Hillary has raised $20 million...

[Clarkie1]

"for her senate re-election."

:crazy:

"The Clinton campaign trumpeted how much of its money came from small-level, Internet-driven donations. More than 250,000 individuals donated to her 2006 campaign, and only one out of every 20 donations she received this quarter were larger than $100, the campaign said.

The campaign also spent a small fortune to raise funds — $3.4 million in three months.

Muzzio argued those expenditures show she is planting the seeds for the sort of national political operation needed to run for president.

“A quarter of a million donors are really a quarter of a million future activists. They are developing an infrastructure of people and a database that rivals Bush’s database in 2004,” he said.

Campaign spokeswoman Ann Lewis said the increase in expenses is typical of a campaign that is still signing up new donors."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12307755/

:popcorn:

[Kutjara]

1. At this rate, by 2008...

...she won't have to run for President. She can just buy the country.

[Erika]

5. LOL

I enjoy the fact that this extremely educated and politically talented woman has endured the extreme hatred and fiercely vitriolic attitude from the "right". It is not bad enough they witch hunted her husband, they want to cast a dagger in her heart. Truly unbalanced nuts.

And I don't even like her.

[saltpoint]

2. She's got the bucks and the media lawn fete but she loses in Iowa to

several other Democrats.

She lacks the empathetic vibe she needs to be the nominee.

[Hardrada]

27. I shall help her lose in Iowa

Do we have any other capable women to take on Condy? Inquiring minds want to know. I wish we did.

[saltpoint]

30. How about Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas?

Very successful Democrat in a VERY red state.

I'm a Barbara Boxer fan also, but I realize she would scare the bejesus out of a lot of voters.

But I still love her.

As for Kathleen Sebelius, here's something about her at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius

[Hardrada]

36. Good choices!

I hope they come to IA soon so we can get to know them better.

[libodem]

3. I wish it were going to some general war chest

She would be such an excellent support system to give advice and guidance to the greater vision.

[Olney Blue]

4. If you give a donation to Hillary, she will let you

dedicate a heart to someone. :)

[leftstreet]

6. She should just give it the Katrina Relief Fund at this point

Totally unelectable in 08.

[Erika]

8. Is that what the GOP is doing? n/t

[leftstreet]

16. I wouldn't know what the GOP is doing

[karynnj]

7. Is this a normal ratio?

The article said she raised $6 million, but it cost $3.4 million. So, the net amount ia $2.6 million. Note: Her numbers are still incredible _ I was just surprised at the amount that went to the telemarketeers.

[Erika]

11. Have you found out the normal amounts?

Or just going to diss Hillary?

[karynnj]

41. I was asking the normal amounts - because I didn't know

which I thought was clear. It was asked as a question - it just seemed that it was an area where I would hope different methods were looked at - to see if there was a cheaper way to appeal - like Dean's internet use in 2003/2004.

I assume there are people here who have worked on campaigns and know how this works. In no way does it diss Hillary - it's very impressive that she is getting that much money,even more so,as it is from so many people.

[MercutioATC]

19. Dunno about political telemarketing contracts, but..

..charitible telemarketing contracts frequently give the telemarketing company 80+% of contributions.

[Clarkie1]

9. I think the field will be unprecedentedly crowded in 08'

for both parties since there will be no incumbent for either party to rally against. This, I think, will lessen the need some might feel for the party to rally around a particular candidate early and come to a consensus. It will also tend to lessen the share of all candidates across the board...it will be very tough to get a majority anywhere with some many contenders.

I don't think any candidate will have an easy time of it, regardless of how much money or MSM support they have.

[MercutioATC]

10. I hope she has a candidate picked out to give it to.

'Cause I don't care what she raises. She's one of the very few Dems that I will NOT vote for.

[still_one]

12. you and me both

[Erika]

13. And your message is?

Who would you vote for while throwing a poison arrow at Hillary?

[MercutioATC]

17. I've never said this about a Dem before, but...

...if Hillary's the candidate, I'll leave that chad undangled.

I'm not so much of a "Dem" that I'll support a Dem who I feel would hurt our party.

[MrBenchley]

42. Our progressive purists would rather vote for David Duke than Hillary

or just about any Democrat you've ever heard of...

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Erika]

15. Nor can the dems afford those who would down Hillary

Zell, is that you? I knew it. You never did like a woman with her own mind.

