Bernie Sanders Seeks Money From Donors To Fund Delegates' Trip

[Cali_Democrat]

Source: NDTV

WASHINGTON: Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign has asked supporters for donations, saying it was up to them whether pledged delegates could afford trips to Philadelphia next month for the Democratic National Convention.

In an email to his supporters, Sanders said his delegates, numbering around 1,900, are not wealthy and do not have enough money to travel from across the country and stay in expensive Philadelphia for about a week.

This, he said, would cost around USD 4,000 per delegate. As such he sought a contribution of USD 2.70 from his supporters.

"You'd be shocked at how expensive it is to attend the Democratic convention. It can cost more than USD 4,000 per delegate!" wrote his campaign manager Jeff Weaver.


Read more: http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bernie-sanders-seeks-money-from-donors-to-fund-delegates-trip-1426068

[bravenak]

1. I guess it costs a grip to 'take it to the convention'.

I coulda swore I had heard some 'bragging' about how much money was raised. Might be nice if that money could go to help the 'people'.

[Mike Nelson]

2. Surprised...

...don't think I've ever heard of this problem. I just assumed local Party officials helped finance the trip.

[Cali_Democrat]

7. I've never heard of this problem before either.

I believe delegates are told in advance how much it would cost to attend the convention.

[obamanut2012]

3. Delegates are told it costs this much to attend

Some states have scholarships to help defray the cost. Many delegates hold fundraisers.

And, lots of HRC's supporters are working class folks, too.

[bravenak]

4. They stated loudly and clearly at my caucus that it costs a lot of moolah

That was my reason for not wanting to be a delegate. Hopefully in 8 years I will have more time and Hillary will get this economy booming so I can work more.

[obamanut2012]

6. I would do it and hold a gofundme

[bravenak]

9. They were already out of pocket and hysterically yelling and outraged at the caucus and

I seriously just did not want to see those people ever again. You should have SEEN them. Oh my! Some tried to argue so bad I had to take my ipad out and film just in case a fist fight broke out.

[George II]

5. ?

[Svafa]

12. Not easy when you're living paycheck to paycheck.

Or should only well-off people be allowed to engage in the political process?

[George II]

14. Not talking about the delegates themselves, talking about the campaign. Here we are....

....just about 3 weeks from the convention culminating the last year+ campaign, and just NOW the campaign is trying to figure out how to get their delegates to the convention?

Many local Democratic committees have been holding fundraisers, bake sales, car washes, etc. to raise money to send their delegates to the convention. Sanders' delegates AND their local organizers should have been engaging in similar activities to raise money.

[brooklynite]

24. Who do you think should pay instead?

The DNC or State Party that so many people proudly say they'd never contribute money to?

[Svafa]

29. What Sander is doing seems like a fine way to go about it.

[msongs]

8. call tulsi, she took $10K from lockheed martin, that will help defray delegate expense nt

[bdwker]

10. You beat me to it.

You're faster than me.

[Svafa]

11. So? It's extremely expensive to be a delegate.

Many of Sanders's delegates are young people who don't have piles of money lying around. I know that I certainly could not afford to be a delegate. Some of my friends are trying to get the funds through GoFundMe, but it's difficult if you don't have a large network of people willing to chip in. This is a way to prevent their voices from being shut out just because they can't afford on their own to attend. It's yet another example of Sanders supporting grassroots activists. I don't see how this is a bad thing at all. Do Sanders's critics think that one should have a certain amount of money in order to be a delegate? Because that's the way this spin is sounding.

[SunSeeker]

13. Is it legal to spend campaign money on delegate travel costs?

[sheshe2]

16. Good question, SunSeeker.

My guess, would be no.

[k8conant]

17. I think that is why Bernie set up a separate fund for that.

Many of us delegates are seeking funding on our own. I am sharing a room with two other delegates.

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. He's got $9 mil. It's not like he's running primary ads, that train left the station after CA & DC.

So what is this really about?

[PSPS]

21. Campaign funds can't be spent on this.

[Tarheel_Dem]

22. But campaign funds can be spent on a Roman family day trip? Talk about campaign finance reform.

[brooklynite]

25. Actually, I suspect they can...

...Delegates are arguably campaign volunteers or staff, and their travel and housing expenses should be eligible.

[Surya Gayatri]

18. Very bizarre.

First time I've ever seen or heard of this kind of cash-raising scheme for delegates.

[spud_demon]

30. At first, I questioned the veracity

Last edited Thu Jun 30, 2016, 08:03 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm on the list, getting regular fundraising requests from the Sanders campaign. I didn't get this one.

edit:

After I posted that, I got an e-mail from the Sanders campaign to sign an anti-TPP petition. After I signed, the site took me to a page requesting a contribution for the delegates.

[Equinox Moon]

20. National Delegates from my State are fund raising for this too

It is expensive and people need to support each other.

Peace

[hughee99]

23. Here's the official info for California delegates.

http://www.cadem.org/our-party/national-convention/2016-Delegate-Travel-Cost.pdf

They estimate the costs between $4250 and $4750.

$400-900 is airfare (This is for CA residents, but obviously, for many other states it could be less, especially on the east coast where delegates may be able to drive)

$3250 is for a 5 night hotel stay... wait $650 a night for a hotel? Even though you'll be spending most of your time at the convention, not the hotel? You can get a week (7 days) at an all-inclusive resort for considerably less than that, where meals and drinks are included and you can spend all day at the hotel if you choose to.

[brooklynite]

26. I'm staying at a "middle range" hotel in Center City, from the Host Committee's allotment.

Price is $599 a night, four night minimum. California is at the Marriott Hotel downtown and is probably in the same price range. I'm told rooms in the upper category hotels approach $1,000.

[avaistheone1]

31. Evidently the hotels mark up their prices because of the demand.

[trof]

33. Exactly.

[giftedgirl77]

27. Last I heard there was going to be a fart-a-thon outside.

In the interest of air quality I say nah.

[upaloopa]

28. I applied to be a Hillary pledge delegate. The forms states that you have to pay your own way.

[beachbumbob]

32. Too many $27 donations....

[trof]

34. I posted about this in GD

and brought a shit storm down on my head.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027965033

[dembotoz]

35. Poor folks need not apply

Friend went to last convention. She said it was omg expensive. I never pondered running for delegate status for that very reason. Can hardly afford state convention...poor folks party??? Hardly...and it shows

[Lil Missy]

36. tacky