| Amid the distractions of TV ad launches, Republican nonsense, and absurd negative attacks, the Bill White campaign has continued steamrolling along with an impressive ground operation. Running a real statewide campaign, White and his staff are blanketing Texas with offices, endorsements, and packed days on the trail.
Here are just some of the facts about what the Bill White campaign has been up to in the 67 days since he declared for the Governor's race:
Ground Game
- Attracted thousands of volunteers and more than 7,000 donors.
- Opened nine regional field offices and many more "offices" because, as Bill likes to say, "If you have a phone or a computer, you have an office."
Fundraising
- $6.4 million in the bank as of Jan. 21, close of last reporting period.
- In the first three weeks of January, Bill White raised more money and spent much less than either Perry or Hutchison during the same period.
- In the 28 days after White's Dec. 4 announcement for governor, supporters responded with more than $2.5 million, for an average fundraising rate of over $90,000 per day.
White has also been endorsed by all 12 Democratic State Senators, and 66 Democratic Legislators. He also has the highest percentage of likely voters who view him "very favorably" among all candidates for governor, including Rick Perry.
With the strong Statesman endorsement, ongoing TV ads, and televised debate tonight, voters across Texas are beginning to have a serious opportunity to consider Bill White, look at his record, and think about who offers real solutions for the challenges facing Texas. As Burnt Orange Report has repeatedly pointed out, only White seems to be offering real solutions to the problems we're facing with education, the economy, and the environment, coupled with the experience to actually implement them.
What will remain to be seen is if the Bill White campaign--should he prevail March 2nd--remains this active between the primary and general. Looking at the 2008 election cycle, it was the late primaries in North Carolina and Indiana that enabled the Obama campaign to flip the states come November. The staff largely stayed in place, on the ground, continuing their organization all the way to the finish line.
Texas has the opportunity to have a real showdown this November, with voters making a distinct choice about the future of our state. I'm optimistic that if Bill White is the Democratic nominee, he'll be willing to campaign all the way to the finish line, and give Texas voters a real opportunity to move our state forward. |
