On Wisconsin!
Starting a new fundraising campaign right on the heels of another one may seem the like a questionable choice.
But in this case it’s exactly the right time, and I’ll tell you why.
Well, okay, maybe not a great time for us and for our pocketbooks. We just finished the fundraising for Arizona, after all. And we got rid of the ads. Can’t we take a breath?
Not unless we want to to take a pass on the chance to have a monumental impact on what happens in 2022.
⭐️
Four Directions has identified 4 key states for 2022. Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin. (Michigan is #5, depending on resources.)
In December, just a few weeks from now, FOUR DIRECTIONS will be making decisions for 2022 – where they will go and what they can do.
I knew when Four Directions approached us with the double-match that I wanted our money to go to AZ. 11 electoral votes. A voice in Mark Kelly’s senate race. A voice in whether we keep the senate. A voice in a close governor’s race.
When I spoke with Four Directions last week, I mentioned that I thought we would want to support Wisconsin next. I was thinking maybe February or so, and I asked if they could find a match us for $25,000 for Wisconsin – maybe even a double-match since that worked so well for AZ.
They found a match for us for Wisconsin! A double-match!
But February fundraising is too late for their December planning for 2022. And early planning influences outcomes.
It’s not an overstatement to say that by doing our Wisconsin fundraising now we have a chance to influence the Wisconsin outcome in a way that frankly would not be possible without us.
Am I the only one who would like to see Ron Johnson gone? To increase our chances of keeping the senate? To see Biden take WI with a margin that makes it too big to steal? I know I’m not.
FOUR DIRECTIONS – WI
Double-Match Fundraising
FOUR DIRECTIONS – WI
Fun Facts about Wisconsin
- The margin of victory in Wisconsin was just 20,000 votes in 2016 and in 2020.
- Ron Johnson is up in 2022.
- There are 11 Native tribes in Wisconsin, the majority of which are federally sponsored and therefore have reservations.
- The 2020 census showed that there are at least 144,572 Native Americans in Wisconsin.
- There are at least 98,309 Native Americans of voting age in Wisconsin.
Oh, andwe have yet another Balloon Juice angel who has offered a $1,000 match. (match closed at 10pm, another BJ angel match will start with a new post in the morning!)
Just as before, up to $50 can be matched per person with the angel match. Let us know in the comments in order to get your match.
Once we raise these funds for Four Directions in Wisconsin, DougJ will start rolling out some House candidates.
If we can raise this $25k now – turning that into $75,000 with the double-match – Four Directions can add WISCONSIN to their plans for early money and early energy.
We have 21 days left in November. We know it’s asking a lot, but can we do this one more time?
This will be our last high-dollar fundraising effort until after the holidays.
.
WaterGirl
The math:
If you donate $50 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $50 to that, for a total of $100. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donors double-match, adding $200, for a total of $300. So your $50 turns into $300!
If you donate $10 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $10 to that, for a total of $20. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donors double-match, adding $40, for a total of $60. So your $10 turns into $60!
If you donate $100 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $50 to that, for a total of $150. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donor double-matches, adding $300, for a total of $450. So your $100 turns into $450!
WaterGirl
Want to learn more about the Native Tribes in Wisconsin?
Native Tribes in Wisconsin: These include the Forest County Potawatomi Community, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, the Oneida Wisconsin Reservation, the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, the Chippewa and the Lake Superior Chippewa. The Menominee make up the largest Native tribe in the state. There are about 12,000 members of Ho-Chunk, a community which also exists in the midwest (Iowa, South Dakota).
Tribal Nations of Wisconsin
Meet the 11 federally recognized tribes of Wisconsin
WaterGirl
To get your match, tell us about your donation in the comments!
Wolvesvalley
OK, I’m psyched. Just dropped $100 in the kitty.
Can we do this for Wisconsin in 9 days, as we did for Arizona? How awesome would that be?
WaterGirl
@Wolvesvalley: I am pretty sure the $5k Bj angel match is what helped us speed out of the gate for AZ!
We have a $1k Bj angel match this time, which is a great was to start us off!
Is it wrong that I am hoping that maybe more BJ angels will appear for Wisconsin?
edit: Your $100 turned into $450.
KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))
I can do $50 tomorrow afternoon.
Mousebumples
You guys finished up the AZ match before I could chip in. Gotta check the budget/check with Mr. Mouse but I’m in for… Something.
Thanks for coordinating, WaterGirl!
WaterGirl
@KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager)): Great, thank you in advance!
edit: Kay, please add a comment tomorrow when you donate. I’m not adding this to the spreadsheet yet.
