Blue Dog Fundraising Declines From Beginning Of 2009

A Center for Public Integrity analysis shows that fundraising for the Blog Dog Democrat Coalition has significantly dwindled over the course of the year.

The 52-member fiscally conservative group, which wielded much influence during this year's effort to reform health care, pulled in a lackluster $12,500 during the month of September. Compare that with the $176,000 it averaged during the first half of the year.

The group raised $1.1 million from January to June but raised just $87,000 between July and September, its average monthly fundraising dropping by more than $50,000.

The money that the coalition did pull in came from just three donations, according to CPI. Accounting firm Ernst & Young's PAC donated $5,000, the Food Marketing Institute PAC gave $2,500 and the National Rifle Association of America Political Victory Fund contributed $5,000.