UPDATE: TABOR Supporter Goes To Bat For Poliquin – Attempts To Sound Official

UPDATE: Since initially running this story, it has come to my attention that the email cited below has no official standing whatsoever, and is quite literally a TABOR supporter who sent out an email to his list, used the official logo, and used language intended to make the release sound like an official TABOR release.

TABOR NOW is apparently not taking sides in this campaign, and does not approve of the use of its campaign materials to give the impression that it is.

Bill Becker, Campaign Manager for Matt Jacobson, contacted me with the following statement:

“The TABOR NOW campaign knows nothing about this nor do they know who Zach Leach is. They have not and do not give any permission to use their logo, etc..

This is more DC-style, stretching-the-truth style politics. We are very disappointed in these antics.”

My original post gave the impression that TABOR had endorsed Bruce Poliquin (even though I never said that), and so I should apologize to readers for not making the source of this appeal more clear.  For those keeping score, it comes from a TABOR volunteer and obviously a Poliquin supporter.  The underlying story remains the same – that the TABOR network is at least partially being tapped to fundraise for Poliquin – but with no official standing.

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There has been much speculation over just what impact Bruce Poliquin’s involvement in the Yes on 4 (TABOR) campaign would have on his candidacy since election day.

There are those who argue that his stepping up to the bat to go “all in” on TABOR – both with his public support and his financial support – will endear him to conservative activists, which could vault him into front runner status. There have been others that are of the belief that the overwhelming failure of 4 would make Poliquin look politically impotent, and that his money does not matter nearly as much as people assume.

Well today we have learned one very positive side effect of Poliquin’s support for TABOR – that network has been activated to fundraise on his behalf.

From my inbox today:

From: Zach Leach
Date: Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Subject: TABOR NOW – Help Bruce Poliquin
To: Matthew Gagnon

Dear Fellow TABOR supporter,

Like you, I worked very hard to pass Question 4 and to protect the rights of taxpayers in our great state. We might have lost this time, but our fight is NOT over.

Although Question 4 (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) did not pass, and despite being outspent 12:1, we were successful in highlighting the need to reform the system and stop Augusta’s rampant overspending and high taxation.

Much of that success was due to the efforts of Bruce Poliquin, candidate for Maine Governor. Mr. Poliquin independently committed nearly $100,000 of his own money to help pass Question 4:
• Poliquin sent 137,000 mail pieces.
• Poliquin made over 86,000 phone calls.
• Poliquin hosted 8 townhall meetings and 4 rallies.
• Poliquin aired 300 radio ads.
Bruce Poliquin worked tirelessly making the case to limit and reduce state spending/taxes. No one asked him to do this. Poliquin supported Question 4 because it was the right thing to do for our families.

Now it’s our turn to support Bruce. Thanks to his leadership, we were able to stand up against the status quo. He came through for us.

Will you come through for Bruce?

I know that any financial help for Bruce’s campaign will be greatly appreciated. Donations of $20, $50, $100, $250 or more will go a long way to say “thank you, Bruce” for your support of Question 4.

You can conveniently donate online here. Or, send your check payable to Poliquin for Maine Governor, Box 866, Bath, ME 04530.

Thank you for helping me support an initiative and candidate that will eliminate out-of-control state spending and high taxes.

I believe Bruce Poliquin is the right man to be our next Governor.

Respectfully,

Zach Leach
zachleach4tabornow@yahoo.com

This is by no means a game changer, but in the “crunch time” fundraising period (in case you were unaware, the second fundraising period ends at the end of December) where all the candidates scramble to boost their numbers as much as possible, this is certainly a welcome breeze at Poliquin’s back.

It should be very interesting to see how the fundraising reports shake out in the middle of January.