DNC Coffers Dry Amid Flood Of Dem Cash

Politico: Despite Record Hauls By Candidates, Party Office Has Raised Much Less Than GOP Counterpart

(The Politico)  This story was written by David Paul Kuhn.

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In an election year marked by jaw-dropping Democratic fundraising, one key political player isn’t so flush: The Democratic National Committee.

Despite record hauls by Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, the DNC has raised less than half the amount taken in by the Republican National Committee.

According to the latest Federal Election Commission reports filed through the end of March, the RNC had $31 million in cash on hand while the DNC had only $5.3 million. The RNC has raised $36.5 million this year while the DNC has raised $17.7 million.

The story was equally grim in 2007, when the RNC raised a total of $83 million to the DNC’s $50 million.

“The general election has started; we should we raising $15 million a month,” said one senior DNC official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The committee is raising less than $6 million each month.

“It’s a little nuts that we are spending so much money fighting each other and instead of Republicans,” the official continued. “We should be doing things that start defining McCain our way instead of his way. And if we had more money we could do more.”

The problem, it seems, isn’t that the DNC is doing any worse at this point than in previous presidential years. Rather, the DNC is unable to take advantage of an extremely favorable fundraising environment because the party’s presidential candidates have vacuumed so much cash out of donors. The extended nature of the contest-no other modern presidential race has seen one party’s primary remain seriously contested so long while the other’s concluded so rapidly-hasn’t helped the DNC either.

“We deserve a lot of credit that we are trying to do what we can with what we got,” said Karen Finney, the DNC’s communications director, who noted that Democratic donors tend to be candidate-driven, as opposed to the more institutional-oriented donors who give year-round, even in the off-cycle years, to the RNC.

But, Finney acknowledged, “We need donors to give to the DNC.”

In the past week, the DNC began its first efforts to define McCain-a three-week, half-million-dollar ad buy on the cable networks. But few party strategists expect the relatively meager offensive to make a dent in the consciousness of the voting public.

“If you want to do something meaningful with voters to affect more than elite opinion, you have to open up a large-scale media campaign in battleground states,” said Tad Devine, the chief strategist for 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry.

At the moment though, the DNC lacks the resources to do so. It has focused its efforts on building a massive voter file and national ground team, rather than advertising.

“If we had more money, would we do more?” said one DNC official. “Absolutely.”

The DNC views its first advertising expenditure as “seed money” meant to elicit more donations. After the ad buy, Chairman Howard Dean e-mailed supporters with a link to what he called a “devastating” DNC ad on Iraq-and then asked for contributions.

“All of it-from the new Iraq ad to the organizers in places like Ohio, Colorado, and Oregon-costs money, and we need your help,” the e-mail solicitation read.

Among other things, the fundraising gap has left the Democrats’ “coordinated fund” on empty. While FEC regulations allow for $19.2 million in coordinated campaign operations between the party and the presidential campaign, the party has yet to direct any money into that pot. The RNC’s is already fully funded.

That leaves the RNC poised to unload on the Democratic nominee the moment he or she is selected.

“The thinking is that both Obama and Clinton are doing a good job of defining each other and we would like that process to continue,” said Frank Dnatelli, the RNC’s deputy chairman. “The decision right now is to just let the Democrats continue their primary process and when the time comes we will be ready with a full plate of issues and plenty of money.”

“Who knows,” worried a senior DNC official, “Republicans could be preparing a Swift boat attack.”

Without a fully-stocked coordinated fund or the funds to level a heavy and sustained attack on McCain, the DNC is reliant on state parties and independent groups to soften up the presumptive GOP nominee.

One such group, MoveOn.org, today launched a month-long, $1 million ad campaign targeting McCain on Iraq, timed to coincide with the fifth anniversary of Bush’s ill-fated “mission accomplished” speech.

The senior DNC official stressed that the fundraising squeeze has not yet hit a crisis point. And many Democrats believe that wealthy donors are waiting out the primary before giving to the national party.

More important, the two Democratic candidates have raised so much money to date-in February and March alone, Obama raised some $95 million-that there is no reason to believe the eventual nominee will lack resources, at least in the general election.

Due to their fundraising prowess, neither Obama nor Clinton seem likely to accept the $84.1 million available in public financing for the general election. McCain, on the other hand, is far more reliant on the national party because he is likely to accept the $84.1 million public check-meaning he’ll have far greater dependence on the RNC and state parties for advertising, canvassing voters and galvanizing turnout.

But in a worst case scenario, the DNC official explained, the eventual Democratic nominee could burn through much of his or her primary election cash before the convention and donors might be less responsive to pleas for more money once the nomination battle is settled-leaving the campaign cash-strapped for a prolonged period before the convention, after which the separate general election funds can be tapped.

