Like Republicans nationally, Matt Doheny is trying to make the most of a decision that went the Democrats' way on President Obama's health care overhaul.

"I'm committed to a full repeal of ObamaCare," Mr. Doheny writes in a fundraising missive. "If we're serious about solutions that lower costs, protect Medicare and stop government from meddling in our relationship with our doctor, we're need to toss out our current congressman."

A deadline is looming at midnight tonight for campaign finance reports, so there's been a recent flurry of solicitations, including one from Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, whom Mr. Doheny will face on Nov. 6. Here's how it works: Candidates want to show that they can raise a lot of funds, so that way, they can raise more funds, and win.

"Please held me end Bill Owens' reign of taxation and job killing now with a donation of $10, $20 or even $50 by June 30," Mr. Doheny writes. "We're closing the books on the second quarter - and we need to send a message to the special interest groups that are fighting for my opponent and the status quo that we mean business."

There's another political benefit in soliciting small-dollar donations. In Mr. Doheny's first quarter of fundraising, a great many donations came from "double maxed" donors — those who gave the top amount permissible by law. When you're trying to shake accusations that you're out of touch with the north country and more in touch with Wall Street, bringing that average donation size down doesn't hurt.

In other ObamaCare/fundraising news, Mitt Romney was in Buffalo recently. Read about it at the Buffalo News.

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