No sooner did I write up a brief, mild critique of Ed Markey’s fundraising emails than another one shows up. And this one is the most outrageous one yet. Here it is (email, no link).
From: Ed Markey <info@edmarkey.com>
Subject: Every day?
Date: September 29, 2014 9:05:03 AM EDT
To: blue@vps28478.inmotionhosting.comDear Blue,
I know, I know — another day, another email from me, asking you for money. You’ve got to be thinking “Every day? Really? Do we really need an email every day?”
Unfortunately, the short answer is yes — this is the reality in the post-Citizens United world. Grassroots organizations like ours are in constant danger of a well-funded super PAC jumping into our race, and since we can’t raise millions of dollars overnight the way super PACs can, we have to steadily hit our goals.
And right now, our goal is $145,OOO before the FEC filing deadline tomorrow at midnight. Get us $5 closer by making a contribution today.
…
This year, with the Republicans just six seats away from taking over the Senate, we all need to step up to the plate.
The priorities we’ve been working toward for years — equal pay, climate change, strengthening Medicare — are all in jeopardy if we lose the Senate. And to keep the Senate, we need to give our campaign the resources it needs to win.
Getting to $145,OOO before midnight tomorrow will keep us on schedule for victory in November. By giving $5, you’re helping to safeguard Massachusetts’ Senate seat, and to help prevent a Republican takeover.
Believe me when I say I wish I didn’t have to send these emails — that’s part of why we’re working to roll back Citizens United. But until that happens, we need to stay strong, and we count on people like you to make that happen.
Thanks for your continued support.
Ed
How utterly absurd. As far as I can recall, Markey has not mentioned his opponent’s name in a single one of these ridiculous emails. Not one. And there’s a good reason for that: if he ever mentions the guy’s name, he knows that people will say, “who?” And then they will realize what everyone who pays attention to the numbers already knows: Markey’s reelection is as close to certain as an election can be. Every observer in the country rates this race as “safe Democratic.” Nate Silver gives Markey a >99% chance of being reelected. Not 99%, “>99%” – the highest possible rating for a race that technically is contested. Think about that before you send Markey any of your hard-earned dollars.
The last FEC reporting date was August 20. As of that date, Markey had over $2 million in the bank. His opponent, Brian what’s-his-name, had under $5,000. And that’s not a typo. There is no indication – zero – that Republican Super PACs are planning to spend a nickel on this race. I’m sure they don’t like Markey, but they also are not stupid.
Markey’s persistent emails have now gone beyond the point where I’m irritated that they could be directing donations toward him and away from campaigns that actually need them. Because the answer to the question, “do we really need an email every day” is “no” – or, at least, it’s something like “well, maybe not.” It is certainly not “yes.” And I actually don’t “believe” Markey when he says he wishes he didn’t “have to send these emails.” Because he doesn’t.
I don’t like it when a candidate isn’t straight with me. Even when I agree with him on most of the issues.
the number is $145,000, not $145,OOO. WTF.
But “Dear Blue” almost makes it worth it.
He was a well known and criticized hoarder during his house days, but that was with the assumption he was going to jump on an open seat as soon as it became available. In the mid 1990s, it was the hope that he might take out a Sen. Romney or Sen. Weld, and by 2004 it was the hope that he would run in the special he got the State House to create for him to replace President Kerry.
For reasons unknown to me, he didn’t compete in the 2010 special (perhaps for his own good, he might’ve lost to Coakley or Brown). But when the Kerry vacancy became available, he cleared the field, disposed of Lynch and Gomez without too much trouble, and now is ensured of staying in the Senate until he leaves in a hearse. I get vigorous fundraising early in the cycle when it was unclear what Brown would do, but now it doesn’t make any sense at all.
Give it away like Liz Warren, to vulnerable Democrats and reoder the emails towards helping them. Otherwise, this is just dishonest practice and a really good way of alienating your core supporters.
At least he isn’t hiding it. Equally perplexed by the “O” instead of “0” thing, though.
n/t
Typing as my reason that I was sick of my junior senator treating me like an idiot.
I can’t imagine any reason to be hoarding unless he’s planning to run for higher office. That, or he’s paranoid.
We have lots of important areas where we could focus our attention and our ire. For example:: Charlie Baker, Scott Brown in NH, Mitch McConnell, and the possibility of losing control of the Senate.
So,, why are we wasting so much time on Ed Markey’s emails? Geesh! If you don’t like his emails, then don’t give him anything. And, you can always unsubscribe so you don’t receive them.
Time to move on and talk about the issues that matter.
This is really just a “Washington is Broken again today” kind of story.
Further, if his e-mails are unimportant, why is he sending them?
Shouldn’t HE be spending more time attacking Baker and keeping control of the Senate?
And sorry, but this stuff matters. You may be comfortable with the party’s relentless e-mail campaigns, but I completely disagree. I got an e-mail from Martha Coakley today with the subject line “I Need You on My Side” (or something like that). I donated to her two days after the primary.
They can’t hear it enough. This is crazy-making and counterproductive. Committed activists should be hit up X number of times, and then left alone. Anyone who says that kind of tracking is too much work is lying.
Imagine a large donor (much larger than me) being called several times a day. Would any candidate let that happen?
Harassment, bluewatch. No other word for it. It’s NOT OK.
You know the real problem here? There is so much more urgency and energy around raising money than there is around fixing this country’s problems. For people who think politics is just another business, this is great evidence.
It’s demoralizing.
We should be holding our own side accountable for its actions as well. When Ed Markey does something equally as moronic as Scott Brown, it isn’t somehow less dumb because he is a Democrat. We should be working to make our party better, not pretending it is perfect.
You must be one of the LUCKY ONES that gets an email with a SMALL VARIATION in font and content, to check the RATE OF EMAIL RETURN. Another recipient might get this SMALL DIFFERENCE:
“This year, with the Republicans SIX SEATS UNDER, we all need to STEP UP TO THE PLATE. You chip in the cash, and I clear the plate.”
In light of recent complaints about e-mail, I appreciated this note from Tom McGee today.
There was a massive “Donate” link right below, but even this mild acknowledgement really helps. We’re all in this together.