DNC Lags Behind GOP In Fundraising, Ended Year Almost Broke

NY Times:

For all the success that Democratic presidential candidates have had in raising money -- taking in a combined total of over $500 million in the current race -- the Republicans are beating them in one crucial area of fund-raising: the money being raised by the parties themselves.

The Democratic National Committee ended 2007 nearly flat broke, with cash of $2.9 million and debts of $2.2 million. Since then it has raised some money, paid down debt and managed to put $3.7 million in its piggy bank. This compares, however, with $25 million that the Republican National Committee has in cash on hand, after having raised $97 million since the beginning of 2007.

Read more here.

Read the whole story: NY Times

Comments

[Fightnmad]

The DNC has done NOTHING in support of the welfare of the common American. Once a big supporter, I will not contribute one red cent until the Dems currently in office are held accountable for their INaction and INability to stop the Bush junta: not one penny until legislators like Dianne Feinstein, Senator from California, are given a public thrashing for their endless support of the neocon agenda that is ripping the American fabric to shreds.

The Dems have PROVEN their incompetence and worthlessness, without any help from the Repukes. Why should I throw my hard-earned money toward a group of people that support pure evil?

You'd think the DNC could take a hint...

[Karenina44]

Power of the Purse: Obama supporters, I strongly suggest that you let Howard Dean/DNC know that all the donations we are funneling into his campaign will never go to HRC or the DNC if the party establishm­ent/superd­elegates go against the will of the people. I may have to hold my nose and vote for Hillary should she fairly get the nomination, but if she pulls in favors from the Clinton patronistic dynasty, to manuever this election, I sure as hell will not help finance it.

[V4Vigilance]

Karenina44: I think you're confusing the DNC with the DLC and the rest of the GOP-lite, inside the Beltway wing of Democratic Party. To lump Howard Dean in with the "party establishment" is laughable. He can't come right out and say it because of his position, but I'm certain that HRC is the LAST person Howard Dean wants to see as nominee.

OBAMA 08

[Donnat]

Is this the same RNC being investigated for fraud and whose chairman has had to step down? That money won't do their candidates any good when it's being funneled into the pockets of other crooks.

[iPolitics]

Dean is doing a great job. He has open DNC offices in every state so that the party can compete in every states. It's one of the reasons that the Dems took over the House and Senate under his watch. That and Bush, of course. Once Obama gets the nomination, he'll help to build that cash supply up and for the Dems to compete in EVERY state just like Obama's campaign.

[V4Vigilance]

I concur. Obama emulating Dean's "50 State Strategy" is a big reason he is leading the race for the nomination vs. HRC's "Insult 40 States Strategy".

I'm fine with the DNC spending it's time and money building the party from the bottom up rather than whoring itself out to every lobbyist in DC. It's kind of refreshing.

OBAMA 08

[Karenina44]

It's more like the 10 state strategy, and the rest of them don't count.

[Bushgirlsgonewild]

.

Right on - he saw a trend leading to an opportunity and didn't even wait for the knock on the door - he had the door removed.

What ever that means...

But you get my point.

We're going to kick some red states asses until their blue this fall.

.

[Plowboy]

When the Democrats call me for a donation, I have to tell them that they have one candidate I cannot and will not support. In addition, I say that until the Democratic leaders in Congress start doing what we elected them to do, there is no way I'll give them any more money. We wanted them to stop the war. We wanted them to reign in the disgusting Bush and Cheney. We wanted them to show some guts, brains, and honor. Until I see that, why should I give them any more of my hard earned money? They took it from me before and --- refused to do any of the things I wanted. I felt cheated when they supported things I despise. That won't happen again.
Show me something before you ask for my support again. I believe thast there are a few more around like me. Perhaps that's why they can't get funds.

