Accuracy in Email Fundraising

Two fundraising emails were (0.00 / 0)

sent in the last few days with the return address of "info@jeanneshaheen.org." They were sent from "bounces.democratsenators.org."  The links, which redirect the reader to an Actblue page, are first sent to "democratsenators.org" in order to track the emails.

The links:
http://www.democrats...

The site "democratsenators.org," is a domain registered and owned by the DSCC, and used for fundraising for various

Registrant:
DSCC
120 Maryland Ave NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
United States

There is a link to "unsubscribe" from the emails at the bottom which also uses democratsenators.org.

Where do we go from here?

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by: Gavin @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 14:54:38 PM CDT

meant to say (0.00 / 0)

"and used for fundraising for various candidates."

Where do we go from here?

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by: Gavin @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 14:56:19 PM CDT

That is a technical service (4.00 / 1)

That is available to all Democratic candidates.

I don't know the right word for it because I am not a technical person.

The email was from the Shaheen campaign, authored by the Shaheen campaign and sent to people on the Shaheen email list.

Give me a break.

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by: Judy Reardon @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 15:06:09 PM CDT

I'm not a technical person either, (0.00 / 0)

but I know what the term is: "The DSCC is trying to put the fix in" and why shouldn't the Buckey campaign put the DSCC on the spot by telling the simple truth?  Will the DSCC make this service available to the Buckey campaign? 

I've never heard of the national party help out a primary candidate...oh wait, I forgot.  They did two years ago in NH...and how did that work out.

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by: Stark Blue @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 19:25:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A little documentation, please (0.00 / 0)

The Buckey claims are at best misinformed so far. What Judy says seems correct to me at first blush: I get plenty of political e-mail and I didn't get this stuff. So, the notion that it went only to a list provided by the campaign seems plausible.

If you're claiming that this e-mail service is not available to other campaigns -- back that up, please.

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by: elwood @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 20:38:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm not taking sides in this one, (0.00 / 0)

but it is interesting to note that the DSCC supported Webb in the VA-Sen primary in 2006.  While Schumer & Co. have made no secret in the 2006 and 2008 cycles about their preferences for candidates, I believe that's the only instance where they openly waded into the primary the way the DCCC did here with Craig.

It's pretty obvious to me that the DSCC  wants Shaheen, but they haven't actually become involved in the primary imho.  However, the Webb story shows a precedent, and I wonder what might come down the line.

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 20:47:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Webb and Buckey... (0.00 / 0)

Two candidates with military backgrounds who are on record as opposing the Oct. 2002 Iraq War resolution while most of the Democratic establishment supported it.

The Webb story does show a precedent for how to win a Senate seat.  A lesson not learned by the DSCC.

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by: Stark Blue @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 07:19:29 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

In rereading your post and reply... (0.00 / 0)

I am very puzzled.  In you original diary you wrote...

"I am certain that the DSCC has NOT sent out any fundraising emails that direct people to donate to Jeanne Shaheen's US Senate campaign."

Yet in your above reply, you concede that very point when you wrote, "That is available to all Democratic candidates."

So which is it...did the DSCC NOT send out the email...or is this a DSCC service that was used? 

You seem to concede that the email was sent via the DSCC Domain server, contradicting your original point.

 

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by: Stark Blue @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 20:44:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Is this deliberate denseness? (0.00 / 0)

The DSCC didn't 'send' the fundraising e-mail, just as the USPS didn't 'send' the various campaign mailings I got this week.

It helped deliver them; it didn't send them.

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by: elwood @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 20:51:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This situation is more like... (0.00 / 0)

USPS paying for the cost of the stamps and then helped deliver them.

I'm sure your "denseness" comment made you feel good, but it did nothing to advance your point...as invalid as your point was.

It's clear...first the claim was that no DSCC help was used...then when that point was conceded, but called a "technical" point.  The email was sent from DSCC servers and it in no way is like the USPS delivering a letter--unless the USPS paid for the stamp--then your comparison is fair.

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by: Stark Blue @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 16:53:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Pindell notices. (0.00 / 0)

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington had been trying to recruit Shaheen into the race because polls over the summer showed she had the best chance of defeating freshman Senator John E. Sununu.

