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You are here: Home / Politics / Ante up

Ante up

by DougJ|  October 8, 20101:56 pm| 59 Comments

This post is in: Politics

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You know the drill, we’re nine-hundred fifty-nine thou short of a mill.

Goal Thermometer

For 2012, John and I are in high-level talks with several prominent fund-raisers — on both coasts — about forming a 501c group tentatively named Balloon-Juice GPS. Until then, we’re doing this old-school.

Update. I had forgotten how much I love this video.

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Previous Post: « Notes from the underground
Next Post: Outside spending »

Reader Interactions

59Comments

  1. 1.

    TooManyJens

    October 8, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Galt Pet Society?

    Going Postal Soon?

    Goddamned Pissy So-and-sos?

    I think it should be Balloon Juice FYWP.

    (“both coasts” is a nice touch)

  2. 2.

    ruemara

    October 8, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    I just got paid, so I got some buckers for you. Please don’t be the sort of organizing asses who set minimum donations at $20. My world can’t afford that.

  3. 3.

    DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.

    October 8, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    @TooManyJens:

    For some reason, Rove calls his group Crossroads GPS.

  4. 4.

    TooManyJens

    October 8, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    Yeah, Grassroots something-or-other. I just thought we could do better.

  5. 5.

    Dave

    October 8, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    God damn, but I love that video…

  6. 6.

    DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.

    October 8, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    @ruemara:

    Thanks!

  7. 7.

    ruemara

    October 8, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    @DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.:

    Thank you for helping us participate.

  8. 8.

    Cris

    October 8, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Grassroots Policy Strategies. Just so nobody else here has to go visit Karl’s site.

  9. 9.

    arguingwithsignposts

    October 8, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    For 2012, John and I are in high-level talks with several prominent fund-raisers—on both coasts—about forming a 501c group tentatively named Balloon-Juice GPS.

    The Radical Center in the hizzouse!

  10. 10.

    sgoode

    October 8, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    @ruemara:

    This.

    Anyway, did what I could.

  11. 11.

    me

    October 8, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    How about this where they try a different style of music.

  12. 12.

    JPL

    October 8, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    At this time, Coons seems safe and Feingold should be able to get a lot from other sites. Because of this I’m leaning towards 50 dollars each for Conway and Sestak. Does this sound reasonable?
    I hate to throw away money but I’m hoping these two can pull it out.

  13. 13.

    General Stuck

    October 8, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    From our believe it or not GOP family values files.

    A new Public Policy Polling survey in New York finds that just 4% of Republican voters support building a mosque near Ground Zero — but 21% say they would support building a strip club in the same place.

    You heard it here first.

  14. 14.

    srv

    October 8, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    @JPL: Does anyone else have comments on the 10 candidates, who needs the money more, best ROI?

    And I’ll dollar match anyone’s contributions today up to $500.

  15. 15.

    stuckinred

    October 8, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    They need to hook this shit up wit paypal!

  16. 16.

    Joel

    October 8, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    I like the Barney the Dinosaur (Hit em’ up) video even more.

  17. 17.

    Jules

    October 8, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    Arkansas State Senate Majority Leader Joyce Elliot is running against Tim Griffin (Karl Rove’s toady in the justice depart scandal) was named as one of the top crooked candidates for 2010 by CREW.

    They are running in Arkansas’s 2nd district which has had a great Democratic Rep. Vic Snyder who is leaving.
    Joyce is a pretty great gal who the DCCC decided this week to not support and they pulled their ad dollars at the beginning of the week.
    Here’s her website:
    http://www.elliottforcongress.com/

    She was a teacher and a union rep which of course makes her evil in the eyes of the teatard GOP folks here in AR.

    I haz a sad that she lost her ad funding……

  18. 18.

    JPL

    October 8, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    @srv: No but I might ad another 50 for Patty Murray. She is now trailing by 3. You can match my contribution.. 150.00

  19. 19.

    Martin

    October 8, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    Woo! Let’s primary Kucinich and Sanders from the left!

    I’m surprised you didn’t go with Balloon-Juice SFK just so you could explain that on Maddow some night.

  20. 20.

    MikeTheZ

    October 8, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    God, what I wouldn’t give to see an ad in 2012 that ends “Paid for by Balloon-Juice”.

    Though I think it should be DFH

  21. 21.

    RandomChick

    October 8, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    @srv:

    I kicked in $20. For what it’s worth, I hear the smaller market means you get more advertising bang for your buck in Alaska.

    A question for the general BJ population: What are your thoughts/experiences with Drinking Liberally?

    I was disappointed to find that there isn’t a chapter in my part of NC. However, given that this is a college town, I think there may be a market for one.