WaterGirl
@Mousebumples: Thank you, Mousebumples!
You were one of our angels for Voces, as I recall, and you inspired some other angels for Four Directions – GA!
Auntie Anne
In for $25.
WaterGirl
I just got word late this afternoon that the double-match had come through, so I guess this time the evening crowd gets first dibs on the angel match money.
They found one person who could match us at 1.5, and I asked if they could try to find someone else who might be willing to do the other .5 match. And they came through!
My mom always said “They can’t say ‘yes’ unless you ask.”
So a big thank you to the two external match people who agreed to match us.
It’s exciting to think that if we can raise this, we can make a big difference in Wisconsin! $75,000 in early money will allow WI to be one of the states that gets early planning and early organizing.
WaterGirl
@Auntie Anne: Thank you! Your $25 just turned into $150!
eclare
In for $50
WaterGirl
@eclare: Thanks, eclare! Auto-correct wanted to turn you into an eclair :-)
Your $50 just turned into $300.
Auntie Anne
@WaterGirl: I love the matches! ❤️❤️❤️
lifeinthebonusround
Okay, just threw in $50. I think what we are doing here is one of the most effective efforts I’ve been involved with for a long while Forward!
WaterGirl
@lifeinthebonusround: I think so, too!
Thanks for your donation. Your $50 just turned into $300.
After we (hopefully) get this done for Wisconsin, I am going to reach out to my contact at Fair Fight Action and see if they can hook us up with some boots-on-the-ground groups in Texas.
I’d like to have a fundraiser for Texas waiting in the wings once we make it through the holiday season.
WaterGirl
@Auntie Anne: I love the matches, too. The BJ angel matches on top of the double-matches are extra thrilling – how cool is it to have donations of $50 or less multiples by a factor of 6!
Van Buren
I donated 25.
Also, I received my booster about an hour ago.
Omnes Omnibus
$100. All I can do right now, given monthly commitments to WisDems.
ETA: Also in WI: Laughing to Save Democracy by the same people who brought us the Table read of The Princess Bride. They are suggesting donations of $20.22.
Dan B
I think I did $50. It offered PayPal and I believe it worked but there were some weird “sign up with Act Blue” that I couldn’t opt out of, just had to back out. Hoping…
eclare
@Dan B: Did you get a receipt from ActBlue via email? I did
Eta> I just put in my info, I did not use PayPal.
H.E.Wolf
This is phenomenal news! Much gratitude to the current BJ angel, and to the two people who made a double-match possible… and to WaterGirl for letting us know this is *on*!
laura
Just dropped a $50. Let’s get a Dem Senator for WI!
WaterGirl
@Van Buren: Congrats on your booster, and thank you for the donation! Your $25 turned into $150!
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: Your $100 just turned into $450!
eclare
@H.E.Wolf: Yes, optimism plus action is a good thing!
Many thanks to the angels.
Dan B
@eclare: Thanks for your tip. I went to email and it was there. $50 to Act Blue!
SiubhanDuinne
Just tossed in $50.00. This is so exciting!
WaterGirl
@Dan B: Your $50 just turned into $300! Assuming it went through.
Let me know if you don’t receive some sort of receipt through ActBlue or PayPal – I can check with Four Directions directly to make sure it went through.Never mind! :-)
mali muso
Just popped another $25 in the tank. This is a fight we have to win.
WaterGirl
@laura: Your $50 turned into $300. I second your desire for a Democratic senator for Wisconsin!
WaterGirl
@SiubhanDuinne: Your $50 turned into $300.
Excellent timing! :-)
WaterGirl
@mali muso: You are right that this is a fight we have to win!
Your $25 just turned into $150.
laura
Jumping back in just to say how happy I am to give to grass roots organizations in communities to help grow the leadership where they live and not to outside consultants. Let a thousand community organizers bloom!
phdesmond
i chipped in $50.
WaterGirl
@phdesmond: Thank you. Your $50 turned into $300!
emrys
In for $25
Steeplejack
In for $25.
WaterGirl
@emrys: Your $25 turned into $150!
P.S. That’s over a dollar for each pet in the pet calendar! :-) Just teasing, you have some competition for number of pets in the calendar.
Glidwrith
In for $50.
I must have missed it – did the other one finish funding?
WaterGirl
We are at $500 of matches with BJ angel money. So we are halfway through the angel match money.
Isua
In for $25. Thank you for organizing this and thank you to the matching donors!
WaterGirl
@Glidwrith: Your $50 turned into $300!
Yes, we met the goal for Arizona! From the thread where I announced it:
WE DID IT!!!! $25,125 (Arizona)
Another $25 showed up after that, so we are really at $25,150 for AZ!
