Attorney General Hardy Myers' successful reelection campaign, Dan Saltzman for City Commissioner and Oregon Court of Appeals Judge David Schumann's hotly contested victory.
Discuss.
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Jul 2, '07
YAWN....
Jul 2, '07
I want a candidate who is going to go after Smith, fearlessly. I don't see Merkley doing that - I see him going all Wyden on us. But not Novick. If our candidate doesn't fight back aggressively, Smith and his Chuck-Adams-style machine will drown him in slime. We need a pit bull like Novick, who will be tough in the campaign and in the Senate.
Jul 2, '07
I don't know about everyone else, but I want a winner. Fearless or not, $190K ain't gonna cut it.
1:14 a.m.
Jul 2, '07
That's not bad for more than a year out from the election. And it's $90,000 more than he had on June 4th.
And it's almost $190,000 more than any other Dem candidate in the race has, since he appears to be the only one who has filed with the FEC.
Also, remember this...
In the year before the election, Paul Wellstone had raised $63,487. That translates to $105,821.57 in 2007 dollars (Thanks to Loaded Orygun for the numbers). Novick has raised almost twice that in a period of 2.5 months.
You gotta realize that the bulk of the money pre-primary comes in once people realize who the candidates are for sure. Until then, they hold onto their money.
And the bulk of the money period won't come until it is obvious who the candidate is. If there isn't a contested primary, that can happen before the primary. If there is an actual contested primary, money won't come until after the primary.
Expect millions to come in at that point. The DSCC, DNC, state party, celebrities, etc., will all pour in their money at that point. And yes, celebs do give money to candidates in Oregon, especially when we're trying to increase our lead in the Senate. I've seen names like Streisand on Wyden's C%E reports.
Once again, my disclosure... I do web work for the campaign, but I only speak for myself.
Jul 2, '07
cmon, anon. merkleys a fighter or don't you remember how he fought with karen minnis in 2005? and don't you remember that she threatened to sue him when the house democrats ran that ad attacking her? whether you liked that ad or not it proves that merkley is a fighter.
Jul 2, '07
geez, what are we all doing up this late?!
1:35 a.m.
Jul 2, '07
I have a piece all ready to go, but I thought "surely nobody is up this late looking at the Novick press release thinking, 'I gotta get this up on the blog!'." Sure as shootin'. Can't trust that "in the news" guy who works for Blue O.
I'm still doing mine tomorrow, dammit.
Jul 2, '07
While, not a political junkie like many, I am more aware than most. Other than on Blue Oregon, I have heard NOTHING on Novick whatsoever. He may be quite the "mover and shaker" behind the scenes, which is helpful, but unless your average joe knows who he is... and soon, he will not win.
190k is probably a sign that he is not well known to anyone outside of tight political circles. This number would already be near a million if he got his name out in the mainstream.
9:20 a.m.
Jul 2, '07
I'm with Anon. I am tired of Democrats (mainly officeholders in senior positions) whose sense of "dignity" prevents them from fighting hard and responding with ferocity to Republican lies and mudslinging. If John Kerry had been willing to "dignify" the attacks from the Swift Boat Veterans by responding to them, maybe we'd have a different President today. I supported Howard Dean because he was a fighter (we are seeing the benefits of that today all over the country) and I support Steve Novick for the same reason.
9:25 a.m.
Jul 2, '07
"190k is probably a sign that he is not well known to anyone outside of tight political circles. This number would already be near a million if he got his name out in the mainstream."
You are dreaming. 18 months before the election, for a nonincumbent? A million? Please.
You need to read more of the local papers--he's mentioned in almost every article about the race.
10:15 a.m.
Jul 2, '07
LiberalIncarnate:
Please read the item I wrote up above about Wellstone.
$190K this far out is really, really good. And it's $190K better than any other dem.
Jul 2, '07
Good job Steve and supporters.
