Thank you, Chris Bowers...Unopposed House Democrats Sitting On $26,288,418

[madfloridian]

From Daily Kos....Chris runs it all down for us. Well done, Chris. The bloggers have been working on this a while. Very good job.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/18/212442/04

"Amidst all of this talk about taking out loans to fund key races and newly emerging races, not enough attention has been given to the huge amount of money House Democrats who are unopposed for re-election are currently storing away in their campaign bank accounts. I just did a quick tallying using Open Secrets, and calculated that the 45 Democrats who are not facing a Republican opponent this November have $26,288,418 in their campaign bank accounts as of September 30th, 2006. I put together a web page that details the cahs on hand for each of the forty-five unopposed Democrats:

Unopposed Democratic Cash

For the sake of comparison, the DCCC currently has $34,867,692 cash on hand, and the NRCC has $36,019,485 cash on hand. Further, Rahm Emmanuel apparently believes that Democrats are ahead, tied or competitive in 58 Republican held seats. The amount of money unopposed House Democrats are currently sitting on would equal $453,248.59 to each of those 58 districts"

"That $26.3 million should be the fruits of the successful 435-district strategy this cycle, where for the first time in a long time Democrats ran candidates in more districts than did Republicans. This is supposed to be one of the ways that the fifty-state strategy actually drives resources to swing districts, rather than draining resources from swing districts. It is particularly disgusting that unnamed Democratic consultants are trashing Howard Dean for running the fifty-state strategy, rather than pressuring all of the unchallenged Democratic incumbents to donate their entire campaign bank accounts to the DCCC and / or Democratic challengers. These incumbents do not need election cash, since they have already won their elections. What these incumbents do need is a Democratic majority so they can actually govern for their constituents."

Thanks, Chris.

[madfloridian]

1. In fact we were talking about the DNC loan for the DSCC.

I think they are working on the senate races as well. I love the blogosphere.

DNC willing to borrow money for DSCC

[Spiffarino]

15. DNC and DSCC are playing together?

That IS good news. :thumbsup:

[IWantAChange]

33. It's like being back in Chicago's Grant Park

when we were protesting the war in Nam - the enthusiasm was overwhelming and I haven't felt it since - till now. All of you please keep an eye on the two-tier internet that could kill all of this.

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Old and In the Way]

2. K/R Glad you posted this....no good reason to horde cash now.

I really would like to see this get a high profile....it would be smart politics for these people to invest in their party. And we should shine a bright light on these assets.

[madfloridian]

4. Some of the bloggers, especially those from MyDD

and a couple of others there who have their own blogs have been determined to get to the bottom of this.

Fair is fair, and they should not be demanding loans be taken out and money diverted from the DNC unless it is necessary.

That said, I am glad the DNC did agree to take out the loan. They should have done that. Now let others do what they need to do.

Can you imagine just half a million from each of them, how far it would go?

[Divine Discontent]

5. tons of ads...

and how I wish there were lots of ads about rep. feeney in 24th district of FL and his corruption... in fact, how many corrupt repubs could be beat if 10 million was pumped into those races!

[frogcycle]

17. Well, for one thing...

a half mil from just one would roughly quadruple John Laesch's funding to date!

Damn, get it out there!

[madfloridian]

3. And pssst..maybe we should whisper this in Carville's ear...

and Charlie Cook's ear as well.

Category 5 Hurricane Heads for House GOP

[OzarkDem]

14. I guess Carville will be taking credit

when Dems win big on election day.

[Supersedeas]

47. whisper?? think louder

[Catchawave]

6. They better not be sitting on excess funding for Dems....

on Nov 8 !

K&R :hi:

[madfloridian]

7. Someone did a diary on the Senate Dems previously...84 million

being sat upon.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/16/183855/75

I don't know this diarist, but he really put some work into it. You have to scroll down to see the chart he made.

Be sure to read the comments in both threads. These guys are good.

[benny05]

8. Yeah....

Let's compare here...

Those in rural areas don't get what they need, mainly dependent on individuals like me who have to give more than $200 out of my pocket to help my candidate who only received 9K from 2 PACS and not a f'in dime from DCCC. I have to balance giving money to my mom. Yep, DCCC and their 50 state strategy.

Thus unopposed Dems, like Hillary, who in practical purposes is unopposed, need to give more infusion of cash. She will continue to raise her warchest, and as someone said at either Kos or My DD or both, she can afford to unload at least 25-50% more for now.

[WCGreen]

18. She probably already gave the 2k she is legally able to

contribute to each candidate...

[benny05]

39. She gave NO money to my candidate

I checked his FEC stuff personally. HRC is a scrub. She has more to spare than anyone.

