My response to a call for support from the US Senate Democratic Campaign Committee (It wasn't good)

[keopeli]

(After being informed that the call was being recorded and screened, I interrupted her prepared script to spare her, and myself, the time.)

Forgive me for interrupting your script, but let's get to the point. I've given heartily to you for the past several election cycles. But things have changed. I've learned that you take money from Progressives like myself and give it to elect conservative Democrats in other places who vote against my interests, while depriving Progressive candidates of funds needed to win contests. My own US representative is a Republican because of this very issue, because you didn't give enough support to Darcy Burner, who could have won.

For the past two years, conservative Democrats who receive the lion's share of my money have voted against the public option, healthy bank reform, strong stimulus spending, and a litany of other progressive issues that have passed the house yet been stalled or squashed in the senate. Half-hearted measures and lip-service paid to my priority issues, such as repealing DADT, closing Guantanamo, holding officials accountable for wiretapping and other broken laws, have been delayed or ignored. Even today, the senate will not pass a jobs bill because of conservative democrats.

From now on, I will give money only to specific candidates whom I support. I've lost my trust in the party's ability to distribute the funds in a way that will support my views.

(At this point, she said we could lose control of the Senate and the President's agenda could be in jeopardy.)

I can't help that. The President's own chief of staff, Rham, thinks I'm worthless. Sen. Lincoln won her contest in Arkansas fair and square and good for her, but Rham said I had flushed my money down the toilet because I wasn't supporting his views and his candidate. Rather than learning from the message that the President's base is very unhappy and disgruntled with his and the Senate's performance, he sends his top man out to spit in our face. And now you want me to give you money.

I don't want the Republicans to win and I'll fight against it. But I can no longer trust you and the Senate and the Democratic Party to do that for me. After all, you despise me. You only want my money so you can elect people who support your agenda and not mine. Well, I'm not that dumb and I won't do it. I'll help the Democrats to win, but I'll do it my way, and if my candidates can't win for our party, then it's the same as losing to me.

(I'm sorry you feel that way, she said. There's someone screening this call and you're not the only one saying this type of thing to us. People are hearing what you say here today.)

I hope so. I really do.

(Thank you for your time.)

Thank you.

=======

That last part was odd to me. Are they really listening? I seriously doubt it, but I thought it was odd she would make a point of saying this. In any case, I don't think they will cross me off their list just yet. But I definitely have a big goose-egg by my name right now.

[Scuba]

1. Better tactic...

Pledge $10,000 then don't send it in.

When they call, tell them things are 'complicated'.

As a progressive, I also feel the Democrats have abandoned me, and the platform that got them elected. What's going on? Did Cheney threaten to eat their children?

[Jamastiene]

2. I think it is well within your rights what candidates you decide to support with your money.

That's good thinking too. Maybe if all of us who feel this way start sending our money to those who truly stand up for us instead of just letting party leadership decide for us who gets the support, we can send them a message that they need to start listening to us more.

K&R

[barbtries]

3. mind if i print this

and use it as a script? :)

[keopeli]

7. lol - it kinda annoys me that they use a script in the first place

I guess I understand with the many calls they make. But this was clearly an articulate, paid worker. Why not just ask for my support? Or even ask if I'm satisfied with the progress from my past support and willing to continue? Otherwise, it's really tantamount to a robocall. So, I never let them get far into the script before I knock them off their game. I'm not interested in scripts.

However, use any part of this conversation you like. :hi:

[tsuki]

4. They called me also with the "we're defending 12 senate seats". I

told them that I would donate individually to candidates that are progressive.

[keopeli]

8. Exactly. Defending a blue dog seat is what I call "flushing my money down the toilet."

[AndyA]

5. Good for you! That's basically the same thing I say to them.

If they don't get the message, it's their own fault, because they ARE HEARING THE SAME THING from lots of people. We don't want our money going to candidates who aren't progressive.

They need to take the hint, and furthermore, they need to ACT on it.

[Vinca]

6. That was a thing of beauty to read! I'll keep it in mind should they call.

I had a weird call show up on the caller ID yesterday: the NRA! NRA! Calling me! I hope they call back.:rofl:

[keopeli]

11. Wow! This call showed up as unidentified caller. I almost called them on that, but

I had bigger fish to fry. They asked for me by name and I said, "May I ask who's calling?"

She said, "Are you xx xx?" I said, in the exact same tone, "May I ask who's calling?"

It takes a lot of gall, imo, to call someone asking for money and not identify yourself immediately.

