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.
Note also that Trump didn't run for president in 2012, because he felt that Romney would adequately represent his positions on the issues he most cares about.
But hopefully, Trump will do a service to this GOP primary campaign by getting other candidates to solidify their positions against illegal immigration and against amnesty. Then, too, he can siphon off some RINO primary votes from Jeb Bush and others.
I like to tell my friend that it would be a cold day in hell before I vote democrat. Donald trump is one of the few republican candidates that could cause me to vote democrat. I think he would be as bad a choice for the republicans. If he is the4 candidate I might just not vote
Trump may be a clown but he had some choice things to say today and was beholden to no one in saying them. It must be nice to be so financially independent you can call balls and strikes EXACTLY like you see them. Good for Trump.
Crazy Hannity said today on his radio program that Trump will sure as heck bring some spine and energy to the rest of the candidates if they expect to keep up.
WTH are the rest of the candidates anyway? It’s still early. They are pacing themselves, I’m sure, and still concentrating on raising money to make a credible run.
Trump is "financially independent" and "beholden to no one"?
Wait a second.
I've been told on this thread that Trump "had to" donate money to Democrats because it's the cost of "doing business".
LOL.
Big whip. All the big businessmen, as well as all financial institutions big and small, give to both sides. Because they are regulated by them, by whichever side is in office at the time. So business people hedge their bets, if they want to stay in business. You are stupid business-wise if you don’t. But it appears some here can’t understand the obvious. Plus The Donald in particular, being in New York, works in an environment entirely hostile to Republicans.
Well, The Donald just announced he is running for President as a Republican, not a Democrat. That in itself is a big step for this man to take, and a gutsy one. His true colors are showing now, because he is in a position and at an age where he doesn’t have to obfuscate any more. He’s got more cajones than many in this society for the issues he is willing to take on and speak honestly about. I’m all for him running, and the hits he is taking from the MSM, and from the RINO’s in particular (see too many on Fox News, in particular the horrid Dana Perino as an example)just show he is over target. And the target are RINO’s. Trump is going after RINO’s. You should be delighted.
Donald Trump IS a Democrat!!! I have heard him say that “He LOVES HILLARY”!!!! He is a Stalking Horse.....I Like him a lot, but he is a DEMOCRAT!!
Trump is a populist. And a Nationalist with appeal to Reagan Democrats.
“He’s going to be a force in this election whether he wins anything or not.
This shifts the debate substantially on some critical issues many other candidates are unable to address because their contributors don’t see the world the same way as the average American.
Trump is going to tap that vein.”
Bingo. Dead on. You nailed it.
Dear Chuck,
Trump is in a Democrat city in a Democrat state surrounded by Democrat states, and infested with Democrat politicians that could easily kill his business plans.
Peddle your BS somewhere else, hack.
Love,
Laz
Sure, "big whip". What difference does it make, right?
So it's okay to help fund the destruction of our country because it will help him make money.
Truly unbelievable.
“Tolerate diversity; prosecute hate crimes against gays. (Jul 2000
Really?”
Yes, really. You don’t tolerate diversity? We all do, if you want to live in this country. And although I don’t agree with the extra layer of “hate” being added to any crime, I do agree with prosecuting to the fullest anyone who attacks gays in particular, and using our current laws, minus the extra layer of designating it as a hate crime, even if it is, I want all criminals who do bodily harm to another prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“I would agree with that statement, and I would further add, Trump has no values, he is just trying to sell a product to advance himself, to enrich himself.”
He’s already filthy rich, and doesn’t need to stoop to the “measly salary” he would receive as Prez. He wants to be Prez to fix this country and bring it back to wealth and prosperity. I’m all for that.
“Invite foreigners graduating from college to stay in US. (Dec 2011)
Really?”
Yes really. That’s how it always used to be, before the Dems radically changed the terms of immigration. You take the cream of the crop from any country and use them to help build a greater and inventive U.S. Only a moron would not recognize this as an excellent policy. One that used to be our country’s immigration policy for many years. Geez, think.
“I agree. Let’s see the whole mix of ideas and promises from all of the politicians, and have fun! Regarding some of the dialogue seen here over the past ten years or so, traditionally, real, common Americans didn’t call each other names and try to shut each other up over politicians.
Political class folks these days speak more like followers of Benito Mussolini. Too much recent European influence without adequate assimilation. We need new, old fashioned leadership in every level of business, academia and politics. The default process might help with that.”
Bingo, and bears repeating, which I just had you do above, lol.
“Rush was right today. he is the new Perot.”
Perot went third party. The Donald never did.
“Trump is a moron.
No one can take this white overprivileged sexist jerk seriously.”
You are all in for a rude surprise.
You're so right. Trump is so rich that he doesn't need to stoop to donating to Democrats.
Oh wait...
“Sure, “big whip”. What difference does it make, right?
So it’s okay to help fund the destruction of our country because it will help him make money.
Truly unbelievable.”
Our country is already hell-bent on destruction. And you think Trump, as pure a capitalist as you can get, will destroy us? Are you nuts?
LOL! Love the pic.
Pure capitalist?
Trump is a crony capitalist.
He donated to Democrats. He help fund the destruction of our country.
He donated to the Democrat Senatorial Campaign and the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee. He recently donated 100K to the Clinton Foundation.
That's 25K more than George Stephenopoulus.
That's the corrupt Clinton Foundation!
Are you nuts?
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