The folks in blue who churn out fundraising emails now swamping inboxes must think their fellow Democrats are dumb as rocks.
No details in the pitch, no names, just a hint of something scary followed by "contribute now."
Take the latest electronic mailcall Tuesday morning from Mandi Karp of Patrick Murphy for Congress:
"Two newspapers have just reported that Allen West is getting in the race against Patrick again this year but this time to put his considerable fundraising muscle behind one of Patrick's opponents.
"West could be a real game changer in this race hes already helping our opponent raise money and if hes involved, we can be sure that our opponents views are as reckless as Wests are.
"We need your help to keep pace with West. ..."
What newspapers? What opponent? Seriously, does a pitch like this actually get results?
Now, I understand Murphy's hesitation NOT to put his name on these fundraising pitches. If he shows any kind of pleasure in fundraising, that opens the door to calls of hypocrisy from Republicans like me, who love to note that he once was against super-PACs, calling them "gross," and has since praised their help as "making a big difference" in his campaign.
But the hollow, Mandi Karp-style of begging letter?
As far as I can see, Allen West isstayingas far away from Florida as he can get right now. He's into something called The Guardian Fund.
Yes, he's fundraising, but for folks most Floridians never heard of.
"I created the Allen West Guardian Fund to elect 14 new hard-charging constitutional conservatives in 2014 who are either minorities or veterans to help put this nation back on track," West said in All Right Magazine on Oct. 12.
Here's who he announces as his first phase of 14 Guardian Fund recipients: Congressman Tom Cotton, U.S. army vet running for Senate in Arkansas; Mayor Mia Love in Utahs 4th Congressional District; Dan Bongino, retired New York City police officer and Secret Service special agent running for Marylands 6th Congressional District; and E.W. Jackson, a Christian minister running for lieutenant governor in Virginia.
Unless Patrick Murphy is moving districts again to challenge in any of those races, I think we can safely say Mandi Karp is full of baloney.
Maybe West will find a worthy Murphy opponent to support in his next phase, who knows. I'm sure, in any event, we'll be hearing from Karp again. And again.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423.