Normally, I would lay in to a caller who presented themselves on the phone like that, especially with no caller ID. The fact that I remained calm is a demonstration that I remain loyal to the Democratic Party, in spite of my dissatisfaction with certain elements these days.

If the NRA does call you back and you have an exchange, please share it with us! :hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

9. "Are they really listening?"

I had a similar conversation a few months ago. They said the same thing about monitoring calls and hearing from others what they heard from me. I think it is a canned answer to make you think they really care what you think.

[keopeli]

12. I tend to agree with you. It's that naive child in me that keeps hoping someone really cares. n/t

[HughMoran]

10. I just sent them $200 in your honor

Thanks for reminding me it's about time to start giving.

[keopeli]

13. Good for you, and thanks! I donated this week also, though specifically to candidates I favor.

I don't know if you intended any sarcasm in your response, and it doesn't really matter, but I assure you as I did to this petitioner that I intend to support the retention of our control of Congress. My grievances are with what I consider to be a deceptive practice on the part of some elements of our party. I know that not all Democrats think alike and that ours is a big tent. But, when the party itself holds a position in its platform, I expect that it's representatives will abide by those positions. Bart Stupak, for instance, and his position on women's health is not reflective of the Democratic Party platform. If his constituents and even hist state party want to support him for office, that's one thing. But, the national party needs to be more discerning in both how they recruit candidates and distribute funds.

I've learned a lot in the past year about internal party politics, especially within the Senate Campaign Committee and how they allocate their funds between candidates. There are issues at hand which I disagree with strongly, and those come to play in my decision to be more careful about how I am spending my hard-earned money on political causes.

All that being said, I can't help but thank you again for donating. And, if I've done anything to help persuade you to make a donation in favor of Democratic candidates, then I'm humbled by your gesture and proud to stand beside you.

[HughMoran]

15. Excellent post

I also target specific elections across the country (& obviously at home) where I see an opportunity for a more Progressive candidate to win the seat. I know that the DSCC and others give a small amount of my money to a candidate I may not necessarily like, but I also have to consider that if we lose the majority, it will nary matter a bit that the progressive in Illinois beat some lame Democrat. So, I give to the larger organizations, but specific candidates get far more - as it should be.

[WeDidIt]

14. I think this is a very wise tactic for all progressives to take

Yes, if you donated to the DSCC, some of your money will go to support Blanche Lincoln.

And yes,, nowhere near enough will go to progressives.

Much wiser to make individual donations to individual candidates.

[flyarm]

16. I got the same call less than 2 weeks ago..I went off the reservation with the lady

I told her this "FUCKING RETARD" will no longer give them a dime of my money, my time, nor my vote.I said until they start to represent my 38 year democratic principles and vlaues..and the Platform of this party..they can tell the guy who called me a Fucking Retard..to suck wind!

The lady was very taken aback..and tried to argue with me..I was very matter of fact and told her to write down what I was saying ..and I said..FISA illegal wiretapping Immunity..not acceptable, No end to Gitmo..unacceptable..continuing Renditions..unaccpetable, The Big Pharma/Insurance Corporation Welfare plan ..otherwise called by this Admin.. Health Care Reform..unacceptable..accelleration fo the war in Afghan..unacceptable..no end to Iraq war of lies..Unacceptable..Screwing Unions and their remarks about Unions wasting 10 million trying to end the terms of a Blue Dog republican/I mean faux paux democrat ..unaccpetable..

I said I am done..no more money , no more anything from me..I am just done!

I said don't call me back ..and take me off your lists , until someone in Washington with the Dem party decides to begin acting and representing me like a democrat..I said I want no part of this new Phony assed New Democratic party..they don't represent me or any of my democratic values.

Then the lady said..sorry you feel that way.

I said .no more sorry than I, that had to say that.

[zipplewrath]

17. Rouglhy the same thing I told the DNC

I told them I no longer trusted the DNC to represent my personal interests and that I gave money directly to candidates of my own choosing.

To some extent everyone should do that. We should be supporting candidates more than parties.

[bhcodem]

18. My reply to such calls...

I tell them I am keeping my money local, in Iowa, to unseat Grassley. I will donate time and money to Roxanne Conlin and other Iowa candidates only. Although I do admit I may send donations to help fight against the idiot on the other side of the state, Steve King, or up to Clark in MN.

[ellenfl]

19. for a while, i quit answering the phone because all the callers

were asking for money. now, i answer, ask to be removed from the list as all my donations are thru the 'net, and tell them i will be donating to candidates i support, not party organizations. now if i could just figure out where to draw the line. :eyes:

remember, some of the callers are hired help. they could care less about your opinion.

ellen fl