May 05, 2004
(Updated) Jim 'Help Local Business' Francesconi Outsources Campaign Tasks
Several Out-Of-State Firms Get Fat Checks
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
You might be hearing about this tonight on KATU and as far as I know will definitely hear it tomorrow from Newsradio 750 KXL, but here's the heads up so we can all start paying attention early.
It seems that Mayoral candidate Jim Francesconi, who makes such a big pitch about the need to revive our local economy, has been spending large amounts of his ungodly campaign warchest on out-of-state help, as indicated by his 1st Pre-Election campaign expenditures (pdf) and expenditures made by an agent (pdf) reports.
For instance, the campaign paid $10,475 to Malchow Schlackman Hoppey & Cooper, a "political persuasion mail firm" with offices in Washington DC and San Francisco. They paid $20,648.03 to SCN Public Relations, a firm out of California. They paid $33,186 to Dixon/Davis Media Group out of Washington DC. They paid $2,900 to PR Promotions of Maryland.
Those are our rough calcuations, and they might be a little off, but not by much. In fact, since we mentioned it, as we speak, KATU is airing its report right now.
Disclosure: PORTLAND COMMUNIQUE accepts political advertisements, and currently runs ads from the Busse, Francesconi, and Potter campaigns.
Update
We hope readers managed to catch the KATU story, if only to watch how Francesconi tried to weasel out of any responsibility, blaming it entirely on his campaign and promising that "it won't happen again." We urge readers to keep an ear out for tomorrow's KXL story to hear his campaign spokesman respond to this as well
Meanwhile, if nothing else, this is a pretty good example of yet another reason we need serious campaign reform. Overly-bloated campaigns such as the one Francesconi insists on conducting are simply too large for their own good.
Cheers to KATU for talking to both James Posey and Phil Busse about how they are conducting their campaigns through local spending. Jeers, however, to KATU's Steve Dunn who felt the overwhelming compulsion to try to come to Francesconi's aid as soon as the story was done, saying how nice it was that the candidate has said it would never happen again. Stuff, it Steve.
Update
KATU has posted their story, both in text and in video.
We find it especially interesting that on KATU Francesconi claims he knew nothing about it, while Ed Grosswiler, his campaign spokesman, told KXL, "We have carefully considered our expenditures." Sets a nice precedent for "plausible deniability" for a Francesconi administration, don't you think?
Comments (4)
Arya on 06 May 2004
Let's outsource Francescrony!
Scott Jensen on 06 May 2004
I belive Jim Francesconi is a decent person and I think he tries to do the best he can. If Tom Potter and Phil Busse weren't candidates - I'd actually vote for Francesconi.
But I'll vote for Tom this time. But I sure hope that Phil sticks around, let's us get to know him a little better. I met him a few weeks ago for the second time. He's bright, and I really want to believe in him. But Tom is honest, and we know where we stand with Tom. I do think either would make a good mayor.
Imagine, Tom, Sam Adams and one of the neighborhood activists. What a great council.
pdxkona on 06 May 2004
I recently received a random "e-news"letter from Jim Francesconi. I was surprised and wondered how he had gotten my email address onto his list of "supporters". I called his office. It turns out, that awhile back I had emailed all my city commissioners to urge them to vote on something I felt was important to me. Apparently the norm in the Francesconi office is to take all incoming information, put it in the database, and assume we A. want to be put on a mailing list and B. we are supporters of his campaign. It's called spam, Jim! This is the exact reason I do not like the man. He has no sense of business manners nor any sense of accountability. He had me convinced months ago, but this recent tiny little nonconsequential email is a huge cue into the way he thinks and works. He has no respect. He has no honor.
Gary Marschke on 07 May 2004
"More reasons to vote for Tom" he opines gleefully!