CR Nation

Mr. Swanson, writing in his capacity as CRNC Finance Director, requested an audience for the below piece discussing recent comments by College Democrats on CRNC fundraising efforts as well comments by College Republicans supporting, to an extent, the College Democrats’ comments.

Here is what Mr. Swanson had to say:

I normally don’t make posts, and am grateful to have the chance to do so. Some talk has come up recently about our fundraising apparatus – mostly due to misconceptions of outsiders. I am typing on a plane by myself en route to yet another donor meeting,and I just feel it’s necessary to give my two cents about a great group of people.

I have been a leader on each level of this organization, and during my chapter and state chair phases, the concept of the CRNC’s donor group seemed too unreachable and too mysterious for me to understand… and now that I do, I look back at my old assumptions with amazement on how much I have learned and wish somebody back then wrote a letter like this to me.

Like any successful volunteer-based entity, we have an amazing team of donors. Our grassroots base is of course the backbone – over 110,000 friends of our cause regularly provide what they are able to in order to sustain our operations. I love taking phone calls from them! They are as committed to the work we do as our members are in the trenches of grassroots politics, and whether you know it or not, their thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of us every day.

We also have a core of high-level donors, and this is the group I am chiefly writing to defend since recent ludicrous talk of slush funds and ulterior motives have caught my attention. In high-dollar political fundraising, there are two types of contributors: those with climbing intentions, and those with ideological motives who care deeply about the future of our nation. Having met each supporter face to face, I say with no doubt that every major donor we have falls into the latter category.

These people are not faceless beings that magically give money – they are great Americans and many of them are heroes, politics aside. All have taken extensive measures in the non-partisan realm to improve our country, some are chief reasons why nations such as Israel remain free, and a few even bled on the sands of Omaha Beach.They are not just names on public reports – they are ardent believers in the cause you and I work toward every day.

Also, the idea that we have ease in obtaining funding is untrue. Our Chairman, Charlie Smith, could not be more dedicated toward raising money for our efforts. On a typical week, he is lucky to see his apartment… let alone his fiancé, because he is always on the fly ensuring that we continue to provide state-of-the-art resources for our membership. I know because I’m usually with him, and could not be more impressed by the devotion I see. Fundraising at this level does not mean golf courses and martinis – it means cheap lodging, bargain flights, and lots of fast food… okay, maybe some celebration drinks when we have a good day!

The point I am making is this: when members misunderstand our fundraising, they misunderstand the giants upon whose shoulders our operations rest. The College Dem who wrote that article clearly knew it was riddled with falsities when he penned it – but make no mistake what his intentions were: it was aimed to shake our donors, not our membership. His plan failed because most of our supporters don’t read the Lobo Gazette and frankly would laugh and probably donate again if they saw his piece, but it is NOT the last irrational attack that will happen. More of those will be written, because their tactics are to try to derail us through our lifeblood… it’s a campaign strategy: If you’re candidate can only provide the content-free issue of “hope” without substance, you have no option but to sabotage the other team.

To all College Republican leaders: please know that you have tens of thousands of contributors to our cause that would be fighting alongside you if they were still in school. They love what you do and view our youth outreach efforts as the most vital arena for our party to focus. At the very least, please take a few seconds to think about these supporters before you knock on doors or make candidate calls – though you will probably never meet them, they are your biggest fans and are proud of the work you do.

Interesting Newsweek post on Obama’s fundraising:

When Obama opted out of public financing–unlike McCain, who gladly accepted an $84.1 million check from the American taxpayers on Sept. 5–the chattering classes predicted that his efficient Web-based small-donor money machine would rake in “around or above $300 million” for the two-month general election campaign, a sum even larger than his record-shattering $272 million primary haul. But as we noted (first on July 11 and again on Aug. 19) “the real surprise” of this year’s cash chase is that “it’s much more competitive than anyone expected.” Take July, for example. While Obama netted a massive $51 million–again clobbering McCain, who racked up $27 million–the important statistic to look at is the combined amount of cash-on-hand for each candidate and his party (i.e, how much is actually available to spend on getting the nominee elected). In this case, the totals were nearly identical: the Republicans finished the month with $96 million in the bank ($75 million for the RNC, $21 million for McCain) versus $94.3 million for the Democrats ($25.8 million for the DNC, $65.8 million for Obama). In other words, the “mighty” Obama and “measly” McCain–who raised only $120 million over the course of the entire 16-month primary campaign–were tied. So much for the punditocracy’s pecuniary predictions.

