What the DCCC Should be Doing for Phil Forgit. Now.

By: Lowell
Published On: 12/3/2007 9:22:34 PM

Hello, DCCC?  This is what you should be doing in Virginia, CD-1, right now.

We're working up some background info on this district, this race, and our awesome Democratic candidate Robin Weirauch (who you'll LOVE, I guarantee). But developments on the ground aren't waiting for us to get involved.

In short, the cash strapped NRCC, with $2.6 million cash on hand and $3.6 million in debts, is being forced to dump a significant chunk of their available funds in the race. Hot on the heels of a $150K ad buy by the DCCC (cash on hand: $29.2 million), the NRCC has countered with $280,000 (or more than 10 percent of their available cash)...

Again, DCCC, that would be RIGHT NOW, send money to Phil Forgit at P.O. Box 6504, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188, or simply click here.  Thanks.

P.S.  You can contact the DCCC and let them know you want them to support Phil Forgit by clicking here.


Comments



I drove down US-17 in Newport News/York County today... (Johnny Longtorso - 12/3/2007 10:20:15 PM)
and Wittman signs were plastered all across it. I also saw several Lucky signs. There was not a single Forgit sign. If I were a low-information voter, I'd think Wittman and Lucky were the only candidates in the race. It was not a heartening sight.


Time for some serious $$$$$$$$ (Lowell - 12/3/2007 10:21:31 PM)
from the DCCC.


I have never seen a candidate up one point in the post bio ask win (Ben - 12/3/2007 10:32:19 PM)
That's probably why no money is coming.


The point is, the DCCC is way ahead (Lowell - 12/3/2007 10:35:41 PM)
of the NRCC.  Why not spend our money and get them to spend their money?  Plus, we should fight for this seat no matter what the history says.


Will they spend their money (NRCC)... (NGB - 12/4/2007 9:41:20 AM)
If they are up 15?  Maybe not.  


I haven't heard anyone say that Wittman's (Lowell - 12/4/2007 9:50:30 AM)
up 15.  Do you have a source on that?  


Nope. But look at the situatuion... (NGB - 12/4/2007 10:03:14 AM)
You got bio's numbers for a reason, b/c the other numbers aren't that good.  The DCCC is playing in another special district that is just as Republican, but not this one.  If the race were close, why would they not play here?


You're making a lot of assumptions (Lowell - 12/4/2007 10:11:28 AM)
I actually hear that the DCCC is putting money into the Forgit race - just not as much as I'd like to see.  As far as the polling is concerned, my understanding is that this race is within striking distance, especially considering how low turnout will be.  In such a low-turnout election, if we get our voters out, we can win, no matter what the polling shows.


A few contributions to Forgit (Lowell - 12/4/2007 10:28:26 AM)
Former Gov. Mark Warner has given $5,000.
Rep. Bobby Scott has given $2,300.
Sen. Jim Webb has given $1,000.

And more is on the way...



And you aren't making assumptions? (NGB - 12/4/2007 10:30:23 AM)
Assuming that the race is as close as you are making it out to be?


I've got information, do you have any? (Lowell - 12/4/2007 10:40:42 AM)
Also, why are you so determined to tear down Phil Forgit?  Are you a Democrat?  If so, what on earth are you doing by constantly arguing how Forgit "can't" win, blah blah blah.  I mean, if you're a Republican I can understand, but if not, I don't get it at all.


In fact I like Phil. (NGB - 12/4/2007 11:52:22 AM)
You just feed your readers a one-sided story far too often.  That is all.  My wife and I will be voting for him in a week.


If you don't like the blog (Lowell - 12/4/2007 12:50:18 PM)
don't read it.  I definitely don't agree with your assessment of my work, but obviously you're entitled to your opinion.


The part of 17 that goes through Stafford Co. (Chris Guy - 12/4/2007 3:00:55 PM)
has Phil Forgit signs up everywhere. Props to Missy Kimmelman, who's running things in this area for the Forgit campaign.


