Posted on 06/16/2015 1:49:13 PM PDT by SoConPubbie
While it has been an open secret for several years that Donald Trump was once a heavy Democratic donor, a deeper analysis of campaign records shows that the real estate billionaire’s contributions skewed even further left during the 2006 mid-term election, the crucial contest that put Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi in power and arguably helped pave the way for Barack Obama’s political agenda.
Between 1989 and 2010, The Donald gave $314,300 to Democratic groups and candidates and $290,600 to Republicans, according to a Daily Caller analysis of records maintained by the Center for Responsive Politics.
But Trump’s donation gap was even larger during the mid-2000s, which saw the end of Republican congressional majorities and the ascendance of the Democratic party.
Overall in the 2006 election cycle, Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., donated $77,200 to Democrats versus only $24,250 on Republicans. Looking back to the 2004 cycle, the pair donated $40,500 to Democrats and only $17,250 to the GOP.
A large share of Trump’s donations to Democrats were given to congressional committees dedicated specifically to gaining majority control of Congress. And that they did. Democrats took control of both houses of Congress for the first time since 1994 by gaining 31 seats in the House and increasing the Democratic caucus in the Senate by six.
Records show that in June 2006, Trump donated $20,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. That was in addition to the $5,000 he sent in April 2005 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. At the same time, Trump Jr. gave the two Democratic committees a total of $22,500.
While the Trumps spent nearly $50,000 to elect congressional Democrats, they donated only $1,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRSC).
But perhaps the worst outcome that election for Republicans was that Pelosi and Reid became Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader, respectively. The pair made a formidable team and did heavy lifting to ensure that Obama was elected in 2008 and that much of his agenda — including Obamacare — was put in place.
If Trump does choose to run — a decision on which he will announce on June 16 — he’ll face a field of 15-plus Republican hopefuls. He’ll also be fighting almost immediately for the life of his campaign. The Republican National Committee has changed its rules this cycle by limiting party debates to the top 10 hopefuls in the polls. The party is taking the unprecedented move in order to limit exposure to dark horse candidates.
Trump finished eighth in a Quinnipiac poll released last week. The first debate will be held Aug. 6 and will be hosted by Fox News.
If Trump makes that debate stage and if he becomes a big enough threat to primary front-runners — former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker — his past support the GOP’s mortal political foes will almost certainly become the topic of debate.
Topping the flamboyant former TV celebrity’s roster of Democratic benefactors is scandal-plagued New York U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel. Records show the Harlem-based Democrat has received $26,250 in Trump cash since 1989. Trump Jr., has given heavily to Rangel as well.
New York Sens. Kristen Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer have received $7,950 and $7,900, respectively, in Trump money. And two liberal lions, former Massachusetts Sens. John Kerry and Ted Kennedy, received $5,500 and $5,000.
Trump also arguably helped enable Obamacare in another way — albeit before the health law was a twinkle in any liberal’s eye. Trump supported two of its most ardent supporters in Reid and New York U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner. He donated $7,400 to the Nevada Democrat. Among those contributions is $2,400 Trump gave Reid ahead of his contentious 2010 run against Sharron Angle, a tea party favorite.
Trump also gave $4,300 to Weiner, a dogged supporter of Obamacare who was forced to resign his seat following a sexting scandal.
Since its passage, Trump has called Obamacare “a filthy lie” and said that it would shut down the country. Though Obamacare was not on the radar when Trump made his donations, Democrats have long sought centralized control of the American health care system.
But perhaps most damaging to Trump’s campaign — if he chooses to embark on one — is the money he’s given to Hillary Clinton and other Clinton family endeavors. Trump donated more than $4,100 to the likely Democratic nominee in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007, records show. Trump Jr. gave the former first lady $6,100 in 2006 and 2007.
Those donations pale in comparison to other support Trump has given the Clinton empire. It was recently revealed that he gifted the Clinton Foundation at least $100,000, according to the Clinton Foundation website. The always outspoken Trump defended the donation, saying that the Clintons “kissed [his] ass” for the dough.
