Cory Booker Dominates Fundraising Again

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Roll Call

Newark Mayor Cory Booker dominated his New Jersey Senate special-election foes in fundraising during the first three weeks of July, pre-primary reports filed with the Federal Election Commission showed.

Booker raised $2.1 million from July 1 to 24 — six times more than his closest competitor in the Aug. 13 race for the Democratic nomination.

Booker reported having more than $4 million in cash on hand by the end of the pre-primary period. Reports were due to the FEC on Aug. 1.

The mayor is heavily favored to advance to the Oct. 16 special election and win the seat of the late Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg. The last three weeks of fundraising were a continuation of what’s transpired in the race so far.

Read more: http://atr.rollcall.com/cory-booker-dominates-fundraising-again/

[n2doc]

1. The Hedge Fund Defender strikes again

One hand washes the other.

[cyclezealot]

3. He /she who raises the most funds, fastest

Tells me, that candidate is more likely to have sold out Main Street for Wall Street.

[frazzled]

4. But, just the other day, the opposite was asserted here

"Want to see what happens when a DEMOCRAT actually STANDS UP and FIGHTS the Republicans?" was the name of a thread that answered its question with the news: "Texas state Senator Wendy Davis has reaped nearly $1 million in political donations since she staged a nearly 11-hour filibuster that ultimately failed to stop the Texas legislature approving stringent new restrictions on abortion in the state, her office said on Monday."

So how can it be that raising a bunch of money is the result of both Democrats who "stand up and fight" and Democrats who "have sold out Main Street for Wall Street"?

Or is it just that (as I suspect), money is not a reflection of anything candidates have done/said or not done/said, but simply that we like it when Democrats we like raise a lot of money but don't like it when Democrats we don't like raise a lot of money.

[cyclezealot]

7. depends from where the money comes

She caused quite a sensation among the rank and file. Her likely sources were from lots of small donors. it does happen. If its bundled from large contributors, its Wall Street or the Rest of the Fire Industries. Such information can be found out from organizations that attempt to keep track of from where the money comes and who it goes to.

[Bully Taw]

9. maybe...

it depends on whether the candidate is someone we like. Why don't some Dems like Booker? Well, there might be one reason...

[frazzled]

13. That is what I said

But that was not the claim offered.

We always want to theorize events, in generalities: Democrats raise money when they fight; Democrats only raise money because they are tools. In reality, money is raised for all kinds of reasons. Let's just admit that we like it when people we like raise it and don't like it when people we don't like raise it. And let's leave the conjecture as to causes out of it.

(I'm sure there are plenty of small, even poor donors who have given to Booker's campaign; and that there have been powerful women's lobbies that have contributed to Davis's).

In other words, my observation was "meta"--about the competing theories of fundraising that exist here, which shift with personal taste and circumstances.

[joshcryer]

17. Greg Abbott raised nearly 5 times that much.

So, erm, yeah, the thread itself was a trainwreck of illogical BS which I avoided because if you disagree with certain loud cliques here you get maligned and insulted.

Money does kind of reflect popular sentiment. In 2008 when Obama got "massive personal donations" a lot of those donations came from corporate PACs. eg, individuals in corporations. AIG was one of his biggest donators. Why? Well, if you worked for AIG and you saw his rhetoric on the bailouts, you'd be grateful, and vote for him.

[frazzled]

18. Do you make this stuff up?

Obama's rhetoric on bailouts in 2008 caused AIG employees to fall into his arms? Here's what he said about the AIG bailout in September 2008, as recorded, word for word, in the news at the time:

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., this morning released a statement about the U.S. government’s rescue of AIG.

“The fact that we have reached a point where the Federal Reserve felt it had to take this unprecedented step with the American Insurance Group is the final verdict on the failed economic philosophy of the last eight years," Obama said. "While we do not know all the details of this arrangement, the Fed must ensure that the plan protects the families that count on insurance. It should bolster our economy’s ability to create good-paying jobs and help working Americans pay their bills and save their money. It must not bail out the shareholders or management of AIG.

“This crisis serves as a stark reminder of the failures of crony capitalism and an economic philosophy that sees any regulation at all as unwise and unnecessary," Obama continued. "It’s a philosophy that lets Washington lobbyists shred consumer protections and distort our economy so it works for the special interests instead of working people; a philosophy that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to the rest. Instead, the pain has trickled up – from the struggles of Main Street all the way up to the crises on Wall Street.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/09/does-obama-supp/

Wall Street hated Obama. And you apparently think people are stupid enough here to fall for anything you decide to pull over on them.

[former9thward]

19. Wall Street hated him?

I pulled up 622 contributions in 2008 from one company alone -- Goldman Sachs --- in just a few seconds of internet searching. I don't think they hated him too much.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/search.php?cid=N00009638&name=%28all%29&employ=goldman+sachs&state=%28all%29&zip=%28any+zip%29&submit=OK&amt=a&sort=A

on edit I looked up AIG. He got 243 contributions from them. Wow did they despise him!