"The DSCC seems to be saying that, because the stakes are so high for the 2008 election, we can't afford to trust democracy - and New Hampshire's primary system --to choose the best candidate," Buckey writes in a fund-raising email. "But the past seven years have shown us where this kind of thinking leads."

Buckey is hoping he can re-create the dynamic that took place last year in New Hampshire when another unknown activist, Carol Shea-Porter defeated the state House Minority Leader for the Democratic nomination for Congress even though he was favorite of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Link

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 20:38:29 PM CDT

I just dug (0.00 / 0)

the last few DSCC fundraising emails I've gotten out of the trash.  They don't mention Shaheen.

One says:

Former Gov. Mark Warner in Virginia.  State House Speaker Jeff Merkley in Oregon.  Rep. Mark Udall in Colorado.  Rep. Tom Allen in Maine.  These are first-class candidates.  And they can win.

--snip--

Republican Senators Norm Coleman and John Sununu - both up for re-election in 2008 - voted for the 6th time this year against a troop withdrawal in Iraq.  Democrats only have a one-seat majority, and Coleman, Sununu and their ilk are blocking the change that all of you voted for in 2006.

That seems pretty clearly careful to mention this race without mentioning a specific candidate.

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by: Laura Clawson @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 21:55:47 PM CDT

What the Heck (0.00 / 0)

I'll jump in, because one of Governor Shaheen's fundraising e mails was from me.
I was asked by the Shaheen campaign to do a fundraising e mail. I wrote it myself this morning.  The Shaheen campaign sent it out to a list they have.  From what Judy said, the DSCC apparently has some web tool that makes it easier to do this - and it is a tool available to any candidate, including Jay Buckey.  Galvin, why don't you or Karen or Jay contact the DSCC and ask them what resources they have that are available to you? If there are resources available to Democratic candidates that are helpful and save money, why not use them? 

I hope that we all don't start making each other crazy; the primary is a year away!

But one other point:  When I wrapped up draftshaheen, we had nearly 1300 supporters. In the ten days or so that since she announced her entry into the race, over 200 people have donated to her on Actblue.  She is traveling around the state, talking to New Hampshire voters, getting a great reaction. All this is happening because Jeanne Shaheen has the support of the grassroots across the state!

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 21:58:56 PM CDT

DSCC (0.00 / 0)

Actually, Jay Buckey's presence in the race *prevents* the DSCC from coordinating with the Shaheen campaign re: fundraising and staffing resources, even though she is the overwhelming favorite to win the nomination. 

Jay has every right to run, and will no doubt raise important issues in his campaign.  But we can't pretend that his Quixotian effort doesn't impost costs.  It does.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 06:11:02 AM CDT

Quixotian? (0.00 / 0)

Wow, big word!  Would you have used that for Carol Shea Porter?  Her situation was much the same at the beginning.
Yup, I am a Buckey supporter too.  Not prepared to do as I am told, as usual.  (I know, I know, no one is telling me what to do.  Suggesting maybe?)

We believe in prosperity & opportunity, strong communities, healthy families, great schools, investing in our future and leading the world by example. We are Democrats; we are the change you're looking for.

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by: bloomingpol @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 06:37:01 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The "establishment" boogeyman (0.00 / 0)

No.  Jim Craig is a fine man, but not one with the bipartisan respect earned from six years as the most effective governor in our state's history.  So I did *not* call Carol's campaign "Quixotian" in 2006. 

You have fun with your rebel complex about the mythical all-powerful Democratic "establishment" -- it's really none of my business.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 06:45:59 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Unicorns, fairies and "the establishment" (0.00 / 0)

That was a bit snitty DD.

The Party is very tribal, give a guy a break.

The "shelf life" of a prevailing philosophy " attitude towards the application of our core values" in the Democratic Party is small. That is our weakness and it is our greatest strength. Progressive!

Winds of change is the "alternative energy" that we need to harness, otherwise it could turn into a funnel cloud.

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!" - PT

SGS is Jack Mitchell of Lowell, MA. The symbolism of the "sleeping giant" is based on my HOPE for America.

