Obama, Democrats Face Liberal Fundraising Boycott

Politico's lead story today tracks how both progressive and conservative activists are using intramural fundraising threats to challenge the party establishment.

For Democrats, the fight is about accountability for campaign promises. For Republicans, sophisticated grassroots fundraising is a tool in the ideological squabbles over new congressional candidates and party leaders. The story suggests conservative strategists have led the way:

For months, most of the action was on the Republican side, where conservative activists targeted the National Republican Senatorial Committee for its recruitment of moderate candidates and the National Republican Congressional Committee for its role in supporting a liberal GOP nominee in an upstate New York special election. But now Democratic officials are also feeling the lash, with the [DNC] coming under fire for allegedly not working hard enough on a recent Maine ballot initiative to repeal same-sex marriage and the [DCCC] taking flak for supporting incumbents who voted against the health care bill. In each case, activists have dispensed with the pleasantries and gone straight to the committees' wallets--a move guaranteed to raise alarms at party headquarters.

Actually, liberal online activists have been using donor strikes for a long time, around issues ranging from torture to campaign finance reform to health care. (And since Democratic candidates rely more on low dollar online donations than the G.O.P, these efforts can get more traction on the Left.) What's different now, however, is that the current wave of strikes and rumblings on gay rights might turn into an ad-hoc, financially relevant coalition.

Unlike other donor strikes by a single blog or organization, the "Don't Ask, Don't Give" campaign is swiftly attracting allies and attention in the political media -- including that lead Politico article today. (Obama's top aides pay attention to Politico, even though they claim otherwise, as David Plouffe's new book revealed.) Some of the allies are explicitly striking for gay rights, like blogger and pundit Jane Hamsher, The Stranger's Dan Savage and blogger Pam Spaulding, while others are pushing strikes against Democratic Party committees based on broader grievances about Democrats voting against core party priorities, such as health care. Daily Kos blogger Markos Moulitsas recently told his readers to "skip any donations to the DCCC," in retaliation for the House Dems who tried to scuttle health care reform. (See more from my colleague Ari Berman on those "Just Say No Democrats.")

In all the progressive debates about the Obama era, from wonky panels to the Sunday shows to local coffee shops, the atavistic question is how to support The President and push for bolder reform. Fundraising activism is only one tool -- not even viable for most citizens -- but it increasingly looks like a way to amplify policy pressure and get Washington's attention between elections.

Update: ActBlue's Adrian Arroyo writes in to stress that while boycotts are "largely invisible," groups like DFA and PCCC are using ActBlue to run more targeted fundraising campaigns to address lawmakers. "Since Monday, they've raised over $100,000 to reward Democrats who took a risky stand for healthcare and fund advertising campaigns to pressure those who voted to kill it," he writes. "It's not so much a boycott as a change of venue," Arroyo argues, crediting efforts to pressure Sen. Landrieu and Rep. Sustak for generating "rapid response" and political consequences in the evolving health care debate.

--

With research by Shakthi Jothianandan

Comments (36)

1. It's nice that the Right's fund-raising is on the up swing while the Left/Libs is on the down swing!

   I started donating to single candidates, beginning w/Joe Lieberman....and will continue to do so. The GOP's main fundraising arms will get a lot less from me.....especially if more Scozzas show up!

   Posted by Happy at 11/12/2009 @ 10:19am

2. The problem is that the dollars and cents raised by the grassroots groups is marginal compared to the millions paid by the lobby groups representing corporate entities. The leaders in Washington know which side fo the bread the butter goes and it's buttered by the lobbyist cash and that is where their loyalty lies....in both parties.

   Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/12/2009 @ 10:20am

3. well,

   at least all those corporate dollars are worthless, er, worth less everyday.

   oops, so are mine.

   nevermind.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 10:30am

4. quote of the day:

   "The Obama Administration is a disgrace."

   http://jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com/2009/11/fr aud-on-street-in-purchase-of-3com.html

   Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 10:38am

5. <(And since Democratic candidates rely more on low dollar online donations than the G.O.P, these efforts can get more traction on the Left.)

   posted by Ari Melber on 11/12/2009 @ 09:54am>

   Nothing like some phony spin from a Dem political strategist

   I guess Wall Street, the Banks, the Credit Card companies, the Lawyer's lobby, the NEA, and the Unions are all "low dollar donations"?

   Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 10:56am

6. The only "legitimate" strike on the left that I have seen - the kind that doesn't boomerang against progressives - is the campaign finance reform strike. This particular strike goes to the core of how politicians get money for campaigns and therefore who they are accountable to in enacting public policy.

