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RUMOR MILL BOMBSHELL IN 3RD CD: PAULSEN’S CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN RAISES CLOSE TO $400,000 IN FOURTH QUARTER
By Michael B. Brodkorb | January 11, 2008
I was working on my post about a prominent DFLer telling Minnesota Democrats Exposed than State Senator Terri Bonoff's 2007 fundraising numbers were a "huge disappointment" when rumors started to fly about the money raised by Representative Erik Paulsen's Congressional campaign.
According to sources, Paulsen's campaign has raised close to $390,000 in the fourth quarter, while spending an estimated $30,000. Paulsen's campaign has yet to formally release their numbers, but I'm confident that my numbers are accurate.
These fundraising numbers are simply off the charts and they should send the message that Paulsen will not be outworked by any of the DFL candidates in the race to replace Congressman Jim Ramstad.
In their post about Bonoff's and Ashwin Madia's fundraising numbers, MN Publius wrote about how Madia's campaign had included the first quarter fundraising numbers of other first-time Congressional candidates in their press release announcing their fundraising numbers:
"In their Press Release the Madia campaign included some first quarter fundraising numbers from former first-time Congressional candidates in Minnesota to which Madia’s numbers can be compared:
- Then-State Sen. Michele Bachmann collected $63,760 in her first full quarter of fundraising (Q2, 2005);
- Tim Walz took in $33,335 in the first full quarter after launching his campaign (Q2, 2005);
- Former DFL chairman Mike Erlandson raised $170,513 in his first quarter (Q2, 2006); and
- Then-State Rep. Keith Ellison raised $147,811 in his first quarter (Q2, 2006)" Source: MN Publius, January 10, 2007
The numbers Madia's campaign used to boast about their fundraising numbers don't even come close to the staggering amount rumored to have been raised by Paulsen's campaign.
Paulsen's campaign may be re-writing the record books for first quarter funding numbers by a first-time Congressional candidate. Please check back to Minnesota Democrats Exposed for more information on this developing story.
Tags: Ashwin Madia, Erik Paulsen, Terri Bonoff
Topics: Ashwin Madia, Erik Paulsen, Terri Bonoff | 35 Comments »
35 Responses to “RUMOR MILL BOMBSHELL IN 3RD CD: PAULSEN’S CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN RAISES CLOSE TO $400,000 IN FOURTH QUARTER”
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January 11th, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Holy Cow!
That’s a huge number from Paulsen.
When Bonoff was wasting her time with an Iraq withdrawal plan (good luck doing that as a freshman rep!), Paulsen’s was working his tail off, raising the necessary $$$ to keep the 3rd CD in the GOP column.
Great work by Paulsen!
January 11th, 2008 at 4:22 PM
This eliminates any doubt that Paulsen is a Tier 1 candidate. This race will be a battle, but Paulsen has momentum and the dems will be fighting it out through their endorsement. Great start, Paulsen!
January 11th, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Great for Erik! His ability to raise money should not be misunderestimated!
January 11th, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Hmmm….I’d say…..good but not great, frankly. Consider that Paulsen is the unchallenged protege of Ramstad for the seat. As a candidate without a challenge I would have expected him to stockpile dollars while the DFL fought for the endorsement. He didn’t do that adequately, in my opinion. In essence, Paulsen raised $300k while two of his three challengers raised $371k for the same period with 1 challenger’s numbers unreported as yet.
Doesn’t seem overly impressive to me….
January 11th, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Considering that Paulsen had to raise money at the same time Ramstad was reconsidering running again–and doing so publicly–Paulsen’s numbers are very impressive.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:55 PM
West Metro Dem-Consider this. 1) With all the unsubstantiated rumors of Ramstad recanting his retirement speech, a lot of GOP donors are holding off until there is a definite answer. 2) With proper reading (Which ed MN plans on getting to after 7 hours a day in character development classes) show that Paulsen had close to $400,000, not 300,000.
January 11th, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Whoops! Sorry about that. I have to admit…I’m an old lady and hate that red print on the gold background. It makes it hard to read. No need for reading classes…..just reading glasses or a different color ink.