Trump’s donations to high-profile Democrats isn’t limited to those on the national stage. Not included in the Center for Responsive Politics’ database is a $50,000 contribution Trump gave in December 2010 to former Bill Clinton and Obama White House official Rahm Emanuel for his successful Chicago mayoral bid.
Perhaps atoning for what many Republican primary voters will consider to be grave political sins — donating to Reid, Clinton, and Schumer, who has been tapped to lead Senate Democrats when Reid retires — Trump has contributed $358,700 exclusively to Republicans since 2011, mostly in large-dollar donations to political action committees.
It was around that time that Trump became a vocal critic of Obama’s and began seeking information about his birth certificate. The aggressive approach helped win Trump solid support among some conservatives.
Before 2011, Trump’s $290,600 in donations to Republicans went to a smattering of candidates, many of whom were from his home state of New York.
Records show Trump contributed $8,600 to Arizona Sen. John McCain, mostly for his 2008 presidential run. His second-biggest GOP benefactor wasn’t exactly a conservative stalwart. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter received $8,300 from Trump between 1989 and 2008 — the year before Specter switched parties.
In 2010, Trump, who was a registered Democrat between 2001 and 2008, gave $50,000 to the Karl Rove-backed super PAC, American Crossroads. In 2012 he gave $100,000 to the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aimed at getting Republicans elected to the House.
Trump is a businessman in NYC. Giving rats money is the cost of doing business.
It’s noise.
Hell, I WISH somebody would pay me to troll.
So if I understand you, even if Trump was 100% conservative, his donating money as the cost of doing business in a Blue state should invalidate his candidacy?
If so he could brief some of the candidates and advise them. Maybe he could be of use that way.
Nearly all of the rich folks donate to candidates in both political parties. That should be common knowledge by now.
But go right ahead. This will be a fun Spectacle to watch. Heh...I wrote “Spectacle.”
Foreign minds in politics. They’re fun to watch with their screeching bandwagon approach and ad hominem antics, especially when they finally resort to limp-wristed fisticuffs. Eventually, they might even start having each other assassinated, like in “the old country.”
It’s known fact TPA which Cruz has been shilling for sets TPP into motion he’s traitor to our Republic as is anyone who votes for it or supports it.
I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment.
At least he's never demonstrated any beyond himself and his country.
He's a blowhard carney and American Nationalist.
And, sadly, so far the best man the GOP has put up this cycle.
He and the other candidates...and their respective supporters will surely have a great deal to talk about over the next year.
I may not vote for him or any of the other in the race. And, I'd rot in the gutters of hell before I would vote for a Democrat in any situation.
I am happy that Trump is in the race as now the GOP will have a debate on Immigration, the Wall, Trade and CRONY CAPITALISM. And that's a debate long over due, would you not agree?