   Publicly funded elections takes the money issue out of politics for the most part, as politicians no longer have to waste time with fundraisers and can focus on the people's business.

   With publicly funded elections you would still have the issue of moneyed interests flooding the airwaves with ads calculated to move public opinion, as public opinion should NOT be shaped by how much money a particular group has or doesn't have. But I think this can be handled by "reasonable" restrictions on ads for or against a particular candidate within 90 days of an election, and counter-ad campaigns from political parties and other groups during the rest of the year.

   It certainly should be a reform goal to minimize the influence of money in the political process.

   Posted by Metteyya at 11/12/2009 @ 11:24am

7. Ask Bloomberg, he'll give you all need ... and then call you in '12 for your endorsement.

   Posted by sloper at 11/12/2009 @ 11:27am

8. The comedy of the leftist "elitist" couple now occupying our whitehouse is unparelleled!

   "In my own life, in my own small way, I have tried to give back to this country that has given me so much," she said. "See, that's why I left a job at a big law firm for a career in public service, "... Michelle Obama

   No, Michele Obama does not get paid to serve as the First Lady and she doesn't perform any official duties. But this hasn't deterred her from hiring an unprecedented number of staffers to cater to her every whim and to satisfy her every request in the midst of the Great Recession.

   Just think, Mary Lincoln was taken to task for purchasing china for the White House during the Civil War. And Mamie Eisenhower had to shell out the salary for her personal secretary from her husband's salary.

   Total Personal Staff members for other first ladies paid by taxpayers:

   Mamie Eisenhower : 1 paid for personally out of President's salary

   Jackie Kennedy: 1

   Roseline Carter: 1

   Barbara Bush: 1

   Hilary Clinton: 3

   Laura Bush: 1

   Michele Obama: 22

   Posted by BigPasture at 11/12/2009 @ 11:41am

9. well...in terms of health care, there is a distinct disconnect going on between politicians and people...

   most people want euro-style single payer, and politicians can't even see beyond their health insurance blood money to include step one in the process, single payer option.

   baucus and company are the lowest of slimy maggotry. bought-and-paid-for baucus, prime stooge and parasite representative...the face of the enemy within...

   but not the only one.

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/12/2009 @ 11:42am

10. How things have changed! If you're one of the tens of millions of Americans facing certain destitution, earning less than subsistence wages stocking the shelves at Wal-Mart or serving up McDonald cheeseburgers, prepare to scream and then come to realize that the benefit package for these servants of Ms Michelle are the same as members of the national security and defense departments and the bill for these assorted lackeys is paid by YOU, John Q. Public:

    Michele Obama's personal staff: 1. $172,200 - Sher, Susan (Chief Of Staff) 2. $140,000 - Frye, Jocelyn C. (Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy And Projects For The First Lady) 3. $113,000 - Rogers, Desiree G. (Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary for Mrs. Obama) 4. $102,000 - Johnston, Camille Y. (Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady) 5. $100,000 - Winter, Melissa E.. (Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady) 6. $90,000 - Medina , David S. (Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady) 7. $84,000 - Lel yveld, Catherine M. (Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady) 8. $75,000 - Starkey, Frances M. (Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady) 9. $70,000 - Sanders, Trooper (Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady) 10. $65,000 - Burnough, Erinn J. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary) 11. $64,000 - Reinstein, Joseph B. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary) 12. $62,000 - Goodman, Jennifer R. (Deputy Director of Scheduling and

    Posted by BigPasture at 11/12/2009 @ 11:43am

11. Events Coordinator For The First Lady) 13. $60,000 - Fitts, Alan O. (Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady) 14. $57,500 - Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady) 15. $52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary To The First Lady) 16. $50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide To The First Lady) 17. $45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady) 18. $43,000 - Tubman, Samanth a (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office) 19. $40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady) 20. $36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary) 21. $35,000 - Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant) 22. $35,000 - Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady) (total = $1,591,200 in annual salaries)

    There has NEVER been anyone in the White House at any time who has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady's social life. One wonders why she needs so much help, at taxpayer expense.

    Note: This does not include makeup artist Ingrid Grimes-Miles, 49, and "First Hairstylist" Johnny Wright, 31, both of whom traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe .

    Posted by BigPasture at 11/12/2009 @ 11:44am

12. Posted by BigPasture at 11/12/2009 @ 11:41am

    What's the source, RIO?

