Just returned from the Women for Nutter event at Moore College of Art and was very happy to hear Michael Nutter address the issue of family violence. This is a rough paraphrase from memory. I wasn’t taking notes. He said:
We have got to stop the epidemic of violence plaguing our city and that includes violence in the home. It may not get the headlines, it may not be a front-burner issue for many citizens, but violence against women and children is a major public health issue.
There were many other points Michael Nutter addressed, but the women I spoke to after the event were most impressed that the next mayor considers domestic violence a critically important issue, one that will command his full attention.
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Confuse-ed
I am confused at this one major aspect of the Nutter campaign. As an observer rather than a participant, hopefully someone can clear up this point for me: to what purpose is Nutter's fundraising plowing at full steam?
I posted something similar at the Next Mayor after watching "MayorAl's" campaign ad. There are only two scenarios I can think of for holding $1000 fundraisers: he either wants to show respect to the electors by making it appear to be a legitimate race; or, he wants to run for higher office after the Mayoral campaign and figures now is a good time to raise some funds. I am not even sure if the second option is legal. I've also heard that he would use the money to grease the wheels of the Ward leaders, although this just seems out of character, considering his reform agenda and the fact that he really was beholden to few for the nomination.
The first scenario seems more likely, and certainly jibes with his recent public comments. It still does not really explain things for me. Running against such an "underfinanced" campaign, any media blitz he could mount would just be unnecessary, and might even be construed as ganging up on the self proclaimed "superunderdog". Anyone know what's going on?
Why Michael Nutter is still fundraising
Deggeh wants to know why Michael Nutter still needs money and why he is asking his supporters to stretch one more time.
Ken Weinstein provides an answer to this at the end of his invitation to his 9/23 fundraiser
But what about number three?
Your second point is well taken. It costs money to travel and meet with the heads of other municipalities. That is something I accept, and had overlooked. I cede point.
Point number one seems to be a function of the size of the campaign, and is something beyond debate. The bigger the campaign staff and larger the scale of the campaign, the more money it costs. I can't debate this because it is a choice of the candidate. For counter example, see Al Taubenberger.
My confusion lies in the third point:
"And, third, to bring those policies to Philadelphia starting in January, Michael will have to challenge the status quo. Your contribution now will help make Michael a stronger and better mayor."
This was the question I had in my initial comment. I readily admit that I have no experience in running a campaign, that is why I asked. I don't ask this question to disparage Nutter, but merely to satisfy my curiosity. So I feel compelled to ask again: assuming points one and two as given, how does additional fundraising affect number three?
Why Michael Nutter needs to raise money
I didn’t write this, so am not sure what the writer intended, but my assumption is that in order to advance his agenda, Michael Nutter needs to recruit a high quality staff and bring some people on board now.
In January, the taxpayers will pay for his staff but until then he relies on his supporters. From http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/heardinthehall/
I would also guess that the
I would also guess that the more resources the Nutter campaign can put into Election Day (and every day until then), the higher will be both the turnout and Nutter's margin of victory. Both of those would give Nutter a greater mandate to push for change -- if he ekes out a win with only a small portion of the electorate, it would be much easier for everyone to resist any push he might make.
--Tim
Nutter's Fundraising
I did write the paragraph Karen posted. And I wrote it to fit into the small space I had available to me.
So if I can elaborate on what I was gesturing to with the third point: Fundraising now can help Michael Nutter become a stronger Mayor in at least three ways. As Karen says, he can use funds to hire good staff now to help prepare for his time in office. SecoI did write the paragraph Karen posted. And I wrote it to fit into the small space I had available to me.
So if I can elaborate on what I was gesturing to with the third point: Fundraising now can help Michael Nutter become a stronger Mayor in at least four ways. As Karen says, he can use funds to hire good staff now to help prepare for his time in office. Second, demonstrating his fundraising prowess gives Michael some leverage with other politicians. Money he raises now or later can go to politicians—or candidates—who support his agenda. Third, there are some political projects Mayors encourage that they cannot easily support with city dollars. For example, Mayor Street has used his prodigious fundraising abilities to support a number of projects including the large rally for gun control earlier in the year. And, finally, to some extent shortschrift is correct, the larger the margin of victory, the more Michael can claim a mandate for reform.
So, if you support reform in the city, I urge you to join us at the fundraiser this Sunday. Here, again, are the details
Sunday, September 23, 5:00-7:00 pm
at the home of
Ken and Judy Weinstein
502 West Allens Lane in Mt. Airy
Special Co-host $1000
Co-host $500
Special Supporter $250
Supporter $100
RSVP to Ben Waxman at brwaxman@gmail.com or (215) 848-1133, extension 208. Make checks payable to "Nutter 2007" and send to 5219 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
Nutter and Fundraising
I have no problem with Michael Nutter fundraising now but let's not put too altruistic a spin on it. He is raising money now because he can. He may use this money to help elect candidates later that share his vision and he may use it to run for office in four years. He may also use it to scare off any potential challengers.
The question is why are so many people giving. Is it to possibly attempt to curry favor. Mike Nutter is a good politician and a good fundraiser. He should use this time to amass money for this and upcoming races. But Puhlleeze, a little reality check.