Posted on 04/18/2007 11:24:28 AM PDT by meg88
Giuliani leads Spartanburg fundraising contest By JASON SPENCER, Staff Writer Published April 18, 2007
During the first three months of 2007, Rudy Giuliani raised more money for his presidential campaign in Spartanburg County - $47,600.00 - than all of the other Republican hopefuls combined, according to federal election data released this week.
The former New York mayor's success here is noteworthy because many pundits have said Giuliani's views on abortion, gun rights and gay marriage would drive away social conservatives - particularly in the Upstate.
"We just find that there are a lot of people who are looking at the overall leadership qualifications and record. That's what's driving people to the mayor," said Barry Wynn of Spartanburg, Giuliani's state finance chairman.
"It tells me that people who even disagree with him on 10 percent of the issues, that they believe the country needs very strong and decisive leadership."
Overall, a Herald-Journal analysis of presidential fundraising confirms what many have speculated over the last few months: South Carolina will be a state where money is mostly spent, not raised.
The analysis is based on Federal Election Commission data. Fundraising totals reflect only itemized contributions, which typically are more than $200, collected between Jan. 1 and March 31.
Financial support doesn't necessarily equal votes on Election Day. Still, the dollar signs paint an interesting picture.
Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, who carried only this state in the Democratic primaries during his last presidential run, raised more money in South Carolina than any other candidate - a strong blue presence against the Palmetto State's red backdrop. Edwards raised more than five times as much money in this state as Sen. Hillary Clinton, the next highest Democrat.
Mirroring his national fundraising success, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney raised more cash in South Carolina than any other Republican, lending credence to supporters who say he will do well here.
While California Congressman Duncan Hunter raised only a small fraction of what the top three Republican contenders did individually - Hunter's South Carolina contributions were just shy of $17,000, while Rudy Giuliani did the next best statewide, raising $116,550, and Arizona Sen. John McCain garnered $122,565 - he still outpaced all the other second- and third-tier candidates here. Hunter placed ahead of other lesser-known conservatives, including Sen. Sam Brownback and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
"This is not a big money state. But this is a big stake state, and we all know why - because of its position on the calendar," said Charles Bierbauer, dean of the University of South Carolina's College of Mass Communications and Information Studies.
Narrowing the fundraising focus to Spartanburg County (and Greer on both sides of the county line) shows:
Giuliani raised more cash than anyone else in this county at $47,600, aided by Wynn's presence here. The Giuliani camp also has retained the services of Karen Floyd, and Giuliani's South Carolina political director, Ryan Meerstein, has been working out of her downtown
"This is not a big money state. But this is a big stake state, and we all know why - because of its position on the calendar."
Charles Bierbauer,
University of South Carolina
Spartanburg office for the last several weeks. Other Giuliani contributors here include businessman Jimmy Gibbs; Dr. Richard Hawkins of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas; County Councilman O'Neal Mintz; County Council Chairman Jeff Horton; former City Attorney Spencer King; philanthropist Martha Cloud Chapman and GOP mainstay Walter McSherry.
Romney, who has been an early favorite in some Upstate conservative circles, raised only $17,950 in Spartanburg County - about 11 percent of his total South Carolina contributions. In this county, William Lowndes of the Tindall Corp., Steven Mudge with Marriott International and Patrick Soug with Michelin North America have offered various levels of financial support.
McCain collected just more than $14,000 here. His Spartanburg contributors include businessman George Dean Johnson and attorney John B. White Jr.
Nearly 72 percent of Hunter's South Carolina contributions came from Spartanburg County. Hunter, who launched his presidential campaign here, benefited from the support of textile magnate Roger Milliken. Nearly all of Hunter's contributions here came from Milliken and Co. employees, though he also received financial support from Inman Mills President Robert Chapman III. Hamrick Mills President Charles Hamrick of Gaffney contributed, as well. Milliken also made an individual contribution to the Giuliani campaign.
The most significant Democratic contributions to come out of Spartanburg County were from Advance America co-founder Billy Webster and his wife, Lindsay, who have donated to Clinton and Bill Richardson.
Individuals can contribute up to $4,600 per candidate for the primary and general elections combined.
"It's great that there's that much coalescing of the campaigns in Spartanburg," County GOP Chairman Rick Beltram said.
"Heavy spending is going to come in the Upstate. It's the same story over and over again: You can't do poorly in Greenville and Spartanburg and carry South Carolina."
Meh.
Big city with lots of ex-NYers.
Not surprised.
(((RUDY PING)))
Impossible.
Well, once voters find out his positions, his support will drop like a stone. Any minute now.
Good news bump.
Yea - shhhh! dont’ tell anyone his shoe size then he’ll have to get out of the race entirely.
Thank you for what you posted on the Simpsons thread.
How’s he doing nationally again?
Earth to Rudy...in the money race....it’s the grand total that wins, not a single county total....and someone has 50% more than you do.
That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it!
Good for you.
I applaud Rudy for his current statement that he supports the Supreme Court’s just-issued decision banning Partial Birth Abortion. He has now come out with a clear voice, stating his position on this issue.
Rudy Won’t Get Southern Support BUMP!!
Rudy Won’t Get Southern Support BUMP!!
He’s the ONLY candidate the Republicans have who does have that record of strong and decisive leadership. And he can win big states like California.
LOL... Spartanburg, SC Population 39,673
While it may be the eighth largest city in the state, we don't have very large cities here. But there does seem to be a butt load of ex NYers around.
Thanks for the pings, keep them coming.
Rudi Giuliani is a Conservative’s nightmare because he can effectively marginalize them.
If conservatives leave the Party, like they did in both 92 and 96, their departure will not leave the GOP stranded as it did then, because Giuliani can effectively draw support from Indies and even the right wing of the DNC. Something that neither Bush I or Dole could accomplish.
Rudi could conceivably win the nomination, and the presidency in spite of the departure of a significant segment of the GOP’s right wing. If he did that, the GOP’s conservatives would be left out in the cold for quite some time.
Then again, if he LOST the GOP nomination, he could conceivably run as an Independent, a la Joe Lieberman, and may draw enough support from both Parties and Indies to win the Presidency, changing the face of American politics forever.
Yes! That's it!
The ONLY reason Giuliani is doing well anywhere is due to the ex NYers everywhere!
Oh, wait, I forgot, he can't win NY either. So anyone who was going to support Giuliani moved out of NY and are messing up the polls everywhere else.
Do I have that about right?
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