GOPers Slow To Give To Own Cause
Dem members of Congress have contributed more than 3 times the amount to their own party committees than GOP incumbents have, a factor that has Dems in their best financial position even as they face a troubling political environment.
According to statistics compiled by the FEC, Dem House members have given $15.7M to the DCCC through the end of '09. By contrast, incumbent GOPers have handed over just $4.7M.
Dems in the upper chamber have given the DSCC nearly $2.6M, while the GOP has given the NRSC only about $450K in direct transfers from campaign accounts.
The figures do not include contributions from members' PACs, but those numbers pale in comparison. PAC contributions are subject to FEC limits, while members can transfer an unlimited amount of money from their campaign accounts to the party committees. And, according to ex-Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), the GOP is historically late in writing their own checks.
"You're going to find a lot of [the GOP's] incumbents don't have races," Davis said. "There's still time to catch up. Historically, it's been a late surge."
House Dem leaders have invested heavily in the DCCC, with many approaching their party-set dues. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has contributed $850K, while Maj. Leader Steny Hoyer and Maj. Whip Jim Clyburn have each donated $785K. Another 16 members have donated at least $200K to the effort.
Davis credited DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen for bolstering Dem defenses, both by stockpiling cash at the committee and by making sure incumbents are in strong financial position.
"Van Hollen's been through this before. He's a smart guy. There's a wave coming toward them and he's building a high wall," Davis said.
House Min. Leader John Boehner has transfered $555K to the NRCC, but records show that no other member of the House GOP has given more than $200K. A total of 10 other members, including Conference chair Mike Pence, NRCC chair Pete Sessions and Conference Vice Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers gave more than $100K.
On the Senate side, 14 Dems have given more than $100K, while just 1 GOPer -- retiring Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) -- had given more than $100K through the end of last year.
I used to give to NRSC and NRCC, but now I target candidates whom I deem worthy of my hard earned money. Can you say Scozzafava? How about Arlen Specter?
Just having an R behind your name doesn't do it for me anymore. I have given to Lt. Col. West in FL-22, Scott Brown in MA, Sue Lowden in NV, and J.D. Hayworth in AZ, for example.
True I agree with you but I'll say scandals like Rangel is probably strangling the Dem's ability to raise money, I bet all these step-downs and Maassa retirements are hurting the image, check this story on Rangel's "step down"
http://bit.ly/hit-the-road-rangel