“I don’t know if the Obama campaign will have so much money by the time that he wins, if he wins,” the DNC official said. “Meantime, voter file, opposition research, voter outreach, we should be doing all the things that the Republicans are doing.”

The sluggish fundraising might also inhibit so-called “hybrid advertising,” which numbered in the tens of millions in 2004. Hybrid advertising is based on a loophole in FEC regulations, discovered and first exploited by the Bush campaign four years ago, in which the party and campaign can split advertising budgets.

Though admittedly concerned about the state of affairs, the record-breaking fundraising pace kept by both candidates this year has left DNC officials hopeful that ultimately the nominee will encourage maxed-out campaign donors to turn their attention to the national party.

“The real answer is sure, [the fundraising is a problem],” the senior DNC official said. “But the question is how much? Disastrously? No. But somewhat, yes.”

[b-easy63]

THAT VIDEO HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE DOCTORED!!

SEE ARTICLE AT:

www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/02
/clinton-adviser-claims-in_n_99810.html


Posted by libra127 at 03:18 PM : May 02, 2008


Not the part where Kantor calls Hoosiers "******" just perhaps the white ni66er part. For the "******" comment, first they floated he said the white house was "******'' but obviously just looking at his mouth--he was not saying that. Now they are floating that he was referring to the polls as ****** and not the people. Next, Bill will say, Mickey Kantor said that all late at night and most of us would have said the same thing , if we also had been tired and dodging sniper bullets in that election.

[b-easy63]

What does the DNC expect? HRC supporters are either tapped out or just don''t have the money and Obama supporters are biding their time waiting to see how much the old party will d1ck them by letting superdelegates overturn their candidates. If that happens, look for the DNC to get very little money from the Obama machine, no matter how Obama plugs it, and look for Hillary to keep doing...well what she does. Perhaps by the time of the GE, both her campaign and the entire DNC fund will be bankrupt or in the red.

[girlmiami]

In the case of Jeremiah Wright, this is particularly disturbing. Obama has spent twenty years in the church of this man whose basic ideology is Black Liberation Theology. This is nothing more than black separatism dressed up in fancy religious clothes. It stems from a movement that has been opposed to racial integration for more than a century.
He also chose to embrace Bill Ayers. At first I thought this was no big deal. After all, I had many friends in various radical movements (some violent) and if I ran into them on the street today, I would try to be cordial. And guilt by association is pretty sleazy behavior.
William Ayers and Obama worked together for eight years.Obama''s wife Michelle is a co worker with Ayers wife . William Ayers sure looks happy jumping on the American Flag doesn''t he? Every time I hear someone say Obama can''t be responsible for what other people do or say I say back to them that you are known by the company you keep. SORRY MY VOTE IS FOR HILLARY 2008

[rowdytexan2]

Rumor as it that it was Dorn who set-up Obama%u2019s first fundrasier (1995) in Chicago (re:Obama in Ayers house).



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by nanging3 at 10:22 PM : May 03, 2008

It''s not a rumor. Mr. Obama''s first campaign fund raiser was at Mr. Ayers house. In fact is was Ayers that launched his candidacy.

Comforting isn''t it, to know that a total whack job sponsored Obama''s candidacy, and that Bernadine Dohrn who cackles at Manson sticking a fork in Sharon Tates dead pregnant belly, crying how she deserved it, is Ayers wife.

Yeah, right, these are the people we want to sponsor our presidential candidates.

[nanging3]

Ayers and Obama connection goes deeper than what Obama and the mainstream media has been saying. Obama and Ayers have a long-standing working relationship. Not only did Obama sit on the Woods Foundation (1999 - 2002) board but he worked for Ayers;Obama was Director over at the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (1995 - 2003) for eight years which Ayers was a co-founder. Larry Johnson, spells it all out for us over on his website. A %u201Cmust%u201D read if you want to be well informed about Senator Obama and his relatioship with Ayers. Mr. Murtagh also said that Obama sat on an educational council (%u201CLeadership Council%u201D ) of the Chicago Public Schools Education Fund (Ayers father and brother also were members of this council). Another interesting website addresses this issue. Murtagh also said that Michelle Obama (1988 -1991) and Ayers%u2019 wife Dorn (1984 - 1988) worked in the same law firm and Dorn introduced Michelle to Obama. Rumor as it that it was Dorn who set-up Obama%u2019s first fundrasier (1995) in Chicago (re:Obama in Ayers house).

[kmccliment]

OBAMAS HIDDEN AGENDA:
WELFARE FOR THE WORLD- Most importantly due to Black Theology- Africa.

Source:Newsmax.com (following)
the Global Poverty Act (S.2433). According to some conservative sources, this disastrous legislation could eventually force U.S. taxpayers to fork over as much as 0.7 percent of the nation''''s Gross Domestic Product -- or $845,000,000,000.00 -- on welfare to third-world countries.
***This is being sponsored by Senator Obama.

