Candidates Using E-mail for More Than Fundraising in May, June

Data from Email Data Source finds top presidential candidates sent anywhere from three to 17 e-mail newsletters each in May and early June.

ClickZ_Campaign08_katefinal.jpgMcCain and Giuliani use it to push their books, Clinton and Edwards to get personal, and Obama to get the netroots out on the streets. In the political world, as in the e-commerce world, e-mail is often considered a tool best suited for bringing in the bucks. However, political campaigns are not only employing it to promote fundraising, but to update supporters while on the campaign trail, target opponents, promote events, push paraphernalia, and even appeal to their sweet tooth.

According to information gathered from e-mail tracking firm Email Data Source, the top Democratic and Republican candidates kept in touch with supporters and campaign watchers by sending anywhere from three to 17 e-mail newsletters each in May and early June.

Hillary Clinton for President sent four messages in May and two so far as of June 8, the most recent of which were personality-driven and intended to engage supporters for help and advice. Opponents at The John Edwards for President campaign, which sent 13 e-mails in May and four this month, also got up-close and personal lately; campaign colleagues used the North Carolina Senator’s birthday and a secret family pecan pie recipe as incentives to donate money. Obama for America, the campaign for fellow Democratic contender Barack Obama, sent 10 e-mails in May and four this month, many promoting canvassing and organizing events.

The more prominent Republican candidates did their fair share of e-mailing, too. The John McCain 2008 campaign sent nine messages in May and one as of June 8, many offering updates from the campaign trail. The campaign for Republican Mitt Romney, Romney for President, sent a total of 15 newsletters over the past two months, many promoting video content on Mitt TV and urging recipients to invite others to join his campaign. The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee sent three messages on behalf of the former NYC mayor’s campaign, all in June, none of which were sent from the candidate himself.

More so than any other candidate tracked here, the Giuliani campaign used the promise of campaign paraphernalia like the candidate’s book, campaign caps and pins, in exchange for donations. That campaign wasn’t the only one employing its newsletters to offer campaign gear in exchange for cash. John Edwards for President pushed “Support the Troops, End the War” T-shirts and bumper stickers for donations, while the McCain campaign rewarded donors of larger sums with signed copies of the Senator’s book.

Recent E-mails from
Hillary Clinton for President
Subject Sender Date Message/Issues Content Links
“The smartest and best prepared — and funniest” “From Patti Solis Doyle [Campaign Manager], Hillary for President” 6.4.07 debate, bring troops home, universal healthcare, Dick Cheney, YouTube clips HillaryhHub.com, YouTube clips
“Sunday night on CNN” “From Bill Clinton” 6.1.07 debate, experience, leadership, video debate
“Song contest: final round” “From Patti Solis Doyle, Hillary for President” 5.30.07 campaign song, video responses cast vote, YouTube video, contribute
Source: Email Data Source, 2007

clintonemail.jpg

Recent E-mails from
The John Edwards for President
Subject Sender Date Message/Issues Content Links
“10,000 by Sunday (and how NOT to bake a pie)” “From Elizabeth Edwards” 6.6.07 birthday donation incentive, pecan pie recipe, debate, press coverage Join campaign, spread the word, watch the video
“John would like to meet you” “From David Bonior [Campaign Manager], Edwards for President” 6.6.07 Miami fundraiser, healthcare, hunger, environment, bring home troops Join the campaign, spread the word, make a contribution, event reservation
“Getting a slice of the pie” “From Joe Trippi, Edwards for President” 6.4.07 1953 cost of living comparison, birthday donation incentive, pecan pie recipe Join the campaign, spread the word, make a contribution
Source: Email Data Source, 2007

edwardsemail2.jpg

Recent E-mails from
Obama for America
Subject Sender Date Message/Issues Content Links
“Dinner with Barack?” “From David Plouffe [campaign manager], BarackObama.com” 6.6.07 small donations, dinner promo with donation, special interest treatment donate
“Hollywood, Florida: Two Events on Saturday” “From Matthew Nugent [Political Director], BarackObama.com” 6.5.07 Florida Democratic Party event, canvassing video event, canvassing video
“Video: Walk for Barack” “From Trista Allen [Southern Field Desk Director], BarackObama.com” 6.4.07 debate, Florida canvassing event, training video, find a neighborhood, training video
Source: Email Data Source, 2007

obama.jpg

Recent E-mails from
John McCain 2008
Subject Sender Date Message/Issues Content Links
“The McCain Update – May 4, 2007” “From John McCain 2008” 5.4.07 debate, campaign trail, fun facts, book promo, endorsements, press coverage book promo, read more, join our team, take action, make a donation,
“The McCain Update – May 11, 2007” “From John McCain 2008” 5.11.07 book promo, leadership, debate, fun facts, endorsements, military spouse appreciation, press coverage book promo, read more, join our team, take action, make a donation
“The McCain Update – May 18, 2007” “From John McCain 2008” 5.18.07 experience, campaign trail, debate, press coverage read more, join our team, take action, make a donation, write letter to editor, spread the word
Source: Email Data Source, 2007

mccain.jpg

Recent E-mails from
Romney for President
Subject Sender Date Message/Issues Content Links
“Romney Week in Review – June 1, 2007” “From Romney for President” 6.1.07 memorial day, campaign trail, press coverage, Iraq, gay marriage, national debt, schools, government jobs, childhood obesity contribute, recruit, watch Mitt TV, Mitt in the news
“The Romney Vision VS. The Obama Vision” “From Romney for President” 5.31.07 leadership, Iraq, foreign policy, troop funding, national security, American leadership, terrorism, environment, famine invite friends, contribute, read more
“Romney Week in Review – May 25, 2007” “From Romney for President” 5.25.07 debate, invite friends, contribute, press coverage, Iraq war funding, TV ad invite friends, contribute, press coverage, contribute, recruit, watch Mitt TV, Mitt in the news, TV ad
Source: Email Data Source, 2007

romney.jpg

Recent E-mails from
Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee
Subject Sender Date Message/Issues Content Links
“Once Again, Rudy Shows Leadership” “From Michael DuHaime” 6.6.07 debate; leadership record; book, hat, pin promos with donation contribute
“Reminder: Host A Debate Watching Party” “From Brent Seaborn (Strategy Director), Team Rudy” 6.4.07 debate, host a party, join join, contribute, host a party
“Team Rudy Weekly Wrap Up” “From Michael DuHaime [Campaign Manager], Team Rudy” 6.1.07 taxes, host a party, endorsements, press coverage host party, watch video, press coverage, contribute
Source: Email Data Source, 2007

rudy.jpg

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