Jul 2, '07
can we stop talking about wellstone? he was a once in a lifetime kind of phenomenon. the fact that the novick people wont shut up about wellstone makes the case. wellstone is the exception that proves the rule.
Jul 2, '07
-Torrid,
I have a feeling if we were face to face you wouldn't be so nasty.
Jul 2, '07
As usual, I will believe that hype on Novick when I see it with my own eyes. 190k, good or not doesn't mean much when you have no political sound machine outside of Blue Oregon and the inner Democratic circle.
This is not meant, in any way to insult Novick, but more encouragement that he gets out there to speak to the average joe.
Torrid and his "dreams" are NOT enough to ensure ANY victory. Sorry, my Master's Degree tells me otherwise.
1:07 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
I'm just using Wellstone as an example about money. He didn't have a million raised more than a year out from the election. In 7.5 months he raised about $107K in today's money.
But I'm sure there are other examples out there, Wellstone's just happens to be the one that is easy to locate.
In looking at U.S. Senator Jim Webb's filings at the FEC, I couldn't find anything for 2005. The first filings begin in 2006. That seems to say that he didn't raise anything the year prior to 2006.
Those who held a major office before (statewide or U.S. House) tend to be able to hit $1.5M by the end of the year prior to the election. And the bulk of that tends to come in the final quarter of the year.
Those who haven't held major office tend to bring in much, much less the year prior - if anything at all.
However, during the year of the election they bring in millions.
1:40 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
Nasty? Beg pardon? I'm simply objecting to your unsubstantiated arguments:
1) Any 'real' candidate would have $1mil by now 2) Novick is not getting any mention outside of Portland 3) Novick has no "political sound machine" outside of the "inner Democratic circle." (Funny, I thought the rap was that he is ALREADY outside the inner circle?)
I have no idea what point you're making by discussing your Master's degree. I have one too, whoop de doo.
2:49 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
You did type doo TJ... and well.. stepping in doo is kinda nasty. So there is that.
;-P
Jul 2, '07
Howard Dean looked good early on. See how that went? All this site is doing is trying desperately to manufacture a real support base for an obscure novelty who has no name recognition or real support outside the readers of this website and the editorial staff of Willamette Week.
Novick is a novelty who got off to a good early start with netroots, but he will go nowhere fast once the bulk of the population of Oregon starts looking at him.
Saying Novick's early support means anything is like saying Ron Paul is "really" winning the GOP primary.
Jul 2, '07
At this point in '05, Jon Tester had $55k or so. 190k isn't what I would hope for in an ideal world, but it will grow.
Novick's a very sharp guy and an interesting candidate.
I'll also say this -- in March and April of 2006, supporters of Tester were being openly mocked in some circles for picking the wrong horse. We went on to kick ass. Nay sayers pissing on people's parades for kicks and nickels at this stage deserve nothing more than to be ignored.
To Steve's backers -- as someone involved in the Montana miracle -- keep the faith.
Jul 2, '07
-Torrid,
Obviously you lack basic understanding of politics:
"Any Smith challenger will face the obstacle of raising millions of dollars, so a commitment from the national party is crucial. During the meeting, Evans said, he received the impression that the Democrats are committed to the Smith race.
"I think the race for United States Senator is going to be very loud, very expensive, and one of those that's remembered for a long time," Evans said. "The DSCC is prepared to do what they need to do to make it a viable race.""
Again, if you would like to discuss these in person, face to face, I'd be happy to oblige. Perhaps, you might be more "human" in person.
4:04 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
Thank you, Matt.
> All this site is doing is trying desperately to manufacture a real support base for an obscure novelty who has no name recognition or real support outside the readers of this website and the editorial staff of Willamette Week.
If only. "This site," if you mean blueoregon.com, has actually been the source of continual drumbeating on behalf of other potential candidates. DeFazio, Blumenauer, Kitzhaber, Jefferson Smith, John Kroger, Eileen Brady, you name it, and now Jeff Merkley. Steve's support has been coming from his actual real-world supporters, not "from" blueoregon.com -- this is just the venue where you happen to read it.
