It's Not About The Money (at least to me)

One of my opponents contacted a supporter of mine the other day in an attempt to get her to work for him instead. When she told him she was remaining loyal to my campaign, he questioned my credibility by telling her “there’s no way Mark can raise enough money.” Enough money for what? To try and buy this election? I shouldn’t be surprised at such an attitude coming from a candidate whose list of supporters and contributors reads like a who’s who of TIF developers, their lawyers and the various moneyed elite who benefit from the tax abated free-for-all that is Kansas City’s economic development strategy. It’s a difference in philosophy. Our campaign will be out fundraised, outspent and definitely outdone when it comes to gaining support (ie – promising big-time favors) from the rich and powerful. But I’ll tell you one thing, there’s no way we will be outworked. I suppose I should thank him for reinforcing my resolve to run this campaign without indebting myself to the wrong people. Who are the right people to be indebted to? People like the nice retiree who wrote me a $25 check last week because she met me, listened to what I had to say and has faith that I can’t be bought. Her fixed income means that money is a significant amount to her, so therefore it’s a significant amount to me. I’d rather earn a vote than raise a dollar. We’ll see who has the right formula come election day.