Comments on: Just Passing Through for the Check http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/ Fast Forward the Future Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:08:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hal http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/comment-page-1/#comment-37271 Hal Sat, 25 Aug 2007 04:41:24 +0000 http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/#comment-37271 Couldn't help but see your comments, as I'm one of the few people who work in Kucinich Headquarters in Cleveland. Speaking of campaigning on the cheap, I was building a wiki and curious to see if any other political candidate had ever attempted it (finding a clear and only example of Pete Ashdown-props!). I can say that Utah is pretty much the last place the campaign would instinctively have in mind, but it sounds quite logical if there's a sizable crowd (nice or not). Email me if you think you have anything going, as the next time I can confirm Dennis is near Utah is in mid-September...we'd have to require a nice chunk of cash, but nothing like what Obama would be getting :). Couldn’t help but see your comments, as I’m one of the few people who work in Kucinich Headquarters in Cleveland. Speaking of campaigning on the cheap, I was building a wiki and curious to see if any other political candidate had ever attempted it (finding a clear and only example of Pete Ashdown-props!). I can say that Utah is pretty much the last place the campaign would instinctively have in mind, but it sounds quite logical if there’s a sizable crowd (nice or not). Email me if you think you have anything going, as the next time I can confirm Dennis is near Utah is in mid-September…we’d have to require a nice chunk of cash, but nothing like what Obama would be getting :) .

]]> By: Misty Fowler http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/comment-page-1/#comment-37014 Misty Fowler Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:07:42 +0000 http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/#comment-37014 I've been waiting for Gail to post about her experience on Sunday. She was one of the Steering Committee members who got an invite (regardless of donation size) to the fundraiser. But, it gets better. http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/UtahforObama/CpyH This is one of the many reasons I don't think Utah, or the "little guys" who aren't donating, is being left out. I’ve been waiting for Gail to post about her experience on Sunday. She was one of the Steering Committee members who got an invite (regardless of donation size) to the fundraiser. But, it gets better.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/UtahforObama/CpyH

This is one of the many reasons I don’t think Utah, or the “little guys” who aren’t donating, is being left out.

]]> By: Jenni http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/comment-page-1/#comment-37013 Jenni Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:45:54 +0000 http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/#comment-37013 I'd love to get Kucinich here. I know that he's not one of the top fundraisers, but he's the best Dem candidate running. Kucinich was here in 2005 for the Veg fest, maybe we could figure out how much it cost the organizers of that event to get him out here. I’d love to get Kucinich here. I know that he’s not one of the top fundraisers, but he’s the best Dem candidate running. Kucinich was here in 2005 for the Veg fest, maybe we could figure out how much it cost the organizers of that event to get him out here.

]]> By: JM Bell http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/comment-page-1/#comment-37012 JM Bell Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:49:16 +0000 http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/#comment-37012 Edwards touched on Public Financing last night, and got a standing "O" for it. Also, Misty, yes, I do hold Obama to a higher standard, but I'm coming at it from a different angle. When I was with the State Democratic Party I tried, several times, to get Obama's folks to work with the party to bring him out. Out of the seven times I called, I got laughed at four times. Richardson's people, however, not only said yes, they bent over backwards to help set things up. That's the comparison I make between the two. Clinton's folk hung up on us. Three times. Kusinich can't afford it, so he gets a pass. Dodd gave a great speech in a 109 degree auditorium at the USDC convention ,so, he gets an attaboy (and he has local ties). Gravel freaks me out. Edwards was another "wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am" and I don't like those. Biden's folks, at the time, said he hadn't announced yet, but to call back "if" he did (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). There have probably been far better communication opportunities since I left, but, as a Utah Democrat, I'm already feeling marginalized. I don't need it from senior campaign staffers and quick cash stops. The important thing, that only a few of these candidates have realized, is that the West is in play in 2008. I'm used to the Republicans stopping in to play whore for the check in Utah. Democrats are supposed to be something different. And, as huge as a fan I am of Obama's, I did want more, but, what he gave, he gave with class. And that's a hell of a lot more than Clinton's people gave. Edwards touched on Public Financing last night, and got a standing “O” for it.

Also, Misty, yes, I do hold Obama to a higher standard, but I’m coming at it from a different angle. When I was with the State Democratic Party I tried, several times, to get Obama’s folks to work with the party to bring him out. Out of the seven times I called, I got laughed at four times.

Richardson’s people, however, not only said yes, they bent over backwards to help set things up. That’s the comparison I make between the two.