And WTF was that about with the master's degree? Woo freaking hoo.
4:07 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
Yes, the race will be expensive. But they mean the general election, not the primary. And we've not even gotten into primary season yet.
In a race like this one, the standard seems to be $0 to a few hundred thousand in the year before the election. If there's a contested primary, big bucks (millions) come in after primary. If no contested primary, or it's obvious one candidate stands out front and the other(s) are candidates in name only, money comes earlier.
Jul 2, '07
don't sell tester short, matt. he wasn't a miracle. it was a lot of hard work by you and many others - but it all started because he was senate prez. he was a credible candidate.
i.e. merkley = tester; novick = paul richards.
4:11 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
"-Torrid, Obviously you lack basic understanding of politics:"
Yes, it's ME being nasty. Sure. And how your following text that substantiates any of the claims I detailed, I have no idea.
I've been asked to "step outside" by another commenter. Has anyone seen my e-numchucks and my chain (e-)mail?
Jul 2, '07
Oh, boy! I can see why my fellow liberals have challenges keeping friends and allies when they backstab one another.
Feel free to make attacks FREELY, please. I merely made a single comment and then I am attacked. I take offense to that and believe it is absurd and ridiculous.
Please, enmify me! I am the Devil! Whatever it takes to get you off.
4:14 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
"This site," if you mean blueoregon.com, has actually been the source of continual drumbeating on behalf of other potential candidates. DeFazio, Blumenauer, Kitzhaber, Jefferson Smith, John Kroger, Eileen Brady, you name it, and now Jeff Merkley. Steve's support has been coming from his actual real-world supporters, not "from" blueoregon.com -- this is just the venue where you happen to read it.
Thank you, Stephanie V. Just as in the 2006 gubernatorial primary, BlueOregon will be steadfastly neutral in this and all other primary races. This will be a venue for all the candidates to reach out to progressive Oregonians. We won't reprint every press release, to be sure, but it'll be an open forum.
In 2006, I was personally affiliated with particular candidates (like Kulongoski) but the campaigns that worked for his primary opponents felt that they were treated fairly here at BlueOregon.
In 2008, with primary campaigns coming up for three statewide offices and the Senate race, I'm sure many of our contributors will have personal affiliations (and already, Leslie Carlson is doing PR for Novick) - but we're committed to keeping this venue an open one.
Jul 2, '07
If there is a contested primary;
If the DSCC brings in "their" candidate and he/she is not Steve Novick;
If the DSCC candidate is a "moderate" who is chosen for the ability to do well in republican regions;
If the DSCC candidate wins the primary...
Then will you, the army of Stevebots, rally around the candidate and help beat Gordon Smith?
Or, will you be like the Atkinson crowd on the other side of the aisle, stay home and pout, take your toys home with you, not vote (or vote 3rd party) to "send a message," and watch El Gordo easily win re-election to a third term?
I ask, because I SERIOUSLY get the impression you all will bail when (not if, but WHEN) Novick loses the primary.
Is that what we need? Some sort of sick ideological purity to purge the Democrats of non-true-believers?
Didn't Republicans just try that same thing... and hand us the keys to Washington, D.C.?
4:15 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
Yo - TJ and LI. Knock it off. Nobody wants to read name-calling back and forth. Take a timeout already.
4:17 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
"i.e. merkley = tester; novick = paul richards."
Actually, Merkley could just as easily be John Morrison, the hand-picked DSCC candidate who had raised $1mil by early 2006 (and not summer 2005 as you may note) and had good name ID as State Auditor.
Tester had experience, but that's not why he won. He won because he took on Conrad Burns head-on, didn't listen to the party elites who wanted someone else, and talked straight with people while standing up for Democratic principles. Oh, and because the netroots loved him, and gave him significant help from out of state.
Sound familiar?
