Party Donations Show G.O.P. Edge

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The New York Times

WASHINGTON — For all the success that Democratic presidential candidates have had in raising money — taking in a combined total of over $500 million in the current race — the Republicans are beating them in one crucial area of fund-raising: the money being raised by the parties themselves.

The Democratic National Committee ended 2007 nearly flat broke, with cash of $2.9 million and debts of $2.2 million. Since then it has raised some money, paid down debt and managed to put $3.7 million in its piggy bank. This compares, however, with $25 million that the Republican National Committee has in cash on hand, after having raised $97 million since the beginning of 2007.

And with Senator John McCain now the presumptive Republican nominee, party officials started plotting with his campaign this week on deploying those resources against the well-financed Democratic candidacies of Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Already, President Bush, who spoke at 29 Republican fund-raisers and is credited with raising $63.5 million last year, is lined up for more R.N.C. fund-raising in the weeks ahead. This money is likely to provide the financial muscle for Mr. McCain to continue his attacks on both Democratic candidates.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/us/politics/07donate.html

[lapfog_1]

1. Shit, repukes don't have to spend a dime

With Hillary both tearing down Obama and building the case for McCain on a daily basis... why should they bother running any campaign spots...

[Born Free]

3. I can't believe she is doing this...

I really am growing tired of her attitude that she winning is more important than anything else, including the future of the country. If I were in a position to influence the campaign I would suggest a new ad showing the three am bit with Bill & Monica doing their thing, while Hilliary ignores it. It actually makes me angry when she suggests McCain is better than Obama. All we need is another Joe Liberman to help the GOP sell America out.I know better, I should just ignore it all, accept the theft of 2000 election and change over was the beginning of the end.

[Bandit]

8. It has nothing to do with Hillary "Impeachment is Off the Table"

I won't donate one dime to Democrats that won't hold republicans accountable. Why do you think Congress, which is being led by Democrats has a way poorer approval rating than Bush* does?

[AndyTiedye]

16. I Have Sent Back a Few Fundraising Letters With Notes to That Effect

[papau]

19. with Dean an Obama lapdog I've stopped contributing to the DNC

[LeftCoast]

2. Looks like it's time to pony up for the party!

Anyone know what limits there are for party donations?

[Ian David]

4. It sounds like Democrates like their Democratic candidates but NOT the Democratic Party. n/t

[tpsbmam]

6. And this will get blamed on Howard Dean.....

Certainly not a random sampling and maybe not a representative sampling, but I've heard MANY (maybe 30) say that they'll no longer give to the DNC based on their frustration with how the Dems have performed over the past 7 years, the past year in particular.

Tough call on that one. I say give to the DNC but continue to make our voices heard. I have to admit, though, I wouldn't give to the DLCC with Emanuel as chair -- to DLC for me. That may change with Van Hollen in but I haven't decided yet. I've gotten pretty used to giving to individual Congressional candidates instead of the DLCC.

[Kelvin Mace]

5. Are they factoring in the money they are losing to embezzlement?

http://thoughtcrimes.org/s9/index.php?/archives/2310-Republicans-doing-what-Republicans-do-best.html

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. self-financing. how pathetic. nt

[KingOfLostSouls]

9. nice spin

from the conservative media.

the democrats are kicking major ass in fundraising. the party itself, as far as anyone's seen, isn't exactly strapped. people are giving their money to individual candidates and congressional races, etc etc.


The RNC is trying to recruit millionaires to run for office so they can pay for their own campaigns. the RNC itself may be able to pay for stuff, but mclame's campaign finance fraud is going to catch up to him.


this is fear mongering from the conservative media as usual, trying to build up the case but we're doing fine. once the nomination process rolls through, and we have a nominee, then the real fun begins. I do have to give the edge to obama on that one, he has more people in the field and more grass roots fund raising than hillary, thats a huge asset in the general. its not just the money, its having soldiers in the field. as with all the articles about it, he's taken what howard dean learned and magnified it. gotta give him credit for that.

but the RNC may have money, but they're going to have to split that up to all their candidates who can't even get help. like tom davis said when asked why he wouldn't run against mark warner, you couldn't get a republican elected dog catcher these days.

screw the conservative media.

[Kolesar]

14. Obama has a million donors and they are not tapped out

Even if they averaged $230/each, which is 10% of federal, individual limits, Obama's going to have all the ad money and staff money he needs. :rubs hands together & smiles:

Tell me more about: mclame's campaign finance fraud. Do you mean the story about accepting public financing? I missed a few details.

[rocktivity]

10. HIT PIECE ALERT!!!

Part of Operation DLC Uber Alles. Funny how this pops up just as media attention begins to focus on Howard Dean's holding the line against seating the MI and FL delegates. Their mission is the help the DLC purge progressives from the party.


rocknation

[Honeycombe8]

11. This is more about spending than $ raised. How much did the Dem Party raise in 2007?

Your excerpt doesn't say.

But I may be able to explain SOME part of it, as to ME, anyway. I am an Independent who wants the Repubs out of power. I voted straight Dem ticket in 2006 and support Obama currently.

I gave $ to Wes Clark for the 2004 election. So I have gotten e-mails and calls from the Dem. Party for donations. I will not donate to the Party, because I have only certain politicians I want to support. I don't want my $$ being spread to politicians I don't approve of and don't want. I want my $$ to go straight to the politician that I want to win. That is the BEST way for my $$ to do the most good, in accordance with my values.

Republicans are party animals (pun intended!). They are more likely to support their party, I think, over and above individual politicians. Like the old saying, Dems fall in love with their candidates, Repubs fall in line. They support the platform and the party more than the individual.

[Honeycombe8]

12. Also....the disapproval of the Dems in Congress may have some bearing on $ contributed. nt

[Kolesar]

13. Exxon execs & owners can fund the RNC handily with thier $200million/day profits*

*$200 million/(business day), that is.

Same with Boeing, Lockheed, Fidelity, etc.

[Redbear]

15. This is only one piece of the finance puzzle- the rest of it is Dem dominated

The DNCC and DSCC are way ahead of the Repubs in campaign cash and both Clinton and Obama are way ahead of McCain.

[Thepricebreaker]

17. Bush sucks, but he is a money machine for McCain.

[Greyskye]

18. I'll donate to the party when the party steps up

I had a rant about this last Septemeber: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Greyskye/7