My father works 6+ days a week running his antique and furniture repair businesses, and he has just this cycle gotten back into contributing to Democratic candidates. He had meant to make a final donation this week but hasn't had the time to do the proper research, so he's having me invest $100 for him today on our best shots at helping Obama carry out his legislative goals. So, I thought I'd let you Kossacks help inform me exactly where I'll spread the wealth!
I already do have a bit of it earmarked already, per my father's wishes:
$20 (at least) for Judy Baker (MO-9) - I live in this district and am working for the campaign, so we both want to give some support here. He lives in MO-6, but it looks like Kay Barnes doesn't have a shot, so we figure the money would best be used for Judy.
$10 (at least) for Al Franken: judging from the polls, Al still needs all the help he can get, as this is the toss-uppiest of toss-ups.
$10 (at least) for Jim Martin: for obvious reasons as well.
So, I want to be able to put this money where it can do the most difference - eg. probably not Lunsford, since he has enough money of his own to blanket the airwaves. So, should I drop the rest into competitive house races like AZ-03, WY-AL, and, apparently, ID-01? Or should I dump it all into the Senate (try to boost Musgrove? bet on a Kleeb shocker? Just give more to Franken and Martin?) to boost Obama's chances of a 60-seat majority? Give me your best arguments and we'll invest this money as wisely as possible!
contribute!
Update: From your responses so far, I think I'm going to up the contrib. to Martin to at least $20 - our money will be worth a lot more now than after a potential runoff election, when EVERYONE will be pouring money into the race. Also I'm thinking ID-01 because it's so underfunded that it seems to be a really good shot for $10 - unless someone can tell me why I'd be throwing my money away (relatively).
Also, even though I'm unsure how much my small contribution could really push Prop. 8 to the No side, given the huge amount of money in the race, because of the overwhelming response of Kossacks I'll put in $10 - it really is an important cause.
So, by my count, that still leaves....$40 to put in other races? Keep the ideas coming, and if you really want to convince me, tell me why a small amount of money can make a relatively big difference!
Final Update: Thanks in part to your suggestions, I've come up with a final list of recipients. Please give every spare bit you have to these candidates (/cause) or your own in these final important hours!
$20 Jim Martin, GA-Sen
$20 Judy Baker, MO-09
$10 Al Franken, MN-Sen
$10 Bob Lord, AZ-03
$10 Equality for All, CA Prop 8
$10 Gary Trauner, WY-01
$10 Dennis Shulman, NJ-05
And, one non-02B candidate who needs every dime he can get:
$10 Walt Minnick, ID-01: contribute!