Jul 2, '07
Kari,
Will do! :)
4:20 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
"I ask, because I SERIOUSLY get the impression you all will bail when (not if, but WHEN) Novick loses the primary."
From whom, exactly? I'm also impressed that you're calling the race already. Prescient of you.
4:24 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
Anyone who knows me can tell you that as soon as the results come in on primary night, I am 100% behind whoever is the Democratic nominee.
And having known many of the Novick supporters personally, I know they'll do the same thing.
And to tell you the truth, I get offended when people make that accusation. An open primary (one where there is no incumbent, not one that's open to all political affiliations) is supposed to be our chance at choosing who we think the best candidate is among a field of Democrats. If we're seen as "non-true-believers" because we choose candidates that don't meet your standards, then why even have a primary?
5:28 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
I was an ardent "Deaniac" and I still have my Kerry/Edwards sticker on my car (I also donated, walked precincts in the rain, you name it) and it will stay there until I pick a horse in thew '08 race fro Prez.
Your projection of "Stevebot" (interesting way to appeal to teamwork there by hurling derisive nicknames BTW) Novick suporters being unwilling to rally behind whoever our party chooses as our candidate to go against the odious Smith, is wholly unsupported by facts. Hell, even Steve himself will back our parties candidate if it isn't himself and even said upfront before he announced that he was willing to step-aside if another better candidate came along from our side and get behind them.
In short, your bordering on troll-like anonymous commentary is wholly without merit.
5:30 p.m.
Jul 2, '07
I wonder if anonymous staffer can also divine how many fingers I am holding up to his/hers post.
;-P
Jul 2, '07
Torrid Joe According to my memory, Morrison- the so called DSCC was involved in some scandal.
Morrison started off strong in the race for the Democratic nomination for Senator, collecting $1.05 million as of the start of 2006, including $409,241 in the last three months of 2005.[1] Morrison’s advantages in fundraising and name identification did not translate into a lead in the polls.[2] at least in part due to newspaper stories about a past affair that led many to question his effectiveness to challenge Senator Conrad Burns on his weakest point, ethics.[3] In late May, the race was called a "deadlock,"[4] but Morrison's main opponent, Jon Tester continued to gather momentum.
On May 31, 2006, Paul Richards, citing the closeness of the race, and his own position (third) in the polls, withdrew from the race and threw his support to Tester.[5]
Tester won the June 6, 2006 primary with 65,531 votes (61%) compared to Morrison's 38,246 (35%).
The Democrats were going after Burns on the ethics issue. They nominated the less controversial candidate.
Going after Smith(OR)is different than Santorum,Burns,Allen.
Santorum was an easy target- A Right Wing Conservative Extremeist in a Blue State. Smith is more mainstream than Santorum.
Burns was tainted due to scandals- foot in mouth deseise. Senility. Allen destructed due to the Macaca.
We are less likely to anticipate a Macaca moment from Gordon Smith.
The other Senators that lost in 2006 were DeWine- lost because the OHIO GOP was unpopular because of ex Governor Taft. Chafee- lost because RI was a solid blue state during a strong Democratic year and Chafee was facing a tough primary against the Conservative wing of the GOP Party. Talent- was a one termer who narrowly won his last race.
Gordon Smith is in similar situation as Slade Gorton of Washington. He is vulnerable because 2008 is a Democratic friendly year nationally and Oregon is going to be a blue state.
Jul 2, '07
I ask, because I SERIOUSLY get the impression you all will bail when (not if, but WHEN) Novick loses the primary.
How did you come up with that impression? Several of us have stated we support Novick, but I don't recall anyone saying that it's Novick or no one else. I definitely don't like the idea of Schumer having a puppet in the race, but if he or she should win the Democratic primary and is a lesser evil than Smith then I'm sure most Novick supporters will go for "anybody but Smith."
Talking of Schumer, CommonDreams has an interesting article related to Schumer and Dodd.
Jul 2, '07
Bill, you are right. How does this quote make someone a good judge of who would best represent Oregon in the US Senate?
