Democrats pull in more cash for campaigns than GOP (WaPo)

[jefferson_dem]

Democrats pull in more cash for campaigns than GOP

By R. Jeffrey Smith
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 4, 2010; A03

The Republican Party's strategy since early last year of lock-step opposition to the Obama administration's major legislative initiatives has proved to be less bankable than some party leaders may have anticipated.

Eight months before congressional elections, House and Senate Democratic candidates lead in nearly every important campaign fundraising category. Democratic House lawmakers appear likely to reverse their seven-cycle record of being outspent by House Republicans, according to recent finance reports.

Democrats in both chambers are enjoying the traditional advantages of majority-party status -- and then some. They lead in donations by political action committees, by committees affiliated with the national political parties or with House and Senate leaders, and in individual contributions to incumbent lawmakers. In some instances, their lead exceeds what the Republicans had when that party controlled both chambers in the 2005-06 midterm election cycle.

To no surprise, analysts differ by party on the causes and significance of the disparity. Some Republicans say a donation surge may still come, particularly as the party courts new, small donors outside Washington. They also complain that donations to party stalwarts have been affected by internal squabbles with rebellious "tea partiers," which they hope will end soon.

Republicans also say the party must remain unified in opposition to Obama if it wants to energize the most reliable donors, volunteers and voters. "If we look like winners, money will follow," said Steven H. Gordon, an adviser to Senate Republican leaders who in the past has raised $70 million for Republican congressional candidates.

But recent controversy over lavish and questionable expenditures by the Republican National Committee -- including chartered airplanes and a young Republicans' night out at a bondage-themed club in Hollywood -- appears likely to complicate efforts by the Republicans to overcome their deficit. Some traditional party supporters, such as Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, have urged followers to respond by withholding donations from the national party.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/03/AR2010040301050_pf.html

[progressoid]

1. "most contributions from the health-care industry went to Democrats"

"Democrats won larger shares from nearly every industry. Even most contributions from the health-care industry went to Democrats, reflecting in part pharmaceutical and hospital industry support for the new health-care law. "



Woo Hoo!!! We win!!! :eyes:




.

[denimgirly]

2. Expected -- Democrats have been selling-out to Corporate America very well this year

Health care, wars, Wall Street welfare....corporate america has had a fantastic year with democrats....here is for another good year.

[HughMoran]

3. & I haven't even started to give yet

:applause:

[Clio the Leo]

4. I dont think we appreciate how important this is....

... the lack of replies to this thread says as much.

Let me put it like this, had it not been for his charisma ... we likely would never had of Barack Obama. During his Senate run, he was TREMENDOUSLY outspent in the early months. There were a lot of reasons why Scott Brown won in January and ONE Of those reasons was that the teabaggers were sending him (in the last week) ONE MILLION DOLLARS A DAY!!!!

Not every Dem. is as charismatic as Barack Obama ... and they ALL need money. If you either live somewhere a Dem has a lock on the election, or like I am and live somewhere that a Dem has no hope .... send some money to someone who needs it.

I'll be sending some cash to FL in the coming months. (For Meek.)

[Arugula Latte]

5. I won't give to Democratic organizations anymore, only individual progressive candidates.

The DINOs can go fuck themselves.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. Not surprising given that we are the party in power

Incumbents almost always raise more money than challengers. Also, people with the means will donate a lot of money to the party just to have their picture taken with the President of the United States.