January 20, 2010 11:44 PM UTC

Scott Gessler's Fundraising Black Hole

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• by: Colorado Pols

You can say this about Scott Gessler, the Republican candidate for Secretary of State: At least he isn’t running for State Treasurer.

We’ve wondered about Gessler and his bizarre spending habits ever since he first entered the race for Secretary of State last year. If you haven’t been following the story, through the first three quarters of 2009 Gessler managed to spend an incredible 82% of the money he raised.

Gessler’s Q4 campaign finance report shows that he raised $19,618 in the last three months of 2009, but he also spent $19,374. You read that correctly — Gessler netted just $244 in three months.

All told, Gessler has now raised $86,799 for his campaign and spent $74,567. He has only $12,231 in the bank after spending a whopping 86% of the money he has raised.

For comparison’s sake, Democrat Bernie Buescher has raised $92,921 and spent $27,877 (just 30% of the total), leaving him with $65,043 cash on hand.

Folks, we’ve never seen a legitimate candidate with a burn rate like Gessler’s. It makes you wonder how Gessler is going to continue to solicit money when donors start to realize that he’s just pissing it all away, because if Gessler can’t save enough money to advertise on television next fall, there is absolutely no way he can unseat Buescher. Donate now to Scott Gessler — for every $10 you send, almost $2 will go towards winning the election!

This kind of fiscal irresponsibility is bad enough for a candidate for statewide office, but wait, there’s more! On the same day that he filed his Q4 finance report, he sent an email blast to supporters that, well, you just have to read it yourself. Click below to find out how electing Gessler will bring Democracy to the Middle East, or something.

Greetings!

The Iranian uprising is truly inspiring.  First, it proves once and for all that Muslim societies also yearn for freedom and democracy.  Second, it shows that many Muslims reject theocracy and repression.  And finally, it holds the promise of a future Iranian government no longer bent on building nuclear weapons.  

But Obama and the Democrats are embarrassed by those Iranians seeking freedom.  In pursuit of “engagement” and “stability”, the Obama administration has continued to accept the Iranian regime, both in word and deed.  The U.S. continues to negotiate under all circumstances, still offering concessions (and legitimacy) in vain attempt to convince the Iranian regime to give up nuclear weapons.

The result has been complete failure, and now Obama and the Democrats have placed the U.S. on the wrong side of history.

Compare this to Ronald Reagan and Poland’s Solidarity movement.  There, the U.S. condemned the Polish government.  We provided meaningful assistance to the Poles, and we used U.S. economic clout to push for democracy.

Why does this matter for us?  First, don’t be fooled by Democrats who talk about election integrity, but don’t stand up for it.  Fair elections are not merely talking points, and elections are not merely a path to power.  Rather, they are the cornerstone of free, prosperous, and peaceful societies.

Second, we cannot selfishly work for fair elections while turning a blind eye to others yearning for freedom and self-governance.

And third, democracies are less likely to go to war.  A democratic Iran will make it less likely that American boys and girls will die in the Middle East because of Iranian militarism.

But you can help me do our part by fighting for free elections here in Colorado, by making a contribution of $25, $50, $75 or $150. [Pols emphasis]

So next week, we’ll again turn to elections in Colorado.  But until then, remember that elections – and election integrity – are universal values.  Not merely slogans by those seeking to hold power.