(for working links go to http://www.threeriversonline.com)
This is a must read for Chuck Pennacchio and serious Democrats who want to take back both chambers of the Senate and the House.
Update: Vote for Pennacchio in the MoveOn poll. Pennsylvania activists are a bit unhappy that the party establishment is backing Bob Casey Jr. who is pro life, anti stem cell research and is a bit fuzzy on whether he's against arctic drilling. Please vote for Pennacchio. He'd have a better chance if he won the endorsement from MoveOn. I don't know if there are any residency requirements.
The link is here:
http://www.moveonpac.org/2006/?state=Pennsylvania
I must also say that I'm worried about Chuck Pennacchio's campaign. I think, and this is just a gut feeling that I truly hope is wrong, he just hasn't raised enough money to wage a credible campaign. Back when he came here to Pittsburgh in April I asked him, persistently, how much money has latest money raising effort had yielded and I believe he said $25000. Based on my same hunches--a facility that fails me miserably with women by the way, almost all the time actually--I don't think he had more than $25000 previously. So I don't believe he's been able to raise more than $50000. To put this in perspective, I believe Peduto was able to raise about several hundred thousand dollars and that was just for a city race.
Now, it is early and a lot of those indy Kos/Atrios givers (I may write a plea for the Kossacks to get involved in this race) might not be focused yet. But consider what Chuck P. is up against. He is opposed by the Rendell machine. Labor backs Casey (wonder how Casey will vote when we need opposition to the inevitable pro life anti-labor judges that Bush will nominate. I think I already know...does labor?) Dean has already said nice things about a Casey run and I believe has even raised money for him. Of course, now that Dean is against you what hope do you have that his previously independent fundraising arm (run now by Jim Dean) would throw money his way. Even Teresa Heinz Kerry, our last best hope, is backing the Pro Lifer Casey Jr., while she makes arguments against Santorum's refusal to recognize church/state divisions.
I also don't think his idea of getting the corporate press to play along is a good one. That's why they're the corporate press. They don't give poor candidates free pub. I already told him the Courier is run by a Republican. I think he has to go directly to voters. For Chuck P to win he has to roll up big majorities in Pittsburgh, Philly and probably Erie. I've offered to knock on 10000 doors a month and deliver flyers and volunteers. If it worked and his polling improved, he should repeat the plan in Philly and Erie. My whopping price range would be $1200 to $2000 a month. I was told by the campaign manager (Tim Tagaris has left, and I'm guessing, probably because of money.) that they didn't have the money for that. If they don't have the money for that then they don't have the money to win. Its the cheapest way I can think of to directly contact voters. ACT's methods worked. They could work for Chuck P. It would take $10000 to find out.
By the way, as an idea for Chuck P. on the money front, if he has a donor list of 10000 names, he should take the list to Direct Advantage Marketing, which has one of the best political phonebanks in the country. He might also, and this is just a wild idea, consider going back to pro choice groups (understandably angry about Casey Jr. and who can blame them?) and ask them for their phone lists--if they're available. I'm thinking NOW and/or NARAL.
And if Chuck P. can't pull it off we need to start looking for other candidates to step up. I hope I'm wrong about Casey Jr. but he is the wrong candidate at the wrong time. The stakes are too high to vote in some guy who will probably vote the wrong way on anti-choice judges and a possible draft. Let's put it this way: if the Democratic Party candidate nominates Casey Jr. I will take a look at the Green Party's senatorial candidate. What would I have to lose? Update: MoveOn is asking members to make a primary choice in the Pennsylvania primary. I voted for Chuck P.
Update: Chuck P's campaign responds. He gives us the scoop on why Tim left the campaign and answers some other question. I'm too poor to knock on 10000 doors on a volunteer basis! But I did offer to hand out 1000 flyers if he sends me the flyers. Here's Chuck's campaign spokesman John Morgan:
Phil,
Thanks for the vote. The MoveOn PAC poll is getting us some great
coverage. Just a few things. Howard Dean didn't raise money for Casey, to
my knowledge. My recollection is that fundraiser was for the Party. Jim
Dean has been spoken with Chuck several times and DFA has not endorsed or
supported any candidate thus far. They are awaiting feedback from the
individual DFA groups in Pennsylvania. This is appropriate since DFA is a
grassroots organization.
Tim went to Ohio because of a fantastic offer. I told him he'd be
crazy not to accept it. His passion is organizing and this opportunity is
one he'll love. He continues to provide advice and assistance to our
campaign. We miss him but we have two new volunteer staffers doing IT and
media relations. No one on our staff is drawing a salary. We're all
working as volunteers so we can prioritize our funds on the most important
needs. Right now canvassing isn't one of them. We're putting together
voter reg databases first.
We appreciate your support and interest. We are busy attending
events, organizing, and getting more media coverage. Last Wednesday the
Harrisburg Patriot News did a feature on Chuck. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette
responded to the press challenge favorably and is now mentioning Chuck in
their articles. KDKA radio also contacted us. The Philadelphia Inquirer is
giving us regular coverage.
We'd like to make another trip to the Pittsburgh area soon. Chuck and
I were discussing dates for it this week. We'll let you know as soon as
things are finalized.
John Morgan