The Update Desk: Who Loves Me Baby? (3)

Who Loves Me, Baby? was my original post setting the stage for me signing up with all ten of the top-tier candidates (nine Dems + Bernie) to see how they communicate. 

This update highlights the first week of my joining the fray, which included the end-of-August fundraising deadline and the lead-up to the CNN Climate Change town hall. And, here are the highlights from the second week. 

How did we do in week three?

• I received 175 emails by this afternoon's deadline, 35 more than last week; 76% directly asked for money.
• Kamala Harris sent me 29 emails, followed by Cory Booker (24), Joe Biden (22), and Elizabeth Warren (20). At the other end of the scale, Bernie Sanders and Julian Castro (12 each) were trailed only by Amy Klobuchar (8). In the middle of the pack this week were Beto O'Rourke (17), Andrew Yang (16 - twice as many as last week) and Pete Buttigieg (15).  
• On the asking for money part, Sanders led the way, with 92% of his emails making a direct pitch for money. He was followed closely by Warren (90%) and Klobuchar (88%).  The one asking for money the least? Beto, with only 65% of his emails making a blatant pitch.

Based on the email numbers, Klobuchar seems to have the least aggressive team, although she did significantly up her game in terms of asking for money.

Again this week, there were lots of emails about the Houston debate. While 30% of last week's emails were all about "when I'm on the debate stage," 25% of this week's were about how they did while they were up there. Other than that, it was more of the same, the "hey, I'm out here" kind of thing, covering mostly Trump, FEC deadlines, fundraising goals, and the like. 

Honestly, they are almost entirely focused on the money: the debate qualifying rules: another candidate making the cut for the October debate (which may mean two nights, again - ugh), concerns the requirements will be tightened again going in to the debate after that, and the end-of-September filing deadline.  And, of course there were three or four references to Justice Brett Kavanaugh, after the new allegations came out.

Beto used two of his emails to ask for donations for the guy running against the Texas Representative who made the "death threat" against O'Rourke over his mandatory buyback plan for assault weapons. 

And what's with the stickers? Everybody's got stickers, it seems. Most of them are totally free, but Warren asks for a donation of any amount to get a free sticker, and Biden asks for a donation of any amount to cover production and shipping (with a $7 hint in case you're not sure what to do).

Only Booker and Yang dedicated an email to the UAW strike, which surprised me given the candidates are all actively seeking the coveted union endorsements. Mayor Pete talked about Medicare For All Who Want It, his health insurance plan, and Cory Booker released an economic plan, so that was worth one email. And that was it - nothing solely related to immigration, foreign policy, education, and climate change. 

The most interesting emails this time?  

• Beto has a "comprehensive plan to end the failed War on Drugs, legalize pot, and fix the injustices in the country's drug policies. And, he wrote a book about legalizing pot back in 2011, and I can get a copy by donating any amount.

• Yang's Marijuana Math hat is back - and last time it sold out fast. For $42, if I act fast, I might be able to score one.

• Elizabeth Warren spends a LONG time in selfie lines - and she's not going to quit doing that, either, no matter what anyone tells her.

I want them to start spending more time talking to me about issues, and much less time talking to me about how much they need my money, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope for next week.

Maybe that'll change if I get one of those free stickers.