I tried to hide the calendar as soon as we hit $25,000 because I knew by then that Wisconsin was in the works. I just didn’t know yet whether it would be a single-match, a 1.5-match or a double-match.
WaterGirl
@Isua: Thank you. Just like that, your $25 turned into $150!
HinTN
@WaterGirl: I’m with Omnes and in for $100. On Wisconsin!
Mercy
You guys are bad for my wallet, but after the last round of elections, I decided that Four Directions and Fair Fight were what I wanted to support. This kind of boots-on-the-ground work is valuable and I’m certain it made the difference in Arizona.
In for $50.
WaterGirl
@HinTN: Thank you! Your $100 is now $450!
edit: I understand that Omnes is buying champagne for all of Balloon Juice
ifwhen we win Wisconsin.*not intended as a factual statement
Leslie
What Laura said about grassroots organizing. In for $25, and many thanks to all those offering matches.
Omnes Omnibus
One thousand bucks in an hour.
WaterGirl
@Mercy: Sorry about the wallet, but thank you for contributing!
Your $40 turned into $300!
Omnes Omnibus
@WaterGirl: I will have it at my family’s cabin. If you can find me, you can have some.
WaterGirl
@Leslie: That’s $150 from your $25!
DanielsBob
$100. Hope Sen. Duckworth forgives me–but she will get hers too.
MazeDancer
In for $10 this time.
Representing for not currently high rolling.
If you only have, 5, well, bless you and give that.
And thank you, BJ Angel! You make all the difference.
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: If we all stay up for 24 hours, we’ll have the whole amount!
*also not intended as a factual statement.
sixthdoctor
In for $50.
WaterGirl
@DanielsBob: Your $100 turned into $450, thank you!
Omnes Omnibus
Some Wisconsin themed music.
WaterGirl
@MazeDancer:
That would be me, too. Your $10 turned into $60 for Wisconsin. Pretty good return on your investment.
WaterGirl
@sixthdoctor: Thank you, sixth doctor. Poof, and just like that your $50 turned into $300.
HinTN
@Dan B: Close the tab.
HinTN
@WaterGirl: It’s never a factual statement. ?
HinTN
@WaterGirl: Champipple in Tennessee is gold.
RaflW
Just popped for $130. Random amount, perhaps, but it makes sense to me today. So whatever match may exist at this moment, I’ll be grateful!
gbear
I just kicked in $45 plus a $5 tip to ActBlue.
WaterGirl
@HinTN: I’m afraid to ask.
WaterGirl
@RaflW: Your $130 turned into $540!
thank you!
WaterGirl
@gbear: Your $45 turned into $270! thank you
Dan B
@HinTN: On mobile. No visible tabs. ;<(
WhatsMyNym
In for $25.
WaterGirl
As of this moment, we have $70 left of BJ angel match money left.
RaflW
@WaterGirl: Almost as good as the stock market ;)
But seriously, WG: Thank you. Your enthusiasm and organizing are vital.
WaterGirl
@RaflW: Almost as good??? :-)
edit: thanks for your kind words.
Rebecca
I’m a lurker but I just donated $50. I can’t get upset at liberals expecting the President to be the savior and forget the local politics if I don’t do my part.
gbear
@WaterGirl: I shoulda held off on the tip for the next donation to ActBlue. Woulda meant an extra $30 for Four Directions.
OR Soder
Did $25
While you’re focused on the Senate – does anyone have a take on Fetterman in PA? I get too many fundraising emails from his team but I don’t have money to burn and don’t know how he plays there. Anyone on the ground know?
BlueGuitarist
In for 25
WaterGirl
@Rebecca: Thank you so much! And now that you’ve commented, don’t be a stranger. :-)
Your $50 turned into $300!
Spanky
Aaaaaand that’s $50 from me.
Orange is the New Red
I am in for $25.
WaterGirl
$1,000 BJ ANGEL MATCH has been met with donations above!
From here out, all amounts will be matched with the external double-match, but the BJ angel match money is spent.Still, with the double-match, you can multiply your donation amount by 3 and know how much will go to Four Directions.
Never mind, another angel donor just wrote to me. We are back on with a new $1,000 of angel donor matching!
WaterGirl
@gbear: Maybe you’ll have another shot if another BJ angel appears while we’re raising this money for Wisconsin. :-)
WaterGirl
@OR Soder: There are some PA people who have talked about this in various threads. So if no one answers here, try another thread at some other point, and I bet people will share their thoughts.
Oh, and your $25 turned into $150!
eachother
$100. One Benjamin. 4 Directions.
