Every campaign needs some
Long time lurker (since 2008, joined in 2012), occasional commenter, first time story (blog?) poster. I’m struggling with a donation strategy for this election (again! I struggle every time) and I hope you all will have some ideas for me. I’ve given to Clinton and all the DKos endorsed candidates 2-3 times, and my local D congress candidate Mike Derrick. Next up, some group or groups that support voting rights. I can’t afford to give mass quantities and max out on individual contributions but money is the main thing I feel able to give (I just can’t canvass or call; too much of a wuss.) And every day brings a new reason to desperately want Clinton and the rest to win. I mean, aside from all the positive reasons.
What do you do to keep from giving too much? Do you set a hard dollar limit, or percentage of your income, on how much you will give? Do you give it all early in a campaign? Is that more effective? Or do you save a bit for later? Have you unsubscribed from campaign emails (yes, DCCC, I know your hair and mine ARE in fact on fire, but I still can’t give EVERY time you send me a message)?
I’ve also thought about trying to hold myself to dividing donations proportionally between different types of races, say hypothetically 40% Clinton, 40% Senate races, 20% House, and 20% local/voting rights. Does anyone do that? What would your ideal proportions be? And what about the DSCC and the DCCC? Should they be included?
And finally, with all those DKos endorsed candidates in the Senate and House, if you give to them, do you think it is more effective to choose a few for donations, or give a little bit to all of them? What is the minimum that is useful? Who else should I consider?
Lots of questions, and I know there is no one right answer to any of them. Thanks for your thoughts.