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/search.php?cid=N00009638&name=%28all%29&employ=aig&state=%28all%29&zip=%28any+zip%29&submit=OK&amt=a&sort=A

edit again AIG gave 35 contributions to McCain and Goldman gave 170.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/search.php?cid=N00006424&name=%28all%29&employ=aig&state=%28all%29&zip=%28any+zip%29&submit=OK&amt=a&sort=A

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/search.php?cid=N00006424&name=%28all%29&employ=goldman+sachs&state=%28all%29&zip=%28any+zip%29&submit=OK&amt=a&sort=A

[frazzled]

20. Yes, that was all the news for 3 years

Why does Wall Street hate Obama? It was the topic on Charlie Rose at least 3 times a week.

You completely ignore the falsehood proclaimed in the post to which I responded, providing actual words, and cite instead 622 people?

Goldman Sachs has 32,600 employees (it was probably higher in 2008). So you are surprised that 0.019%--a minuscule percentage--of them made a contribution to Obama? Hell, that could be the secretaries and janitors. Or just plain Democrats, who actually, you know, work for companies like this. It could be people who opposed the Iraq war, or supported civil rights. Or who just thought John McCain was a decrepit, mean man.

622 people from Goldman Sachs? This is an argument? It's bullshit that is a made up, ignorant mode of analysis.

Just like this whole thread is a bullshit, made-up conjecture that Cory Booker's donations are all from Wall Street. Cory Booker is the mayor of Newark, one of the most impoverished cities in America.

Cory Booker has never worked for Wall Street. After graduating Yale Law School did he even head to a fat-cat firm? No, he served as Staff Attorney for the Urban Justice Center in New York and Program Coordinator of the Newark Youth Project. He went on a 10-day hunger strike and lived in a tent. He's lived on a food-stamp budget to draw attention to poverty. You may think he's doing this for show, and imagine that he escapes each night to secretly meets Wall Street Bankers at Eleven Madison Park for cocktails and fancy dinners. But I can bet you that a good portion of his donations have come from little people.

[former9thward]

24. I like Cory Booker.

And I don't care if all his contributions come from Wall Street. I don't get bothered by that type of thing. And I will not pretend that employees of Wall Street firms who gave money for the presidential campaign of 2008 did not overwhelmingly give to Obama over McCain. It is what it is.

[Bully Taw]

25. Booker scares the "Hillary in 2016" people n/t

[brooklynite]

26. NO he doesn't...

...he's a smart, upcoming politician, which mean he knows the odds are stacked against him for a Presidential run right after Obama. But two terms in the Senate, or a stint as VP? That's the "ticket".

[former9thward]

27. I agree.

2016 too early for President. But maybe not for VP. I hope he is considered for VP by whomever the presidential nominee is in 2016 -- especially if Christie is the nominee of Rs. Would not want to see NJ in play.

[Bully Taw]

28. President Obama served for three years in the Senate before becoming POTUS.

And who else is showing signs of energizing the voters like Obama did? Hillary is the only other candidate people are talking about, and she is no longer a viable candidate. Hillary will lose the WH if she runs, and we cannot have that.

[brooklynite]

29. Care to opine WHY she "no longer a viable candidate"?

...other than the fact that some people here say they won't vote for her?

[Bully Taw]

30. she is...

too old, has too much baggage, real or imagined, and there are a good number of Democrats that don't like her. Some have never forgiven her for what they felt was racist rhetoric during the 2008 primaries. She will also get very little support from moderates. She is not charismatic or energetic.

Of course, it depends on what kind of candidate the GOP runs, but if they go with a guy like Rubio that appeals to younger voters, possibly minority voters, then Hillary will have a very difficult time overcoming that.

winning the WH isn't just about the message, its about likability and appeal, two things that Hillary no longer has outside of her hardcore fans.

I think Booker has those things though.

[Beacool]

32. In your mind.

Hillary is by far the most popular politician in the nation. Your assumptions are not factual. She beats anybody, including "Mr. Hot" Christie. You may not like her or find her charismatic, but that doesn't change the fact that there are millions of people raring for the chance to vote for her.

Rubio? Hillary is already beating Rubio in FL with Hispanics. They are not stupid enough to vote against their interests.

[Bully Taw]

40. i think you are very misguided...

because you are a fan. Your assumptions are also not factual. At this point, all we have is opinion and conjecture. Time will tell, though.

[Beacool]

31. You're funny.

Booker I know well as Newark is less than half an hour away from my town. He's not going to run in 2016.

[Bully Taw]

39. people said that about BO also...

remember, Booker was given a prominent role at the DNC. We will see.

[avaistheone1]

36. It is what it is

and it is not good for our country and the American people that is for sure.