Clinton’s folk hung up on us. Three times.
Kusinich can’t afford it, so he gets a pass.
Dodd gave a great speech in a 109 degree auditorium at the USDC convention ,so, he gets an attaboy (and he has local ties).
Gravel freaks me out.
Edwards was another “wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am” and I don’t like those.
Biden’s folks, at the time, said he hadn’t announced yet, but to call back “if” he did (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

There have probably been far better communication opportunities since I left, but, as a Utah Democrat, I’m already feeling marginalized. I don’t need it from senior campaign staffers and quick cash stops.

The important thing, that only a few of these candidates have realized, is that the West is in play in 2008. I’m used to the Republicans stopping in to play whore for the check in Utah. Democrats are supposed to be something different. And, as huge as a fan I am of Obama’s, I did want more, but, what he gave, he gave with class. And that’s a hell of a lot more than Clinton’s people gave.

]]> By: Misty Fowler http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/comment-page-1/#comment-37010 Misty Fowler Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:40:03 +0000 http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/#comment-37010 Being one of those campaigners, I am looking at this from a different angle. For one thing - when we started campaigning, we didn't expect to ever get him here. Then, as time went on, and he actually paid attention to us, we started hearing rumors from higher up in the campaign. I'm thrilled that last weekend happened. I don't think most of the public has any idea what was involved with setting this up, how many people's schedules were rearranged. For example, some people had to fly in a day or two earlier than originally planned, meaning 2 days of work on other things was left undone. Nikki, the Utah for Obama member that organized this, took most of a day off of work, and spent hours contacting people like the Sheriff, finding out if we needed permits, getting volunteers to help with traffic, etc, etc. Even to us, when this started, it seemed like an easy thing to do. We'd show up, he'd stop. Easy, huh? And then there's Secret Service. My other point was that I guess I shouldn't be too bothered that people are upset by this. Because, I didn't see anyone complaining that other candidates stopped by for a fundraiser and high-tailed it out. So, that must mean people have higher expectations of Obama, right? :) Anyway - I really don't doubt that Obama will be back, for a more public visit. And as far as changing how our president is elected - I completely agree with you. I think the solution is campaign finance reform. Money is far too big of an issue in getting elected. I hope something gets done soon. Being one of those campaigners, I am looking at this from a different angle. For one thing – when we started campaigning, we didn’t expect to ever get him here. Then, as time went on, and he actually paid attention to us, we started hearing rumors from higher up in the campaign. I’m thrilled that last weekend happened. I don’t think most of the public has any idea what was involved with setting this up, how many people’s schedules were rearranged.

For example, some people had to fly in a day or two earlier than originally planned, meaning 2 days of work on other things was left undone. Nikki, the Utah for Obama member that organized this, took most of a day off of work, and spent hours contacting people like the Sheriff, finding out if we needed permits, getting volunteers to help with traffic, etc, etc. Even to us, when this started, it seemed like an easy thing to do. We’d show up, he’d stop. Easy, huh? And then there’s Secret Service.

My other point was that I guess I shouldn’t be too bothered that people are upset by this. Because, I didn’t see anyone complaining that other candidates stopped by for a fundraiser and high-tailed it out. So, that must mean people have higher expectations of Obama, right? :)

Anyway – I really don’t doubt that Obama will be back, for a more public visit.

And as far as changing how our president is elected – I completely agree with you. I think the solution is campaign finance reform. Money is far too big of an issue in getting elected. I hope something gets done soon.

]]> By: JM Bell http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/comment-page-1/#comment-37008 JM Bell Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:14:29 +0000 http://peteashdown.org/journal/2007/08/07/just-passing-through-for-the-check/#comment-37008 Pete, I think you and I may be close to the only ones who feel like this about the Obama "visit". Over all, I think that only Richardson has shown Utah more than passing notice, and that he seems to respect Utah, and Utahns, despite our meager number of electoral votes. He's been here four times since announcing his intention to run. It's important to note that I'm not on the Richardson bandwagon, either. Up until this last weekend, I was firmly in the Obama camp. Now ... I don't know. I like Biden more and more. Pete, I think you and I may be close to the only ones who feel like this about the Obama “visit”.

Over all, I think that only Richardson has shown Utah more than passing notice, and that he seems to respect Utah, and Utahns, despite our meager number of electoral votes. He’s been here four times since announcing his intention to run.

It’s important to note that I’m not on the Richardson bandwagon, either. Up until this last weekend, I was firmly in the Obama camp. Now … I don’t know. I like Biden more and more.

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