Base Connect & Les Phillip
Here’s a very interesting article from The Washington Independent (emphasis mine) about a controversial direct mail fundraising outfit named Base Connect. I’ve been hearing about them for a few months now since AL-05 candidate Les Phillip is one of their clients. Let’s just say it helps to explain his fundraising numbers.
A week later, influential political strategist and blogger Bill Pascoe accused Base Connect of “subprime fundraising” and “highway robbery.” The next day, Erick Erickson of RedState tweeted that hiring Base Connect could cost candidates support from his website; hours later, the influential blog endorsed Burns. If it wasn’t the key factor in denying Russell the nomination, it still struck the candidate as playing dirty pool.
…
There’s a certain type of long-shot that Base Connect seeks out. To succeed in direct mail, the candidate needs either a hated opponent or a compelling narrative. That’s where the African-American candidates come in — and where some of Base Connect’s image problem also comes in. Two of Base Connect’s eight current clients — Florida’s Allen West and Alabama’s Les Phillip — are African-American. Appeals for previous African-American Base Connect clients like Ada Fisher and Deborah Honeycutt stressed the threat they posed to the African-American political establishment. But up to now, these candidates have been among Base Connect’s least successful.
Selling a narrative. Read the rest for yourself.
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They’re making a killing on him… probably WAY more than he’s netting.
The sad part is Phillip’s campaign will use this as a “they are persecuting us, we must be making some headway”, rather than seeing it for what it is and that is his campaign is over. In fact, recent polling numbers by a GOP based PAC shows Phillips in a distant, distant 3rd place (6%) with Commissioner Brooks having a commanding lead over all candidates.
Les and his fanatical following will continue to say in spite of dismal local fundraising efforts, in spite of horrible polling numbers (6%) , in spite of the cold hard facts of how he has made mistakes along the way during this campaign season his (6%) will some how grow exponentially to over 51% come election time which I dont see happening.
Poll details?
Its a Wayne Parker poll.
It still looks like Les Phillip is being underestimated for the amount of votes he will receive come primary day. Many people who have even donated to the incumbent this cycle are voting for Phillip.
Brooks is making people mo agitated at his divisive nature and he is seen as the de facto leader of SHCA which is now viewed as an extreme agitating organization only laser focused on one issue- HHA. Community leaders are staying away from this group and outspoken proponents of it.
We all know how everyone now feels about Griffith after his early and non-stop advertising.
I say Phillip has a stronger showing than everyone is purporting at this time.
Once again, I have followed this race and keep hearing about Mo Brooks agitating and making people mad, but NO ONE can point to where that is happening.
SHCA? He is representing the wishes of his district… should he not be doing that?
I’m not buying that this poll exists but it is very similar to a prediction I laid out and I never,ever,ever wrong.
http://theattackmachine.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/al-05-prediction-as-of-today/
and I never,ever,ever typo either.
I’ve heard that if Brooks receives the SHCA endorsement he wants it kept quiet beacuse he doesnt want to ruffle feathers in Madison.
Vota:
Last time I checked, the City of Madison was not too fond of the Huntsville Housing Authority, either (and told HHA in no uncertain terms to “Stay Out!”).
Seems like there is a lot of common interest there.
If I get that SHCA endorsement – which I welcome – our campaign will then make a determination as to how to best publicize it. There are many options. But it’s being kept quiet or unknown to others in the Tennessee Valley is very, very unlikely. In any event, the SHCA has not voted on an endorsement so this is all pretty premature.
FYI – Secrecy is one things campaigns rarely enjoy. If two people know something, in politics it soon is not a secret.
Mo
Jack Johnson & Hntsvillian:
I want to make sure everyone knows that I don’t know who either of you folks are. I have not seen a Wayne Parker poll. Nor has Wayne Parker told me that he has run a poll. I don’t know who is in first, second or third (but I have my own opinion/insight just like everyone else).
Personally, I prefer that my supporters not say anything unkind about Les Phillip. Les has put his time, effort and reputation on the line by running for Congress. Les is a good man who should receive kudos for trying to better America based on his vision of what is best for all of us. I wish more people out there would also put their name on the dotted line and become candidates. It is a civic duty. And it is a much larger sacrifice than most people recognize (which may be why more people don’t do it).
Les and I agree on a majority of public policy issues. While we have our differences (which are usually only a matter of degree), our agreements far outweigh them.
While I cannot speak directly for Les, I believe Les and I have one major common goal. Both of us want a principled, honorable, trustworthy congressman representing the 5th Congressional District. If either of us prevail in that regard, then we both prevail. If neither of us prevails, then we have both lost.
Finally, as Yogi Berra loved to say, “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings”. And she has ye to begin to warm up.
Mo Brooks
Although the SHCA is not the main topic of discussion, I think it is very unfair to characterize them as an “extreme agitating organization.” I have met many of their members and have found them all to be regular folks simply trying to stop the government from running roughshod over their property rights and the rights of others.
I agree, I don’t see how the SHCA is an agitation force for bad. Nor do I see why anyone would have a problem with this organization endorsing Brooks. If anything any citizen from Scottsboro to Florence should want a rep that is going to fight for them.
Are you implying Les Phillip wouldn’t be fighting with the SHCA if he was in Mo Brooks shoes? I don’t buy that one bit, Phillip is at those meetings too. Where is Parker Griffith, it’s a federal agency right? Why isn’t he involved?
Les should think about jumping down to a state legislative or county race. He trails the other two in name id and money so its obvious where he’s headed in this race. As far as “the poll” goes, I “heard” at lunch in downtown Florence last week that WHNT is going to do a scientific one next month. So we shall see if the good folks in the bank building know what their talking about.
Just so you know Bill Pascoe isn’t influential to anyone but himself…a failed campaign manager who is nothing but a shill for the highest bidder…Pascoe works for Burns. Here’s an example of this fine, upstanding individual that we should all trust:
http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/02/28/todays-tosser-bill-pascoe-whats-most-amusing-about-bill-pascoes-fine-whine/
Recently, I have been accused of “living in the shadows” which is funny because I am actually “really out and about” – I just never paid any mind to the crazy Left wing bloggers who want a good scandelous story sans the facts. But, when there is a concerted effort to get hit by your own people – I have to hit back. If you want to truth – the real truth – with more truth to follow – please go to our website and visit our blog. We reveal the REAL numbers of Deborah Honeycutt who is trashed in the clip above as well as William Russell – The Pascoe article that started all of it. I’m sorry to all the people spreading lies, but the numbers don’t lie.
The numbers are impressive by anyone’s standards and I welcome additional questions. Conservative direct mail firms of which there are many follow the same model – we just happen to be the most successful for challengers. Honeycutt and Russell were BOTH in the TOP FIVE among GOP challengers last cycle who weren’t self funded ie. RICH.
You don’t attack someone unless they pose a threat to you. Think about it. And before you trash Les – ask him what he thinks about what we are doing for him. It’s insulting to him that you are saying as fact he is being taken advantage of.
Please follow our blog – we are going to have more case studies and reveal more numbers – the next couple will feature our PACs – and we are creating a direct mail section that explains the REAL FACTS and dispel all the myths and lies floating around the blogosphere.
For Conservative Victory 2010,
Kimberly Bellissimo
Founder & President
Base Connect
Les has had an interesting campaign and says many good things. Would think it best if he put his focus on critizing Parker Griffith the real enemny, not Mo Brooks. Reality is that Les is on a sinking ship and probably will not exceed 10% of the vote. It would be good if Les runs again for something, but starting out for Congress was a big step. Reality is that only Mo Brooks has a chance to beat the liberal Parker Griffith.