Source:
TribuneFewer political fundraisers reaching for their wallets
By MATEA GOLD, MELANIE MASON AND KIM GEIGER | Tribune Washington Bureau • Published July 31, 2011
WASHINGTON – The vast majority of big-money bundlers who power political fundraising are sitting out the 2012 presidential contest so far, a reflection of persistent dissatisfaction with the Republican field and a lack of urgency and engagement felt by past supporters of President Barack Obama.
An analysis by the Los Angeles Times of campaign finance reports found that only about 100 of the 560 fundraisers who collected money for Obama from friends and colleagues during the 2008 campaign have raised funds for the president's re-election effort.
Many contacted by the Times said they still planned to get involved, noting it was still early - particularly because the president does not have a Democratic primary challenger. But several also said that the economic malaise, the absence of a clear Republican opponent and some disenchantment with the administration's policies have made fundraising more difficult than during Obama's passion-filled 2008 bid.
"There will be a mix of people who initially are more reticent because they feel a little bit disappointed, but over time they will come back to support the president like they did in 2007 and 2008," said Thomas Lesser, an attorney from Northampton, Mass., who is organizing a fundraiser for Obama on Martha's Vineyard in mid-August.
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