[joshcryer]

21. Yeah, how many AIG managers went to jail?

This is what I'm talking about: https://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/sectorallc.php?cycle=2008

Obama toped the list of AIG donations: http://www.publicintegrity.org/2009/03/30/2911/obama-top-recipient-aigs-hefty-campaign-contributions

Almost double that of McCain.

This isn't about some big conspiracy that he was bought by them, it's just a reason why someone would donate to him.

[onehandle]

2. Seeing commercials from at least two of his primary opponents.

Citing him by name and declaring themselves 'real liberals.'

[Bully Taw]

5. Booker scares people...

he will easily win the vacant Senate seat. But, where he is a threat is when the 2016 Presidential election comes around. He is young, energetic, charismatic and has walked the tough road as mayor of Newark. Those that think Hillary would be the nominee in 2016 are scared that Booker will do to her just what Obama did in 2008. Only, she is older and has more baggage now.

[proverbialwisdom]

14. How were these projects funded? Were bonds issued ultimately involving increased debt for the city?

http://online.barrons.com/article/SB10001424127887324328204578574191247442404.html?mod=BOL_article_full_more

As Booker Runs for Senate, Newark Faces Development Uncertainty
Fears for New Jersey City's Business Climate If Mayor Exits

By HEATHER HADDON
MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013

What happens to Newark's business climate if Mayor Cory Booker is elected to the Senate in October?

Newark Mayor Cory Booker has championed the new buildings and businesses that have sprung up during his seven-year tenure, promoting New Jersey's largest city as a modern-day boom town.

<>

Economic development has been prominent on Mr. Booker's agenda since he took office. His efforts were hampered by the recession, but things have picked up since. About $1 billion in projects broke ground in Newark between 2011 and 2012. Another $2 billion in investment is now moving forward, according to city projects lists viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

<>

Quite the gamble, no?

[Beacool]

33. Booker scares nobody.

Yes, I think that he'll win the Senate seat, not that he deserves it after the way he disrespected a man who was a great senator to our state. The primary is next week, I will not vote for Booker. Lautenberg was a better senator than Booker will ever be.

[Bully Taw]

41. Booker scares you, I think...

[JackRiddler]

6. It's good to be a bankster!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kd-ZzSgzK7o/TE4BqYfI9-I/AAAAAAAAAOc/jE6oDRWWvek/s1600/good+to+be++banksa2008-10-05.gif

[KamaAina]

8. Shouldn't he be pulling a dog out of a burning building somewhere?

[Bully Taw]

11. i can't tell what you mean...

is that a negative?

[KamaAina]

15. It means his superhero status

belies the fact that he's a Third Way Dem* who one DUer called "Cory the Tory".

[Beacool]

34. Wasn't that a riot?

I buy him saving the lady from the burning building, but the dog story was just too funny. Doesn't he have enough work to do in Newark? Lord knows that's one city where you better not get lost in or you might regret it.

[proverbialwisdom]

10. Check it out.

http://www.bluejersey.com/diary/23581/icymi-senate-democratic-primary-debate

FULL DEBATE VIDEO

ICYMI: Senate Democratic Primary Debate
by: Rosi Efthim
Mon Aug 05, 2013 at 11:01:53 PM EDT

Here is NJTV's broadcast of tonight's NJ Democratic Senate Primary debate, moderated by the Mike Schneider, anchor and managing editor of NJTV's NJ Today, with contributions from Al Doblin, editorial page editor at The Record. It was well-moderated by Schneider, but remarkably poorly-lit at Montclair State University. If you're reading this just after I posted it, you can also watch the rebroadcast, starting now at 11pm on NJTV's air.

You'll have at least one more chance to see the four Democrats together; this Thursday August 8th at 7pm to be broadcast on WBGO 88.3 FM and on News 12 New Jersey. The candidates have just a week more to make their case to you. Primary e-day is next Tuesday, August 13.

[Mr. David]

16. If NJ Dems were smart, they would wisely choose Holt.

He is the true progressive of all those candidates out there.

Fought against the Patriot Act and DHS.

He deserves to be a Senator, if not this year but perhaps after a primary challenge vs Menendez who has been a DLC sellout.

[Beacool]

35. That's my choice.

But I think that Booker will win.

[davepc]

38. Mayor Booker will win walking away

[JRLeft]

12. He's Wall Street's guy.

[hatrack]

22. Great, Harold Ford 2.0 is on a roll . . . .

[brooklynite]

23. Money's not really relevant to this campaign...

I live in NYC and there has been no spending on advertising by anyone; I suspect the answer is that Booker and his opponents all know what the outcome of the Primary (and the General) will be.

[DeSwiss]

37. ....

- It's uncanny how he JUST KNEW whenever one of his constituent's furnace's pilot light went out. And there is was -- with a match to save them from frostbite.

The man's a saint, I tells ya.......