Donald Trump On the Issues
http://www.ontheissues.org/donald_trump.htm
Donald Trump on Civil Rights
No gay marriage; no same-sex partner benefits. (Mar 2011)
Tolerate diversity; prosecute hate crimes against gays. (Jul 2000
Donald Trump on Crime
Capital punishment isn’t uncivilized; murderers living is. (Jul 2000)
Death penalty deters like violent TV leads kids astray. (Jul 2000)
Hold judges accountable; don’t reduce sentences. (Jul 2000)
For tough anti-crime policies; not criminals’ rights. (Jul 2000)
Donald Trump on Drugs
Legalize drugs and use tax revenue to fund drug education. (Apr 2011)
Never drinks, smokes, nor does drugs. (Feb 2011)
Fired Miss USA crown winner due to drug over-indulgence. (Dec 2006)
Never touched drugs, nor alcohol, tobacco, or coffee. (Jul 2000)
Donald Trump on Education
Teach citizenship; stop “dumbing down”. (Jul 2000)
End “creative spelling,” “estimating,” & “empowerment”. (Jul 2000)
Bring on the competition; tear down the union walls. (Jul 2000)
School choice will improve public schools. (Jul 2000)
Donald Trump on Energy & Oil
No Cap-and-Tax: oil is this country’s lifeblood. (Dec 2011)
Jobs will slump until our lifeblood—oil—is cheap again. (Dec 2011)
Enough natural gas in Marcellus Shale for 110 year supply. (Dec 2011)
Libya: No oil, no support; no exceptions. (Dec 2011)
It’s incredible how slowly we’re drilling for oil. (Mar 2011)
Donald Trump on Foreign Policy
China is our enemy; they’re bilking us for billions. (Dec 2011)
When you love America, you protect it with no apologies. (Dec 2011)
By 2027, tsunami as China overtakes US as largest economy. (Dec 2011)
Criticized Buchanan’s view on Hitler as appeasement. (Jul 2000)
Post-Cold War: switch from chess player to dealmaker. (Jul 2000)
Support Russia, but with strings attached. (Jul 2000)
China: lack of human rights prevents consumer development. (Jul 2000)
Be tougher on China-we’re too eager to please. (Jul 2000)
Donald Trump on Free Trade
20% tax on all imported goods. (Dec 2011)
Fair trade instead of embarrassing deal with South Korea. (Dec 2011)
Repatriate jobs that China has been stealing. (Dec 2011)
Embrace globalization and international markets. (Jan 2008)
Renegotiate tougher & fairer trade agreements. (Jul 2000)
President should be nation’s trade representative. (Dec 1999)
World views US trade officials as ‘saps’. (Dec 1999)
Donald Trump on Immigration
Citizenship for illegal immigrants is a GOP suicide mission. (Mar 2013)
351,000 illegal aliens are in our prisons; costing $1.1B. (Dec 2011)
Anchor babies were NEVER the intent of the 14th Amendment. (Dec 2011)
Invite foreigners graduating from college to stay in US. (Dec 2011)
Triple-layered fence & Predator drones on Mexican border. (Dec 2011)
Control borders; even legal immigration should be difficult. (Jul 2000)
Limit new immigration; focus on people already here. (Dec 1999)
Totally false. Not only does the latest version of TPA include new language expressly stating that the House or Senate can dismantle the “fast-track” rules for various “disapproval” reasons, but—even more importantly—Congress has always retained this power because it has plenary authority over its rules of procedure, including “fast track.”
The new TPA, like previous versions before it, acknowledges this fact in Sec. 106(c), which states that the fast-track rules are enacted as “as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of Representatives and the Senate,” but “with the full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedures of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as any other rule of that House.” The CRS summary of TPA reiterates this fact: “Congress reserves its constitutional right to withdraw or override the expedited procedures for trade implementing bills, which can take effect with a vote by either House of Congress.”
Such power is not merely theoretical. It is precisely what then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi did to the Colombia FTA in 2008 after President Bush submitted its implementing legislation. Her move effectively dismantled the “fast track” procedures and thus delayed congressional consideration of the agreement indefinitely.
In short, Congress retains total control over the FTA implementation process under TPA and can only be bound by the “fast track” rules if it wants to be bound.
Sensing a theme here yet?
Donald Trump Says He Would Threaten to Tax China 25%
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2698460/posts
Donald Trump: Chinese ‘Looking to Strip Us of Everything’
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2666755/posts
Donald Trump: Oil warrior
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2702389/posts
Donald Trump Running for President of the United States (Good example of really bad writing)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2693630/posts
Why We Need Donald Trump
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2699093/posts
Donald Trump is Pro-Life. Laura Ingraham Show Interview. (Audio)
http://www.breitbart.tv/pro-life-donald-trump-would-eliminate-dept-of-education-impose-25-tax-on-chi | 02-09-11 | Breitbart
"Pro-Life Donald Trump Would Eliminate Dept of Education, Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President. (A good start)"
Ha, ha, ha! This is going to be good.
“Politicians and diapers should be changed frequently and all for the same reason.” —José Maria de Eça de Queiroz
“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.” —Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville
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