Dems Buying In To DSCC, DCCC
Dem senators know they face trouble, but unlike earlier years, they are circling the wagons and defending each other.
The DSCC has received $3.2M in transfers from its members, CQ-Roll Call's David Drucker reports, giving the party ample funds to defend its incumbents and open seats and to pursue some of the GOP-held open seats this fall.
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) leads the way, having given $315K so far. Senate Maj. Whip Dick Durbin has given $265K, and even Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has chipped in $200K.
And more may be coming; Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), who announced last month he would not seek another term, gave $100K in Jan., but he had more than $4M left in the bank as of the end of the year. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), who also said he would not run again last month, still has $3.3M CoH.
Member buy-in is something Dems have pushed since '94, when the party's sinking fortunes led many to hoard their cash in order to save themselves. Now, as the party faces another difficult election cycle, they need all the cash they can get to defend vulnerable incumbents, and to stay on offense wherever they can.
The DCCC is also getting significant member buy-in, according to a Hotline On Call analysis. The party has strict minimums of what members should donate, with different levels for leadership, committee chairs, subcommittee chairs and members of the so-called "A" committees.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads the way, having donated $850K, with Maj. Leader Steny Hoyer kicking in $785K and Maj. Whip Jim Clyburn giving $585K. Dem Caucus chair John Larson (D-CT) and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), a rising star in the House, have already contributed $400K each from their own funds. And committee chairs George Miller (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) have handed over $325K, $300K and $300K respectively. DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen, who has guided his party to strong financial position, gave $320K to his own cause.
GOPers have seen much less buy-in from members. Drucker reports the NRSC has received $931K from its members, while the NRCC has seen transfers of more than $100K from just 7 members, according to the latest FEC reports. House Min. Leader John Boehner is the only member to have given more than $200K; he has donated $555K so far, records show.
GOP donations waned over the last 2 cycles as the party faced troubling electoral circumstances. More members decided to keep their cash for themselves in order to defend their own seats, rather than contribute to the national effort.
But now, those donations are going to become crucial if the GOP is to maximize its electoral prospects. At the moment, the DCCC has $16.7M in the bank and $2M in debt, while the NRCC has just $2.67M on hand. Without significant member buy-in, especially from those members who may not face a serious challenge, the GOP could very easily leave a significant number of Dem-held seats on the table.
I attempted to make an argument like this one time, but I didn't get a particularly good reply. I hope your writing on this subject turns out better than mine did. Keep up the excellent work.
Advantageously, this post is in reality the best on this deserving topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your future updates. Just saying thanks will not just be enough, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing style. I will right away grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Gratifying work and much success in your business dealings!
This article was awesome. I have been looking for just this type of site.I am indebted for this information.
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the excellent work.