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Thursday, November 9, 2006

FEC Ruling Allows Donations For Non-Candidates For 2008

By Julia Malone | Thursday, November 9, 2006, 04:48 PM

Why wait for your favorite presidential hopeful to declare his or her candidacy? ActBlue, a pro-Democrat political action committee, won permission from the Federal Election Commission Thursday to collect money for potential contenders even before they enter the ‘08 race.

This “seed money,” raised through small donations via the Internet, would go to the designated recipients only after they announce for president.

It’s an “innovative way” to involve small donors in the presidential race, said FEC Chairman Michael Toner, a Republican who voted with the 4-2 majority to approve the advance giving. He said he expects Republican-leaning groups to copy the idea soon.

However, Commissioner David Mason, also a Republican, called the ruling a “bad policy” that could bring in a lot of cash and “put candidates in a very uncomfortable position” before they have started their own campaign.

ActBlue says that through its click-and-contribute system it has collected $17.4 million for Democrats since 2004. Much of the money came from donations of $10 to $25.

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Republicans: Keep Those Fingers Tucked

By Marilyn Geewax | Thursday, November 9, 2006, 03:57 PM

Despite losing both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s election, there will be no “finger-pointing” among Republicans, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman said Thursday.

“I don’t think it’s useful to look back,” he said at a lunch hosted by the Christian Science Monitor and attended by about 40 journalists.

Even while fingers will remain politely tucked into fists, Mehlman said his team will be sorting out what happened. Already, “we have a post-election survey in the field,” he said.

As for his own performance: “I think I’ve done a good job.”

Still, he “will announce soon” what he plans to do next.

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Let the (‘08) Games Begin

By Ken Herman | Thursday, November 9, 2006, 11:15 AM

The 2006 vote counting is not yet complete but that’s not stopping anybody from talking about 2008.

Here’s what New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who coasted to re-election on Tuesday, told reporters at a Washington breakfast this morning when asked if he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008. See if you think he sounds like a man who’s pretty much made up his mind.

“I’m going to make a decision in January whether to move forward with the race. But I was greatly encouraged by my own margin of re-election. It was 68 percent in a red state. I was encouraged by the work I did with the (Democratic Governors Association). I was very involved in several governors races, both campaigning, financially, resourcewise. I was pleased with the result of the Democratic governors now being the majority and I was pleased with the response I received around the country.”

“Obviously, Sen. Clinton is a formidable candidate, but I believe that it should be wide open, that as many candidates as possible should get in. I think there needs to be a debate about the party, the heart and soul of the party, what we stand for, values.”

“I hope (Sen.) Obama gets in. I hope (Sen.) Kerry gets in. I hope there will be governors too.”

Told that Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack today announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination, Richardson said, “If I were to get in that’s two governors. And I think that’s healthy. I just want to say that governors have a record of getting elected, so that’s a plus.”

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, at the same breakfast, worked hard to make sure not to sound like he is leaning toward any potential presidential candidate.

“We’re going to have an orderly nominating process,” Dean said. “And I’m going to do what I can to publicly enforce the 11th commandment, that you speak no dreadful ill of your Democratic compatriots.”

“We understand it will be rough and tumble but there are some below-the-belt things I’m not going to tolerate,” Dean said. “No, we won’t go into the such-as, but there just are.”

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