So we’re comparing $390k to $371k with unreported dollars from Hovland. Is this correct?
I’d say the seat is definitely in play. I’d submit that it is an even playing field: Paulsen versus the unretirement of Ramstad against flux of an endorsement battle with Bonoff/Madia/Hovland.
Pretty even.
January 11th, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Booyah should lay off of old ladies…. and I bet she, like myself did not go to school here, so you cannot take credit or blame for her bad eyesight.
Having said that, when is Erik going to formally file that he is running for that seat? What’s the deal with all of the fundraising and not filing the necessary paperwork so we all know that the republicans have a candidate?
January 11th, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Paulsen is the best fundraiser in his caucus. He works hard and pays attention to details. He is also the biggest giver in his caucus. That’s smart for a guy who is running. this is a team sport.
The spinmeisters at Publius are trying to figure out a way to say Bonoff is in the shallow end of the pool and not the kiddie pool. Good luck with that.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:45 PM
I sincerely apologize west metro dem. You’re good people.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Thanks, booyah! I enjoy an intelligent, honest, credible debate of ideas any time. I don’t shy away from differences of opinion but do hate namecalling and putdowns.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Say, WMD?
I’m sick and tired of the names and slurs that ChickenHawk bootlickers have been calling democrats for years.
(CHENEY) ‘em.
Here’s what I posted on the on-line edition, of Paulsen’s home newspaper, yesterday:
From The EP News Archives
View Edit
Submitted by twoputttommy on January 10, 2008 – 2:16pm.
Filed under: Paulsen
Your vote:
20406080100
No votes yet
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is interesting to note that while the three announced candidates for Jim Ramstad’s seat have active websites and are out generating excitement, Eden Prairie’s Erik Paulsen is not. He does, however, have a website: http://paulsenforcongress.com/
And on Mr. Paulsen’s website is no information. However, Mr. Paulsen does offer the opportunity to donate. Why you should donate he does not say; but donate you can.
So in the spirit of providing historical information on what Mr. Paulsen’s candidacy for congress represents, I thought this would be a good time to go back into the “Letters To The Editor” of The Eden Prairie News, and reprint what I wrote about Mr. Paulsen, back when he led this state to a government shutdown.
Letters from the July 14, 2005 News
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Not represented
South Dakotans have twice tossed U.S. senators out of office when they felt the senators became big-shots, no longer representing them, but instead representing the party’s other officials and special interests. Both McGovern and Daschle came to be seen as getting too big for their britches by not listening to what the locals had to say, let alone taking care of what the locals needed done. We have a state representative that reminds me of those South Dakota senators, and that’s House Majority Leader Erik Paulsen.
Most folks I meet on and around the prairie are reasonable people, and feel that the gay “marriage” issue could and should be settled reasonably. Many personally know gays and lesbians; for instance, the family down my block has a lesbian daughter. Who cares? Not me. Not my neighbors. But, Michelle Bachman does. In Mr. Paulsen’s leadership position, he represents fear-mongers like Michelle Bachman. Actually, in his position, he LEADS them.
Most folks I meet on and around the prairie are sick of staying stuck in traffic; business folks losing money from employees idling away in a jam (by the way, for many businesses it’s cheaper to pay the nickel a gallon “user fee” than the wages of the employees); commuters losing precious time with family in the same jam. Would you pay a nickel a gallon more to get home quicker? Most folks I talk to would. And I don’t care where you go; it’s a jam – for much of the day. Yet Erik Paulsen, in his “leadership” position in the House, can’t get a compromise out of the governor – one simple nickel.
Most folks I meet on and around the prairie willingly compromise, go along to get along, and don’t feel they have to get it all. Politics is the art of negotiation and compromise – something Mr. Paulsen in his position of House majority leader clearly has demonstrated he cannot and/or will not do. Last year, he wouldn’t compromise and get the bonding bill done. This year, he wouldn’t compromise and get a budget passed, despite TWO deadlines.