    Posted by Mask at 11/12/2009 @ 11:48am

13. Posted by Happy at 11/12/2009 @ 10:19am

    Happ, you donated to Joe Lieberman???

    Isn't Joe...pro-choice? Like those "RINO" Republicans you want kicked out of the GOP?

    Matter of fact, doesn't Joe get a "100" from NARAL?

    Posted by Mask at 11/12/2009 @ 11:50am

14. Posted by BigPasture at 11/12/2009 @ 11:44am

    That is a low blow, BP!

    The president has the authority to use his Fist Lady in ANY manner that he feels will help advance his policies and help this country. When you have someone as talented as Michelle Obama as fist lady, who is a Princeton and Harvard law graduate, you would be foolish not to utilize this talent to your advantage.

    Posted by Metteyya at 11/12/2009 @ 11:52am

15. Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 10:38am

    Thanks for the link Frosty. You know, every time I see crap like that it makes me want to throttle these weenie heads screwing with peoples' lives. They liquidate companies for immediate cash profits without blinking an eye. Ever seen the movie Wallstreet? If you are small fry, you get nailed for insider trading, however; if you are the big players, you not only are allowed to use inside information for trading but rewarded for having done so by the SEC looking the other direction.

    Martha Stewart gets jail time for her little insider trading fiasco, but when the big players do it, it's completely on the up and up with the SEC. It's no wonder that the SEC answers to the people it's supposed to be regulating much the same as the FAA, and of course the fed. It's a rigged game from start to finish.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/12/2009 @ 11:58am

16. I guess Wall Street, the Banks, the Credit Card companies, the Lawyer's lobby, the NEA, and the Unions are all "low dollar donations"?

    Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 10:56am

    COKE! PEPSI!

    c'mon, larry.

    you know that these folks give to both "sides", with the probable winner getting more.

    unions??!?!??!? that is soooooo passé.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 11:59am

17. The president has the authority to use his Fist Lady in ANY manner that he feels

    Posted by Metteyya at 11/12/2009 @ 11:52am

    ¡órale!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 12:01pm

18. Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 11:59am

    But Frosty when Wall Street, the Banks, and big business donate to Republicans it's because they..."love our Constitution and its freedoms!!!!"

    Duh!

    Posted by Mask at 11/12/2009 @ 12:06pm

19. Rio, I was hoping to back you up on your claim, but it isn't true about the past 1st ladies. Michelle Obama's staff is not that out of line with either Hillary Clinton or Laura Bush, as noted by Factcheck.org

    http://tinyurl.com/yeekj66

    Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 12:13pm

20. Personally, I think our Congress critters (House AND Senate) should be forced to wear their corporate sponsors on their jackets, just like NASCAR.

    After all, if they are bought and paid for, I'd like to know at a glance who has bought and paid for them.

    Posted by Stephen_Carver1 at 11/12/2009 @ 12:17pm

21. Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 12:13pm

    Thanks for the Fact Check, Larry!

    Posted by Metteyya at 11/12/2009 @ 12:55pm

22. Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 12:13pm

    Thanks for the Fact Check, Larry!

    Posted by Metteyya at 11/12/2009 @ 12:55pm

    With no support from even Larry/antisoc...

    Rio will now abandon this thread or change the subject!

    LOL

    Posted by Mask at 11/12/2009 @ 1:09pm

23. Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 12:13pm

    Thanks for the Fact Check, Larry!

    Posted by Metteyya at 11/12/2009 @ 12:

    As much as I relish a political squabble, I like to do so when I believe I have the facts to back me up.

    Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 1:18pm

24. Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 12:01pm

    Thanks for the visual. Yeeech!!!

    Posted by gunslinger1 at 11/12/2009 @ 1:21pm

25. This could be the 1st step in the PEOPLE taking back their party. When Ronnie Ray-gun got into office the Dems decided they could set-up the DLC to rake in all those Corp $'s just like the Pubs by making the same nefarious deals. Why not just use those Grassroots bucks to back Independent Candidates that have the required working background in actions and deeds, not just word? Bernie Sanders is the PERFECT example of the possible outcome. If you look at the New York election that is basically what happened except the Party relented and gave in. Also, I love how the Rightwrongers can use a story about (true) Grassroots movements into a pissing contest over Michelle Obama's entourage. Why do they even get to post here?

    Posted by sickoftheright at 11/12/2009 @ 1:22pm

26. "The president has the authority to use his Fist Lady in ANY manner that he feels...."