His true agenda is to TAX,TAX,TAX and promote Black Theology.

[libra127]

This is a MUST READ article:

"The Truth vs. Barack Obama"

http://savagepolitics.com/?page_id=326

[b-easy63]

RowdyTexas2, you are a nut. Carville is about as elitist as a Louisiana alligator.

Posted by Sebastian27 at 04:14 PM : May 02, 2008


Actually, Carville is an elitist. Just because he speaks with a country boy accent and says crass things does not make him less of an elitist--he is from the Clinton camp of the elite--those who are of the inner circle of the Clintons. Ordinary people who just vote are NOT in that circle--you have to draw blood and be willing to live, die, steal and lie for years to get there--and you have to draw millions to stay there.That is elitist.

That said, I still and always will like that mean old man--he has spunk and Clinton maniac or not Carville had bite in these past years when most Dems were trying to apologize for breathing air.

[downsteamjim]

Campaign finance reform like McCain Feingold results have been terrible. Restricted free speech, vast increases in money, etc. A simple law would be that all donations must be made public immediately and posted on the internet.

[sebastian27-2009]

RowdyTexas2, you are a nut. Carville is about as elitist as a Louisiana alligator.

[libra127]

Three key Hillary Campaign people are caught on video calling Indiana people sh*t , and worthless white nig**rs.

Posted by RowdyTexas2 at 11:46 AM : May 02, 2008

THAT VIDEO HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE DOCTORED!!

SEE ARTICLE AT:

www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/02/clinton-adviser-claims-in_n_99810.html

[far_point200]

Well, sure the DNC is short of cash after buying crack, crank and Ripple used to coax people to register to vote, not to mention the cost of securing dead people''s social security numbers.

Also, paying someone to come up with all those lies the candidates use gets pretty expensive.

Duh!

[fairandbal]

It''s truly maddening how the corporate media focuses on the small issues of the Dem side as if they''re HUGE mountains while totally minimizing ANYTHING troubling on the GOP side.

Facts
RNC outraised the DNC. true.
What''s not being said here:
- DCCC has HUGE HUGE fund raising edge on RCCC
- DSCC has HUGE HUGE fund raising edge on RSCC
- pick any Dem presidential candidate and they have HUGE HUGE HUGE fund raising advantage over all GOP candidates that ran in the primaries COMBINED.
- Progressive activist groups are out raising conservative groups hand over fist.

And yet the corporate media picks one small aspect of fund raising and focuses on THAT!!!?? I''m disgusted once again by the favoritism the media shows the GOP.
It''s really really sad that the corporate media feels they need to prop up a party that''s had such a destructive presence on this country. More of the same is all the Media wants. So, we''ll get McSame for president.

[pepperp1]

When will Hillary reject and denounce her top campaign people for calling people from Indiana Sh*t and white *****rs.

Guilt by association produced a never ending loop for Obama and his pastor.

Hillarys top people like Kantor and Carville show just how elitist her camp are.

see video on
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008
/5/2/93316/53926/838/507664



Most suspect a KOS editing again remember the OH NO they made OBAMA BLACKer same crowd............so called neo progressive trying to stir up their perception of Dem sheep with lies....lol to funny

[notblue]

The guy pictured is the problem, while the candidates a popular, Dean is a troll.

[shutupnvote]

AND WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL THEY back off their affirmative action Faux Rulz Bull that provided Obama momentum he did not earn. Either punishes all States that broke the Rulz including SC NOW or sit FLA and Mich NOW............even Republicans were not dumb enough to let a Donna Brasile strip these states, not of her candidate%u2019s demographics, to throw the race to her guy Obama. No Money until Fla and Mich sit and if it%u2019s to late no and you%u2019ve thrown the race against the Base wishes no money ever. Every time the DNC and Pelosi stack the deck for Obama the more Democrats that will leave the Party.

[dnsallday]

All of my extra money is going to the Obama campaign, right now. After he is the nominee, then I will donate my usual amount to the DNC, but right now Obama needs it to fight the Clintons and the REpublicans that she has a pact with to destroy Senator Obama.

[mcvet]

Duh??? The FASCIST Party have more people who will support the "Party" regardless of how many failures they have! What''s the story in that? Well except that those who give to the "Party" regardless of it''s failures are by and large rich... Questions?? ROFLMAO It would appear to me that the "Party" needs to concern itself with the fact that in MOST states outside the Fascist South, they could hold a Convention in a Phone Booth! ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush

[algoresarse]

I''''m sending them my rebate check.

Posted by SgtRDS at 10:24 AM : May 02, 2008
+ report abuse

*******

I really wish you would..

[texanforlogi]

Posted by b-easy63 at 10:17 AM : May 02, 2008


My position exactly.