For these reasons, it’s clear to me that Majority Leader Paulsen does not listen to the reasonable people on the prairie. He might hear the reasonable people, but he doesn’t listen. He’s listening to somebody else, representing somebody else, and leading somebody else. I personally don’t care who runs against Erik Paulson; the same way South Dakota voters really didn’t care who ran against Daschle or McGovern. It’s quite apparent he has become beholden to his party’s special interests, and no longer represents the average citizen of Eden Prairie. I trust the citizens of Eden Prairie will give Mr. Paulsen the same lesson South Dakotans give their elected officials that no longer represent them.
Thomas Johnson
Eden Prairie
***
Paulsen is no Ramstad; he’s a rightwingnut that appeals to the basest of the republiCon base. He’ll get the endorsement, but lose in the general.
That’s because the general population is tired of republiCons. Ramstad would win, if he ran again, but: that’s because he’s a “Republican”, NOT a ‘republiCon’.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:39 PM
TwoPuttTommy,
You’re a loon. I think your post belongs over at Publius, this is a conversation about how great Paulsen is at fundraising and how he is going to be the next congressman representing the 3rd.
Eden Prairie is not in South Dakota and gay marriage and Michele Bachmann are not related to Paulsen’s fundraising. Although, the people of South Dakota DID care who was running against Tom Daschle and DAMN isn’t John Thune a great Senator? Oh yea, and there’s no prairie in Eden Prairie anymore either. Why don’t you crawl back in your South Dakota gopher hole?
January 12th, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Paulsen will need triple Bonoff’s money to shake his Mr. Wizard like persona.
Do we have Mark Kennedy Deja Vu all over again?
January 12th, 2008 at 4:14 AM
Say, Patriot?
You haven’t been paying attention, here – remember the Cox debacle?
All you republiCons want to kick good and decent Republicans out of your party – that’s why incumbent Republican Edina Mayor Jim Hovland is running for Ramstad’s seat as a DEMOCRAT!!!
Everyone knows the Third CD is a moderate CD; but you losers are going to run a rightwingnut like Paulsen anyway.
Thanks! We’re more than happy to move this seat from the “R” column to the “D” column!!!
January 12th, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Twoputt,
I deplore namecalling on either side. It detracts from the actual debate of ideas. We actually do agree on many problems – just come at the answers from different directions and with different solutions. The process and discussion is interesting and enlightening – usually for everyone involved.
I do, think, though that CD3 has become much more moderate in the past 24 years and much less a red district. It was held only because Ramstad had avoided really annoying people by doing anything absolutely flagrant. This past cycle, though, you could tell he was less enjoying his position than previously. His town hall meetings were less love fests with friendlies than open battles on many subjects. I personally witnessed one where every question was hostile – the war, social security funding, transportation infrastructure. He cut it off exactly at the end of the 1 hour and left without more discussion. Every year previously he had stayed after the cable access stopped taping for at least 30 minutes answering more questions. He didn’t look happy. I’d submit that the joy had gone out of his service. While his office was very nice to the occupiers protesting the Iraq war this summer, he couldn’t have been happy to have been hosting a weekly sit in either.
Just not much fun being in the minority these days….
January 12th, 2008 at 4:44 PM
TwoPutt, just because there are demoncrats like you in EP, remember, we got rid of two of the liberal idiots on the EP City Council. Edina tends to be pretty darn conservative. So the 3rd CD is definately more red than blue. Trust me, anybody that is too liberal will never get elected in the 3rd CD.
January 12th, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Edina conservative? Is that why your mayor is now a Democrat and your city voted for John Kerry?
The 3rd is moderate. Period. Good candidates from both parties (non wingnuts) can win here. It’s a matter of quality candidate and stating the issues clearly.
January 12th, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Well, now that I know “twoputttommy”‘s name, his IP address, and his location…
The 3rd district is purple. A solid, royal purple. Either side could do fine, but considering that it takes 3 dem candidates to raise the same amount as one republican candidate, it says a lot about the Democrat candidates.