Luthiengineer
I put in $25.
Keithly
In for $50.
Omnes Omnibus
Here are the Dems running for Johnson’s seat. In no particular order, Barnes, Godlewski, Lasry, and Nelson are probably the ones to watch. In terms of charisma and magnetism, no one can match current Lt. Governor Barnes, but the others each bring a lot to the table.
Mike in Oly
Just sent $25.
Fair Economist
OK, I’m in!
WaterGirl
I just got an email message – we have another $1,000 BJ angel match donor!
Commenter David Fud is our Wisconsin BJ angel donor #2.
Big thanks to David! Let the matching begin!
Luthiengineer
Ok I read the post more carefully and put in another $25 for a total of $50.
Geminid
@OR Soder: I don’t live in Pennsylvania, but I do know that Lt. Governor Fetterman is the biggest fundraiser so far for this primary. Three other good candidates are U.S. Representative Conor Lamb from the Pittsburgh area, State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta from Philadelphia, and Val Arkoosh, Chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. Arkoosh has gotten money from Emily’s List and a PAC that supports candidates with STEM backgrounds (she is an M.D.)
Omnes Omnibus
@WaterGirl: Thank you, Mr. Fud.
HinTN
@WaterGirl: You’re too young to be conversant with Redd Fox. ?
feebog
In for $50 bucks. Thanks WaterGirl, this is fantastic.
WaterGirl
@BlueGuitarist: Your $25 turned into $150!
@Spanky: Your $50 turned into $300!
@Orange is the New Red: Your $25 turned into $150!
@eachother: Your $100 turned into $450!
@Luthiengineer: Your $25 turned into $150!
@Keithly: Your $50 turned into $300!
Wow you guys together that’s $1,500 for Four Directions.
Thank you all.
WaterGirl
@Mike in Oly: Thank you. That’s $150 for Four Directions!
WaterGirl
@Fair Economist: Guessing you are in for $50? Or some other amount?
WaterGirl
@Luthiengineer: That’s another $150 for Four Directions from you!
persistentillusion
I just donated $25. On Wisconsin, this FIB loves ya.
WaterGirl
@feebog: thank you! That’s $300 for Four Directions.
HinTN
@OR Soder: Fetterman is the real deal.
WaterGirl
@persistentillusion: Thanks to all the matching, you loved Wisconsin $150 worth. :-)
HinTN
@Geminid: I like Lamb but prefer Fetterman for his demonstrated statewide appeal and plain spoken ways.
Raoul Paste
I’m in for $50.
Geminid
@HinTN: John Fetterman inspires a lot of enthusiastic support. And he won a statewide Democratic primary before he and Governor Wolf won the general election on a joint ticket.
WaterGirl
@Raoul Paste: Thank you! That’s $300 for Four Directions.
barbequebob
@WaterGirl: Just donated $50
WaterGirl
@barbequebob: thank you barbequebob, that’s $300 for Four Directions.
frosty
I just donated $50. This is fantastic, WaterGirl!
stinger
Just chipped in $10.
WaterGirl
@frosty: Thanks, frosty! It’s so awesome that another BJ angel came forward. Your $50 turned into $300 for Four Directions.
Barbara
I donated $50.
RaflW
re: P.A., this may have zero transferability, but I will say that while I was a bit leery of Tina Smith, who had been MN’s Lt. Governor, getting appointed to fill a US Senate vacancy, my doubts were proved wrong.
She went on to win the following special and then a full 6 year term (we’ve gone from an indigo-purple to Blue in that time, but still). More than winning, though, to my mind she’s stepped out a few times ahead of the more cautious Sr. Senator from Minnesota. I shouldn’t be totally surprised, and he’s one clue: She’s the highest ranking former Planned Parenthood executive in U.S. politics.
Her election and re-election in a midwestern state should show us that abortion isn’t the ‘third rail’ of politics the very conventional media wants to position it as being.
Anyway. Carry on! My neighbors to the east will be well served if 4D can hire another organizer!
WaterGirl
@stinger: Thanks, stinger! That’s $60 to Four Directions!
Mokum
Donated $25.
PHinSD
Just donated $50
BlueGuitarist
@WaterGirl:
thank you, WaterGirl!
Jess
In for $25. I just dropped as much as I could on my local land trust, so I’m a bit tapped out. Hope this works out though–I spent most of my childhood in Madison, WI.
WaterGirl
@Barbara: Thank you, Barbara! Your $50 turned into $300!
WaterGirl
@Mokum: Thank you, that’s $150 for Four directions!
WaterGirl
@PHinSD: Thank you, your $50 turned into $300!
