The Shrum Rule - Why I Won't Donate to Democratic Candidates

Recently Devilstower had a great idea.

I'd like to propose that Democratic candidates for president demonstrate their boldness by taking a different approach to their campaign spending this year.  I want them to give it away.  Not all of it, mind you.  Just 10%.

Now, I'm sad to say that there is a reason that Democratic candidates won't do that.  They already give 10% of their money away.  To consultants who help them lose.   Just ask Joe Trippi

There is little impetus to try anything new.  You can't get a ten percent commission on a million people viewing something for free on YouTube.

See that?  They already are giving 10% to Bob Shrum and his band of losers.  Don't take it from me.  Take it from Al Gore's former campaign chair, Tony Coelho.

Consulting is a business that can turn into a racket.   Donors will be shocked at how their money is spent and who walks away with multimillions.

To which I will add, "not this donor".  Because I know how this works.  Now. I gave several thousand dollars to John Kerry.  Won't make that mistake again.  Because, unlike Bob Shrum, I work for my money.  And I have to get positive results or I don't get paid.   And, because like Devilstower I'm looking for a candidate who will stand up and say they aren't going to give all the money I donate to some asshat like Bob Shrum who only knows how to lose. Last I checked I haven't sent any checks to the NY Knicks.  Why?  Because they lose.  Despite having one of the highest payrolls.  Every fucking year.  So why would I send money to Bob Shrum and his band of overpaid losers?   We need to change things.  Let's have Richardson, Edwards or Obama step up and say that they are not going to give 10% of their money directly to consultants.  If they can't do that, obviously they aren't capable of running the country well.  Because there are going to be tough decisions once they are in charge.   Might have to tax some rich people or, god forbid, corporations.   Let's start by taxing the consultants by not giving them so much money to consistently lose.   Because this doesn't inspire me to give:

In the wake of such costly failures, Shrum has mercifully been put out to pasture -- but the track records of those vying to replace him hardly inspire confidence. Barack Obama's top strategist, David Axelrod, got his start helping the last presidential candidate from Illinois -- Sen. Paul Simon -- lose to Mike Dukakis in 1988. John Edwards has hired Harrison Hickman, who served as a top pollster for Gore in 2000. And Stanley Greenberg, another Gore pollster who worked closely with Shrum, is helping Sen. Chris Dodd burn through his campaign war chest.

Now I'm sure some will say the stakes are too high in this election to take a stand.  Of course we hear that every election.   And the stakes are high these days.  Recently I heard someone say "Armeggedon isn't a foreign policy".  I couldn't agree more.   So, the stakes are very high.  How about a consultant agrees to only take 5% commission since the stakes are so high.   I'll be waiting, check book in hand.