I wrote the Senator a while back. As I had expected, I began receiving campaign finance emails as a result— not a big deal, really.
However, his staff seems to think that using the 'friend' tactic works in is newly savvy environment. Sadly, it doesn't, in my opinion; rather, personally, I find it both insulting and out-dated.
Here is the latest email I had received this morning. It is a two part piece under a guise of some sort of 'leaked' inner circle communication. The first part is an 'edit' of an original email. I think that its goal was to give the reader a sense of involvement or importance, which, I feel is highly ineffective.
Tim,
I made a few small changes to your email draft -- you'll see them below.
Would have sent to the entire list myself, but I could only figure out how to send this test.
I know you're concerned about sending another fundraising email, but we're only $40,000 short of hitting our November goal, and that money will help keep us on the air and talking about ending the war in Iraq and the Constitution. And honestly, our supporters online are so terrific and have come through for us every time.
Plus, with votes on the war and retroactive immunity coming up, our leadership will help keep the pressure on other presidentials to keep their word.
Ask people to give at this link so we can track the goal publicly.
http://chrisdodd.com/...
Thanks,
Sheryl Cohen
Campaign Manager, Chris Dodd for President
Here is the 'original' mail (which I never received on its own.)
Dear Friend,
Think about it for a second. Do you truly know what you'll get from the other candidates if they win the nomination?
If you really want the answer to that question, don't ask a person where they are going -- ask them where they have been.
Why do some candidates spend as much time apologizing for a career full of bad votes as they do talking about how they'll remedy the fallout if elected?
Why can't we get the simplest of answers to the straight questions from others?
And why do some just flat out skip the tough votes?
From authoring the Family and Medical Leave Act to his often single-handed efforts to restore the Constitution, you know what to expect from a Dodd Administration.
We set a goal about a week and a half ago to raise $100,000 online and we'll need your help right now if we're going to meet it.
Please get us there by contributing $25 right now.
http://chrisdodd.com/...
Thirty-four days.
If you feel strongly about our fight to end the war in Iraq, prevent war with Iran, and restore the Constitution, we need your support right now.
Our field operation is humming along and our current "Restoring the Constitution and Rule of Law tour" is drawing larger crowds than we've seen at any point in the campaign.
But we need your help to keep it going.
Thirty-four days.
Your contribution right now will ensure we have the resources necessary to continue the fight through January 3rd.
http://chrisdodd.com/...
You've come through for us every time.
Not much time left.
Let's get it done.
Tim Tagaris
Chris Dodd for President
Honestly, I dig Senator Dodd and this is not to criticize his performance or him personally. I just think that his staff is doing him a great disservice by using these methods to raise money.
Perhaps it is me that has a flawed perception. I strongly believe that in terms of campaigning and fundraising, more formal and broad methods should be implemented rather than what I feel to be phony 'inner circle' 'friend' letters. Frankly, they remind me of Publishers Clearinghouse methods.
Moreover, I'd much rather fork over $6 or $8 dollars a year to pay for public campaign financing and receive letters about policy and qualification.
Some dreamy day!
All the best to the Senator and his campaign. Should he read this (yeah, right,) I hope he accepts it as a respectful critique and not as an attack.
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