SPOT ON THE DEBATE STAGE. A $20 GIFT CARD, AN EXCHANGE FOR A DONATION. THIS IS THE KIND OF PROBLEM SOLVING WE NEED MORE OF IN WASHINGTON, DC. IT’S AN UNCONVENTIONAL STRATEGY TO DRAW IN DONORS. BUT ONE DOUG BURGUM SAYS IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER, MORE TRADITIONAL METHODS. IT ACTUALLY IS ONE FIFTH THE COST OF GOING TO A POLITICAL FUNDRAISING FIRM THAT SAID, HEY, WE CAN GET YOU 40,000 DONORS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BE WILLING TO PAY $100 PER CUSTOMER ACQUISITION. THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE SET RULES NEEDED TO QUALIFY FOR THEIR FIRST PRIMARY DEBATE. CANDIDATES HAVE TO MEET POLLING REQUIREMENTS AND SECURE 40,000 SEPARATE DONORS. BURGUM QUALIFIED LAST WEEK, BUT CALLS THE CRITERIA A, QUOTE, CLUBHOUSE RULE, ARGUING IT GIVES CAREER POLITICIANS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. THOSE RULES ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT THAT THAT SORT OF GOOD OLD BOY NETWORK AS OPPOSED TO HAVE FRESH FACES IN THE CROWD. SO WE’RE HAPPY TO BREAK THROUGH IT TOOK US ONLY JUST OVER SIX WEEKS TO GET THERE. A FOX BUSINESS POLL RELEASED EARLIER THIS MONTH FOUND BURGUM POLLING IN THE SINGLE DIGITS IN IOWA TIED WITH FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE AT 3%. BUT THE NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR IS ALSO FLOODING THE STATE WITH TV ADS. THE FOURTH HIGHEST SPENDER ON AD BUYS IN CENTRAL IOWA AS OF JULY 20TH. HIS CAMPAIGN HAD SPENT MORE THAN $700,000 TO RUN TV ADS IN THE AREA. BURGUM SAYS HE’LL BE BACK IN IOWA FOR THE STATE FAIR NEXT MONTH, INTRODUCING HIMSELF AS A SOFTWARE EXECUTIVE TURNED GOVERNOR, NOW RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. WE HAVE A BIG OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF US, BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE THE LEADERSHIP THAT HAS BUILT GLOBAL COMPANIES, HAS HAS, HAS UNDERSTOOD HOW TO TAKE COST OUT OF GOVERNMENT AND UNDERSTANDS HOW TO HARNESS ALL OF THE POWER THAT’S COMING IN THE FUTURE. AMAN