kalm wrote:TwinTownBisonFan wrote:
THIS. THIS x 6.93...
Part of the problem is that the media covers the money more than they cover the race itself... they fixate on it - in part - because we as operatives fixate on it.
I will add one thing... while money doesn't make a winner, a LACK of money pretty much guarantees a loser. However, raising campaign cash isn't that hard... without much effort a decent Congressional can raise a million bucks for their run... which should be enough to win.
How much time do they devote to fundraising vs. legislating? How much does the average congressman have to raise per day in order to be competitive? I think voters can still make good voting decisions while that money gets put to better use in the economy.
This will read as far more "know it all douchey" than I intend - for that I apologize in advance but...
As the one poster on this board who has worked for an incumbent member of Congress (on their re-elect effort) I assure you... they spend more time legislating BY FAR. In a given week, I was lucky if I got 3-5 hours of call time. I would sit in scheduling meetings with the district staff and they'd budget 85% of the Reps time to legislative... I got what was left. A few morning fundraisers, one evening a month, and a few pockets of call time each week. We got it done in that time - I also raised plenty on my own, but it was a pain in the ass.
This is one of those things where perception and reality have nothing to do with each other. I think you are under the impression (and I'm sure there's a Taibbi article that makes this claim) that all members do is whore for money... and occasionally represent their constituents... it's completely bogus. It has nothing to do with party either... the vast majority of members spend about 75-85% of their time taking meetings with constituent groups, working in committee, voting on the floor and receiving briefings - the rest is left to "campaign activity" which usually means a trip over to the DNC or RNC building and grinding out calls to donors (usually inviting them to an event... most pols can't or won't do straight cash calls) and then it's back to the official grind 3 hours later. (pols are also amazing in their ability to get out of call time)
Trust me when I say that while there are reps who truly love raising money (they are usually legends around the hill - at least among us hacks) the vast majority do it as little as they have to - and just want to get back to work.
As for how much per day? depends on the district. let's go with an extreme example on the high side and one on the low. take a freshman rep in a swing district for example - in a decent sized media market: you'd need to raise about $3 million to fend off the other side - especially if they are targeting you (and they probably are) which works out to around $4,000 a day. Every day. However, the max donation is $5,000 from individuals (2 $2500 donations in truth) and PACs can give $10,000 (2 $5000 donations). You can also raise $4,000 from other candidate committees.
So, you need 28k/wk. In theory. To run the hottest of Congressional races... It's not too terribly hard, given where the limits are, and if you're willing to work hard.
A safe incumbent can get by with $750k. or about $1,000/day... that's spit in the ocean... get PAC max and a couple of $500 donations and you are set for the week.
