Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Hopes New Democratic Fundraising Group Will Avert Another ‘Disaster’

[Joanne98]

Source: ABC

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who is positioning herself to be a major player in the Democratic Party’s 2012 fundraising efforts, pledged that a new group she is forming will help Democrats “compete dollar to dollar” with Republicans over the next two years.

Townsend has teamed up with David Brock, founder of the liberal media watchdog Web site, Media Matters, to form American Bridge, a group that aims to be a counterweight to right-leaning organizations such as American Crossroads and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which spent millions to support conservative candidates and causes in 2010.

Altogether, outside groups on the right spent roughly double the amount that liberal organizations did this year.

In an interview with ABC’s Amy Walter and Jonathan Karl on Thursday’s edition of “Top Line,” Townsend said that the fact that a group like American Bridge did not exist in the last election cycle “turned out to be a disaster because, as you know, the Republicans outspent the Democrats by $70 million.”



Read more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/12/kathleen-kennedy-townsend-american-bridge-david-brock-2012-group.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Her own 2002 gov. campaign was a disaster

nt

[Rebubula]

10. Sort of disagree

She ran an OK campaign, but was hamstrung by a VERY unpopular outgoing Governor (Glendening) who was in the process of divorcing his wife after knocking up a staffer. Her association with him (she was his LT) was the reason most people did not turn out the vote for her.

Even my 93 year old G-mom voted (she regrets it now) for Ehrlich that year and she had NEVER voted for a Republican (OK...other than Connie Morella) her whole life.

[Recursion]

11. Ah, Paris G.

He was a good governor until he cratered at the end there.

[Renew Deal]

2. I'm glad someone is doing something more than whining.

:bounce:

[asjr]

3. What a sad footnote to electing a president of

the USA. It has come to this--who can raise the most money in order to elect a president.

[BrklynLiberal]

15. or hopefully..it is way to stop the corporate money from exerting such powerful control..

[defendandprotect]

4. Back later to read ....

[defendandprotect]

5. K&R --

[JDPriestly]

6. Another rich person asserting control over our so-called democracy

[on point]

7. The 2010 problem was in dem leadership and backbone, not money

[Tansy_Gold]

8. +100 , and amen.

[Arctic Dave]

9. Amen!

[Tansy_Gold]

12. Case(s) in point ---

California.



'Nuff said.



TG, NTY

[BrklynLiberal]

14. you got THAT right!!!

[BrklynLiberal]

13. I hope this money is earmarked...excuse the expression...for LIBERAL AND PROGRESSIVE Dems!!

The REAL Dems..who care about the Middle class and those less fortunate...
The corporate Dems can go beg for money from the repukes...

To me it is more than just fundraising...it is making sure that the funds go to the people who actually represent the
ideas, goals and principles of those who are donating their time and their money.

You can fool me once..........

[Retrograde]

16. First, fire Telefund

It's only 2010 and I'm already sick of the constant calls. Your base of small contributors is being squeezed hard these days - there's not much left here.

Second, have a national strategy. The Republicans have one: it may be short-sighted and bad for the country, but they have a message and stick to it.

Third, get your candidates out with the voters. Not at planned rallies, not in front of hand-picked crowds, but out with real people. Do this even in the so-called safe districts (my congresswoman doesn't bother to campaign). Make people think the Democratic Party gives a damn about them - sincerity is important, and once you can fake that you've got it made :)

Fourth, stop treating California like an ATM. We're really not that scary out here, and we like to think we're a decade or so in front of national trends. But we feel a little unloved when we see our president making lots of visits to places in the Midwest, factories and schools, when all we get is a $30K a person fundraiser. Don't take our votes for granted: if the GOP ever finds a sane candidate they could win big here.

[midnight]

17. American Bridge sounds like a good link for moving us forward..