[Le Taz Hot]

37. The 50-state strategy

is the DNC's. The DCCC, up until recently (and up until they needed more money) discounted the 50-state strategy.

[Zhade]

9. Well-done on this guy's part!

Well, I can tell you they haven't been hoarding MY money - I donate to candidates only.

[madfloridian]

10. He's a good researcher.

:hi:

[Canuckistanian]

11. Send some of that love to John Laesch (Ill-14)

I'd LOVE to see Hastert taken out of circulation.

[Spiffarino]

12. If you hadn't posted this, I would have!

I just read this on MyDD about 20 minutes ago.

Rahm Emanuel and Howard need to get on the phone immediately and hit them up for at least half their cash. There will be two more years after the next election to rebuild their war chests. We're in the war now and we need to buy ammo so pony up, cheap bee-otches!

Edit: :kick: and AAAARRRRRR!!!

[madfloridian]

13. We need to be sure it is posted at the DNC blog as well.

It is front page at Kos, so I know the DNC bloggers will see it.

They need to take the pressure off Dean and the DNC and let him do his work.

[Usrename]

16. well said!

:thumbsup:

[Earth_First]

19. Hillary currently sits atop $$47,158,899

Help the party out, would you Senator?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

20. They're talking about a $10m loan?

She could raise that much in a long weekend for god's sake. Pry open the pocketbook Hillary! If you want to run in 2008, you're going to need lots of favors!

[benny05]

40. That's what I think n/t

[sandnsea]

45. That's her plan

Create a phony money issue and then swoop in and "save" the 2006 race - her and Rahm and Schumer. Then use it as a power grab after the election.

[WePurrsevere]

21. What does the law say regarding politicians donating donated money to

other politicians or orgs like the DNC?

If they can legally donate a part of the funds donated to them then they truly should help out at least a bit. If they can and don't I'd like to know a logical reason why not since they'd sure want the help if they were in such a close race.

[civildisoBDence]

27. I believe these politicians get to KEEP what's in their warchests...

...when they leave office.

Am I wrong on that?

Newsprism

[madfloridian]

29. Many of them owe dues to the DCCC.

And they have not paid them. There are posts by Kos about the amount they owe and haven't paid. I just forgot to include them.

[mhatrw]

22. Important post!

Thank you for bringing this travesty to our attention.

Do we actually want to win? If so, let's use this money -- even if some of it is loaned!

[Mass]

23. Sad to see that the DNC has to make a loan when so many Senators and

Congresspeople could help.

[sandnsea]

46. Bad Senators, bad bad

Couldn't possibly be a ruse set up by Chuck to bash certain Senators and praise one in particular.

[Pierre.Suave]

24. Didnt you get the memo...

Politics, and Politicians, are only in this game for themselves. Screw everyone else, they have no mission other than to serve themselves, not us, and not the party.

[IndyOp]

25. PHONE NUMBERS FOR THE 26 MILLION DOLLAR STOOGES

House Democrats (45) running unopposed who are sitting on $26.3 million

• Robert E. “Bud” Cramer, Ala. (5)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Artur Davis, Ala. (7)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• George Miller, Calif. (7)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Jim Costa, Calif. (20)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Xavier Becerra, Calif. (31)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Hilda L. Solis, Calif. (32)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Diane Watson, Calif. (33)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Maxine Waters, Calif. (35)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Juanita Millender-McDonald, Calif. (37)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Diana DeGette, Colo. (1)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Allen Boyd, Fla. (2)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Corrine Brown, Fla. (3)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Kendrick Meek, Fla. (17)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Robert Wexler, Fla. (19)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Fla. (20)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Alcee Hastings, Fla. (23)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• John Lewis, D-Ga. (5)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Jerry Costello, Ill. (12)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Ben Chandler, Ky. (6)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

• Steny H. Hoyer, Md. (5)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

Elijah E. Cummings, Md. (7)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

John W. Olver, Mass. (1)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

Richard E. Neal, Mass. (2)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

Jim McGovern, Mass. (3)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Barney Frank, Mass. (4)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Martin T. Meehan, Mass. (5)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Edward J. Markey, Mass. (7)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Michael E. Capuano, Mass. (8)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Mich. (13)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• John D. Dingell, Mich. (15)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Robert E. Andrews, N.J. (1)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Donald M. Payne, N.J. (10)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Gary L. Ackerman, N.Y. (5)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Gregory W. Meeks, N.Y. (6)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Anthony Weiner, N.Y. (9)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Maurice D. Hinchey, N.Y. (22)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• G.K. Butterfield, N.C. (1)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Robert A. Brady, Pa. (1)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Mike Doyle, Pa. (14)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Jim Langevin, R.I. (2)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Al Green, Tex. (9)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Silvestre Reyes, Tex. (16)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Charlie Gonzalez, Tex. (20)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Henry Cuellar, Tex. (28)*
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

