Today is the day I have to turn in my federal spending reports. I know that I’ve spent roughly $6,000 but I’ve not toted up all the costs. Most of the contributions have been mine although I’ve played the mental game of considering them loans.
I’ve never raised so little money in a campaign before. I probably raised twice as much thirty years ago when I ran against Mike Jaros for the state legislature. I’m not sure if it was laziness, preoccupation with other stuff, or my growing disgust with the necessity for money that kept me from attending to this. Certainly my hope that the Internet would magically help me out has not panned out. This page for instance hasn’t had many visits: Contribute to Harry
I think $5,000 worth of my TV ad would take a serious toll on Oberstar’s vote count without being of any benefit to Grams. If I can bring Jim’s total down to close to 50% of the vote in a year that’s supposed to be a Democratic landslide this could put younger and more aggressive politicians on his tail. Certainly, Jim should be having a much harder time explaining his coziness with the worst Republican Democrat baiters.
And who knows. Congress’s poll approval numbers just keep sliding. Yesterday they were reported to be at 16% approval. Will the voters of this district step up for the 17th straight time and pull the lever for an incumbent who snuggled so tightly with the GOP?
No one has taken a poll of this race because its taken for granted that Oberstar, a fairly remote presence in D.C. is somehow beloved. I don’t see that. Even the old guys who told me they were going to vote for him a couple months ago seemed to take little delight in it. I only met a half dozen people out of the several thousand who spoke of Jim with any affection.
Last time I ran under the banner of Ross Perot’s name I got 7% of the vote. This time I’m running under the banner of “Unity” something polsters tell us Americans are desperately eager to see again. Fewer Americans than ever are wedded to their parties. When the top candidates don’t appeal to me I’ll cast my vote for almost anyone else who doesn’t offend me. I’m not the only one who does this.
I don’t think 15% of the vote is much of a stretch with my name recognition but how about 25% or a potential plurality of 35%? There will be at least one poll and it will be the final one – election eve. I’m looking forward to seeing the results but first I have to place some ads.
Harry:
Not sure if you’re aware of Grams’ campaign contribution debocle in 2000, but he accepted over $150,000 in excessive donations. One would think the FEC requires him to pay that money back based on contributions made during this election season. Check out this website for more info.