    Would it be worth the time and effort to start a chapter, do you think? Anyone else started a chapter or know anyone who has?

  22. 22.

    DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.

    October 8, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    @srv:

    I just gave to Callahan.

    I haven’t decided which Senators to give to yet. I might give to Blumenthal.

  23. 23.

    JPL

    October 8, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    @srv: That’s a great contribution. By matching those who can afford 10 dollars now theoretically are doubling that amount.

  24. 24.

    DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.

    October 8, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    @RandomChick:

    Anyone else started a chapter or know anyone who has?

    I ran a chapter for quite a while and it was fun. A couple tips: (1) be prepared for a lot of “Obama sold us out” stuff and (2) pick a venue you like, so you have a good time hanging out there anyway on slow nights.

    I gave it up because I was traveling too much and because my closest political friends didn’t like the “Obama sold us out stuff” and thus didn’t like to come. Also too, the Massa debacle took a lot of the wind out of everyone’s sails.

    I met a lot of cool people in the process though. For a while, it was a terrific chapter.

  25. 25.

    JPL

    October 8, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    @DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.: How long does it take before the front page is updated?

  26. 26.

    stuckinred

    October 8, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    @DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.: I hope he wins but no fucking body that went through boot and jar head OCS mistakenly says, “when I was in the Nam”. No fuckin way.

  27. 27.

    RandomChick

    October 8, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    @DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.:

    When you gave it up did the group disband or did someone else take over? I think it might be fun for a while, but don’t want to take on a permanent commitment.

  28. 28.

    General Stuck

    October 8, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Welcome to the Jungle

    A Democratic operative sends Ben Smith a summary of outside media spending on Senate races from August through last night and calculates the GOP holds a more than seven-to-one advantage.

  29. 29.

    Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle

    October 8, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    @Cris: That’s KKKarl to you!!

  30. 30.

    Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle

    October 8, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    @MikeTheZ: Or to work in Tunch somehow to the disclaimer at the add’s end.

  31. 31.

    DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.

    October 8, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    @RandomChick:

    No, it kind of died. There was no one else who was really right for running it besides me.

  32. 32.

    HRA

    October 8, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Will send when I get home after 5 pm.

  33. 33.

    burnspbesq

    October 8, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    OT: You know you want to adopt this puppeh.

    http://www.greatpyrrescue.org/available/Sparkle/index.htm

  34. 34.

    Mnemosyne

    October 8, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    @RandomChick:

    Unfortunately, stuff like that only works if there’s at least one person who can make the permanent commitment. I can’t tell you how many writer’s groups and knitting groups I’ve seen die because the person who started it couldn’t keep up with the work of sponsoring it and everyone else just kinda drifted away.

  35. 35.

    bluehill

    October 8, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    Would this be the kind of PAC you can make anonymous donations too? I’m interested.

  36. 36.

    Kristine

    October 8, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    @srv

    I tossed in $50, for Harper, McAdams, and Conway. Gave the most to Harper because he’s IL.

  37. 37.

    suzanne

    October 8, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    I’m still all unemployed ‘n shit, so I’m afraid I can’t help financially. WIll volunteer for Mitchell and Goddard again next week, though.

    O/T, but I just got back from chaperoning my daughter’s class on a field trip. I realized that I simply had not LIVED until I heard a school bus full of second-graders singing Katy Perry’s “California Girls”. I am proud to say my daughter did not know the words. Now to scrub out my ears with bleach…

  38. 38.

    RandomChick

    October 8, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    That is a bummer, but I’m thinking some good could come from doing this, even if it’s only for a year or two.

    Assuming it was a success, and folks actually showed up, I’d want to stick with it through the 2012 election, at least.

    I guess what I’m wondering is if these groups can make a difference, and get folks involved in the political process . . . OR should I consider it a success if it just gives me the opportunity to get hammered with like-minded folks. Where should I set my sights?

  39. 39.

    Nick

    October 8, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    @Mnemosyne: I think this is a problem though. The left can’t seem to keep a sustainable political movement going past a single election or issue.

  40. 40.

    blahblahblah

    October 8, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    Yeah, that video is a real find. Have to say, I swiped it for a FB update it’s so funny!

  41. 41.

    Bob Loblaw

    October 8, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    @Nick:

    1. Money
    2. Money
    3. Fucking Money

  42. 42.

    The Pale Scot

    October 8, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    NSFR

    Barney With Attitude—Straight Outta Compton

  43. 43.

    jake the snake

    October 8, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    @ General Stuck

    From our believe it or not GOP family values files.

    A new Public Policy Polling survey in New York finds that just 4% of Republican voters support building a mosque near Ground Zero—but 21% say they would support building a strip club in the same place.