[MercutioATC]

18. Why do you feel the need to do that?

I don't feel that HC represents true Democratic principles. I think that voting for her would actually HARM what I want this country to be, so I won't vote for her.

Tom Joad has expressed a similar sentiment.

Why do you feel the need to turn it into a sexist issue? I'm not refusing to vote for HC because she's a woman, I'm refusing to vote for her because I see her as a left-wing demagogue.

[Erika]

20. I'll let you consider that

Why you would throw poison darts at a democratic nominee says you must have other issues.

Why aren't you throwing poison darts at the GOP? At some time you need to face the moment of truth.

[Clarkie1]

21. Well....she's not the nominee yet.

Just saying.

[Erika]

22. So the poison darts will be withdrawn?

Face it, you've done the harm by threatening the poison darts. Many of the GOP think writing Zell in on the ballot box is a good thing.

[Clarkie1]

23. Uh...I've done what??????? n/t

[MercutioATC]

25. She's confusing you with me, Clarkie.

Hey! I'm over here!

:)

[MercutioATC]

24. Because I'm an American before I'm a Democrat.

I'll support whomever I think will help our country. I'll also be honest about who I think would cause harm.

Most of the time, the "good guys" (or gals) are Democrats. Sometimes, the Dems are just as dangerous as the Republicans.

I think HC would be harmful to our country. I'll "throw darts" at her just as surely as I'll throw them at somebody like Rick Santorum.

[Hardrada]

29. Same here. But I prefer the metaphor of pies

instead of poisoned darts.

[MercutioATC]

33. I prefer leaders who will move this country forward

instead of left-wing idealogues.

..different strokes, I guess...

[Erika]

35. Anyone who shoots their own

doesn't instill loyalty or even smarts.

[MercutioATC]

37. That's a cheap version of nationalism.

I prefer patriotism...doing what's right for your country (or party) even if it means pointing out the flaws.

[Hardrada]

38. All secret Stalinists reveal yourselves now!!

and hike down the pike!

[MercutioATC]

39. ???

[Clark2008]

28. I'm a woman with her own mind

and my mind has told me that if Hillary is the nominee, we lose BIG time.

It's not misogyny - it's reality.

Not one red state...

In other words, she won't flip any and will lose at least two blue ones.

[Erika]

32. Loyalty says a lot

Enabling the opposition by downing one of our own also says a lot.

Doesn't it?

[mrgorth]

46. Exactamundo

I don't agree with Hillary on everything but her big problem is that she will get crushed.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SaveElmer]

47. Congratulations...

In my Four years at DU...that is the most stupid comment ever posted...

[Clarkie1]

52. Hi there.

I assume you support Hillary for president in 08', I apologize if that is an incorrect assumption.

Given that Hillary has raised $20 million for herself against a very poorly funded opponent, do you know if she has considered giving some of her Democratic funds to help other candidates out in 08'? The DCCC comittee only raised 12.4 million this past quarter. It's a shame so many Democratic $$$ are being diverted from important races this year.

[SaveElmer]

55. Hello...I am a Hillary supporter...

She is actually giving money to Senate candidates this election cycle, and holding fundraisers for many of them. My assumption is that she has not yet decided if she will run or not. I assume that will be a political decision made closer to the event. However, it is only prudent for her to fundraise now as she is no doubt considering the run.

Being a good and loyal Democrat I have no doubt that in the event she decides not to run, she will use those funds to the benefit of the Democratic Party.

[Clarkie1]

60. That's good to know.

However, I know of no other Democrat who is raising money now for a 08' run.

I do know of many, including Hillary, who have formed PACS to benefit candidates this year, and it is understood that all the funds are going to support candidates this year.

I would prefer Hillary raised money through HILLPAC with all the funds going to Dems this year, and only fundraised for her senate race within the state of New York. We need to keep the focus on 06', regardless of personal ambition.

[SaveElmer]

61. Well I hate to disagree...

But she is practicing smart politics....which is one of the reasons I support her. In my opinion she is the only one who will be able to go toe to toe with the Republican slime machine.

Something else to consider is that Hillary is far and away the biggest draw the Democrats have (possibly excepting Bill). Her presence at a fund raiser guarantees a windfall for any candidate that hosts her. And she has been attending fundraisers for many candidates this cycle.

[Clarkie1]

62. I want to know where the $20 million is going.

A true Democratic leader would spent all of those funds on races this year. Of course, she has name recognition...she is the wife of the former president! The funds from that recognition should be used to benefit Democrats this year. That's where our focus needs to be!