"Let’s start with Sen. Chuck Schumer, Democrat from Wall Street, I mean, New York. He’s not enthusiastic about a bill in the Senate Finance Committee that would subject publicly traded private-equity partnerships to a corporate-income-tax rate of 35 percent - rather than the ludicrously low 15-percent deal for capital gains."
Sounds more like Wayne Scott's politics than that of most Oregon Democrats. This is an awkward development for Schumer, who leads fund-raising for Senate Democrats. He collected $385,400 from private-equity managers in the 2005-2006 election cycle.
Jul 3, '07
m781k
8:32 a.m.
Jul 3, '07
Well, after killing myself at work for about half a year, I finally have the time to come back to my old e-haunts. What do I find? Same-ol flamewar city.
Honestly, why can't progressives simply agree to disagree? I like Steve Novick. I just don't see him beating slick-Gordo, who is going to run this election pretending he's everything that he's not.
But that doesn't make any of his supporters any less loyal to the Democratic Party. I mean really.
And attacking Schumer as not really adhering to Democratic values isn't helpful either.
I just wish progressives would respect each other a little more.
Jul 3, '07
People keep using the Wellstone '90 model, but that was one in 100, and it was a stupid mistake by Wellstone's opponent to interject religion into the race that put Wellstone over the top. A candidate can be outspent and still win, but if they are outsepnt 3-1 like AuCoin and Bradbury, it's almost impossible to win.
Jul 3, '07
And attacking Schumer as not really adhering to Democratic values isn't helpful either.
I just wish progressives would respect each other a little more.
Democratic (big D) values and democratic (small d) values are not necessarily the same thing. And the Democratic Party is not a monolith. It conforms to an almost immutable law that says in any large body of people you will find the best and worst of people with most people somewhere in between. Schumer (no progressive there) and others who voted for the war on Iraq are candidates for the worst. Check who voted against the war and you will find some of the best.
There's an old story about a visitor to Chicago asking a local how they could vote for a crook. The answer was, "Because he is our crook." Not a very good policy for building a civilized society. New Orleans and Louisiana have a long record of corruption that was accepted by the people who voted for their crooks. If they had rejected that corruption they wouldn't have been in the post-Katrina mess they were and still are in. This is not to absolve the federal government of its failures, but there is a lot of blame to go around.
10:01 a.m.
Jul 3, '07
Short of Lyndon LaRouche, any Democrat would have my full support in a general election against Gordon Smith. And it's quite unlikely that LaRouche could beat Steve in a primary, so I'm not too concerned. %^>
Jul 3, '07
Novick "raised" $190K. "Donation, contribution" is same as bribery and corruption. How about brain and agenda? Do NOT create more deaths of our soldiers in Iraq! I will be elected with my $1,150.00 only. I have a brain! Some are asking: "Why aren't our existing immigration laws enforced?". Do NOT be so naive, the answer is very simple: money, political prostitution! Employers bought President Bush and many members of US Congress, including R. Wyden and G. Smith and they are paying back to donors: borders are open.
Children of illegal immigrants, born in the USA are NOT citizens of the USA. The US government / taxpayers helped foreign citizens in an emergencies to deliver babies. So, if the deliveries were made on taxpayers expense, the government of the USA must send a Payment Bill to foreign countries where from these illegal immigrants came from. It is enough to "milk" our country: money back.
Republicans or Democrats and etc.. What is the difference? Same garbage! Both of them are selling our country. In government is bribery, corruption and political prostitution. President Bush and other political prostitutes in US Congress, including political prostitutes Wyden (D) and G. Smith (R), bought by employers who need cheap labor, are talking, talking and talking about illegal immigration, but....our borders are open. How many potential terrorists are living in Oregon in the USA and are ready to kill Americans? Why Bush and members of Congress do not open the doors of own homes? US government is wasting many millions taxpayers money on countries where people are saying: "Death America!". But ..... money continue to flow there. What could be more stupidity of our "leaders"? And it is a Republican and Democratic Parties. They are ripping off the People. Lock-up borders first. Nation get what it voted for. Country must vote for a Person, but NOT for party. US government: can't win war in Iraq, our borders are open, no sanction against Iran, dependency on foreign oil, huge deficit, heavy traffic and etc. All of this creates a danger to our national security. And if I will not be elected, there will be a matter of not if, but when the weapons of mass destruction will drop on this on this nation from Iran and other countries.
