This afternoon Kos posted one up called How we could stop the Adelsons and their millions
It is an interesting take and definitely a rosy idea. Try to get our wealthy progressives and democrats to pony up the cash and meet the spending. Literally draw a line in the sand and engage in a good ole arms race.
I think this is a dangerous idea and would like to explain after the fold
First of all, lets dispel the idea that we would even remotely come close to mustering the dollars to match. Do we have our Buffets? Obviously, but as this NPR article points out there is just simply not enough in the supply pool to even come close to what rich conservative and right leaning wealthy can provide.
Secondly because the Dems have a large tent, and as the article wonderfully points out there are your fair share of Dems who are not happy with POTUS for one reason or another.
It could be hedge fund managers mad about the president's criticism of Wall Street or liberals who wanted him to close Guantanamo or big Democratic donors who want to be treated like something more than an ATM.
Sounds familiar around these parts doesn't it?
Lastly, as the article points out, there is also no self interest in the wealthy Left to spend. Many see a better return in funding something other than attack ads like think tanks, focus groups, etc.... Rich people didn't get rich or stay rich from throwing their money around for nothing.
"Second, there's no self-interest here," argues Begala. "Jeffrey Katzenberg is our largest donor. He gave us $2 million. He's not going to sell any more tickets to Kung Fu Panda 2 if Obama gets a second term. He's just doing it because he believes in his country. ...
So where does that leave us then really? Back at our moment in 2008 really. Independent groups for the most part were asked to lower their guns and allow the campaign to handle everything. And honestly this is where we belong, its going to be people power that wins the day because despite what the talking heads love to parrot the race in Wisconsin was a win. It was a win because a populist movement was born and was able to draw a line in the sand. They gridlocked the government despite being outspent 8 to 1. Thinking that we lost makes us think that we need that cash, and there in lies the danger really, that we can be lulled into the false idea that we need big money.
If we force ourselves into that box we are then forced to play by their rules, and that is exactly where the GOP wants us. Its what has happened to the Democratic party in the last thirty years. We stopped getting cozy with Labor via policy and snuggled up to Wallstreet, where has that gotten us?
Exactly.
Populism is powerful and can make ground against the GOP agenda, as proven by Wisconsin. What we need is not cash, we need to take the template that birthed itself in Madison, WI and then apply it to the nation. 50 state Howard Dean style.
If we want to get cozy with money, then let it be the peoples money. The FEC now will allow donations through texting, and as pointed out here on this site by Adam, it opens the door for some VERY creative ways we can raise cash. Independent groups can take those models and apply them to the outside PAC as well. This is possible, we just cannot let ourselves be lulled into fighting on their terms.
Fri Jun 15, 2012 at 6:01 AM PT: Thank you Rangers for the spotlight, for everyone that read I'll try to respond as much as possible if you comment.