www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/40471.html For Democrats running in competitive races this fall, former President Bill Clinton’s endorsement is one of the most valuable in the country.
For candidates on the Gulf Coast, former Clinton strategist James Carville might be the next best thing.
Carville, who emerged as a leading critic of the response to the BP oil leak, has endorsed a slate of Democrats running in Gulf state races, sending fundraising appeals on behalf of Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek, who’s running for the Senate; Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who’s running for governor; and Louisiana Rep. Charlie Melancon, who’s challenging Republican Sen. David Vitter.
Carville’s backing is more than symbolic, thanks to the celebrity status he still holds among Democrats. Kyra Jennings, a spokeswoman for Sink, said Carville’s fundraising message drew 15 percent more donations than the typical fundraising appeal.
The Louisiana native and cable news commentator focused his solicitation on the oil disaster, writing: “As oil hovered just miles away and tar balls started washing up on Pensacola beaches last week, BP’s CEO wasn’t there to help. Do you know who was? Alex Sink.”
Explained Jennings: “I think that he is recognizable as a strong Democratic voice, and given that he’s on national news, which some candidates are not, he goes over pretty well with traditional Democratic supporters.”
No candidate has received more direct support from Carville than Melancon. Carville has hosted at least three fundraisers for the congressman, including one at his home; and penned several fundraising appeals. He’s even personally called reporters to argue that Melancon can score an upset against Vitter.
“David Vitter will not win this race. He will not be the next senator. Put it in your paper,” Carville told POLITICO in a recent interview.
This week, Carville wrote an e-mail for Melancon’s campaign, titled: “A Complete Idiot’s Guide to Unseating the Slimiest Senator in America.” According to the Melancon team, a direct mail piece written by Carville has raised six-figure sums for the campaign.
Melancon campaign manager Bradley Beychok said Carville’s appeal in his home state is even deeper than across the Gulf Coast at large, particularly since the BP disaster.
“It’s beyond the campaign, he’s emerged as a Louisiana advocate. He’s fighting for the oil spill clean-up, fighting for the economy,” said Beychok. “He carries weight with Democratic insiders in Louisiana and nationwide and if you can get him fired up for your candidate, it’s a positive thing.”
Carville has gone to bat for Democrats outside the Gulf Coast, too, sending a fundraising message to help Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln survive a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. Carville recently gave a speech at the Arkansas Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in North Little Rock, and this week, he sent another message for Lincoln as polls show her trailing Republican Rep. John Boozman by a wide margin.
“If you are listening to the pundits, you might think that the election in Arkansas has already happened,” Carville wrote, requesting $5 donations. “But the reality is that there are 96 days left until Nov. 2. That’s an eternity in politics, and I’ll be the first to tell you that the current polls don’t mean squat.”
Posted By: Kendrick Meek
Saturday, July 31st 2010 at 12:46PM
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