Chafee Already Getting Fundraising Help From Obama
Monday, June 03, 2013
Last week, Governor Lincoln Chafee announced that he would be joining the Democratic party, and the Democratic National Committee followed close on the heels of move with an e-mail to its database that contained a personal message from the President asking people to welcome Chafee to the party -- and giving them the opportunity to make a donation to the DNC.
"Obama's support is a huge plus for Chafee. It will help him raise money across the country and make it more difficult for opponents," said Darrell West, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at The Brookings Institution.
He continued, "The Governor's shift is particularly challenging for Taveras because the two of them occupy a similar niche. Taveras will continue to raise money from Latinos but he now has a big competitor in the progressive area."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I don't see Raimondo changing her approach. She is raising a lot of money from Wall Street and will continue to be able to do that in the future," said West.
Chafee spokesperson Christine Hunsinger had the following to say regarding the DNC development -- and message from the President. "The Governor and the President have a natural affinity and respect for each other, and are committed to working together on issues of importance to them."
"With the end of the General Assembly session near, the Governor remains focused however on the budget and the needs of the taxpayers," said Hunsinger.
Welcome Appeal from Obama
In the message that went out from the DNC, President Barack Obama asked e-mail recipients to welcome the Governor to the party -- followed by a link to a fundraising appeal.
The message, which was sent the same day Governor Chafee made his official switch by registering as a Democrat on Thursday, read as follows:
"Friend --
"I'm delighted to hear that Governor Chafee is joining the Democratic Party.
For nearly 30 years, Linc Chafee has served his beloved Rhode Island as an independent thinker and leader who's unafraid to reach across party lines to get things done. I enjoyed working with Linc when he was a Republican in the United States Senate, and I look forward to continuing that collaboration on the issues that matter not just to the Democratic Party, but to every American, like creating good jobs that pay good wages.
I'm thrilled to welcome Linc to the party of Jefferson and Jackson, Roosevelt and Kennedy -- and I look forward to working with him in the future.
Join me in welcoming Governor Chafee to the Democratic Party."
-- Barack
Upon entering personal information, a new window follows with a fundraising appeal to "Help Democrats Today," with boxes for suggested giving levels.
Ramifications for 2014 in Rhode Island?
Victor Profughi with Quest Research and the University of Rhode Island offered the following analysis of the fundraising development.
"The rapid response is message to potential opponents that he does in fact have the full support of the President behind him," said Profughi. "This is important symbolically as much as anything."
"I don't think this will impact [General Treasurer] Gina Raimondo, if she decides to run for Governor as a Democrat," said Profughi. "Her communities, whether it be here or Wall Street, might not be all that influenced by what the President decides."
"I think for Governor Chafee, what this means is that he'll have opportunities beyond Rhode Island now through the party for fundraising, which would serve to help him a time when his approval ratings are low."
"This will most impact Taveras, because the more progressive element of the party that might have given to him might reconsider with the full weight of the President behind Chafee," he said. "This could change down the road, but I wouldn't rule out Taveras reconsider getting into the race. He's young, he's got options, he'll have other opportunities."
Valerie Endress, Associate Professor of Communications at Rhode Island College, had a more critical view as to the significance of the President's backing.
"For incumbent gubernatorial candidates, the race is a referendum on their record in office. And if any of Chafee's opponents in the primary look as if they are gaining traction, the money will start to dry up for Chafee--both on the national and state level," said Endress.
She continued, "Money isn't a make-or-break issue for Chafee because of his ability to direct personal funds toward his campaign. That being said, party money will matter little in the 2014 race unless the Governor can convince the electorate that he has been an effective change agent for economic recovery. If he can't, no amount of money flowing from the DNC or related PACs can save him in this election."
"People are still hurting in Rhode Island, and the state of the economy will once again loom large in this election," said Endress. "If he can't construct a convincing narrative about his positive role in economic recovery that can stand up to his challengers' attacks, then the momentum turns to his challengers and the money will flow their way."
"Both Taveras and Raimondo have demonstrated some skill in constructing this sort of narrative, so if he can't run a disciplined, on-point, and persuasive campaign, it will continue to be an uphill battle for the Governor," she said
Related Articles
- EXCLUSIVE: Chafee Secretly Met with President Obama
- BREAKING: Reports Say Chafee to Join Democratic Party
- BREAKING: Governor Lincoln Chafee Withdraws Raises to Senior Officials
- Chafee’s 5-Year Fiscal Forecast—Five Key Points
