I NEED YOUR HELP TO RETIRE OUR CAMPAIGN DEBT
June 12, 2008
Dear Friends,
Firstly, I want to thank you for supporting my Senatorial campaign. While we did not get the votes to take us over the top we did make a strong impact by reinforcing what’s possible when a small band of voices comes together in a grass roots movement. I am proud of the campaign we ran, energized by only five paid staff members and an outpouring of volunteers and netroots supporters—all on a budget of but $400,000. Local blogger and journalist Ed Cone paid us a high compliment in remarking that “the Jim Neal campaign seems to be redefining the art of grassroots politics in North Carolina.” We did.
Without detracting from Kay Hagan’s decisive victory, we were in a dead-heat in the SurveyUSA poll just one month prior to the election. In the final 30 days, we simply lacked the financial resources to air a single television commercial or send a direct mail piece to voters. In spite of being outspent about 3:1, we received almost 20% (about 250,000) of the votes cast. No regrets here—and neither should there be for the thousands of you who made this campaign so vibrant. We touched many people across our state and nation.
As I have previously stated (see below), Kay has my full support in her bid to unseat Senator Elizabeth Dole. I hope you will entrust her with yours.
Now that the primary is behind us, I am working to do everything possible to retire the approximate $130,000 in debt which our campaign has outstanding. About $120,000 of that debt is for personal loans I extended out of my pocket— and I’m not a wealthy person. I will not receive a nickel until other creditors are paid first. And if I lose every penny I lent our campaign so be it. I have no regrets at all.
At the same time I’d greatly appreciate your contributing toward retiring our debt through your continued generosity- at whatever level you can afford to contribute. You can contribute online to our Debt Retirement Fund at http://www.actblue.com/page/jimnealdebtretirement or by mailing a check to PO Box 697, Chapel Hill, NC. Please make checks payable to Jim Neal for Senate and notate “debt retirement”.
The total cumulative contributions to Jim Neal for Senate by any individual can not exceed $2,300. I have not and do not accept contributions from Political Action Committees (”PACs”).
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Keep in touch and I’ll do likewise.
Yours,
Jim Neal
May 09, 2008
Dear All,
Firstly, I want to again congratulate Senator Hagan on her nomination as the candidate to beat US Senator Dole in the 2008 senatorial race. I have told Kay that she has my full support and encourage you to work hard on her behalf.
To the staff, volunteers and bloggers who made our campaign so vibrant I thank you. We were a lean organization running a 21st century grass roots campaign. We took almost 20% (about 250,000) of the votes cast despite our lack of resources and the fact that nobody in NC had a clue who Jim Neal was seven months ago. I am very proud of each and every person who volunteered their time and contributed to our campaign.
I’ve become even more energized by the prospect of online communication as the emergent Fifth Estate. Online activism is the future of politics and social change. I believe that the power of the blogosphere is only at the tip of the iceberg (and that iceberg is melting…) so keep your involvement and your voices in the debate.
Remember that the campaign was never about Jim Neal. It was about you. You are the voices of change. Change is only going to come from the bottom up.
Many of you have emailed me and asked “what’s next?” Well, I’ve got a lot of people to thank and a campaign to wind down. Thereafter I’m taking some time, after six months and 35,000 miles on the road and not much sleep and too many pounds shed, to reflect. I don’t know what the next chapter in my life will be. I do know, however, it will involve continuing to work for empowering the voiceless many most in need. I have heard them. They have made me a richer person. They still have my ear and I’m not about to walk away from them.
We all have a lot of work to do.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