Call the NRCC bluff (legacyofmarshall - 12/3/2007 10:24:06 PM)
We need to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into this race - constant mailouts and tv ads for the next week.  If the Republicans are so sure of the hold, they can go ahead and keep their minuscule warchest.  Then see what impact it will have on their party when a Democrat wins a "safe Republican" seat in the South.

If they want to keep the seat - let them spend every last dime.

------------------------------------------------------

The sad thing, however, is that a big Democratic money advantage is not likely in the special election.  We need to make up for this by canvassing.  The district is close to every major population center in Virginia - Richmond in the center, Hampton Roads in the Southeast, and NoVA in the north - spend this Saturday canvassing in the district to get out the vote.  I'm guessing now that 40% of the district will automatically vote Republican, 40% will automatically vote Democrat - we need to get another 11% out for Philip Forgit.



We need both. (Lowell - 12/3/2007 10:28:44 PM)
Money and canvassing.  And we need them both NOW!


With the limited time, phone calling would be .... (Dianne - 12/4/2007 12:08:48 PM)
a good use of the resources that are available.  Resources for canvassing are scarce.  You can call loads more Democrats in the same amount of time and tell them..."We need you to get out and vote for Forgit, the Democratic candidate."  

Canvassing is just not an intelligence use of resources so close to the race.



50-State Strategy? Hellooooo? (Kindler - 12/3/2007 11:06:38 PM)
According to CQ Politics, all kinds of Repubs are shoveling money to Wittman:

Among those Republican members of Congress who gave to Wittman via their campaign committees or leadership PACs are Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri; Thelma Drake , who represents Virginia's adjacent 2nd District in and around Virginia Beach; Texas Reps. John Carter and Randy Neugebauer ; Kevin McCarthy and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon of California; Roger Wicker of Mississippi; and Terry Everett of Alabama, who is not seeking re-election in 2008.

Virgil H. Goode Jr. , a Republican who represents Virginia's 5th District, gave $500 in personal funds to Wittman's campaign as an individual donor. Other notable individual donors included businessman Paul Jost, who was one of Wittman's chief rivals for the Republican nomination at the Nov. 10 convention, and former Rep. Bill Lowery of California, who now is a lobbyist.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which is the party's political arm in the House, and the Republican National Committee each gave $5,000 to Wittman's campaign.

By comparison, CQ only mentions contributions to Forgit from "a few members of the faculty at the College of William and Mary" and a member of the "Dave Matthews Band."

Nice.  Talk about abandoning your own troops in the field...



No Contributions to DCCC and DPVA (cycle12 - 12/4/2007 9:59:47 AM)
Agreed, Lowell; years ago it became quite apparent to me that the DCCC and the DPVA had little interest in Virginia politics here in my part of the Commonwealth, so I stopped sending them money and instead now make donations of time and money directly to Democratic candidates whom I support.

Admittedly, the DPVA has performed a little better recently, and I have been most impressed by their fine employees such as Susan Mariner in the tidewater area and Brian Phillips here in SW Virginia.

Also, I was glad to work with Levar Stoney and several others via the DPVA during Dr. Mike Breiner's state senate campaign.

However, until the DCCC shows me that they care about us, I don't care about them...

Thanks!

Steve



Levar Stoney communicates with Democrats (Dianne - 12/4/2007 12:10:26 PM)
He's a good staff worker.  The rest?  Who knows.  The general Virginia Democrats don't hear from them.


Levar is the best thing to happen to the State Party since.... (NGB - 12/4/2007 12:11:36 PM)
well probably since ever.


Was there any question... (JMU Duke - 12/4/2007 2:09:32 PM)
given what college he went to? :) (hint, my screenname)


Of course not. (NGB - 12/4/2007 3:14:46 PM)
JMU Grads are doing quite a good job for the Democratic Party in VA.


