Massa and Campaign contributions
Well, this is long over due. Might even say it has grown stale - It hasn’t. There actually is life outside the blog and this is still a topic of conversation in some of my political circles (just spoke about it earlier in the week). So let me weigh in as others have done. (Rotten had a couple of posts, Here is another one).
Frankly, this isn’t news - had anyone been involved in their local committees or gone to hear Eric speak in November or December, he announced the change in strategy back then. At issue here, at least for me, is the D&C assertion that Massa is a Hypocrite.
Is Massa a Hypocrite? No,
The D&C op-ed called Massa a hypocrite. Now, one of the qualifications of being a hypocrite is to actually do one thing while saying another.
Massa had his opportunity to be a hypocrite last election cycle. I was in a room when a variety of political consultants recommended that candidate Massa do just that - take corporate PAC money.
The room was packed with about 20 consultants brought it to discuss the campaign. RT was also invited and a few of us attended. Ultimately, there was a point blank question asked - should he accept campaign contributions from Corporate PACs? PAC money was on the table with lots more in the pipeline as I recall. Everyone seated around the room (save for Massa’s staff) was asked their opinion. As everyone gave their opinion, there was no dissent - none. This includes varying degrees of flippant disregard and contempt for some supporters’ attitudes. Everyone in that room recommended Massa take corporate PAC money. Everyone, except me.
I was the last one to speak and in a surreal and an awkward moment - I simply said that he would be breaking a promise he made not to take corporate PAC money this cycle and made reference to the Randy Kuhl ad that would simply write itself. There was more, much more, but that’s enough. A few days later Massa issued a statement saying Corporate PAC money was off the table. Massa kept his promise.
As I said earlier, one of the qualifications of being a hypocrite is to actually do one thing while saying another. I don’t recall Massa renouncing Corporate PAC money forever or even the next cycle. He also knows that if you want to make changes you have to be in office.
So, now that the election is over - the next step is to remain in office. Sure, the system sucks, no Clean Money / Clean Election (which Massa supports), and he’s immediately going on the re-election trail. About 20 months to raise a war chest starting off 90K in debt. Basically, start over AND be a Congressman who delivers to his constituents.
But that is the system in which we live, and until it changes - why would Massa unilaterally disarm?
You can read more of my thoughts about Candidate Massa vs Congressman Massa below the fold.
Candidate Eric Massa vs Congressman Eric Massa
Candidate Eric Massa proved that he could win an election without taking corporate PAC money. A big deal in my opinion. That isn’t to say he didn’t take any PAC money - he did - Labor PAC, Leadership PAC, money from Lawyers. Still the bulk of this money came from small, energized donors.
So, if you are running for a Congressional seat in a Republican district - Candidate Massa set up the model for winning without corporate donations. That guy hustled and took nothing for granted - most importantly met and convinced voters to take a chance on him over the incumbent. Remember - Eric Massa is in a Republican district.
Now that the election is over, the situation changes a bit - gone are the endless days where Massa can have House parties and meet small donors. Eric Massa had last week off and held some house parties but, now that Congress is back in session, he is back to work.
Congressman Massa has congressional obligations that Candidate Massa didn’t.
Strategy and Tactics
Massa is a solid strategist. Building a deep war chest will help defer or deny traction to his GOP competitor. Sort of like how Maggie Brooks’ war chest scared away potential candidates. That is great but the path to get there has changed. Massa recognizes the tactical situation has shifted - his availability is otherwise occupied. So again - why unilaterally disarm financially?
I don’t see a problem here. Why? because as long as he continues to create a voting record that supports his district - he will be fine. If he doesn’t? Well, there is a November election coming up. Remember what I said earlier - while making the rounds of some local committees Massa announced the change in strategy.
Now all of this said - rolling out the strategic change - was a bit underwhelming - especially publicly and that falls on the staff. The bit about the economy and all doesn’t play well and sounds weak. I believe if Massa came out publicly (like in a PR or something) and said - hey, this is what I need to do to get reelected and here is why - he would have been much better off. But I’m not a consultant.
No matter. This issue will die come the active part of this cycle.
As it should.
Related posts:
Good insights, Stlo. If Massa wants to be more than a one term Rep he has to balance idealism with pragmatism - sigh! Massa proved his commitment to public funding of elections when he signed on to the full page ad that the Clean Money/Clean Elections task force of MJ sponsored in the D&C last year, even though he knew the DCCC objected to the idea. He continues to demonstrate support & commitment for full public financing of elections as evidenced in his recent piece in the D&C. The only way to ensure that this legislation is eventually passed is to keep Reps like Massa in office - any way we can!
Until CMCE is adopted, people like Eric will have to play the game.
It’s also time to stop pretending that the “D” in D&C means that progressives can expect a fair hearing from the paper.
Any illusions that such was the case should have been dispelled when Zapesochny was named and renamed to their various advisory boards.
I wonder if it’s even an inside joke at the paper? How many people attended the Oscars at the Eastman house? And yet– Zapesochny’s picture is what makes it in? It’s like they are doing everything possible to send the signal “we’re in line with local Republicans”.
It seems lately that the Messenger Post is doing a much better job covering local issues of interest. I was glad to see Eric’s extensive commentary there. I suspect he’ll get a more fair hearing from them than from the D&C.
I the mean time, perhaps we have to figure out how to give Eric the support he needs– through this forum, LTEs, or other means. We have to have his back; clearly the paper can’t be relied upon to treat him fairly.
Thanks for the kind words -
Interesting about the Oscar party
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