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by: Sleeping Giant Stirs @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 07:41:56 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Speaking of Accuracy... (4.00 / 2)

I was pretty offended today when I read in Bill Siroty's Links that N.H.Business Review's flotsam column said that it has been making the rounds that it was obvious from the get go that Steve Marchand was merely a place holder for Jeanne Shaheen. 

Flotsam is frequently snarky, sarcastic and/or inaccurate; who knows whether this little cheap shot was intended to be just one or all of the above.  But, there may be people out there who don't know that Flotsam is the least credible of the NH political gossip columns (and even that may be giving it too much credit), and may think that there is some truth in that statement. 

Steve Marchand is too good a person, and worked too hard in his campaign, for a knight of the keyboard to take cheap shots at him. He was a serious candidate who wasn't put up to run by anyone.  A lot of his supporters were all over me like the plague trying to convince me to drop Draftshaheen, so I know he wasn't a "placeholder".  Shame on NHBR for even hinting that Steve wasn't giving it his all, and that he was not a serious candidate.  Their disappointment that Steve decided to honor his promise and support Governor Shaheen does not justify spreading unfounded speculation that is not only hurtful, but also just plain wrong.



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 08:42:44 AM CDT

A "Marchand as a place holder for Shaheen" (4.00 / 1)

theory shows a lack of understanding so deep about the Democratic side of the NH senate race, I don't even know where to begin.

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 17:26:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Really! (0.00 / 0)

Something to keep in mind when reading Flotsam in the future, isn't it? 

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 17:39:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Floating debris (0.00 / 0)

By definition this is miscellaneous unimportant material. I've been Steve's friend and supporter for ten years and nothing could be farther from the truth.
He was in it to win it.

From Merriam-Webster Online
http://www.m-w.com/d...

flotsam
One entry found for flotsam.

Main Entry: flot·sam
Pronunciation: 'flät-s&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French floteson, from floter to float, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English flotian to float, flota ship
1 : floating wreckage of a ship or its cargo; broadly : floating debris
2 a : a floating population (as of emigrants or castaways) b : miscellaneous or unimportant material c : DEBRIS, REMAINS

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 08:18:30 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I got off the phone (4.00 / 2)

a few minutes ago with Phillip Bowlby (I'm unsure of the exact spelling) from the DSCC.  I asked him if there were any services available to all Democratic Senate candidates.  After conferring with an unknown colleague, he returned and told me that they do not offer any services to all Democratic candidates.

Where do we go from here?

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by: Gavin @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 14:48:11 PM CDT

Thanks (0.00 / 0)

for the update Gavin. I am still willing to give the Shaheen camp the benefit of the doubt, but I'd like some sort of clearer explanation of what this "tool" is and who it is available to.

From the comments here from Judy Reardon & Kathy Sullivan it sounds like the Shaheen campaign drafted the email and sent it to their list, but did so using some sort of DSCC computer system/program. If such a program/tool is truly available to all Democratic Senate candidates then elwood's USPS analogy holds up. In that case they DSCC is only guilty of not making you aware of such a service, or trusting that you knew about it already.

Your update however brings that into question, you have apparently made a good faith effort to access this system and been told it is not available. In that case, while it is not proof of DSCC meddling, it is incumbent upon them and/or the Shaheen camp to further explain what this tool is and whether it is truly available to all Dem Senate campaigns.

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by: NateP @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 16:50:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm following up (4.00 / 2)

I'm going to follow up on this; when I talked to Judy about this last night, she told me she specifically asked if this DSCC web thing was available to everyone. I believe that they told you what they told you, Gavin, but it sounds like they are saying different things to different people, or, there is a breakdown in communication somewhere.

The good news is that we have resolved the underlying issue - the DSCC did not send an e mail to its list asking them to donate to Jeanne Shaheen!  Now, onward and upward!

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 18:37:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks Kathy (0.00 / 0)

I'm really hoping that this is all just a miscommunication between the DSCC and the Shaheen and/or Buckey campaigns. I don't have a lot of faith in the DSCC/DCCC when it comes to playing fair in the primaries after what happened around the country in the 2006 cycle; however I can also see a staffer at the DSCC making a mistake in either offering the tool to the Shaheen campaign or in denying it to the Buckey campaign.

Here's to a clean campaign and the winner beating John E next fall.

