Crunch time in the Democratic Senate Primary
Submitted by modernesquire on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 12:02pm.
Here's the shorter version of my earlier post: Tim Russo and I both sniffed this out back in March. Fisher was going to focus on maximizing early fundraising so that his numbers compared to Brunner would lead to process stories that could help him push Brunner out before there really was a primary campaign.
The problem with that strategy is that if Brunner doesn't bite, Fisher will lose steam once his donor base is largely tapped out.
The first quarterly report didn't do the trick. The second one didn't either. If this third one doesn't do the trick, it's only a matter of time before Brunner could be outfundraising Fisher. Yes, you read that right. This may be the darkest moment for the Brunner campaign, but if they can get through it, they might just turn the corner.
Tim's right, the entire primary race boils down to Brunner's commitment. Fisher's fundraising strategy has been effective in creating a perception that she's not really going to be on the primary ballot. It's a very high-stakes risk though because the longer Brunner stays in, the more Fisher's campaign finance advantage starts to crumble.
Brunner has to weather the storm Fisher's strategist created, but if she does, she may find smoothier sailing than Fisher will have.
Comment
Submitted by ytownboy3 on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 5:48pm.
ytownboy3 praises the optimism of those who are advancing the opine that all JBRU needs to do is stay in the race in order to win the very much coveted seat in November 2010. Pat yourselves on the back for the positive attitude on display in the face of otherwise not very encouraging news or signals. Jen's money woes will not improve with a new finance team. Make no mistake, her woes have little to do with enthusiasm for her opponent. People are just not in a giving mood. For all of her hard work, and she has worked awfully hard, she has little to show for it. Her candidacy has not caught fire. It is simple as that. In politics, it is what we call it when someone's fundraising sources have dried up. I have given to neither candidate and will not until the matter is decided. Two questions emerge at this juncture of a campaign: 1)Has a candidate whose campaign has not established any momentum/raised an impressive amount of money an obligation to clear the race in the interest of party unity? 2)Might the lack of any enthusiasm, save for the good shepherds of BSB, be an indication that JenBird would be better suited to running for SOS and advancing much needed Dem unity?? I for one would hate to see her out of office come January 2011. She is far too talented and intelligent to be consigned to the sidelines...........here is hoping for Dem unity ticket.
Hang in there J-BRU!