Unfortunately, August isn’t looking any rosier for Obama. This morning, The New York Times reported that “the campaign is struggling to meet ambitious fund-raising goals it set for the campaign and the party,” collecting “in June and July far less from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s donors than originally projected” and pushing donors to give more with letters characterizing their recent efforts as “extremely anemic.” Meanwhile, the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder added that “after a year of telling donors not to contribute to 527 groups, of encouraging strategists not to form them and of suggesting that outside messaging efforts would not be welcome in Obama’s Democratic Party, Obama’s strategists” are now “hoping that Democratic allies”–i.e., 527 groups–”will come to Obama’s aid.”

Why now? According to the Times, Chicago characterized its own monthy haul as the “best…yet” (think $60 million or so). That said, “a California fund-raiser familiar with the [DNC’s] August performance estimated that it raised roughly $17 million last month, a drop-off from the previous month, and finished with just $13 million in the bank”–about half of July’s war chest. In terms of cold, hard cash, then, this probably means that Obama started September with around $90-$100 million in the bank. The McCain campaign, meanwhile, managed to rake in a record $47 million for its coffers and another $22 million for the party, finishing the month with more than $100 million on-hand money that it has now turned over to the RNC. Combined with McCain’s fresh infusion of $84 million in public funds and the $100 million RNC fundraisers expect to raise in September and October, that would leave the GOP with about $300 million at its disposal. To keep up, Obama and Democrats have to rake in about $100 million a month from now until November 4. That’s $25 million more than their best combined monthly total to date. They’re going to need all the help they can get.

And $10 million since announcing Palin as VP.

From the AP:

Republican presidential candidate John McCain raised at least $47 million in August, his biggest haul of money so far and a sign that he is dispelling doubts about his campaign among conservative donors.

Two campaign officials discussed the fundraising Monday on the condition of anonymity because the numbers had not been officially tallied.

The amount was just shy of the $50 million that Democratic rival Barack Obama raised in July. Obama campaign officials would not comment on their August fundraising. The campaigns do not have to submit their August financial reports to the Federal Election Commission until Sept. 20.

One official said the campaign had raised $10 million since McCain announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on Friday. Palin has emerged as a popular vice presidential candidate among social conservatives who have eyed McCain with suspicion.

Another official said that the Republican Party and the campaign will have between $224 million and $240 million available next week going into the fall campaign. That amount would include the $85 million in public funds that McCain will receive after he officially becomes the Republican nominee on Thursday.

The AP reports that McCain has raised $22 million for the month of June, bringing his cash on hand at the end of the month to $27 million and $95 million in the bank!

Perhaps there will be a revitalization in the GOP donation pool…

Rick Davis, McCain’s campaign manager, says that the campaign will be able to outspend Obama on TV ads in key states.

Since almost 2 years ago, Louisiana Federation of College Republicans have not been actively fundraising, at least on a grand scale. Now, the state federation, led by Rudy Perciful, will embark upon this endeavor, setting a goal of obtaining $50k. The money will be allocated toward bringing CRs in from across the country in order to help with state treasurer John Kennedy’s campaign for Senate. Apparently, Louisiana has a good chance of beating out the Democrat and capturing a Republican seat in Mr. Kennedy’s candidacy.

Moreover, I am told that Charles Fontenot, Executive Director of the Louisiana CRs, is actively working with Mr. Perciful to implement a large scale plan that is usually only adopted by top campaigns. Within the next three weeks, the plan should be implemented. Also watch for the hiring of an official LFCR Press Secretary.

It is rumored that LA is employing the help of Reece Hrizuk, Chairman of Oregon, and John Swanson, CRNC Finance Director. Mr. Swanson raised over $90k during his tenure and Mr. Hrizuk continues to carry on the precedent that was set. Mr. Hrizuk, however, will not disclose his financial report until after the election.

I am also told that Reece Hrizuk and the Oregon Federation are working hard to re-elect Senator Gordon Smith and capture the Republican majority on the state level.