As are Hokies... (cycle12 - 12/4/2007 3:48:18 PM)
Thanks!

Steve



Go Tribe! (legacyofmarshall - 12/4/2007 5:44:09 PM)
Philip Forgit after all...


DPVA.. (lgb30856 - 12/4/2007 11:44:38 AM)
can't give to federal candidates. this is a dccc issue.
by campaign law, the state can't give money to a congressional candidate. this was mentioned by cranwell at the central committee meeting.
just for your info.
call the dccc and see what they are doing.


Does that mean that DPVA can't initiate (Dianne - 12/4/2007 12:11:16 PM)
an e-mail or two telling us that Forgit is running?  


Apparently, that's not true (Lowell - 12/4/2007 3:53:15 PM)
Courtesy of an anonymous tipster:

...the DPVA CAN spend money on Forgit's behalf.  State Parties always maintain a federal account, called Levin funds, which donors give to specifically.  The funds are federally regulated and thus fall under the donors' federal caps.  The limits to the federal accounts are $10,000 per donor per cycle and only individuals.  This money is used to help federal races (President, Senate, House) in each state.  So there IS a way of doing and every party does it.


More info... (Lowell - 12/4/2007 3:55:35 PM)
According to opensecrets and the FEC, the Levin funds can come from unions and corporations if that is allowed under state law, which I believe it is in VA.  In addition, they do not count against the federal caps.  However, they have to be spent on GOTV and "party building" to benefit federal races (but that can include gotv calls/canvasses, etc), not directly on the race (i.e. TV).


Thanks Lowell for the research and information (Dianne - 12/8/2007 11:55:07 AM)


Strong Republican Radio Ads (Teddy - 12/4/2007 12:52:26 PM)
for Wittman are being broadcast on WTOP (to catch the Washington-bound commuter from 1st District?) and they are long and good. If the Republicans are spending this kind of money, where are the Democrats? If CD-1 goes Democratic it would shake the solid south, wouldn't it, and be a straw in the wind for 2008 everywhere.

The DCCC is pouring money into one or two other so-called Republican districts in other states that are open seats right now, where the hell are they when it comes to Virginia? Are they nuts? Incompetent? Inilftrated by Republicans? What gives?

The DCCC's failure to put some of their resources to work in what they may feel is a side skirmish (mistaken as they are) is assinine.



What the DCCC Should Be Doing...HELLO--LISTEN UP! (soccerdem - 12/4/2007 12:53:43 PM)
The first thing the DCCC should do is take 1-1/2 hours and watch the movie I saw last nite on the Independent Film Channel (IFC).  This outstanding work should be No. 1, Numero Uno, on the agenda of everyone, EVERY ONE, who's involved with planning and carrying out campaigns.

The film is about the 2004 election, zeroing in on Ohio, the state that in the end cost Kerry the election, but the messages in the film, and there are many, show why Democrats get beaten not only on the Federal level but all the way down to races for State senator and delegate.

The film ratcheted up my anger, of which I still have plenty, for the lousy way the Kerry campaign was run: the incredible errors in judgment by Kerry and his various campaign staff members, which was merely deja vu, if you followed closely the Gore campaign; the misjudgment of what the Republican operatives would do; and the amazing get out the vote effort which, in Ohio, depended less on money than the perseverence of the campaign workers as they burrowed their way to the true grass roots of Ohio and indeed Got Out The Vote.  Hear the astonished and complimentary voices of Begala and Terry McAulliffe praising the Republican tour de force and see Ed Gillispie and his buddies as they talk about their strategies, so different from those of our party.  Strategies thbat they say they used because politics is about winning, strategies which, admittedly, Democrats wouldn't utilize because they would not want to vilify the character of their opponents to such a degree that the Republican families would scream "Foul."