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by: NateP @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 19:09:04 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This is a pathetic attack line by the Buckey campaign. (0.00 / 0)

The reality is that the Buckey campaign has yet to respond to the question last week about it's decision to launch the first attack against Governor Shaheen? In his attack, he went on to reference that his campaign offers diversity from Governor Shaheen.  Does he diversify himself from governor Shaheen on the issue of choice?  Is he pro choice, and in answering that, what is his definition of choice?  Are there any limitations that he supports?  Where is he on parental notification?  I think the Buckey campaign is desperately trying to establish a foothold in this race because he lacks real distinction from Governor Shaheen on the issues and wants to create a false "us versus them" dynamic in order to play off people's fears and frustration, rather than focus on the issues.  I challenge him to not play poltics as usual and instead talk about the issues, so again, I ask the question above, where are you on choice and what is your definition of choice, and do you support limitations?

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by: person @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 19:33:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You write... (0.00 / 0)

"he (Buckey) lacks real distinction from Governor Shaheen on the issues"

Hmmm, how about Buckey opposing this war from the very beginning and Shaheen supporting the war...

Hmmm, how about Buckey opposing the Bush tax cuts that turned a Democratic surplus into record deficits and Shaheen supporting them...

Sounds like real distinctions to me...

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by: Stark Blue @ Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 03:59:22 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Here is the scoop! (0.00 / 0)

Gavin, have Karen call the DSCC and ask for the executive director - and make sure she identifies herself as Jay Buckey's campaign manager. The person who answered your call was, I am told, an intern, and he didn't know what was up when you called and asked if there were services available to all Democratic candidates. So, make sure Karen calls and identifies herself and asks for the E.D.

And, that, my friend, is the last time I do anything to be of assistance to the Buckey campaign.  My candidate is Jeanne Shaheen, because she is the absolute best candidate to take on John Sununu. Buckey seems like a good guy, and I hope he stays involved in NH politics, but this is a critical election. With all due respect, I think a candidate who is able to energize the base is the best possible nominee. Jeanne Shaheen has a proven record of turning out our base. With all due respect, a candidate who ended discrimination against gays and lesbians in our state is the best possible nominee. With all due respect, a candidate who has won three state wide elections is the best possible nominee. With all due respect, a candidate with a double digit lead over John Sununu (and I am betting that the next UNH poll shows a double digit lead) is the best possible nominee. With all due respect, against John Sununu, we need a candidate with grass roots support who also knows how to win elections. 
So, Gavin, while I wish you well, from here on out, I am not going to give you any more advice, or any more help, because my candidate is Jeanne Shaheen! 

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 21:17:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Kathy, you have a lot of class by going above and beyond. (0.00 / 0)

My sense is that the Buckey camp would rather perpetuate their misinformation campaign then face the reality that there is nobody trying to "push" them out of this race.  The fact is that Jeanne Shaheen had plenty of primary challenges in her time as Governor, two separate challenges, and nobody did anything to stop those, including you when you were chair.

Buckey camp should face facts, he will likely not establish a foothold in this race because Shaheen is a better candidate, not because there are DC forces at play.  The sooner they realize that, the sooner they will hopefully stop attacking her, and focus on themselves.  Let's see if the anti-Shaheen element will acknowledge this and cease their fear mongering activities.  So far, all we have heard from Buckey camp is innuendos, platitudes, and hostility.  Still waiting for substance from the Buckey camp and one has to wonder why the silence has been so deafening on choice issues.

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by: person @ Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 21:42:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wow...you must have the direct # to the DSCC's Red Phone (0.00 / 0)

Because at 5:37 pm on a Friday you posted you were going to follow up with the DSCC and less than 4 hours later you apparently got the 411 on the matter. 

Now those are real DC connections you have there! 

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by: Stark Blue @ Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 03:55:25 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hello darkness my old friend, (0.00 / 0)

Blue, you seem like you fall on the glass half empty side on a lot of thing....The sound of silence from the Buckey camp is stunning regarding one of the fundamental issues facing our country today, the choice issue.,,it is stunning, no comment from you or the Buckey camp on this issue.  The questions are there, we are now waiting for the answers.  Shaheen has already started directly answering the tough questions, where is Buckey on choice, does he support it, how does he define it, where is he on parental notification, and heck, where is he on late term?