WaterGirl
@Jess: Every donation, large or small, counts! That’s what is especially nice about these BJ angel match donors – it’s a great way to turn whatever we have into much more than that.
thank you.
Fair Economist
@WaterGirl: $100
WaterGirl
As of this moment, we have $235 left in the 2nd angel donor match money.
Joy in FL
I donated $15 about 30 minutes after this thermometer went up.
I am so happy to see this financial response. You guys encourage me and help me have hope. I am so glad to be part of this group.
WaterGirl
@Fair Economist: Thank you. That’s $450 for Four Directions!
Omnes Omnibus
Hey, WaterGirl, matching people, and regular donors, thank you from a Cheesehead.
WaterGirl
@Joy in FL: Thank you, Joy!
Your $15 just turned into $90!
I think we are going to make a real difference for GA, AZ and now Wisconsin. $75,000 early allows them to start laying the groundwork for a Wisconsin registration/get-out-the-vote effort as soon as the funds are raised.
Besides that, it also helps them raise future money for Wisconsin because they don’t have to just say “we plan to do this …”. Instead they can say, we already raised $75,000 and these are the things we are doing right now in Wisconsin. (Or GA or AZ.)
It makes sense that future donors are more likely to give when they can already see action, instead of just “plans”.
CaseyL
In for $50!
I’m grateful to whoever is offering the double-match, and very excited to see Four Directions take on Wisconsin.
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: As our certified Cheesehead on BJ, I especially appreciate seeing your shoutout to everyone who is donating.
WaterGirl
@CaseyL: I am excited, too. And your $50 just turned into $300.
Avalie
in for $50 — who can resist the match?
Kayla Rudbek
I’m in for $15
WaterGirl
@Avalie: I know! Where else can you turn $50 into $300?
WaterGirl
@Kayla Rudbek: Turning $15 into $90 is also kind of amazing! thank you.
WaterGirl
As of this moment, we have $105 left of the 2nd angel donor match.
Betty
Donated $50.
slm1111
Donated $50
Quintillian
Chipped in $50. Thanks for organizing
dnfree
Probably late for the match but I put in $100.
WaterGirl
As of this moment, the 2nd angel donor match is complete!
The thermometer says $3,752 right now, so look for it to jump by $1,000 shortly.
Wow, big thanks to everyone who is donating, and especially to our BJ angel donors!
WaterGirl
We will have a 3rd $1,000 BJ angel donor match tomorrow!
So what you donate now will be double-matched by the external double-match people.
I’ll check in when I get up and will let you know when BJ angel match #3 starts!
Lurker Dan
Added $100. Did it match?
mvr
Just kicked in $100 which I hope will at least get the double-match though I know I missed the angel. But then I guess I don’t believe in angels so that would be only fair.
WaterGirl
@Lurker Dan: @mvr: @dnfree:
Okay, I didn’t get this updated in time, so $50 from each of you will count toward BJ angel donor match #3 in the morning.
Now we are back to the external double-match until the new match starts when I put up a new post in the morning.
WaterGirl
The thermometer now says $4,877, which means that angel donor #2 added their $1,000 in the thermometer! Thank you angel donor #2!
BJ angel donor #1 is sending a paper check, so we won’t see that in thermometer, but it will count toward the $25k external double-match.
Goodnight everyone! Thank you so much for all your donations.
See you in the morning.
Bard the Grim
Yes we can! In for $50.
WaterGirl
Now we are back to the external double-match until the new match starts when I put up a new post in the morning.
WaterGirl
@Bard the Grim: Thank you so much!
Were you thinking that the Bj angel donor match was still going on? If so, I can grandfather you in on BJ angel donor match #3 that will start with a new post on Thursday morning.
Lurker Dan
@WaterGirl: Your efforts and enthusiasm are much appreciated, and thanks to all the angels as well!
I’ll shut up now. Too many comments and I’ll have to change my nym :-)
JCJ
Finally able to bum around on the intertubes. Yay Four Directions! In for $250
Tom Levenson
Just dropped $50 on this.
mvr
@WaterGirl: Thanks for that, but really if it raises more money to keep that match for tomorrow that is the thing to do.
Ukai
Just donated $50.
A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)
I just kicked in $100. Don’t know if it’s too late for any matching … ?? Anyway, thanks, WG!
WaterGirl
@A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan): You got the double matching, so your $100 turned into $300.
buggrit
$50 to keep going.
WaterGirl
@buggrit: Just spotted this! you were matched, your $50 is now $300!
WaterGirl
There is a newer fundraising post. To be matched, please comment in that one.