While the Republicans are
schmoozing corporate lobbyists and other special interests all over town today, Governor Dean and his staff will showing the difference between how the two parties do business by spending today calling grassroots donors.
In case you missed it, the GOP money for influence machine is in high gear:
$10 million is expected to come from lawmakers' fundraising and a Washington program aimed at K Street
(In addition to where their money comes from, it's also worth noting which big Republican donors may be under the radar tonight.)
Below is an email sent just now by DNC Finance Director Lindsay Lewis, who has worked for Governor Dean for a long time and is a driving force behind doing things differently.
Of course, Governor Dean and the staff won't make it through tens of thousands of phone calls today -- but isn't it refreshing to know that there's a political party interested in trying?
Dear Fellow Democrat,
Today Republican Leadership will spend the day schmoozing elite donors from across the country who have paid up to $25,000 for access. Even John McCain will check his campaign finance reform credentials at the door to dine with special interests and lobbyists paying $5,000 a plate for lunch.
That's not how we Democrats do business. We are building a broad base of donors large and small to hold our party accountable to the people.
While Republican leaders wine and dine the super rich, Chairman Dean will spend his day today talking with ordinary Americans. He will be calling regular folks who have given $25 -- not $25,000 -- and listening to what you have to say about our party, our country, and our future.
You stood with the chairman and our party during the Republican attacks of the past few days by making a contribution -- and you could be one of those getting a call. Please let me know what motivated you to give:
http://www.democrats.org/grassrootsdonorstory
While the GOP is beholden to their corporate lobbyists, using big donations to buy access Governor Dean is doing business a different way. On every trip he focuses on you, blocking off time for low-dollar fundraisers and meetings with grassroots groups, community leaders and local activists.
In this culture of corruption, Republicans are willing to sell influence to the highest bidder -- which means they will always collect more of the huge checks. We're doing things differently; we're expanding the way our party is funded and putting the power in your hands.
It's already happening -- small donors are becoming the lifeblood of the Democratic Party. Thanks to contributions of whatever people can afford, the party has raised more money than in any other post-election year -- ever Republicans used to out-raise Democrats by as much as 4 to 1. But by reaching out to a broad base of ordinary people, we have cut that advantage in half. And we're just getting started.
You can add to the momentum:
http://www.democrats.org/reform
While the GOP is focused on raising money from lobbyists and other powerful interests, they aren't focused on the issues that affect your life. Ask yourself: do you feel better off or safer today? Probably not. But the corporate lobbyists who'll attend tonight's dinner certainly do.
The truth is, Republican leaders grow more out of touch every day as they focus on the needs of corporate interests and the radical right-wing. And they don't even pretend to listen to the concerns of real people anymore. By day the President travels to staged town hall meetings with hand-picked favorable audiences, by night he headlines $25,000 a plate dinners with elite special interests.
We can do better than that. Democrats believe in clean and honest government. We believe in a balanced budget and a strong economy, where after a life spent working hard, you earn a secure retirement. We believe in a strong national defense, and honoring our commitments to our veterans. We believe that health care should be affordable, and we believe in an education system that works for everybody.
The Democratic Party is about everyone having a seat at the table. And your participation is transforming our party and our country.
Thank you so much for everything.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Lewis
Finance Director
Democratic National Committee