Short of Money, G.O.P. Is Enlisting Rich Candidates

[RamboLiberal]

Source: NY Times

Confronting an enormous fund-raising gap with Democrats, Republican Party officials are aggressively recruiting wealthy candidates who can spend millions of their own money to finance their Congressional races, Republican officials say.

At this point, strategists for the National Republican Congressional Committee have enlisted wealthy candidates to run in at least a dozen competitive Congressional districts nationwide, particularly those where Democrats are finishing their first term and are thus considered most vulnerable. They say more are on the way.

These wealthy Republicans have each already invested $100,000 to $1 million of their own money to finance their campaigns, according to campaign finance disclosure reports and interviews with party strategists. Experts say that is a large amount for this early in the cycle.

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The most recent figures show that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has raised $56.6 million and has $29.2 million at its disposal. By contrast, the National Republican Congressional Committee has raised $40.7 million with a cash balance of $2.5 million.





Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/us/politics/26recruit.html?hp

[Alexander]

1. The good news is, we'll probably keep Congress...

The bad news is, Congress is only marginally better under the current Democratic leadership.

[rurallib]

2. Sounds like Mittens may be their (?)man(?)

[gratuitous]

3. As usual, the big news is toward the end

The respective campaign committees have $29.2 million and $2.5 million cash on hand to spend. It doesn't matter who you're running if the national committee only has a couple million dollars - nationwide! - to spend on the candidate.

[Divine Discontent]

4. HOW $WEET IT I$

I love seeing they're getting DESPERATE! lol...

they're recruiting rich GOPers to run b/c no one really wants to give $ to push their "noble" causes.

LOL

2.5 million cash balance on hand? sounds like some of the RCC executives have been "spending" the money because they could care less b/c they know their party is about to end, and we all know the GOP is all about greed and self-serving - so it's no surprise!


HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!
:party:

[AZ Criminal JD]

5. Actually Congress is filled with millionaires in both parties

Both parties recruit people who can self finance their campaigns. With current campaign finance laws it is almost impossible for an average person to run for Congress. It just costs too much money and it is too hard to raise the money that is needed.

[Joanne98]

6. Their still Republicans. They can't win no matter how much money they spend!

It's called HATRED!

[truthisfreedom]

7. What's wonderful about this is watching the poor fools dump their money down the drain.

Excellent.

[aquart]

9. Yes.

[aquart]

8. "Short of money"??? Throw a few thieves in jail and look what happens.

Without Duke Cunningham, Abramoff, and dear DeLay... THANK YOU PROSECUTORS! Thank each and every one of you who continued to work hard and honestly despite your party or the pressure it put on you. One day, the Republicans will wake up and run you all for office...and win.

[Kolesar]

10. Now they have to spend their tax cuts just to keep their tax cuts

These idealogues probably think they can win just by reciting Dick Cheney, country club talking points.