    ~Metteyya at 11:52

    Every once in awhile the truth slips out of your mouth, Budd Lite. Just understand that the overwhelming majority of the American citizenry are, in fact, Obama's "Fist Lady".

    Thanks for the link to Jesse's Café Américain today, FZ. It just keeps gettin' "better" everyday. If people had there heads pulled out, there'd be an army of furiously pissed off Americans storming the capitol right now --and I don't mean the imbecile "tea baggers".

    This country is truly fisted. And the profoundly sad thing is that NO ONE will ultimately profit when this monumental fiasco finally unfurls in its full glory.

    Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/12/2009 @ 1:30pm

27. Speaking of fisted....

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVpw1SwJRBI

    Thanks, Obama. "It took YOU, to make me realize..." People need to wake the f#cK up.

    Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/12/2009 @ 1:36pm

28. that's nothing, bk.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/article/guest-post- goldman's-global-oil-scam-passes-50-madoff-mark

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 1:51pm

29. that's nothing, bk.

    I know, fz, I'm just in a good mood today.

    :D

    Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/12/2009 @ 1:53pm

30. http://www.zerohedge.com/article/guest-post- goldman's-global-oil-scam-passes-50-madoff-mark

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/12/2009 @ 1:51pm

    Frost, Thanks for the link. You know, it's about time us low level folks started finding out just exactly who these assholes are that are doing this stuff. The people behind these companies need to be exposed and hung out to dry.

    So, the D.C. sniper was executed for killing a handful of people. The crimes these people are guilty far outweigh the damage the D.C. sniper did. How many people have starved to death due to their actions? How many wars have been fought due to their actions? How badly damaged is the overall world economy due to their actions? The funny thing here is that nothing will be done to stop them by any government because governments are the pawns of these folks.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/12/2009 @ 3:44pm

31. "Events Coordinator For The First Lady) 13. $60,000 - Fitts, Alan O. (Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady) 14. $57,500 - Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady) 15. $52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director "and Deputy Press Secretary To The First Lady) 16. $50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide To The First Lady) 17. $45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady) 18. $43,000 - Tubman, Samanth a (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office) 19. $40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady) 20. $36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary) 21. $35,000 - Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant) 22. $35,000 - Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady) (total = $1,591,200 in annual salaries)"

    Typical. While this is probably extravagant if even true why don't you concern yourself where the real spending goes. 50% of US tax revenues to the Pentagon and 1% of the population with 66% of the wealth. Everything else is utterly meaningless. Stop watching fox and go to the library and stop making yourself look like a fool.

    Posted by jobbo at 11/12/2009 @ 4:40pm

32. Typical Big Pissture,not a surprise liberals are not standing in line to give money. They probably are in unemployment line. Droopster,really Joey boy,you sink lower every day.

    Posted by whatozz at 11/12/2009 @ 6:02pm

33. Rio, I was hoping to back you up on your claim, but it isn't true about the past 1st ladies. Michelle Obama's staff is not that out of line with either Hillary Clinton or Laura Bush, as noted by Factcheck.org

    http://tinyurl.com/yeekj66

    Posted by antisocialist at 11/12/2009 @ 12:13pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Thanks, but don't pay it any attention. I just thought the thread was a "stupid distraction" like you posted, so I dropped in the unsustainable junk e-mail someone sent me! It did accomplish what I thought it would which is why I didn't bother to check back until now!

    You take your entertainment where you find it sometimes and I was just in one of those moods! Sorry about that!

    Posted by BigPasture at 11/12/2009 @ 7:17pm

34. So why don't you post with Annie And Glenny and other people that don't fact check either. That why all the dumb asses would be in a tizzy together. What a lame ass excuse ,who do you think you are ,a sedated Barry 15?

    Posted by whatozz at 11/12/2009 @ 7:20pm

35. Posted by whatozz at 11/12/2009 @ 7:20pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    If it wasn't for the flailing about mad dog foaming at the mouth reactionarism you get from the left blog life would be dull! You just can't beat leftist, bias, hatred, prejudice and total myopia for fun!

    Just look at huff post where the only rightwing posters allowed must fit a narrow profile that feds the leftist trolls. I tried 139 times and could only get about 6 or 7 "profile perfect" posts on it once I figured out their psychological profile needs for stirring the pot!

    Posted by BigPasture at 11/12/2009 @ 11:21pm

36. I think you just described the majority of your posts. Kudos to your vocabulary skills.

    Posted by whatozz at 11/13/2009 @ 09:19am