[RISEUPAMERICA]

As a Democrat and not having a dog in this race anymore, largely due to the mis-handling of the DNC I will definitely not be donating to the party now or in the GE......in­fact i intend to donate to the independent or green party instead

[FirstShirt]

"We wanted them to stop the war. We wanted them to reign in the disgusting Bush and Cheney. We wanted them to show some guts, brains, and honor. "

If I was a democrat, and I'm not, I would ask the same thing. They have a worse approval rating than the president. They have the power to have hearings and bring their issues out in a way that supports the constituency who elected them AND THEY DIDN'T DO IT. I'm a republican and I totally understand the democratic perspective [don't always agree but understand} and I have no idea why they haven't been more aggressive in pursuring their agenda. Republicans are responsible for alot of things but they are not responsible for the incompetency of the democrats in Congress.

[drkazmd65]

I don't get it either FirstShirt - sure the Republicans (especially in the Senate) still possess the power to stall and derail. However, the House hasn't done much useful either and there the Democrats should be (in theory) running the show.

I (as a Liberal and Progressive, but fiscal conservative) was never happy with the Republicans since 2001, and if possible, am even more unhappy with the Democrats since they 'took over' in early 2007.

We need to remove ALL the incumbants, of both parties, clean house, institute term limits for all public offices, and make all political campaigns in the future publically funded and with a short and defined campaign season.

Rinse, repeat, as often as needed to get a Congress that actually works for the people.

[SDgirl]

I have replied to them on several occassions that my money is going directly to Obama and they will get money from me when he is the nominee. I won't help fund Hillary, she's showing her disloyalty to the Democratic Party in a Joe Leibermanly fashion anyway.

[stupidme]

Call the DNC, call Edward's and Biden's Campaign offices, call Richardson at the Governor's office. Hillary has jumped the political shark and she ain't coming back. Democrats that have to run with her at the top of the ticket will be cast with all of her "high negatives" as they say in the polling world. And she has only added to her negatives with this tacit endorsement of McCain.

[Egghead]

Smart plan. I plan to do the same.

[Seattlelite]

And while you at it send a email to the DNC as well. They better ruin Hillary in before she takes down this entire party out of spite,

[Mollye]

She didn't endorse McCain. Obama supporters are prone to exaggeration and histrionics.

[JakeEasy]

Love me some of that drama. Who cares about democracy or a woman's right to her body or the war or the enviroment. We just want to beat Hillary. Then we can go back to the Gap and play with our Wii. If we don't get our American Idol as the nominee, We'll just go home and sulk.

[SDgirl]

StupidEasyJake, I don't own a single piece of GAP clothing, I have never watched American Idol, I don't own a Wii (neither do my kids, I am 39 years old) I care about a woman's right to choose, Have you given birth? How about Hillary's smear in New Hampshire of Obama's 100% women's right to choose record. Since when do real Democrats falsely smear other Democrats on the issue of choice? I guess when the one doing the smearings not a real Democrat. I am supporting Obama in part because of his stance against the war from the start. Hillary is in the same blame boat as McCain on the war, so why would I bother to support her with my money.I am far to old for sulking.

[hellenhat]

The DNC has trouble raising money because, like me, a number of Democrats send their pleas for donations back to them with the following comment: When the Democrats grow a spine and stand up to this President and end the war in Iraq, stop funding for the war, restore habas corpus, stop spying on Americans, denounce torture and impeach Bush/Cheney- as per the mandate of the election of 2006, then, MAYBE, and only then, may you solicitate me for contributions.

I maintain if you want to get someone's attention, hit them in the pocketbook. Maybe they will get the message if more and more Democrats demand they follow the will of the people.

[kimbutgar]

I concur 100% with this poster. I also have sent envelopes back that I will not contribute a dime until they start to hold the bush crime syndicate accountable! Dem's say they are better than Rethugs but they don't have the spines to stand up to them. How can they stand up to the terrrrrrrrrrorists?

[RISEUPAMERICA]

your absolutely right! NO MONEY TILL IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS BEGIN!!!