Enterprising Iowa Democrats

Local, Politics, Virginia 1 Minute

Not sure how I missed this. Sunday, the Washington Post reported about how the Iowa Democratic party is using the upcoming 2008 primary to raise a bit of cash: sell access to the party’s voter file.

Having good voter data is a critical component of any campaign. For the unfamiliar, the data is used for targeting mail and those hated robo calls. Campaigns have to use their resources wisely, and while any candidate can purchase a list of voters, the files maintained by the state parties are much more detailed. As the result, the data is highly prized. And to keep the data from winding up in the wrong hands, access to the data is limited.

I know the Democratic Party of Virginia sells access to its voter files to some candidates, since I purchased it last year for my campaign. (I discovered long afterwards that I shouldn’t have had to buy it since the local city committees also have access.) I say “some” because last year, the House Democratic Caucus asked that it not be sold to challengers. (At that time, the Republican Party of Virginia allowed all GOP candidates.)

In any case, the Iowa Democrats are making the most of being a caucus state. Maybe Virginia should start lobbying to be included in the early caucuses. Then the DPV could make some money on its voter files.

Published

5 thoughts on “Enterprising Iowa Democrats”

  1. Vivian,

    Hate to be precise here, but Iowa has a caucus not a primary. The two are not interchangable. Certain Iowans expect those running for office to know this, at least at the national level. They’re very friendly people, but they’re also protective of their place in American politics, as is Virginia.

    Just thought I’d mention it.

  3. Sorry Viv, it’s still inaccurate and misleading.

    The title of the WaPo article is:

    Plumbing Iowa for Democratic Caucus Votes? Bring Money

    I know what a primary is, but the word primary is not mentioned in the article.

    Eighteen months before the often-pivotal Iowa caucuses, potential candidates are already swarming the Hawkeye State.

    …A poll last month by the Register showed Edwards leading other potential Democratic contenders, with 30 percent of the vote of people likely to participate in the caucuses. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), who has not made a priority of visiting Iowa, came in second, followed by Kerry and Vilsack.

    Two years ago, Kerry won the Iowa caucuses.

    As Iowa has a caucus, not a primary, they are not using the primary to raise money they are using the caucus, but if you want it to be about the overall 2008 contest, then the proper phrasing would be “2008 presidential primary” or “presidential election year”. Even so, Iowa is making money off their voter database so presidential candidates can take advantage of it during the Iowa caucus, so again, caucus should be mentioned in first paragraph.

    Also, Virginia has a presidential primary, but you can try to man the charge in converting it to a caucus. Here’s a link to see which states you may want to talk to encourage Virginia to hold its 2008 caucus. Best of luck.

Comments are closed.