Republicans always out-raise Democrats. The only exception to that rule that I have seen is of course this years presidential primary.

Posted by Jon on 18 October 2007 @ 8am

Jon,

Also look at the DSCC and the DCCC’s money right now compared to their Republican counterparts. A staggering difference. Then the DNC’s fundraising versus the RNC’s fundraising. Again, those Democrats are thumping those Republicans at the money game.

Republicans used to out-raise Democrats. That changed in 2006. This set of Virginia numbers is the only money advantage I have seen for a group of Republicans in 2007.

Posted by Jack on 18 October 2007 @ 9am

Aren’t fundraising levels often tied to which party’s in or out of power. For example, in ‘92 after 12 years of a GOP WH, I would have expected Dems to be more motivated and raise more cash. In ‘94, with Dems holding both houses and the WH, just the opposite.

I think today’s big advantage for Dems on the national level is in large part thanks to 7 years of Bush and their hunger to get the WH back. Of course, it’s exacerbated by the GOP fundraisers sitting on their wallets and waiting for a clear favorite to emerge from among the candidates. When that happens, I would expect the gap to shrink dramatically and maybe disappear altogether.

Posted by Judge Smails on 18 October 2007 @ 10am

The meaningful comparisons are to two and four years ago; federal election years and contributions to the national Dems don’t necessarily say much about fundraising for legislative candidates. My general sense is that Republicans have generally out-raised Democrats, but I admit I don’t have hard numbers handy. In addition to Waldo’s question, I’d like to know whether they’re out-raising by less than they did two and four years ago.

Posted by Jim E-H on 18 October 2007 @ 11am

Smails, I’m afraid you’re not going to get a clear favorite until the national primary, and even then there won’t be much enthusiasm. Your most likeable candidate is Steven Colbert.

Posted by Dan Kachur on 18 October 2007 @ 7pm

While I’m forced to agree that the GOP presidential candidates aren’t very exciting, I’m not so “likeable” is the best term to denigrate them, particularly coming from Democrats whose current standard bearer is the Ice Queen herself.

BTW, found this in the WSJ re parties and campaign contributions:

The shift in corporate allegiance helps explain the Democrats’ commanding fund-raising lead. The House Democratic money-raising committee had $22 million of cash on hand at the end of August, the Republican committee $1.6 million. With more than $50 million in the bank, Hillary Clinton has as much cash as all the Republican presidential wannabes combined. The FEC report does note that Republicans closed some of the money gap thanks to a surge in small dollar contributions.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110010753

Posted by Judge Smails on 19 October 2007 @ 10am

That ice queen is likely going to benefit from the most powerful executive in history thanks to your buddy Dick Cheney. Enjoy the ride!

Posted by Dan Kachur on 19 October 2007 @ 2pm