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Contributions often tell the story.

I look for a “hometown” candidate with broad appeal by families and small business. People all across the country - not just in the home state. Lack of massive contributions from companies like the Goldman Sachs. People employed by or owners of small businesses. A variety of industries - not just their favorite special interest group. Etc.

Michele’s contributors: top industries they work in:

1 Retired $680,200
2 Misc Business $117,310
3 Republican/Conservative $110,479
4 Health Professionals $68,095
5 Real Estate $52,404
6 Securities & Investment $49,000
7 Misc Manufacturing & Distributing $47,454
8 Misc Finance $41,576
9 Oil & Gas $37,290
10 Lawyers/Law Firms $36,751
11 Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $33,600
12 Insurance $26,001
13 Computers/Internet $24,351
14 Civil Servants/Public Officials $24,103
15 General Contractors $23,475
16 Crop Production & Basic Processing $22,076
17 Hospitals/Nursing Homes $21,793
18 TV/Movies/Music $21,495
19 Education $19,759
20 Retail Sales $19,355

Geographically speaking:

California $298,786 13%
Minnesota $276,467 12%
Texas $213,958 9%
Florida $205,829 9%
Other States $1,297,006 57%

And her top donors listed these as the companies they were affiliate with:

Hubbard Broadcasting $10,000
Empire Office Inc $10,000
College Loan Corp $10,000
Captive-Aire Inc $10,000
Slumberland Inc $10,000
Carbun Concepts $8,000
KMG Tool $6,001
Hanford, Freund & Co $5,250
Citizens United $5,000
Mohawk Moving & Storage $5,000
Slavic401k.Com $5,000
Dcm $5,000
Advance Engineering $5,000
Koch Industries $5,000
Crown Assoc Realty $5,000
Clint Pharmaceuticals $5,000
Keeper Technology LLC $5,000
Target Corp $4,500
United Parcel Service $4,500
St Luke’s Hospital $3,700

The organizations themselves did not donate , rather the money came from the organization’s PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals’ immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

This information is all available for the ambitious for free at http://www.opensecrets.org

IMHO, drop whatever candidate you like. Take a fresh look at opensecrets for all the candidates. Think about who is really on the side of the little guy, not just talking the talk and then taking huge amounts of contributions from big special interests. Not to say that were won’t be some, but look for unbalanced concentrations.

IMHO.