Campaign Ammo Another excellent use of campaign funds -

[Tanner Glass]

This came up in the main thread but should be probably copied here for prosperity. Another excellent use of campaign funds/campaign time.

 

[IV 445]

I'd do the same tbh

 

[AnOminous]

I wonder if there are any FEC regulations about using campaign funds for wholesale copyright infringement.

 

[Sammy]

Is she going to pay for an entire theatre and let whoever claims they're a supporter of Wu in? Or will she resell tickets / leave it an exclusive "reward" for contributors? 'Cause the later option has some legal landmines, couldn't she be accused of racketeering or scalping tickets? The theatre should distance itself from showing political favoritism. Disney could also have a thing or two to say about their products and shows getting used for political favors without their consent.

 

[Optimus Prime]

I wonder what Wu wants to do with all those email addresses. Spam probably.

 

[sikotik]

It's going to be a disaster. John knows it and is counting on it for the pity factor.

 

[Replicant Sasquatch]

"while I was serving you, Wu was watching Star Wars. Vote Lynch 2018"

 

[Bungleboy]

Does Wu even remember the election?

 

[Pickle Inspector]

At least he's making it clear to voters what his priorities are and how he's happy to waste money that isn't his.

 

[stets]

This is laughable. There is no legitimate campaigning rational for renting out a theatre to show Star Wars. Let’s break this down some.

Things this is not:

- I could see this as being a “thank you” event for large donors. Wu has no large donors, so that isn’t happening.

- An event to get voters. It’s a horribly inefficient use of money to get people to vote for you. (Although I could see Wu using this as a public rational to throw what is essentially a private party. See below.)

Things this might be:

- A fundraiser. But, I have never heard of using a movie screening as a fundraiser. The idea is so weird that I’ve not even come across a well intentioned novice that’s even proposed it. As others have mentioned, there are likely legal and technical issues with having a screening as a fundraiser. It’s just such a bizarre idea that I can’t get my head around it. Regardless, even if it’s a fundraiser that takes place, it won’t make money since Wu has no base of contributors to both cover the cost and generate income. Extremely unlikely.

- A way for John to misuse campaign funds to have an event for friends under the guise of a campaign event. Wu has no friends, so I don’t see this happening. (And no, the FEC will almost certainly not notice or care if this happens since there is at least some semblance of a campaign rational for the event. You literally have a congressman who used campaign money for Steam games and his children’s school uniforms and the FEC is just now investigating it.)

- A campaign ploy to get earned media. It’s a clever idea, but the whole idea of getting media attention is to not spend a shitload of money obtaining it. I doubt John is smart enough to both come up with this idea and have the campaign resources to pay for it, though.

What this probably is:

- An even that will never take place, and an example of why John needs to stop combining stimulants with his Twitter usage.

Someone else may come up with other ideas; this is just what popped in my head first. Regardless, this is more proof that the fake campaign continues unabated.

 

[sikotik]

- A campaign ploy to get earned media. It’s a clever idea, but the whole idea of getting media attention is to not spend a shitload of money obtaining it. I doubt John is smart enough to both come up with this idea and have the campaign resources to pay for it, though.

-A chance for ween goober gobblers to sign up and invade the screening as a battalion of storm troopers wearing MAGA hats &/or someone calls in a bomb threat to shut the thing down. Then comes the 'poor oppressed wymyn in tech trying to make the country great again by standing up to Trump' tears and press coverage.

 

[twattycake]

- A way for John to misuse campaign funds to have an event for friends under the guise of a campaign event. Wu has no friends, so I don’t see this happening. (And no, the FEC will almost certainly not notice or care if this happens since there is at least some semblance of a campaign rational for the event. You literally have a congressman who used campaign money for Steam games and his children’s school uniforms and the FEC is just now investigating it.)

But could Disney sue him over it? Campaigns routinely get hit with cease-and-desist orders for using music they don't have the rights to at rallies, and here John couldn't claim that the screening did not bring in campaign funds/wasn't intended to bring in funds if he actually went through with it. Calculating damages, one of the messiest parts of many infringement suits, would also be pretty simple for an event like this.

 

[facepalm]

But could Disney sue him over it? Campaigns routinely get hit with cease-and-desist orders for using music they don't have the rights to at rallies, and here John couldn't claim that the screening did not bring in campaign funds/wasn't intended to bring in funds if he actually went through with it. Calculating damages, one of the messiest parts of many infringement suits, would also be pretty simple for an event like this.

If the showing is legally rented then Disney isn't suffering any harm.

If Star Wars music is used in a campaign ad without permission, Disney is being harmed.

 

[AnOminous]

If the showing is legally rented then Disney isn't suffering any harm.

Yes it is. They licensed that reel (or DVD) out for the purpose of it being used to sell their product in return for a cut of the profits, not to suggest that they endorse or are affiliated with a political campaign. That's a trademark and a copyright violation.

 

[Picklechu]

I wonder what Wu wants to do with all those email addresses. Spam probably.

You would be surprised what a decent campaign email list can go for, even if one is just renting it out. Occasionally, you'll see someone run for office in part to build one to make money off of.

 

[stets]

You would be surprised what a decent campaign email list can go for, even if one is just renting it out. Occasionally, you'll see someone run for office in part to build one to make money off of.

I’ve dealt with political e-mail list rentals, swaps, and purchases in the past. These are really only valuable if you’re running a presidential campaign, a Senate campaign in a large state, a down ballot campaign that has a unique hook to it (ie, well-spoken, black republican or something.), or a list that has generated a large number of small dollar contributions.

Wu will never come close to accomplishing any of those metrics. You really need tens of thousands of quality names in your file at an absolute minimum for your list to have any market value. My guess is that John’s file in well under ten thousand, perhaps even under a thousand.

 

[Picklechu]

I’ve dealt with political e-mail list rentals, swaps, and purchases in the past. These are really only valuable if you’re running a presidential campaign, a Senate campaign in a large state, a down ballot campaign that has a unique hook to it (ie, well-spoken, black republican or something.), or a list that has generated a large number of small dollar contributions.

Wu will never come close to accomplishing any of those metrics. You really need tens of thousands of quality names in your file at an absolute minimum for your list to have any market value. My guess is that John’s file in well under ten thousand, perhaps even under a thousand.

I didn't say that Brianna's list would be valuable. It wouldn't surprise me if she tried to make money off of it once she loses, though.