Poor Christine Jennings
Today I got a call inviting me to “host” a lunch with Christine Jennings, who is running against Vern Buchanan for the privilege of representing Florida’s 13th Congressional District. The cost of being a “host” at this event, which also features Senator Bill Nelson, would have been $500. Or, said Jennings campaigner Melanie, I could just come myself for a cost of $100.
Back in May I offered to make online videos and/or TV spots for the Jennings campaign. Apparently that offer is what led to the call asking me to give money. A call asking me if I wanted to videotape the event and produce either Web video or raw material for TV spots? Sure. But that offer was apparently not appreciated — or, perhaps, even noticed.
I look at the Jennings campaign Web site, and all the volunteer opportunities seem to be for low-level work like driving voters to the polls or distributing cambaign literature. Apparently Ms. Jennings has no need of volunteers with high-level skills — like video production.
The videos on her campaign site are all seven months old or older. And the three most recent pro-Jennings videos on YouTube are ones *I* made — back in May.
A couple of friends who are heavily involved in local Democratic Party politics have told me that the Jennings campaign is being run purely by out-of-town “hired guns” who don’t want help (or interference) from mere locals.
Oh, well. I guess Vern Buchanan is going to be our Congressman for another two years. 
August 10th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Hi Rob,
I’ve read your post with surprise, dismay, and sympathy. Mostly I can’t believe it. And yet I have no reason to doubt what you’ve said.
Earlier in the year, my S.O. and I helped some friends with food for a Democratic “meet & greet” at their home on Siesta Key. (We’re food writers and cooks). It went well, and we had a good time. During the course of the afternoon, we had the chance to chat with Rita Fernandino, who made some complimentary remarks about what we had done with some simple hors d’oeuvres. We, in turn, offered the following: If Rita could bring six to twelve people together to meet the candidates in an intimate setting in a private home, we’d come over and cook a four course meal for the occasion.
Rita seemed excited at the prospect–after all, that’s what Obama and Hillary were doing at the time–took all our contact information, and shared it with several of the candidates present (including Ms. Jennings). You can guess what happened next. Our phone has been conspicuously silent since.
You may be right about volunteers with high-level skills, but in my opinion, these folks are missing the boat. I’ve seen your work, and I’d be delighted if I got an offer like yours. I find it incomprehensible that they’d choose to use all that old footage–or simply do nothing–rather than accept your generous offer.
I don’t know…they seem like a nice bunch of folks, but somewhere along the way they’ve become disconnected from the most elemental common sense. I continue to support Adam Tebrugge–although I still don’t know why we need an elected Public Defender–but the rest of those folks have their work cut out if they want me to pull the lever for them in November.
Best regards,
Skip Lombardi