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Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

Just curious, whether there is a concern over depleting money from a general campaign by focusing on the primary campaign? My question is an inocent question trying to understand a) whether a primary challenge really is a good idea just on the financial level and b) if there is a primary challenge will it hurt the democrat nominee whoever it is in the general election?
by bruh21 on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 04:28:17 PM EST

Re: Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

Specter raised $15M for his primary, and was still able to raise another $7M for the general.  Rendell spent $20M for his primary, and another $20M for his general.
by Adam B on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 04:30:01 PM EST
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Re: Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

The first is an incumbent and inapplicable as a comparison. The second I don't enough about to respond enough to know whether it is similar or dissimilar enough to offer hope that a primary race would or would not produce heavy financial burdens. I should point out however that one concern is that this is a non presidential year election so the intensity will be less in terms of voter turn out. You've got to assume that even if GOTV does improve that it wont match 2004.
by bruh21 on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 04:56:01 PM EST
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Re: Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

Well, it was a gubernatorial campaign, which in PA means no contribution limits.  But it was an open seat that Rendell was running for, against State Treasurer Casey in the primary and AG Mike Fisher in the general.

Rendell runs a massive GOTV operation -- it'll be pretty damn intense.

# of votes in PA:
Gore 2000: 2,465,412
Rendell 2002: 1,898,214
Kerry 2004: 2,885,773

Let's put it in context by looking at another blue state, Illinois:

# of votes:
Gore 2000: 2,588,884
Blagojevich 2002: 1,824,211
Kerry 2004: 2,866,307

Okay, actually, that's pretty close.  Nevermind.

by Adam B on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 05:04:35 PM EST
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Re: Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

your own numbers point out what I was saying about less GOTV. It doesn't mean not to do a heated primary, but it will take a lot more effort to get out the GOTV in 2006 than 2004. Where is the money to build the organization going to come from? You have to be willing to ask and answer those questions if you want to suceed. Saying well it's just good for us to have challenges to get your candidate in doesn't help your cause, at least, I don't think it does. What helps is figuring out how to stay one step ahead and figuring out where the money is going to come from, the organization, etc.
by bruh21 on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 05:09:33 PM EST
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Re: Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

You can't get the same level of interest in a non-presidential year -- and, again, Rendell spent around $20M on that general election.   He won't have a primary next year.

Basically, the gubernatorial campaign will handle all the GOTV for all statewide PA races in 2006, I'd imagine, because they're not subject to the same contribution limits.  

by Adam B on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 05:15:04 PM EST
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Re: Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

They don't have to spend an arm and a leg on stupid advertising budgets. If the candidates can make an informal agreement to a few, or a lot, debates and the usual alternative grassroot and mailer campaign tactics, a primary would do far more good than harm.

The problem comes when one or more of the candidates decide to a Mutual Assured Destruction advertising budget.

by Gary Boatwright on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 04:32:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is the concern over financing? (none / 0)

So what happens if they don't agree? You have to be willing to ask that question I think before expousing or arguing a position. If you are okay with what may happen, then go for it, but realize that this is a possibility and what that may or may not mean. Perhaps the goal should be to really shame any candidate running counter to spending limits as anti Democratic (again this would be a problem is that candidate later won and ran in the general election). I guess the solution is as you say an agreement, but the question remains
by bruh21 on Mon Feb 28, 2005 at 04:53:25 PM EST
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