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Posted on 10/01/2002 6:45:40 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
Senate Democrats raised $10 million Tuesday night, providing a crucial influx of cash at their last big fund-raiser before an election that will decide whether they keep their narrow majority.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee began September with less than half the cash on hand of its Republican counterpart. The National Republican Senatorial Committee added to its reported $18 million advantage last week, when President Bush helped it raise at least $8 million more.
The money chase didn't seem to be the focus of conversation at the Democrats' Union Station event, however. Senators and donors were discussing Sen. Robert Torricelli's decision to withdraw from the New Jersey Senate race because of ethics problems that were getting in the way of his race.
Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the DSCC chairwoman praised Torricelli in a brief speech to donors.
Torricelli "put his faith and his party ahead of his personal ambition," Murray said.
Murray promised Democrats would keep the New Jersey seat.
Democrats have chosen former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, 78, to replace Torricelli on the November ballot. The decision was reached Tuesday evening after a full day of meetings among top state Democrats.
Whether Lautenberg's name will actually appear the ballot with Republican Douglas Forrester will be decided in court.
The initial reaction of Democrats at the Senate fund raiser was relief and enthusiasm.
Vincent Panzini, director of governmental affairs for the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association, said he thinks Lautenberg could win even as a write-in candidate.
DSCC spokeswoman Tovah Ravitz-Meehan said the event would be the committee's last big fund-raiser before the Nov. 5 elections.
That would also make it the DSCC's last major fund-raiser before a ban on unlimited labor and corporate contributions to the national party committees takes effect.
Such so-called "soft money" has helped the Democratic and Republican parties post record fund-raising totals for this fall's elections.
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