January 12th, 2008 at 9:19 PM
***
Sakaki Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Well, now that I know “twoputttommyâ€â€™s name, his IP address, and his location…
***
Did you have a point?
January 12th, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Say, Honeydog?
You just called two former elected Republican officials, Ron Case and Nancy Tyra-Lukens, “liberal idiots”.
When you look around caucus on Februrary 5th, and you see those empty seats, just remember:
You just called two former elected Republican officials, Ron Case and Nancy Tyra-Lukens, “liberal idiots”.
Want to go for the trifecta? Or are you getting the idea of why Jim Hovland is a “former” Republican, too?
January 12th, 2008 at 10:28 PM
I think, Sakaki, if you look above you’ll find a reason why your comments are meaningless. We’ve been discussing the fact that many Republicans are withholding support because they are unsure whether or not Paulsen will be it or someone else will get into the race (more exciting) or whether Ramstad will unretire while the Dems are having a food fight over the endorsement. Both sides are currently hampered and pretty darned even, frankly.
Definitely a bluish purple…..
January 13th, 2008 at 9:59 AM
I like cheda cheese, blue cheese tast kinda funky.
January 13th, 2008 at 10:15 AM
West Metro Dem, please learn to read. I don’t live in Edina, and never said I did.
Two put Tommy, yep, Ron Case is a liberal idiot who didn’t know a tax increase he didn’t love. He was also not a Repubican, he was endorsed by the Democrats in his run for Mayor. Phil Young who won the mayoral contest was endorsed by the Republicans. You see, I did my homework, so I know. In just two year, because of the liberals on the City Council like Ron Case, my property taxes increased by 50%!
Nancy Tyra-Lukens was the mayor, and she chose not to run, she wasn’t on the city council. Want to try not to lie next time?
January 13th, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Honeydog, you couldn’t be more wrong on Case. First off, I have never addressed you so have no clue where you think I assumed you live in Edina. I don’t know the first thing about you so wouldn’t do so.
Second, DFL in Eden Prairie do not endorse for local races so Case couldn’t be endorsed. Third, he was a delegate to the convention for the GOP. I received proof of that from Phil Young (the current GOP mayor who was endorsed by the GOP for that office). He asked me during his run which of the two Republicans running I was going to vote for? He then sent me the proof that Case was a GOP delegate in the mail – a copy of the GOP delegate list showing him as one. If the current mayor accepts Case as a Republican, I guess the rest of us will, too. Far be it from me to quibble with him.
Unfortunately, the city council didn’t raise your taxes. Your taxes went up because you voted for those school referendums and city referendums. When cities vote for things they have implications. When the city votes on a referendum to increase taxes to pay for something, the city council can’t override it.
No need to lie. The truth is difficult enough for the GOP to handle in Eden Prairie.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Remember this post of yours West Metro:
West Metro Dem Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Edina conservative? Is that why your mayor is now a Democrat and your city voted for John Kerry?
The 3rd is moderate. Period. Good candidates from both parties (non wingnuts) can win here. It’s a matter of quality candidate and stating the issues clearly.
That was clearly responding to something that I said.
And you can say you received proof anything you want, you have to prove it to us. After all, you just said you never responded to me when clearly you did.
And the taxes have been going up steadily, the referendums, which I voted against, were only a very small part of it.
Ron Case is a teacher, not many teachers are republicans or conservatives.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Well said, WMD. Well said.
If I lived in Eden Prairie, I would be asking why we needed a city referendum in the first place?
Could it have been the cuts in LGA?
The larger cities in Minnesota are the first to feel the affects of the Governor’s run Minnesota on the Cheap Policy.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:41 AM
If you don’t believe me, just email Phil Young. He’ll be glad to give you what he sent me. I don’t have to prove anything to you when you can obviously just email your bought and paid for mayor for this info directly.
FYI….I’ve voted against these latest referendum, too. It’s not only GOPers who are against these referendums.
January 13th, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Yay -there wasn’t enough free cheese.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Huge number for Paulsen, especially considering that as of now, he doesn’t really need to spend a penny of it until he is ready for the general.