[SaveElmer]

64. Well I would ask the candidates she is raising money for...

If she is benefitting them or not...I think you would get a resounding YES on that score

As to where the money is going, it is all public information...

www.fec.gov

[Clarkie1]

68. It will be interesting to see how much she has "left over"

(in other words, wasted funds) from her senate campaign.

Candidates raise money for themselves. Certainly the appearance of a celebrity such as a former first-lady or four-star general can enhance fundraising, but in the end it's all about the local candidates.

[oasis]

26. Hill's got what it takes to get what she needs.Get ready for a blockbuster

campaign 2008. Until then, Democrats should focus on 2006.

[Clark2008]

31. Except for votes...

*cough*

[Erika]

34. Just write in "Zell"

That is what the GOP wants.

[MrBenchley]

43. It drives our "progressive purists" nuts to read this

and realize that people actually DO support Hillary.

[SaveElmer]

48. That is absolutely correct...

Don't you know she is every bit as bad as Jeb or W...according to some on this thread...

It is a typical reaction...a hysterical defense of long held (but incorrect) notions about someone challenged by the facts. Like the fundies, they retreat into a bizarre and increasingly strident defense of their untenable position.

[MrBenchley]

51. They know what "the people" want

and God help people who don't agree with that they want....(snicker).

[paulk]

66. the reaction to Hillary on this website

is probably a good sign for her.

DU, and the "blogosphere" in general, isn't remotely a reflection of what the rest of America is thinking.

The level of hatred and disinformation that gets posted on Clinton here at DU rivals that of FreeRepublic and other right wing web sites. I would say that I'm surprised by it, but having gone through the primary wars here, I'm no longer surprised by anything posted on DU.

Ms. Clinton is not in the top three I'm currently considering for 2008, but the nonsense that gets posted about her here is discouraging, to say the least.

[Name removed]

59. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Virginia Dare]

44. This is my take...

big business is extremely worried about the prospects for a Republican President the next go-around, so they figure if it's a Democrat they want another Clinton. Looks like they are throwing money at her.

[Totally Committed]

45. By 2008....

She won't have to run for President, she can just BUY the effing country!

What is WRONG with this picture, folks?

TC

[SaveElmer]

49. Go Hillary!!

If she does run for Pres, she has gotten a great start.

[Clarkie1]

53. What about races THIS year?

She is diverting funds from the here and now.

And please, don't tell me she is raising $20 million for her senate race. She doesn't need a penny to win that race. She is going around the country raising $$$ for herself, when the money would be better spent supporting Democrats in tough races this year. Unfortunately, a lot of good Democratic grassroots supporters will not stop to consider that in all the Hillary-hype because she is spending such large funds on outreach for 08'. It is quite possible many Democratic donors will donate to Hillary and later be unable to afford donating to, for example, the DCCC. It may cost us retaking the congress this year.

[The Magistrate]

54. One Point To Consider, Sir

One way pre-eminent politicians ensure a vast and wide supply of friends in the trade is to make contributions to fellow Party members from their own campaign funds. It is quite likely a good portion of the funds surplus to immediate needs will be expended during the fall in that fashion. People are grateful for gifts....

"War requires funds, you know."

[SaveElmer]

56. She is disbursing funds to support 2006 candidates...

And is holding fundraisers for them...

[Clarkie1]

57. Good to know, however

I would like to know the exact figures as to how much she is distributing vs. how much she is hording for herself in 08.' I hope she does the right thing and spends all the money raised on races this year. That's where our focus needs to be, and that's what a true leader in the Democratic Party would do.

[kentuck]

50. Money alone, cannot win the election...

It doesn't matter if she raises a 100 million.

[iconoclastNYC]

58. I allready removed myself from her database

The thing is I'd vote for her in the general.

But that's where my support would end. I'd donate money to and volunteer for Russ Feingold or for Wes Clark campaign.

Hillary does not inspire me. She's more concerend wooing the 1-2% of undecided voters than inspiring me or motivating the 40% of nonvoters. She's run by her consultants.

[Clarkie1]

63. Motivating the 40% of non-voters is the key.

How do you think we can best accomplish that?

[The Magistrate]

65. Beer And Pizza Might Work, Sir

Most people who do not vote do not bother to vote because they feel the outcome will be satisfactory either way the contest ends, and so thay do not care.

