We were very proud to make Rep. Lori Ehrlich the first recipient of BMG PAC funds, and we were delighted by the response in the comments to our choice. Clearly, Rep. Ehrlich has many fans here on BMG.
This, of course, is just the beginning. And we very much plan to take to heart the suggestions in the comments along these lines:
Like the pick…
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Going forward, I would say that I’d like to see BMG PAC also support progressive challengers to some of the more hack-tastic D reps. Incumbents have easy access to fundraising, which is why defeating the entrenched reps is so difficult. Maybe the special election in Brown’s senate seat is the place to start?
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by: Ed Poon @ Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 10:46:51 AM EST
and
Great choice!
As incumbent legislators go, I’ve always seen Lori as one of the best of the best. She is in my opinion absolutely deserving of our support.
However-Don’t you think that the BMG PAC could have a little more wallop for the dollar if it endorsed and donated to progressive candidates in tough races? Races like, say, Rep. Jen Benson’s re-election campaign against nutso Indi-turned-Republican Kurt Hayes, Rep. Danielle Gregoire’s hypercompetitive battle to keep her seat against Marlboro City Councilor Steve Levy, or a great progressive Democrat running for any of the open State Senate seats in Galluchio’s or Brown’s former districts, or Tisei’s soon-to-be-former district?
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by: davesoko @ Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 15:19:35 PM EST
Absolutely. We want — we need — to support progressive incumbents facing challenges (of which Lori is one, by the way), and progressive candidates either challenging regressive incumbents or looking to take over open seats.
We need your help to do it.
Here are two things you can do. First, donate now. The helpful box at the top of the left-hand sidebar tells you all you need to know.
Second, give us ideas for fundraisers. What would inspire you to show up in meatspace, chip in a few bucks to BMG PAC, and have some fun? (Charley and I sing. I have a Viking helmet. Just sayin’.)
There is much to do between now and the fall. So let’s get started. Thank you!
And if you add a silent auction, “AmberPaw” will make handmade Amber jewelry to auction off. I am serious, of course. Maybe use the Regent Theater in Arlington where there is a ton of parking and it is on the main drag, say a Sunday afternoon????? Mind I am biased because that is convenient for me, and I find Boston expensive and exhausting as a venue. Oh yeah, and why not a bake sale too???
reporting requirements for a PAC are a bit cumbersome. I don’t think an auction would be a problem, but a bake sale would be. For example, any contributions over $50 have to be itemized and reported (and, I believe, paid by check) — and that includes cumulative donations made in the same year. So say there are tickets for $40 and someone spends $10 at the bake sale…
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p>Of course, I’m sure there are PACs that wouldn’t worry about it and just wouldn’t itemize the bake sale, but goodie twoshoes like me worry about problems like that đŸ˜›
I especially liked the Boatman’s song. Didn’t that raise $50,000?
it was a presidential election and before the economic collapse (even if by just a little).
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p>I absolutely think BMG could raise $10k or more for its PAC, though. And I can say that I’d almost certainly go, if they have one, well at least if they have a few reasonably priced tickets đŸ˜‰
How about looking to sitting Progressive Legislators with money in their campaign accounts to pony up a contribution to candidates identified by the PAC. I am not sure if they can give to the PAC (I think the answer is no) but they can give to the candidates. Would be a nice added benefit if the BMG PAC also yielded the support of a number of sitting elected officials from both a financial and experience perspective.
Actually, according to OCPF, non-statewide (including legislative) candidate committees, can make unlimited donations to PACs, as long as the donation is for “the enhancement of the political future of the candidate.” Woohoo!
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p>Interestingly, though, donations from one candidate committee to another are limited to $100. Strange rules.
< blockquote > Charley and I sing. I have a Viking helmet. Just sayin’. < /blockquote >
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p>All we need is a guest appearance from Eric Idle.
I can think of at least half a dozen or so local elected officials and state legislators from across MA who I bet would be willing to put in a few hours some evening to help BMG PAC bring in the big bucks. Plus, perhaps everyone here could use their relationships with their own local elected officials- folks they’ve supported in the past or help get elected- to ask them to consider doing so?
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p>There are at least a couple of folks I know who are serving as elected officials who I’d be willing to ask for a couple hours of their time for something like this. Working together, I imagine we could have one big event or a series of smaller ones that would help BMG PAC start off OCPF calendar year 2010 with an “oomph!”