• Robert C. Scott, Va. (3)
PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

[DirtyDawg]

26. What we're witnessing...

...is the fundamental wrong associated with politics in America. The fact that money raised 'ostensibly' to pay for running a campaign can be kept for any number of personal uses...to, in fact, enrich the office holder and his family. The behavior demonstrated is simply selfishness and greed. Get the damn money out of the equation...limit expenditures for campaigns...force 'zero balance' campaign accounting - in other words verify that every dollar raised is spent and that spending guidelines are followed based on the cost of a given media market and the competitive reality (remember, we're also going to force the media to limit what they can charge for political advertising) with anything left over returned to the contributors (or set up a fund available to the party).

We're sitting here in Georgia with statewide candidates that have no money to get their message out in the remaining weeks. We're being outspent by the repigs by a factor of five or ten times...we've got a Democratic Party leadership that's arrogantly inept and proud of it...and we've got 'consultants' that claim that the fundamental message of 'A vote for Republicans in Georgia means you're proud of the job George Bush and Dick Cheney are doing!' doesn't resonate with Georgia voters. Bullshit! The fact is they are so wrapped up in their conceit that 'they know best' they're willing to let the repigs walk away with it and not try anything. The fact is they don't have a message that has 'tested well' with Georgia voters, so why the hell not call for Georgia to wake up and smell the garbage...the rest of the country realizes that we've got to make changes or we're doomed, let's not let Georgia be the 'tail-end Charlie' once again. These 'consultants' would rather hold onto their positions as 'Democratic Strategists' than to get passionate and rant against the wrongs being perpetrated by a deceitful, lying, money-grabbing repig establishment. They've given up....and meanwhile the money's sitting in accounts all over the country not being used while the Republicans are getting ready to bombard the airwaves with $100 million over the next three weeks. We deserve to lose.

Anybody for a third party for '08?

[Time for change]

28. Was that money donated specifically to those candidates or was it

distributed to them from the DNC? If the latter, what right do they have to hold on to it?

[Mass]

30. Is there a list of the donations that the DCCC and DSCC have given

to specific races.

One of the big complaints in 2004 was that a lot of money had been given to candidates who were not at risk, while money was missing for other races.

For example, how much was given to Kennedy or Feinstein compared to Lamont or Tester?

Does anybody know if such a list exist?

[madfloridian]

32. Here you go...expenditures for the DCCC and DSCC

You can follow the data here at this link for the DCCC

http://www.opensecrets.org/parties/expend.asp?Cmte=DCCC&cycle=2006

And well, good luck about the DSCC....they say there is not electronic data available.

I guess you could write the FEC. I just don't know.
http://www.opensecrets.org/parties/expend.asp?Cmte=DSCC&cycle=2006

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. Really. Maybe it's time that our unopposed incumbent leaders set an

example for everyone else.

[blm]

44. The unopposed raised money to overturn GOP majority. They SHOULD ante up

without even being asked.

[Greyhound]

34. "What these incumbents do need is a Democratic majority so they can...

...actually govern for their constituents."

There's your answer right there. In its inimitable naοvetι, we amerikans cling to this bizarre notion that those we elect to public office work for their constituents. No matter how many times they demonstrate through their actions what their real agenda is, we choose to believe their empty words, and pin our hopes on their good intentions.

[paulk]

35. Can they legally do this?

http://www.opensecrets.org/basics/law/index.asp

It seems like there are limits to how much a candidate can contribute.

[orleans]

36. KICK n/t

[FogerRox]

38. if we don't win 40+ plus seats ..thats why. Not what Rahm says.

After reading this .....Why should Dean borrow 5-10 million? In fact this pisses me off, 2 races in NJ, DEM challengers raised 100k & 20K, could have used a boost.

[eviltwin2525]

41. What about Dems facing only "sacrificial lambs"?

Like my guy, Jay Inslee (WA-1)....there's a guy "opposing" him named, er, Ishmael, or something, I think. It is not a contest, in any sense of the word. Jay, dude, I love you dearly and honestly think you're the best Representative in Congress, but, dude, I sure hope all your reserve is getting funneled into funds for Darcy Burner (WA-8, vs empty-suit Publican Dave Reichert) or Maria Cantwell for Senate. (Hey, folks, knock it off; I know Maria has raised some hackles on our side, but nobody's fought harder and riskier for ANWR against the Alaskafascists.)
Anyway, the point is, there's a lot more than just 26 "sure-thing" Dems who could fork over, say, half of their war-chests to help stampede the Publicans over the cliff.

[oc2002]

42. Is this normal? Why are a bunch of congress men sitting on mountains of $$

And then they keep telling us to give more money? What a bunch of crapola.