    You heard it here first

    .

    As I was told by a winger, “Those strippers didn’t fly airplanes into the World Trade Center”.

    The fact that the people opening the community center didn’t either did not seem to work its way into his mind.

  44. 44.

    The Pale Scot

    October 8, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    @me

    Ok, that was cool.

  45. 45.

    Nick

    October 8, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    @Bob Loblaw:

    1. Money
    2. Money
    3. Fucking Money

    so what’s the answer? Rich people aren’t going to abandon what works for them to fund us. What’s the answer?

    Before I get accused of saying “Nothing can be done” again.

  46. 46.

    Just Dale

    October 8, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    Good, but the
    yip yip martians are better.

    NSFW

  47. 47.

    TuiMel

    October 8, 2010 at 4:13 pm

    @srv:
    I just anted up for the fourth time inspired by your offer and the efforts of others, and, of course, I can never resist the Muppets.

    Go team!

  48. 48.

    Ruckus

    October 8, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    @Cris:
    I would have thought
    ‘Give Please Suckers”

  49. 49.

    Paula

    October 8, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    @Nick:

    Um, that’s because there is NO cohesive “left” political movement in this country. There are a bunch of people working on individual issues, but they’re pretty atomized as to be ineffective in building a larger movement.

    Building a larger movement takes a class of dedicated organizers outside of the mainstream parties who can identify common policy goals, articulate them clearly to the public, and bring people together in plans to achieve those goals. Among the people who have A-list blogs and/or show up on TV to represent “progressive” viewpoints who may have the opportunity of reaching wider audiences, there are none whom I believe to have the intellectual capabilities for such a task.

    Someone else I’ve read said something to the effect of organized people being the only method of combat against organized money. Progressives have neither, it seems. So: failure.

  50. 50.

    srv

    October 8, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    @TuiMel: Put your contribution amounts/ratios (for today), I’ll try to break it down by peoples listings in the morning.

  51. 51.

    TuiMel

    October 8, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    @srv:
    I think your pledge should be left to match others who are on the fence or wanting to make their money go further. I love what you’re doing.

    Thanks!

  52. 52.

    KDP

    October 8, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    I just kicked in another $30.00. Boxer, Murray, Feingold.

    @srv:

    What TuiMel said. Unless there are an insufficient number of fencesitters to make the match. In which case, feel free. It’s my second set through BJ (I was the very first, woot!!), but I’ve also donated time and money independently.

    BTW – Rally to Restore Sanity, SF satellite looks to be happening.

  53. 53.

    Mnemosyne

    October 8, 2010 at 6:28 pm

    @Nick:

    It’s not just the left — it’s the human condition. There’s a reason why Republicans built their strategy around conservative churches that already have an infrastructure so that, even as members come and go, the hierarchy is still there to keep things running.

  54. 54.

    JCJ

    October 8, 2010 at 6:35 pm

    Just donated another $300 to Feingold. I live in a heavily Republican area – all those signs for Ron Johnson make me ill. At least I get to see Feingold signs when I visit my daughter at the University of Wisconsin.

    Also, too I like Cookie Monster’s singing…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZeciX-3wfs

  55. 55.

    Mike G

    October 8, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    Barney sings Tupac —

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K72XpSvrds4

  56. 56.

    wes g

    October 8, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    starring Michael Steele! http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/3584/slide_3584_51452_large.jpg

  57. 57.

    DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.

    October 8, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    Thank you to everybody who contributed.

  58. 58.

    300baud

    October 9, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    A suggestion for next time you do this: allow us to opt out of mailing lists.

    I recently gave a chunk of money through the Balloon Juice/ActBlue thing, with the intention of giving more later on in the month. But I’ve received a bunch of junk email, which I hate, and now I have to try to unsubscribe from at least 10 different lists.

    If past experience is any guide, donating again will put me back on all the lists. And regardless my address may get passed around, which means more lists to get off of. I hate it, and would be much more comfortable giving money if I knew it wasn’t like sticking my hand into a box of hungry vampire bats.

  59. 59.

    srv

    October 9, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    I wasn’t sure if some numbers were for each or a total, so I broke it down to this:

    Jack Conway (KY-Sen) $50
    Scott McAdams (AK-Sen) $50
    Joe Sestak (PA-Sen) $0
    Russ Feingold (WI-Sen) $190
    Richard Blumenthal (CT-Sen) $0
    Scott Harper (IL-13) $50
    Barbara Boxer (CA-Sen) $30
    Patty Murray (WA-Sen) $80
    Chris Coons (DE-Sen) $0
    John Callahan (PA-15) $50
    Total $500.00

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