[Clarkie1]

67. Well, it is true polticians on either side of the aisle seldom seem

significantly different from one another. For most Americans I think observing our poltical process is much like watching a T.V. game show, and that's mostly what they do...simply observe, much like they would a television show.

:toast: (for the ones who get off the couch)

[The Magistrate]

69. Not Quite The Same Thing, Sir

It is not a belief there is no difference in the parties or the political figures; it is a belief in the basic inertia of a sound system and structure that will prevent by its nature any debilitating outcome regardless of who is in charge. It may be misplaced, but it is a real sentiment. The great preponderance of people, whether or not they participate in elections, do view the country and its governing structures as basically sound, and do not want to see any great change in them. The idea that there is great reservoir of near revolutionary sentiment lurking below the surface waiting to be tapped is a mere fever dream.

[Clarkie1]

70. Agreed.

It is "not quite the same thing."

"it is a belief in the basic inertia of a sound system and structure that will prevent by its nature any debilitating outcome regardless of who is in charge."

I think it is also a sense of hopelessness and cynicism, though. Many believe that all politicians will put first what is best for themselves, and secondly what is best for their party, before what is best for the nation. There is a tremendous amount of cynicism about government and the people who lead in government.

[The Magistrate]

72. There Is Certainly An Element Of That To It As Well, Sir

But that is a view of politics and politicians that is old as governance itself, and there is no particular reason to believe it any stronger or weaker in the present day. What seems the key element to me is that very few people expect this to do any real harm to the country. Again, that seems to me to be, as a matter of fact, an ill-founded belief just now, however widespread it might be: this current crew has done harm, and will do worse harm if continued in power. Things are really much more fragile than most people suppose....

[Clarkie1]

74. Things are very fragile.

We are on the edge of an abyss, in my opinion.

Politics as usual will do nothing but lead us over the edge. We need more patriots, and less career politicians.

[The Magistrate]

76. Complaining Of Career Politicians, Sir

Is rather like complaining of career auto-mechanics or career salesmen. The thing is a trade like any other, and persons involved in a trade must have practical experience in its ways and lore and functions. They must learn it from the ground up to be competent in it, and gain experience to be effective at it. Doing so, of course, will shape them into a sort of similarity, because the demands of the trade are the same whatever one's personal tastes and inclinations might be. There are only a certain number of ways to move people to vote for you in large numbers; there are only a certain number of ways to achieve a position where you can present yourself to the people as a candidate with serious expectations of endorsement by their votes; there are only a certain number of ways to maintain yourself in office once that is achieved; there are only a certain number of ways to actually get any measures one desires passed into law when in office. Thus there will be the same sort of similarities one sees in the classic examples of convergent evolution, such as tuna fish, dolphins, and icthyosaurs: all are large creatures that live or lived by rapid motion in water, and so, although they are radically different in internal organs and metabolisms, all look pretty similar, because to live like that requires a certain shape for success.

[Clarkie1]

77. Of course, you accurately define what is necessary for a politician

to "gain experience and be effective at (being a politician)." There is a certain degree of truth to that. Trouble is, at this time in our history, we need people more effective at leading us out of the abyss, not playing poltics. In some ways, becoming a better politician changes a person in ways that are not beneficial to the best interests of the nation...which is to have true representatives of the people in our government. Sometimes, less experienced is better. Remember the saying, "power corrupts"; there is a ring of truth in it. Every career politician's character and ethics, with possibly very, very few exceptions, is corrupted to some degree by the political process. Those of strong character and ethics are best able to resist the corroding influences of the poltical process, but they are few and far between. Thus, the rationale for term-limits. It's a trade-off, like many other things in life.

[mdmc]

71. that is a lot of money

[AtomicKitten]

73. I'm fully into letting Hillary be the straw-woman.

Let the hens cackle because she scares the bejeezus out of the GOP with her formidable war chest. Let 'em keep pounding her because it makes her stronger which pisses 'em off even more - didn't they learn that in the 90s? It's like throwing gasoline on a fire.

It will be a big surprise when Al Gore throws his hat in the ring.

I like surprises.

[Clarkie1]

75. Hmmm...interesting perspective.

I do think there are going to be a lot of big names running in 08', as well as some new ones. It's going to be a very crowded field on both sides.

[wisteria]

78. 2008 may prove once and for all that money is not the only thing

necessary to win the Presidency.

[Blue_Tires]

79. wow...maybe she could loan me a few