Will It Be All About the Benajmins?
by Christine Stuart | Aug 8, 2010 11:59pm
(14) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Election 2010, State Capitol
The same year the legislature tried to take big money out of the campaign system is the same year that pits two Greenwich millionaires against two publicly funded candidates.
And the most recent campaign finance reports, which cover a seven-day period between July 29 and Aug. 4 leading up to Tuesday’s primary, may show just how much money matters.
Democrat Ned Lamont has spent $8.6 million of his own fortune on his campaign with about $1.75 million of that coming on Aug. 2 and Aug. 3. Republican Tom Foley has loaned his campaign a little more than $3 million since ditching his run for U.S. Senate. About $751,000 of that was loaned to the campaign on Aug. 4.
Lamont will face former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, while Foley faces Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, and privately financed candidate R. Nelson “Oz” Griebel.
Lamont’s spending has already set a record. It’s more than Malloy and his opponent New Haven Mayor John DeStefano spent in 2006 combined, and it’s more than the $6.5 million former Gov. John G. Rowland spent on his re-election campaign in 2002.
Under the public campaign finance system, Malloy and Fedele raised $250,000 in small dollar donations and were given $2.5 million in public funds for their campaigns.
But Lamont makes no apologies for the investment he’s made in his campaign, saying he won’t fight with one arm tied behind his back in the general election against his Republican opponent.
Foley, a major fundraiser for former President George W. Bush, has raised $794,520 in contributions from individuals for his gubernatorial bid. About $6,045 came during the period between July 29 and Aug. 4. It’s unclear how much more than the $3 million he’s willing to loan his campaign should he win on Tuesday.
If Malloy or Fedele win Tuesday, they will each receive a $3 million grant.
On Thursday the Senate overrode Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s veto of legislation which could boost the grant to $6 million, but it’s unclear if the House has enough votes to finish the override. At least five Democrats who voted against the measure will have to change their votes Aug. 13 in order to successfully complete override.
Republican lawmakers have said they don’t think it’s a coincidence that the same year public financing went into effect for statewide offices is the same year two millionaires are running. Republicans remain largely against the use of taxpayer dollars for campaigns.
Griebel, who is running against Foley and Fedele, has raised a total of $463,622 from individuals and has loaned his campaign $30,050. Griebel has about $26,336 going into the final few days of the campaign.
Malloy has saved $82,622, for the final get-out-the-vote push, while his opponent has about $188,143 on hand for the stretch. Fedele has $64,885 going into Tuesday and Foley has $32,587.
A Quinnipiac University poll expected out this morning may shed some more light on where the candidates on both sides stand.
According to the Secretary of the State there are 740,542 Democrats and 409,233 Republicans registered in the state. The 835,277 unaffiliated voters have until Monday to switch their affiliation to one of the two major parties if they wish to vote on Tuesday.
Tags: lamont, malloy, fedele, foley, griebel, funding, gubernatorial, campaign
(14) Comments
posted by: mpalmer | August 9, 2010 7:39am
Since we’re talking money, and not fighting with one arm tied behind the back,
And since there was this certain little episode in 2006 concerning $387,000 in “street money” apparently in some last ditch effort on the part of an opponent, I’d be interested in seeing how the Lamont campaign explains this
http://seec.ct.gov/ecrisreporting/Data/Attachment/Unassigned/SEEC30_7th_Supplemental_Statement_Primary_6980.PDF
Page 41:
CardLab, Inc.
1701 W Northwest Hwy Ste 100 Grapevine TX 76051-8127 RCW
Gift Cards $103,872.00
CardLab, Inc. created GiftCardLab in 2007 to meet the growing demand for customized gift cards.
They have teamed up with London-based Serverside Graphics and PAYjr Inc., based
in Dallas, TX, to deliver a service unlike any other available today.
posted by: mattw | August 9, 2010 8:38am
I know that they’ve been using prepaid cell phones in their offices, which would be my guess.
There are hundreds of payments for $40-120 for workers in that report, which is what I think you’re suggesting the cards would have been for.
posted by: mattw | August 9, 2010 9:32am
I know that they’d using prepaid cell phones in the offices—I’d guess that’s what the cards are for (especially since, in that same report, there are dozens of pages of $40-120 payments to canvassers, itemized like they ought to be.)
posted by: mpalmer | August 9, 2010 11:44am
The Cardlab site does not mention phone cards. Visa gift cards? Yes. These are listed as gift cards.
From their site:
“Gift Cards are the ideal way to send the right gift to friends, family, coworkers, and clients. Sending Gift Cards is completely hassle free and will save you time and gas, by allowing you to complete your shopping in the comfort of your own home, all online. Our Gift Cards are completely customizable for you. Choose from many different styles and make sure to personalize your gift by uploading your very own images. If you prefer, you can choose from thousands of existing designs conveniently categorized.”
posted by: Not that Michael Brown | August 9, 2010 2:16pm
How much does a vote cost?
Posted this on MLN and got troll rated.
With about a 20% Primary turnout, Lamont is paying an average of about $119 per vote compared to Malloy paying about $35 per vote. Hard to say, but the cost per swing-voter must be closer to $400 each for Lamont and near $100 each for Malloy.
Good money management is the key to any successful campaign - well some campaigns.
posted by: Tessa Marquis | August 9, 2010 3:52pm
I have a concern about people being able to operate within a budget.
The Citizen’s Election Program enforced a specific maximum expenditure on each candidate. This created a firm budget that must be adhered to, if only as an exercise in fiscal management. That is why this was one of the issues that determined who I support in these elections.
posted by: Not that Michael Brown | August 10, 2010 3:18pm
http://blogs.courant.com/helen_ubinas/2010/08/down-with-debit-cards.html
Phone cards my butt.
posted by: Ctkeith | August 10, 2010 5:21pm
You’re right Brownie,
Lamont should pay his poll standers with his own CASH just like Malloy is paying his with taxpayer funds.
posted by: Not that Michael Brown | August 10, 2010 7:21pm
Keith Crane from the infamous My Left Nutmeg.
http://blogs.courant.com/colin_mcenroe_to_wit/2010/08/is-there-a-bigger-bunch-of-scr.html
No longer a progressive itch. Just a festering sore.
posted by: mpalmer | August 10, 2010 9:07pm
http://blogs.courant.com/helen_ubinas/2010/08/down-with-debit-cards.html
Ouch?
‘Byrd said she was depending on the money for bills.
“I can’t pay any light bill with this card,” she said.
“You can bet he’s not getting my vote now. No way. He’s a liar.”
Ouch.’
posted by: mpalmer | August 10, 2010 9:08pm
Phone cards?
http://blogs.courant.com/helen_ubinas/2010/08/down-with-debit-cards.html
Ouch?
Byrd said she was depending on the money for bills.
“I can’t pay any light bill with this card,” she said.
“You can bet he’s not getting my vote now. No way. He’s a liar.”
Ouch.