Watching the film and later recording the rerun at midnite for my errant wife, then re-watching it again this a.m., the film brought to mind a local campaign which I had been criticizing for using the wrong tactics.  I had tried to  offer my  $0.02 to some of the people I met who were to be involved in the very-well-funded campaign, but my remarks, based on not only years of reading about such campaigns but by hands-on experience in a losing, poorly funded effort, my remarks were pooh-poohed by people having little or no experience or, seemingly common sense.  This campaign wound up to be a disaster, especially  considering the money raised and the attractiveness of the candidate (No! I'm not Larry Craig).  The arguments given at the post mortem (i.e., RK responses top my criticism) are, after last nite's and this a.m.'s viewings of the film, not laughable but, rather, sad.  This film bore this out.  As the heavenly Gloria Steinam said, "They just don't get it."

So see this film, DCCC, however you may, and maybe you'll learn something.  To those who say that winning isn't everything, that they wouldn't sully themselves, I say tell that to 4000 dead soldiers who would be alive if Gore had won and 2500 if Kerry had won  



For those of us who don't have cable (Hugo Estrada - 12/4/2007 4:35:37 PM)
Could you please post a bullet point list of what was wrong with the campaign? I am very curious after reading your comment.


Forgot to give the Name of the IFC Film (soccerdem - 12/4/2007 1:08:28 PM)
The film I referred to is So Goes The Nation, and in 2004, so went the nation.


The DPVA.. (lgb30856 - 12/4/2007 1:11:51 PM)
is not able to get involved in a federal election per laws at the federal level.
Now, dems can give money to forgit but can't finance the campaign, the dpva is a state organization.
So, call the DCCC and see what they are doing.


What? They got involved in Webb's race, didn't they? (Rob - 12/4/2007 2:17:34 PM)
They sent out emails, etc. if I remember correctly.  I'm not sure where you're getting that info.


Sad... (coffeyd - 12/4/2007 1:42:53 PM)
As a politically active member of CD1, I feel seriously neglected by the DCCC. I my area, even on the state level, Democrats don't even run for office. Its disheartening and I would love to see Forgit make a viable attempt at this seat, at least to show that Democrats in the area aren't dead (despite the malnourishment from the DCCC and DPVA) I want Forgit to win, however even if he doesn't it would still give the DCCC and the Party the ability to send a message to the CD1, something along the lines of, "You're not hopeless, we're trying to help." But whatever.  


I just called the DCCC.. (lgb30856 - 12/4/2007 2:06:04 PM)
and left a message. Got a call back from a lady and she said Brett is in charge of this area and he will call me back. I will report back on what they are doing.
Maybe ads will go up this week.
The one for the republican is sorry and has NO message.


Great work! (Lowell - 12/4/2007 2:31:44 PM)
n/t


some info... (lgb30856 - 12/4/2007 2:10:13 PM)
Webb supports Forgit
Posted in Local, Politics, Virginia by vjp on December 4th, 2007
Philip Forgit, Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional district, has received a contribution from Senator Jim Webb's Born Fighting PAC. While the official endorsement is forthcoming, this certainly shows that the junior (soon to be senior) senator supports Forgit's candidacy.

One week from today, voters in the 1st will be casting their ballots. Help out Philip as much as you can. Volunteer and contribute today!

UPDATE: The Daily Press has started a series of articles on the candidates' stances. Today's topic is the war in Iraq.

Technorati Tags: Philip Forgit

no comments yet  



http://www.vademocrats.org/ (lgb30856 - 12/4/2007 2:21:30 PM)
the site has endorsement of forgit and info on phone banking. what more do ya want?
the state party can't send funds to forgit. against campaign rules but is endorsing him.


Wes Clark for Phil Forgit (Lowell - 12/4/2007 2:32:36 PM)
In 7 days, you have a chance to show why Virginia is leading our country forward. On December 11, voters will head to the polls in Virginia's 1st congressional district for a special election.

Iraq war veteran and Bronze Star recipient Philip Forgit has a real chance to flip this seat for Democrats. His team is making its final decisions on advertising and field. We need to give them a boost in these final days to make sure they can reach every single voter in VA-1.

