Posted on 07/25/2007 5:44:45 AM PDT by Valin
Politico's Jeanne Cummings has a story on the dollar gap that is opening between the Dems and Republicans. It is large and growing, and a complete turnaround from the ordinary situation. So, what is going on?
There are three answers.
First, the top tier GOP presidential candidates are equally matched and there's a lot of money on the sidelines waiting for the main event to begin. When a strong frontrunner emerges who begins to take the campaign to the Dems, especially on the war, the contributions will flow. If Romney is that nominee, expect some serious 527 efforts as well funded by his extraordinarily successful colleagues in the world of investment banking. Rudy Giuliani, too, will not lack for cash if he is the nominee.
The disparity in cash on hand between the campaign committees of Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate are much more significant, and harder for the GOP to fix. The Dems are enthusiastic about adding to their majority, and recognize that if they can keep if through this cycle it will be theirs for some time. Though pressed by the anti-war fringe into absurd ploys and defeatist rhetoric, the Dems can count on their foot soldiers in the unions and the groups to keep sending in the small contributions, whether by payroll deduction or on a voluntary basis.
The Republicans have a double disadvantage.
Quick, name one GOP House candidate challenging a Democratic freshman. That's the first problem. The House GOP has done almost nothing to present the face of the comeback, and until it does, don't expect a lot of enthusiasm or contributions from the base. Show me 20 Republican challengers, including a bunch of vets with service in Iraq and Afghanistan who are running on a platform of victory, and the House coffers will start to fill.
The problem in the Senate isn't a lack of candidates, it is that some of the candidates are not merely old and uninpsiring, some, like Orgeon's Gordon Smith, have gone over to the defeatist ranks. Others like Domenici of New Mexico and Warner of Virginia sit on the fence. There is simply no way that even the most committed Republican activists are going to give money to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and see it work for Smith's re-election, or the re-election of other Republicans not committed to victory in Iraq.
When the GOP's senate challengers to defeatist incumbent Democrats emerge in Montana, Louisiana, Iowa, and Arkansas to join Bob Schaeffer in Colorado, there will be some rallying to them if they run on a victory platform, but not until then, and then only into the campaigns of the individuals. I got another e-mail from Senator John Ensign today, a good conservative who chairs the NRSC, asking me to contribute to the Committee to help turn back Hillary Clinton's assault on talk radio. Now, you'd think I would respond to that, right? Not a chance, because I know that my contribution would end up helping Gordon Smith. Keeping the Fairness Doctrine at bay means almost nothing compared to a loss in Iraq that allows al Qaeda to establish a new home base, and trying to appeal to donors in any way that ignores the debate over the war will fail. When the GOP caucus in the Senate serves notice that it won't be sending money to the defeatist rump in its midst, then donations will pick up. Until then, save the stamp, or the e-mail.
On the other hand the establishment Bush Republicans stand for nothing W. like his father presented no real agenda other than to spend money. I just think of them as passive do nothing country clubbers who will just let the country drift.
So many of the “moderates” just seem to live in the middle of the road where there are dead skunks and yellow stripes and the country clubbers are just like them. The “libertarians” are dreamers who take things to far to the extreme. The free marketers are just interested in getting their tax breaks and then they go out and spend Federal money like it is going out of style (since they don’t seem to think they are going to pay for it). They seem to make no effort to relate to the common people or respond to thier concerns, Also to many of us are yearning for Ronald Reagan, who is now dead. I am afraid it is a new world and we have to change as well. I don’t know what we change to. I still prefer all of the above to anything the Dem’s put up so there is not danger I am leaving but I just wish we could put on some different types of faces while keeping the best of what we have. Then maybe we would be relevent to more people as well as to me.
As a drunken sailor with vast experience, I salute you!
SKCM(SS), USN Retired
See my tag line.
I don’t contribute to the RNC anymore - period.
Mehlman and Martinez can go perform an anatomical impossibility on themselves.
I contribute to individual candidates - Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter. If either one of them or one of the others I like get nominated, I’ll contribute to their campaigns. Also people all over the Country like Sessions who voted against the Kennedy-McCain-Bush Amnesty Bill. McCainez and JulieAnnie will never get a dime of my money and I don’t want my money going to support idiots like Hegel, Specter, Snow, etc.
I don’t think so, Mr. Jeeves.
I hope it is because we are conservatives and don’t approve of wasting our money (as if I had any)on minor leaguers.
When a strong conservative candidate emerges who appears electable the money will flow.
This whole election process starts much too early. The system needs an overhaul from stem to stern. It would be wonderful if a good, strong leader - governor, military, business, etc. - a non-millionaire - could successfully compete.
Your blaming the messenger. Its the Republican Party's obligation to deliver a product that its base can feel comfortable supporting. The fact that it won't tells a lot more about the party than its base. Many in the Republican party wanted to teach conservatives a lesson (that we need the party more than it needs us). When that strategy backfires, the GOP will come back to its core values.
I contribute to individual candidates - Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter
Now that’s what I call a broad range.
We would welcome you back. I was pretty much in your position and came back to church because my wife was dying, and I was concerned for her soul. Besides, at age 58, it's just not as much fun to sin anymore. Hangovers last longer. You take longer to heal. Your sex drive just ain't what it used to be, etc.
I'm glad I came home. She's been gone for a year and a half now, and I still attend. It's a comfort.
We would welcome you back. I was pretty much in your position and came back to church because my wife was dying, and I was concerned for her soul. Besides, at age 58, it's just not as much fun to sin anymore. Hangovers last longer. You take longer to heal. Your sex drive just ain't what it used to be, etc.
I'm glad I came home. She's been gone for a year and a half now, and I still attend. It's a comfort.
Not another dime from me until I see some spine.
I believe we will give when we know who the candidate will be. I’m just not giving to the party until I see some spine again. Pubbies are just democrat lite these days.
DITTO here.
Only real conservatives get my money.
In the presidential race, that means DUNCAN HUNTER.
Duncan Hunter is a real Republican.
Just thought I’d let you know.
Neither side wants to acknowledge the 800 pound gorilla.
I know of NO ONE who has withheld donations over the WOT - but the RNC must by this time have received tons of "No Amnesty" rejection notices.
Blind and stupid ain't the way to run a country.
There are very specific reasons they are not giving:
Guiliani,
Romney,
McCain,
Ron Paul,
and
Mel “Amnesty” Martinez as head fo the GOP
“You do have a nice couple of Senators there but don’t forget my boy Cornyn.”
Your boy is indeed a great Senator, partner! ;^)
There is no “lesson” mission.
It is simply that there is NOTHING the GOP is doing which causes me to give money.
DOES ANYONE want to give money to a party headed by Mel “AMNESTY” Martinez? HECK NO WAY NO HOW!
The GOP has failed to comprehend the DONATING GOP DOES NOT GIVE MONEY TO RINOS.
Arrogance is killing them.
The beltway elites think as long as they dominate NBC, CBs, ABC, and CNN they can allow ANYTHING TO BLOW OVER.
beltway elites count of the short memory of the public.
Have Guiliani and Romney signed those donation contrats with those homosexual groups?
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