[madfloridian]

43. Update from Chris....taking action, what to do.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/20/13273/880

Call To Action: Use It Or Lose It

"In the 2006 elections, Democrats have put far more Republican-held seats in play--upwards of 60--than nearly anyone previously imagined possible. This incredible number of competitive districts is a testament to all of the work Democrats have done over the past two years expanding our reach beyond a narrowly targeted range of districts and voters. However, since our fundraising has not increased at the same rate as our ability to put districts into play, the situation also presents us with a problem. Simply put, Democratic Party committees, and Democrats in some surprisingly competitive races, do not have the cash to fully fund 60 challenges to Republican-held districts at this time. For example, Larry Kissell in NC-08 has less than $90 cash on hand, and both the DCCC and the DNC are about to take out loans of ten million dollars.

Chris Bowers's diary :: ::
However, while Democratic Party committees and Democratic challengers do not have the funds to fully target 60 Republican-held House districts, House Democrats as a whole do in fact have that money. According to the latest FEC reports, 69 Democratic House incumbents, each with more than $200,000 in their campaign accounts, are either facing no opposition for re-election, or are facing token Republican opposition that has failed to raise more than $10,000. Combined, these 69 incumbents have roughly $50,000,000 in their campaign bank accounts. If each of these 69 incumbents were to give 30% of their campaign funds either directly to competitive Democratic challengers and / or to the DCCC, that would make $15,000,000. Then, we would indeed have the money to fully target 60 Republican-held seats. This money is out there, and we are not using it. With so many campaigns in need of more money, it will be a tragedy if we do not use it now. This isn't about paying dues--this is about taking advantage of an exceptional opportunity that we may not have again for two decades.

Today, I am asking you to call the unopposed, or barely opposed, Democratic Representatives in your home state with more than $200,000 in their campaign bank accounts and ask them to donate 30% of that cash directly to Democratic House challengers and / or to party committees. Along with the help of several outstanding volunteers, I have put together a webpage that details the 69 Democratic House incumbents who we need to target. It tells you who these Democrats are, what districts they represent, and how much money they have in their campaign accounts. It also provides you with phone numbers to contact their campaign offices. If no one is answering there, it provides you with backup phone numbers for Washington D.C. offices. If no one is there as well, one of those two numbers should provide you with a district office number to call. "

Here's the Use or Lose It webpage:

http://www.mydd.com/images/user/217/Use_It.htm

[wiley]

48. Great Idea

No need to bash anyone (I am NOT saying that YOU are bashing anyone, to be clear) or hoist up the Savior or Martyr flags for anyone, just get that money moving.

[mcg]

49. I emailed Reps in MD.

I'm not in a position to call them, but I figure
emailing them is better than nothing.

[AzDar]

50. Kick..........n/t

:kick:

[madfloridian]

51. This project made the NYT tonight.

I saw a post by Kos about it, and I followed the link here. This is amazing. I like the idea, as we are being bombarded by email, phone, and snail mail.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/24/us/politics/24donate.html?ex=1319342400&en=3a926ed060f81f12&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

Democrats Urge Their Flush Candidates to Share the Wealth

"The balance in the campaign account of Representative Martin T. Meehan, Democrat of Massachusetts, is $4,886,325. It is a muscular sum for a member of the House, and ordinarily it would be hailed as an exhibit of fund-raising savvy.

But in a stream of telephone calls to his offices on Monday, otherwise admiring Democratic constituents had another word for Mr. Meehan: cheap.

With Democrats increasingly convinced that House control is within their grasp, party activists are publicly excoriating politicians in safe districts who have hefty campaign balances. Mr. Meehan, easily re-elected two years ago with 67 percent of the vote, is at the top of a new list being circulated by Democratic bloggers.

Chris Bowers, who writes for the popular political blog MyDD.com, conceived the idea that MoveOn adopted. It was an outgrowth of an online discussion about how Democrats were considering taking out a loan of up to $10 million to challenge Republicans in seats that once did not appear competitive.

“This is an extraordinary election cycle,” Mr. Bowers said. “By challenging every seat, we actually stretch Republican resources so thin that we could swing the election.”

[AtomicKitten]

52. an article from the Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/10/21/kerry_is_pressured_to_share_campaign_wealth/?page=1

[robcon]

53. This is symptomatic of a 50-state strategy.

Dean's stupid idea should be abandoned.

Spend the money ONLY where it will do the most good. Go for 50 states only AFTER we have a majority of Congress, and we have the presidency!

[geiger]

54. One thing I will never forgive Tim Hagan (D candidate for Ohio governor last time around

last time around, was not spending all his money. It was as he only ran to make some money. I have always viewed him as an opportunist, but that totally confirmed my suspicions.