Copy of announcement of my Candidacy for US Senate:
To the People and the Media:
We the People, let us stop political prostitution, stop selling our country by politicians!
People of Oregon, for your benefits vote for me, Pavel Goberman as US Senator (against Political Prostitute G. Smith). Change dirty diapers. I’m honest, incorruptible (do not accept "contribution, donations"), with faith, integrity and highest moral principles and promise to support the Constitution and work for the People (how many politicians are saying that?). I have an education and successfully managed business, and had an award for this. Keep jobs here in Oregon and fine / pay big taxes for companies who are moving jobs abroad and sell products here. Make health care affordable for all citizens, cut cost of drugs.
Employment: I have a plan to reduce unemployment without spending taxpayers money.
We are paying too much income and property taxes. Cut taxes.
Balance budget, control spending, eliminate government waste. Car Insurance: It is a “Street robbery”. If you have no accidents - 50% money should be returned. Insure a person, but not his/her cars.
I promise to improve the traffic problems and environment without spending many million dollars. Crime: increase punishments for thieves, burglars, molesters and rapists. They must work and pay back society. Harder punishment for who pollutes air, water and environment. Education: improve quality of education and discipline. Teach children to respect parents, teachers and taxpayers. Help students with grants and no more than 3% loans..
English must be official language. Lock-up borders to terrorists.
Defend the flag of the USA from desecration. Share the wealth and health benefits with veterans and seniors who created and defended this nation.
I'm a problem solver and have a plan to make a peace in Iraq and Middle-East.
Defend our nation from weapons of mass destruction.
Government must be by the People and for the People. US Attorney General, US Attorneys and US Judges must be elected: it will be a real separation of power / Democracy. Give political power BACK to the PEOPLE! Voting for me is investing in your country!
Pavel Goberman, Author of "Get Energized!"
11:35 p.m.
Jul 3, '07
Back to the drawing board, Pavel. Or at least the Constitution for a re-read.
11:54 p.m.
Jul 3, '07
If we're going to pick apart Pavel's arguments, let's look at the best, as well as the worst. Anybody want to take a crack at the following? Sounds dead-on to me.
Some are asking: "Why aren't our existing immigration laws enforced?". Do NOT be so naive, the answer is very simple: money, political prostitution! Employers bought President Bush and many members of US Congress, including R. Wyden and G. Smith and they are paying back to donors: borders are open.
12:34 a.m.
Jul 4, '07
How about we get back on topic...
Jul 4, '07
Novick "raised" $190K. "Donation, contribution" is same as bribery and corruption.
I highly doubt that my modest contributions and hundreds of similar donations will really qualify as bribes or will have any corrupting influence on Steve Novick. Presumably, most donors to Novick's campaign were motivated by the fact that his record suggests he is less likely to become corrupted than others that might enter the field. If Pavel wants to extend the word "bribery" to its limits then there may be a case. I hope our small donations will inspire/bribe Steve to continue the good fight and give some of us progressive the representation we seek.
7:53 p.m.
Jul 4, '07
>Presumably, most donors to Novick's campaign were motivated by the fact that his record suggests he is less likely to become corrupted than others that might enter the field.
Precisely. I already know that Steve disagrees with me on several points. I'm sure there are others. I didn't contribute to him because I expect that he will always vote the way I would want him to vote, but because I feel that his values are generally well aligned with my own, and I believe that even when we disagree I will still respect the decisionmaking process that led him to his position.
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