Gard gives Kagen run for money

[undeterred]

Ex-Assembly speaker edges Appleton Democrat in 4th-quarter fundraising

By ELLYN FERGUSON
Press-Gazette Washington bureau [e-mail]

WASHINGTON — Republican John Gard raised more money in the fourth quarter of 2007 than the incumbent Democrat he hopes to challenge.

Gard, of Suamico, reported raising $201,652 while U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, reported $192,002 in contributions.

The $9,650 edge "shows the kind of strong support John Gard has, and it shows people are not satisfied with Steve Kagen," said Mark Graul, Gard campaign spokesman.

Terri Johnson, a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay political scientist, agreed the fundraising gap is good news for Gard but said it could represent only a short-term bump for the former speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly.

Gard and Kagen filed their campaign finance reports this week with the Federal Election Commission. The reports cover fundraising between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.

Although Gard raised more money for the quarter, he reported a smaller cash reserve than Kagen after paying campaign expenses. Gard had $284,981 cash on hand while Kagen had $664,708.

While the Gard campaign was pleased with the results, Johnson and Arnold Shober, a Lawrence University government professor, said it's too early to say who's stronger or weaker.

Shober noted that Kagen, a wealthy allergist, "has considerable personal wealth to put into the race." Kagen loaned his campaign $2.5 million in the 2006 race, with $469,300 still outstanding.

"What I would have to say at this point of the race is it's too early to tell" who has an edge, Shober said.

Johnson said Kagen "may not want to do anything (on fundraising) until he knows Gard is running, until John Gard formally declares himself a candidate."

Gard has said he wants to determine how much support he has for a second run against Kagen before he becomes an official candidate. He lost the 2006 race to Kagen by fewer than 6,000 votes.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080201/GPG0101/802010595/1207/GPGnews

http://www.kagen4congress.com/contribute/

I do think Gard will run, and we can't take this seat for granted. Kagen is doing a great job, so even if you're not in the 8th, contribute if you can.

[dragonlady]

1. Gard was pictured on the Daily Show last night

Jason Jones went to a firm that designs campaign literature, and the example they showed was the design for a piece against Gard. Anybody in the 8th remember one with Gard's nose growing like Pinocchio? It's on again at 1 pm and 7 pm for anyone who wants to see it.

[undeterred]

2. Kagen already has an office in Milwaukee

and he will campaign in Madison too - I just hope the whole state remembers how awful Gard was.

I did not get to see this Gard ad - maybe someone can post a picture of it?!

[sybylla]

4. I saw that too! LOL!

Gard's Pestigo Pinocchio was the title on one side - with a graphic of a Gard Pinocchio. They didn't show any more than that.

I was a funny skit. Anyone who missed it might catch the replay later today or Monday.

I expect this will become a flyer appearing in 8th CD mailboxes soon.

[Dinger]

3. Time For This Pic Again:

[Poiuyt]

5. I never get tired of seeing that picture!

[midnight]

6. Hey, can we get a scott walker sign and throw it in there?