With midterms approaching, GOP outmatched by Democrats on campaign funds

[Elmore Furth]

Source: Washington Post

By R. Jeffrey Smith
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 2, 2010; 3:52 PM

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.

With eight months to go before congressional elections, House and Senate Democratic candidates exceed in virtually 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.

An imbalance also exists, however, in recent PAC contributions, which historically finance roughly a third of House election spending and nearly a fifth of Senate spending. According to data from MoneyLine, 63 percent of all PAC spending in the current cycle has gone to Democrats, while Republicans garnered 36 percent.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/02/AR2010040202684.html

[xultar]

1. It hit me yesterday about 5pm. The GOP idiots down here in ATL are giving

Money to these germs to put up these stupid billboards but what they aren't doing is giving to GOP or teaparty candidates. So let them waste their money.

[sasquuatch55]

10. xxxx

xxxx

[Mithreal]

11. Why change government by way of the ballot box, when you can dream insurrection

Maybe those FEMA camps won't be yet another wasted investment.

[SkyDaddy7]

14. ATL!

I live about 45min south of Atlanta! I think you & I spoke before about Chihuahuas, correct? I did not know you were here in Georgia!

Yes, I heard those billboards cost $4000 for 90 days?? What a waste!

To the ATL...:toast:

[aquart]

15. Yes, indeedy.

[old mark]

2. Democrats, we MUST vote for Democrats this year - Like them or not,

think about an increase GOP's in congress, with the current GOP obnoxious right wing scum blocking EVERY Democratic initiative for years - how would that be better?

mark

[nyy1998]

4. +1

[Jackpine Radical]

12. Yes, but let's also do what we can to ensure that the Dems we vote for

are actually going to do what we elected them to do. Vote left in the primaries, and vote for whoever is still standing in the general.

[socialist_n_TN]

17. YES! This MUST be the strategy......................

Vote as left as possible in the primaries and then whoever's left standing in the general. That will put the fear of God (or REAL Dems) into them and EVENTUALLY this strategy will pull the national party to the left WHERE IT SHOULD BE!

[aquart]

16. Thank God I don't have to make that choice.

My congressman is Jerry Nadler and I expect to vote for him as long as he's breathing.

But I perfectly understand how hard it's going to be for some. Which is why I support primary challenges for all the unworthies. Even if you have to vote for the bastards in the end, at least make them feel real fear.

[Jackpine Radical]

18. I'm in a similar situation. Feingold & Obey, with Tom Barrett running for Gubner.

All easy calls.

[Mr. Sparkle]

3. Republicans have a lot of big business interest groups that will more than make up for the shortfall

I would be amazed if the repugs didn't out spent us in the November election.

[karynnj]

7. I suspect that the corporations will take advantage of their newfound "personhood"

and will exercise "their free speech". This will be against us and will not be tallied as RNC spending. The only good thing is that I think they can not directly support a candidate. (though as we saw in 2004, soft money CAN be used to attack candidates.

The other thing this doesn't count is that they have FOX News and most radio talks shows spewing their POV 24/7. We are left with using ads to counter "news" - which is tough. (Look at the slide in people believing in climate change to see how tough this is. That highly funded campaign of lies is at least as a successful smear campaign as the SBVT. )

[Democat]

5. Maybe most tea party members don't have any money to donate?

Didn't another article says that most of them are unemployed and that's why they're so angry - and why they have so much spare time while other people are at work?

[Cosmocat]

6. Have we heard about this in the MSM at all?

In years past, when the Rs had more coin than the Ds, the media babbled about it endlessly ...

If it does not fit into the dems in trouble, Rs on the prowl memes, it doesn't get reported ...

[Deadgnome]

8. Well

Look at the GOP, it's filled with people living on pensions, social security, and fixed incomes. They can't afford an overdraft fee from the bank, how would they afford donations? Heck, their only donation seem to be to the collection's plate at mass/service, and no amount of money will get you into a heaven that may or may not exist. But I'm sure plenty of corporations and Dick Armey-esque PACs will fill the void.

[fascisthunter]

9. The GOP is too Extreme right wing for most Americans

[Jackpine Radical]

13. ...so maybe the corporations are planning to buy up

the right end of the Democratic Party.