January 14th, 2008 at 4:04 AM
Could it have been the cuts in LGA?
Nope, since we got rid of the spendthrifts, my property taxes have actually gone down.
Take that as a hint, don’t spend money on crap you don’t need and you can actually afford the necessities.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:05 AM
Honeydog, you were wrong about Ron Case and Nancy Tyra-Lukes and haven’t admitted it; why would I believe you about this now?
For those gentle readers with open minds that actually are interested in “facts”: prior to the 2006 election, the Eden Prairie City Council was comprised of 5 republicans. This election rusulted in the replacement of republican Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens (retiring) and incumbent Council Member and republican Ron Case (lost race for mayor) with incumbent republican Council Member Phil Young beating Case, and new Council Members republican Jon Duckstand and long-time DFL Activist Kathy Nelson.
So, what does GOPer Mayor Phil Young claim? The new council make-up represents a shift from “left of center” to “right of center”.
ROFLMAO!!!
Only a republiCon could believe that!!!
The old council built on previous council’s work, and got the Moody’s bond rating to AAA – the best bond rating possible.
Yet GOPer LEADERSHIP claims the all-republican council responsible for this, was “left of center”.
Just more proof you simply cannot believe what today’s GOP LEADERSHP says.
And a whole bunch of their bootlickers, too.
If honeydog had any credibility, he’d admit he’s been wrong and move on.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:23 PM
[...] Last Friday, I wrote that rumors were flying that Representative Erik Paulsen's Congressional campaign had raised close to $390,000 in the fourth quarter. My post was spot on: "GOP congressional candidate Erik Paulsen reports raising $390,000 in the fourth quarter of last year, surpassing two Democratic rivals. [...]
January 14th, 2008 at 10:19 PM
[...] Last Friday, I wrote that rumors were flying that Representative Erik Paulsen's Congressional campaign had raised close to $390,000 in the fourth quarter. Paulsen's campaign released their fundraising numbers and my post was spot on. [...]
January 15th, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Wasn’t one of those school referendums also retired? That would affect your taxes, of course the referendum to pay for the community center will more than make up for it– and by the way– I am another DEM who has voted against those referendums!
Why don’t you republicans talk about all of those fees that Pawlenty loves to raise?! Why don’t you talk about all of the services that our state has now washed down to local municipalities? They still take the money, but now our local governments have to do more with less.
Something else that could be affecting your taxes is the higher level of forclosures. The reality is for every home in your neighborhood that goes into forclosure, your home value goes DOWN by 2-3%. So, how many of those does it take before you start to see a real change in your property values? Are your taxes going down because your house isn’t worth as much?! Maybe you should take a ride around your neighborhood and look at all of the for sale signs. Google search forclosures in Hennepin county and see how the number is rising every month. And that is in nice neighborhoods, and some of them are probably nice republicans. Last I looked, there were 36 in EP, and that was a while ago. The big bubble comes in March.
For the record, WMD is correct– Ron Case is a republican and so is Nancy Tyra-Lukens. Maybe they aren’t now, I haven’t asked them- have you? They were on that city council for a very long time and during the time frame when we were given that AAA rating. Do you know how hard it is for a city to get that rating? Once lost, it is very hard to rewin. You want to whine about taxes now, watch what happens when that rating changes. Those bonds you republicans love to secure for your grandchildren to pay for will be much more expensive with higher interest rates. And Case was NOT endorsed by the DFL, nor was he given any money by the party. Not only that, but he never asked for an endorsement from the party. You may not like him, but that doesn’t mean you should spin the truth. Even Scott Neal (a republican)in the last city council meeting expressed concern over losing that rating by reducing the Capital Expenditure Fund that was set up to offset things we have no control over, like road repair in the next 10 years.
Republicans are losing races all over the country because of their poor fiscal policies, increased government (up 25% last I read)and growing deficits. Don’t blame the rest of us, look in the mirror. Republicans have been in control of the purse strings for the last 14 years, and look where it has gotten us!