Posted on 07/17/2004 5:49:46 AM PDT by Libloather
Thune narrows fund-raising gap with Daschle
Mike Madden
Argus Leader
published: 07/16/2004
WASHINGTON - Republican John Thune raised more money than Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle in the year's second quarter, narrowing Daschle's financial edge in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate campaigns.
Thune raised $3.8 million from April 1 to June 30, while Daschle raised $3.1 million, according to campaign finance records due Thursday to federal officials. Daschle still finished the quarter with more cash in the bank, with $5.5 million. Thune had $3.9 million.
Thune's campaign said the second-quarter performance proves the former House member will be able to compete financially with Daschle, even though Thune started the campaign millions of dollars behind the three-term Democrat in January. Daschle strategists said their own fund raising is going according to a long-standing plan.
The race is expected to break South Dakota spending records set in the 2002 campaign between Thune and Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson, when each side spent about $6 million. Thune narrowly lost that race.
Through June 30, Thune had spent $2.1 million, and Daschle had spent $7.9 million.
Both sides are now advertising around the state, as Thune bought his first television ads earlier in the week. Daschle has been airing commercials since last summer, except for a short break around the June 1 House special election.
"It's clear that we are very competitive with the Senate minority leader, who apparently has unlimited access to liberal money across the nation," said Dick Wadhams, Thune's campaign manger.
Daschle aides said most of their campaign's money this quarter came in small donations from individual donors, with an average donation of $181.
"Senator Daschle is pleased with the tremendous support he has received from Democrats and Republicans who believe it is critical that we keep his strong voice in the Senate," said Daschle strategist Dan Pfeiffer.
Both candidates have raised significant money from outside South Dakota. National Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, have helped Thune raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, while Daschle's fund raising has taken him from Florida to California.
An up-to-date breakdown of where the candidates have gotten their money was not available Thursday night. Senate campaigns file their required financial reports on paper instead of electronically, slowing analysis of the data.
Each side's take on the fund-raising figures fit the larger message they are trying to imprint on voters' minds between now and November. Daschle argues that his power as the Senate's top Democrat has brought the state great rewards and enormous clout in Congress. Thune says Daschle has lost touch with South Dakotans as he tries to lead a caucus that is far more liberal than his home state.
The campaigns sparred last month over fund raising, as Daschle promised to ask third-party groups to stay out of the state, and Thune asked Daschle to agree not to spend more than $10 million. Neither side changed their fund-raising practices.
Federal records also showed that Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth had more money left from the June election than her Republican opponent, Larry Diedrich.
Through June 21, when the post-special-election reporting period ended, Herseth had $186,000 in the bank. Diedrich had $60,000.
Campaigns need money to pay for everything from contacting voters door to door to TV commercials. Many observers have criticized money's influence on the political system, saying lawmakers pay more attention to wealthy contributors than to average voters. Most people don't give to political candidates.
It is a tremendous pity that elections have to be based on $$$.$$ and not on values, common sense, and candidate integrity. Good luck, Mr. Thune!
The good thing about this campaign is that while Tiny Tom is having to stay in Washington promoting his liberal agenda, John Thune is out on the campaign trail meeting folks, talking to people and raising $$$$$. Talk about getting a "jump" in the campaign....
Next to the vote for President, I'm on pins and needles about the Daschle/Thune race. Pray, pray, pray...
Bye Bye Little Midget Tommy!
Two things to do about senate campaigns at least. First, states should pass laws prohibitiing out of state contributions to senate candidates. The US constitution says that each state must have equal sufferage in the senate. Lots of senators from small states are more representative of their donor base than their states. This negates the purpose of the US Senate. Second, abolish the 17th amendment, and have the state legislatures once again elect senators. Senators used to be the representatives of the state governments in Washington DC. Look back on the history of the last century. It was after the direct election of senators that Washington usurped the power of the states.
Statement of Speaker of the House J. Dennis HastertRegarding Senator Daschle's Comments on the War
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