Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel announced Wednesday his organization raised $4.4 million in January, calling the fundraising uptick an enthusiastic sign as his party works to gain back the majority in 2012.
In his first pen and pad briefing with reporters of the year, Israel was optimistic about Democrats' chances to win the 25 seats they need to flip control, outlining an aggressive fundraising and recruiting strategy for the coming year even as redistricting looms large.
In his first pen and pad briefing with reporters of the year, Israel was optimistic about Democrats' chances to win the 25 seats they need to flip control, outlining an aggressive fundraising and recruiting strategy for the coming year even as redistricting looms large.
"Being in the minority sucks, but being in the minority party and being able to do something about it is priceless," said Israel. "I want to thank the Republicans for making my job easier than it should be. Every day they give us a lot to work with."
But, Israel cautioned that pointing to GOP missteps alone wouldn't change voters' minds. "We will win it by putting the pedal to the metal."
At the heart of that drive is their fundraising effort, although it's still shadowed by the nearly $20 million in debt still hanging over their heads. But, Israel said he was encouraged by their haul last month - just $300,000 short of their highest ever January monthly total, set last year - and said in December, the DCCC raised $1 million online, which came from an average of $32 per donation.
"Our base is energized, they are charged up, they are involved, they are writing checks," said Israel. Of the money they still owe from loans taken out last cycle, Israel said he wouldn't "sugarcoat" the fact they're still in the red, but said the DCCC has always carried debt, although theirs now is "marginally higher than in past." However, because of the fundraising uptick, the committee will be able to accelerate its plan to pay down the debt. Israel said that if the committee hadn't taken out the extra cash last fall, as many as 15 to 20 more Democratic seats could have been lost. "Twenty-five seats is in range, but without those seats, 40 to 45 seats, that's out of range in my view," said Israel. "The decision for us to borrow money to keep it in range was a good investment. In fact it was one of the best investments we could make." "Steve Israel and his giant-sized ego will have a hard time winning anything until they admit why their party was rebuked by voters in the first place. Judging by their continued support for massive government spending, it's obvious that House Democrats have a long way to go before accomplishing their goal of returning Nancy Pelosi to the Speaker's chair," said National Republican Congressional Committee communications director Paul Lindsay. This post was updated at 3:10 p.m.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/02/dccc-brings-in-4-4m-in-january-16
But, Israel cautioned that pointing to GOP missteps alone wouldn't change voters' minds. "We will win it by putting the pedal to the metal."
At the heart of that drive is their fundraising effort, although it's still shadowed by the nearly $20 million in debt still hanging over their heads. But, Israel said he was encouraged by their haul last month - just $300,000 short of their highest ever January monthly total, set last year - and said in December, the DCCC raised $1 million online, which came from an average of $32 per donation.
"Our base is energized, they are charged up, they are involved, they are writing checks," said Israel. Of the money they still owe from loans taken out last cycle, Israel said he wouldn't "sugarcoat" the fact they're still in the red, but said the DCCC has always carried debt, although theirs now is "marginally higher than in past." However, because of the fundraising uptick, the committee will be able to accelerate its plan to pay down the debt. Israel said that if the committee hadn't taken out the extra cash last fall, as many as 15 to 20 more Democratic seats could have been lost. "Twenty-five seats is in range, but without those seats, 40 to 45 seats, that's out of range in my view," said Israel. "The decision for us to borrow money to keep it in range was a good investment. In fact it was one of the best investments we could make." "Steve Israel and his giant-sized ego will have a hard time winning anything until they admit why their party was rebuked by voters in the first place. Judging by their continued support for massive government spending, it's obvious that House Democrats have a long way to go before accomplishing their goal of returning Nancy Pelosi to the Speaker's chair," said National Republican Congressional Committee communications director Paul Lindsay. This post was updated at 3:10 p.m.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/02/dccc-brings-in-4-4m-in-january-16