The reality is that this primary campaign is folly for some who don't have to put their name, finances and reputation on the line like Jay Buckey and his family.  The Buckeys are decent folk, I am sure.  But, Jay Buckey is being taken advantage of by a handful of people(some who will have real baggage to account for considering their past GOP ties and votes for GEORGE BUSH), he and his family will realize that at somepoint and their angry crusade will need to move on. It's easy for you and some of his supporters to use him, and then you will leave him when the right time comes for the next "champion of change".

Meanwhile, Buckey will be left behind, seen as a nasty, angry campaigner- nice legacy you want to leave for your guy. If people really cared about him, they would be talking about what he is for, rather than what he is against. 

And your paranoid little hit job on Kathy Sullivan is totally uncalled for, if "Gavin" or Buckey's campaign manager would have been on the ball and serving their boss better, they would have sought out this information.  Fact is, they DONT WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH HERE, the truth is the facts are inconvenient for you and the Buckey camp on this matter, it cuts into YOUR ONLY ISSUE(as you see it). 

Buckey has every right to be in, but, he his political advisers are not entitled to their own facts.

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by: person @ Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 07:50:41 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Old friend...we just met last night...? (0.00 / 0)

And I quickly reviewed your whopping 13 days of comments you've made since registering at BlueHampshire.  You are one angry person that has a wild imagination.  I do give Kathy Sullivan credit when she's right and she's certainly right about you, when she pointed out that your comment(s) can be "a little over the top"

But I do find your postings very entertaining...particularly your conspiracy theory that I'm part of some effort to use Jay Buckey to settle some undefined score.  Yup...our plan was rather ingenious really.  We plotted more than 6 months ago to get Jay to announce an exploratory phase, when two other candidates were running, and of course we were smart enough know that Shaheen would later announce (even though at the time, all "signals" indicated otherwise) and the others would drop out and then we'd pounce.  Oh no...there are Black helicopters outside my house...I think Elvis is one of the pilots...

There is so much more to comment on in your post...but Kathy is right about another thing...it is a nice day out and I rather spend it outside instead of reacting to your "over the top" rants

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by: Stark Blue @ Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 10:45:02 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Just a good old fashioned cell phone (0.00 / 0)

I know that you are trying to make it look like I am part of the Big, Bad Democratic Establishment with your (hopefully) humerous tweaking! I wanted to get the facts, because I didn't want this to fester. This election is too important to allow it to get sidetracked over whether some out of state organization isn't treating Jay Buckey "fairly". 

Lets have a little honest perspective, please. The Buckey campaign sent out a press release and e mail that was flat out disingenuous; it made it sound like the DSCC sent out an e mail that said "The DSCC wants you to give money to Jeanne Shaheen".  Not true. Instead of apologizing, the Buckey campaign has one of its staffers post on Blue Hampshire trying to justify the misleading press release by saying that if you trace back through whatever way you can trace back, you find a program owned by the DSCC, so that "technically" they are not being disingenuous. In order to make sure there is no advantage being given to one candidate or another, the Shaheen campaign -Buckey's opponent! - goes out of its way to (a) tell the Buckey campaign to contact the DSCC and (b) when the Buckey staffer makes what sounds like a pretty weak attempt (sorry, Gavin, but it does sound like a pretty weak attempt) to follow through, and is brushed off by an intern, the Shaheen campaign again follows up, in a way that is helfpul to her opponent!

Interesting, isn't it? The campaign you are trying to paint as the "establishment" is trying to be fair and helpful to its opponent, while the self styled "new school" campaign is sending out misleading press releases and attacking its primary opponent. Oh, well, it is too nice a day to spend it musing upon the ironies and intricacies of politics!  Later!

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 08:33:49 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Kathy, I must admit, you are right... (0.00 / 0)

...it is a gorgeous day outside...

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by: Stark Blue @ Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 14:04:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you, Kathy (0.00 / 0)

I have a call in to the ED. Glad that everyone seems to be on the same page that the DSCC should be working with all Dems in a primary.

Change is inevitable, but progress is not. Working together, we can make sure that change = progress. And that's what makes us progressive...

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by: KarenLH @ Tue Oct 02, 2007 at 00:32:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]