WARNING: The story I am about to relate is not for the faint of political
heart. I will try to be succinct and condensed. 6 weeks ago I hired a
professional Republican fundraiser to help raise me money within the republican
business circles. She came to me from a party contact. We signed a contract and
she was off to the races.
Well yesterday marked 6 weeks and the rake so far: $0.
I woke up yesterday frustrated - frustrated that she never answered my calls
immediately and always had excuses as to why there was no events planned or
contribution checks coming in. I had given her a list of over 500 names to
contact. These individuals represented companies, industries and organizations
were not only natural constituents of my philosophy and positions, but more
than 400 of them were members of organizations that endorsed my candidacy.
SO when I woke up I decided to make some calls myself because I need money to
send mailers to voters and print more signage. I started at the top of the
list. When I asked for each person I prefaced the conversation with "I know
XXXXX(I'm leaving her name out) spoke with you previously but I wanted to call
you personally to invite you to a meet & greet fundraising event for my
campaign. I hope you can help us with a donation.".
Well, after reaching #23 on the list have each person tell me "No one ever
called me about your campaign or asked me to donate". I was pissed. I place
several agitated calls to this person I hired to raise me money. No response.
I went precinct walking last night and on my drive home my cell phone rang. It
was a "private number". I answered. The voice on the other end I did not
recognize. But he said the following (and I paraphrase) - "Mr. Santoro, I've
met you before and I really like you and what you represent. I wish we had more
like you in government office. I want you to know that you've beeb a victim of
some very dirty politics. The girl you hired to conduct your fundraising is
working for your opponent's main lobbyist (names withheld but the names were
mentioned to me). She was put in place to prevent you from raising any money
from traditional political circles. She's been working against you from day
one."
Needless to say I was more than a little angry.
What is the moral of my experience? I'm not sure but I thought you all should
know and you all should be certain to forward this email and this story. The
establishment will stop at nothing. My race is lowly State Senate race in
Miami, FL. And look what underhanded, dirty, lowdown, scumbag move was made on
me. Whomever said politics was dirty, politics is ugly, politics is all those
things and more.
I'm so angry I could spit in this person's face. She had the audacity to stand
toe-to-toe and lie to my face.
Maybe I'm not cut out to be a politician because I can't be that reprehensibly
low.
If you are a candidate struggling against the system like me or you are a
volunteer working for an anti-establishment candidate, please be VERY CAREFUL
what you say to ANYONE.
Dean Santoro
www.santorosenate.com
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