Final third-quarter fundraising emails: Doom, gloom and outrage

Tuesday at midnight marks the last quarterly fundraising deadline before Election Day. That means campaigns are breaking out their best pronouncements of doom, pathetic pleas and feigned spontaneity to flood email inboxes asking for money.

Democrats appear to have a fundraising advantage in the all-important battle for the Senate. The Senate Democrats’ committee had $25 million in the bank in August, compared to $20 million for Republicans.

{mosads}But both sides are going all out to convince supporters they need cash. Here are the 10 best (and strangest) pitches from Tuesday’s last-minute fundraising push.

 

Subject line: We’re begging now

From: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee 

Senate Democrats’ campaign committee wants you to know that “the South and the Senate WILL be decided by what happens before the FINAL quarterly deadline in 12 hours. We need YOU to step up NOW.”

 

Subject: They’re making me send this

From: Brad Schneider for Congress

Illinois Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider says “I wish I could send you videos of my Cats… but alas, we’re 38 days out from the election, so they’re making me send you another email asking for money.” (The campaign sent a picture of a cat in a follow-up email.)

 

Subject: Any jackass can kick down a barn…

From: Cecile Richards

The Planned Parenthood head quoted former Speaker Sam Rayburn in touting Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee Wendy Davis, saying “Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a carpenter to build one.”

“Building a battleground in Texas will take every one of us together,” she writes.

 

Subject: SMASH! BOOM! POW!

From: Brad Ashford for Congress

The Nebraska Democratic congressional hopeful gives no explanation for this subject line in the fundraising email.

 

Subject: Tonight could be a disaster

From: Harry Reid

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) wants to stay in the chamber’s majority and is asking for funds accordingly. Also: “Koch brothers’ groups are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to buy elections this year.”

 

Subject: Honestly speaking, we’re being pummeled

From: Joni Ernst

The Republican Senate nominee in Iowa says “we are being pummeled on television by Bruce Braley [D] and his liberal Washington allies.”

 

Subject: I’m pissed and you should be too

From: People United for Medical Marijuana

The People United for Medical Marijuana want you to vote “yes” on a Florida medical marijuana initiative.

 

Subject: SENSATIONAL!!!

From: Kirkpatrick for Arizona

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) thinks the current fundraising numbers are SENSATIONAL!!!! But… “We just checked the books and it looks like you haven’t had the chance to pitch in for Ann online in September.”

 

Subject: Really need your help (don’t delete)

From: Vote Tim Scott

“All donations will be doubled!” for Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)

 

Subject: Enough with the emails

From: Bonnie for Congress

It’s unclear if New Jersey Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman’s campaign understands the irony.