Click here to help Philip Forgit win the special election on December 11!

Philip served with a Naval Special Warfare Unit as an advisor to the Iraqi Army in 2005-2006. A Naval Reservist, Philip was mobilized from his former job as a 4th grade teacher at Rawls Byrd Elementary, where he won the 2005 National Education Association (NEA) Award for Teaching Excellence.

Philip has shown himself to be a leader of outstanding abilities -- in the classroom, in the battlefield, and now I hope you'll help me bring his leadership to Congress.  Our nation is at war, and we need leaders in Washington who know how wars should be fought -- not from theory but from experience.

Philip's military experience in Iraq will bring a much needed perspective to Congress to help end the disastrous policies of George W. Bush in Iraq. Virginians who care about the future of our military and about changing the course in Iraq will vote for Philip, but we need to make sure he has the resources to get his message to the voters.

Join me and help Philip by rushing him a contribution before next week's special election.

Just last month, Virginia Democrats won control of the State Senate and made historic gains in the House of Delegates. We need to build on that momentum by helping Philip Forgit win Virginia's 1st congressional seat next Tuesday.

Special elections hinge on voter turnout. Philip needs your help to make sure his supporters make it to the polls.

Please take a few minutes now and contribute to Philip's campaign today!

Philip is the ideal representative for the district and a much needed voice in Washington. With your help, we'll all be celebrating his victory on December 11.

Sincerely,

Wes Clark



my info came from dickie cranwell at the central comm. meeting (lgb30856 - 12/4/2007 4:53:55 PM)
...the DPVA CAN spend money on Forgit's behalf.  State Parties always maintain a federal account, called Levin funds, which donors give to specifically.  The funds are federally regulated and thus fall under the donors' federal caps.  The limits to the federal accounts are $10,000 per donor per cycle and only individuals.  This money is used to help federal races (President, Senate, House) in each state.  So there IS a way of doing and every party does it.

he said that the dpva could not give to the race. that is how I got the info



Call DCCC and Get Busy (hereinva - 12/4/2007 5:02:48 PM)
Thank-you Wes Clark !

Seems there are other special election fish to fry for the DCCC. There is another special election for Ohio's 5th Congressional District on December 11th. Interesting that it shares similar political characteristics as the VA 1st:
been in the hands of R's for years..yet DCCC is apparently unloading some cash. Found this Ohio Progressive Blog site:
www.ohiodailyblog.com/content/oh-05-dccc-pours-cash-race

I wish only the best for our OHIO friends..in the meantime..

Get out the plastic and checks and send them to Phil..get busy! !



The DCCC is embarrassing! (Jen Little - 12/4/2007 10:34:23 PM)
Lowell, thank you for posting this story.  I had hoped we would see something or hear something by now demonstrating the DCCC helping Philip Forgit.

I suppose I am too much an optimist. Hoping my party will do the right thing always.

This is a disgrace to our party.  I am not sure what the DCCC King Makers are waiting for.  While they sit on the cash they are embarrassing our Party.

I want the RK readers to know I called the DCCC last week.  I asked the receptionist why they kept asking for donations (just about every other day) when they do not invest in this race, and I was informed I could "unsubscribe" to the e-mail.  That should tell you what they think of people like me.

I also wonder what this lack of action says about Virginia for 2008...  We have Mark Warner.  We have a Presidential contest.  Countless Congressional races. Overall what does the lack of help from the DCCC say about how the "National Democrats" view "purple" Virginia?  Will we be left off the map as we were in 2004?

Also, for the record, Levar, Amy and the gang are doing a fab job at the DPVA. I have witnessed first hand their hard work, and assure RK readers the DPVA is a top notch organization.  The DCCC can learn a thing or two from the DPVA!



I called the DCCC yesterday.. (lgb30856 - 12/5/2007 2:22:13 PM)
and have not heard a word. great work guys.