April 29, 2008 - 3:21pm
Novick campaign checks Merkley's numbers, finds out of state total off
By Lauren LafaroIt is common knowledge that Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are standing behind Jeff Merkley, and that the candidate has held fundraisers across the country and drawn speakers—such as former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, who stumped for Merkley this morning—to Oregon to buttress his campaign.
But just how much of Merkley’s total financial support comes from outside of Oregon?
At the end of the first quarter, the campaign told the media that 60 percent of the candidate’s money came from Oregon sources, but now Steve Novick’s campaign is questioning that number.
A Novick campaign analysis of Merkley’s first quarter financial filing found the 60 percent number was inflated; only 35 percent of Merkley’s money actually came from within the state.
The numbers cover all itemized contributions, both individual and PAC. While 61% of Merkley’s individual contributions were from out of state, 91% of the PAC money came from outside of Oregon.
"Why they would misrepresent information that would be public in a matter of days is beyond me," said Jake Weigler, Novick’s campaign manager, who also stressed that Oregon voters deserve a candidate who can be relied upon to tell the truth.
The Merkley campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
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Shows the Novick campaign has no strategy.
Sitting around with nothing to do but adding up numbers. The fact is campaigns only report contributions of more than $200 to the FEC. The Novick campaign cannot find out what percentage of money actually came from in state.
I think they are just trying to get the Merkley campaign to respond with what I just said. Then say "prove it, release all your records, what are you hiding?" This for no other reason than to be vindictive.
Grow up Novick. Figuratively, of course.
45%
"Sitting around with nothing to do but adding up numbers. The fact is campaigns only report contributions of more than $200 to the FEC. The Novick campaign cannot find out what percentage of money actually came from in state."
They did figure that possibility in, and you still only get 45% max, not 60%. By contrast, Novick's total with unitemized donations is 77%.
Beyond the question of why the Merkley campaign would so vastly overstate the depth of their in-state support, is the question as to why 2 of every 3 dollars for his campaign is coming from people with much less vested interest in the seat.
And beyond that, if you say that it's still OK to be largely supported by non-Oregonians, what does it say that Merkley has raised 130K from Oregonian concerns...and Novick has raised almost 190K?
Why do you always have to
Why do you always have to bicker like children?
The primary will be over soon and I hope that all of you can step behind the candidate that represents your values better than Gordon Smith and support the Democratic candidate for US Senate.
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