Today is the first I’ve heard of this organization. What irritated me is that they sent me a text, although I am not a registered Democrat. If they knew me well enough to know I might be interested, they should also have my email address. If they are spamming texts to every number, not a good tactic in my book. I’ve looked at their website, it has pluses and minuses. But this is the sort of local-level organizing that I have been saying the Democratic party needs more of.
Does anyone have experience with or knowledge of this organization, especially regarding how they handle whatever donations they receive? I am innately suspicious of any organization that “reaches out” to me asking for money that I never heard of before.
It may be no help, but the major UK parties have organisations for local government councillors that provide support, training, campaign materials and so on to councillors and candidates, so the organisation itself is no surprise, it’s what I’d expect of a national political party. But they don’t AFAIK launch into random fundraising like that: you must have got on to someone’s list as a potential supporter or donor somehow - maybe if you ever responded to someone else’s telephone campaigning?
No, I assiduously don’t do that. Of course, my information is out there in ways I can’t imagine, but it’s still somewhat annoying.
I’m a Democratic municipal official myself, backed by the county Democratic party and all that. Never heard of them, never been contacted by them.
I looked around and I don’t think they’re bullshit or anything. They are affiliated with the official national Democratic Party.
Their “What We Do” text is pretty straightforward:
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We work to build a Democratic future by using both new and old networking methods to link local Democrats, forging a two-way relationship between local Democrats and the DNC.
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We invest in tomorrow’s national leadership by highlighting the accomplishments of local leaders, and training Democrats to win and to speak effectively to our issues.
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We craft solutions for America’s challenges by capitalizing on America’s cities and towns as laboratories for policy innovation; promoting our members’ effective policy solutions; and developing a municipal-based advocacy platform for the Democratic Party.
As to why they need your money, it’s to elect more local officials that subscribe to the Democratic party platform. That seems to be their niche.
Pretty crazy that they not only sent you a text, but you’re not even a registered Dem. That’s quite bold. If you want to know more I would reach out to the rep for the California chapter of DMO, Bob Blumenfeld of the Los Angeles City Council.
I’m more interested in your first paragraph. It sounds like this is a fairly new thing for Democrats, if folks like you haven’t heard of it yet. It is encouraging as a counter to the much longer-established Republican organizations that have been plowing this field since before the tea party.