Why Aren’t More Republican Politicians Contributing Money To Campaigns In Need?

by John Hawkins | October 25, 2006 8:18 am

From the Washington Times[1]:

“Senate Republicans with enormous campaign war chests are refusing to transfer significant amounts of money to help fellow Republicans who are cash-strapped and face defeat in the final weeks of the campaign.

The stinginess alarms some of the Republican Party’s top campaign strategists, especially because it is in such stark contrast to the millions of dollars that Democrats have transferred to their candidates in need.

Control of the Senate will come down to a half-dozen close races next month, and both sides agree that money will likely determine the outcome of each. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has nearly twice as much money on hand as the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) for that final sprint to Election Day.

According to the latest figures available, the DSCC has $23 million and the NRSC has $12 million. Much of that difference stems from the disparity in late giving from sitting senators.”

It’s also worth noting that the liberal bloggers are pressuring Democratic politicians that aren’t in competitive races to pony up more money for the cause. In fact, they actually have a whole Use It Or Lose It[2] campaign going that encourages Democrats that aren’t in competitive races to give up 30% of their warchests. According to their list, they’ve already shook loose $410,000.

So, why shouldn’t we do the same thing? It only makes sense, right? But, if we’re going to do it, the first thing we need is a list of candidates. Never fear, because I’m about to provide a list for you[3].

Let’s start with the Senate:

Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala): $11,592,221
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas): $9,463,558
Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah): $2,902,142
Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind): $2,892,395
John Cornyn (R-Texas): $2,782,118
Mitch McConnell (R-Ky): $2,632,881
Lindsey Graham (R-SC): $2,332,423
Gordon H. Smith (R-Ore): $2,077,968
Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga): $2,029,164
Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa): $2,001,233
John Thune (R-SD): $1,880,730
Norm Coleman (R-Minn): $1,782,195
Mike Crapo (R-Idaho): $1,601,163
Jeff Sessions (R-Ala): $1,499,560
Trent Lott (R-Miss): $1,421,488
Johnny Isakson (R-Ga): $1,317,672
Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine): $1,306,198
John McCain (R-Ariz): $1,114,062
George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio):$1,068,262
Craig Thomas (R-Wyo): $1,060,507
David Vitter (R-La):$1,015,69

If all these candidates just chipped in 10% of their money to say Bob Corker, Michael Steele, Tom Kean, & Mike Bouchard, this election would turn on its ear.

Then there’s the House:

Cliff Stearns (R-Fla): $2,301,890
David Dreier (R-Calif): $2,295,737
Henry Bonilla (R-Texas): $2,281,340
Don Young (R-Alaska): $2,017,831
Frank A. LoBiondo: $1,925,046
Jim Saxton (R-NJ): $1,824,572
Dave Hobson (R-Ohio): $1,736,193
Joe Barton (R-Texas): $1,724,173
Bud Cramer (D-Ala): $1,640,566
Pete King (R-NY): $1,596,545
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla): $1,534,675
Tom Davis (R-Va): $1,515,904
John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn): $1,424,641
Paul Ryan (R-Wis): $1,402,169
Jim McCrery (R-La): $1,382,757
Michael N. Castle (R-Del): $1,328,611
Jerry Moran (R-Kan): $1,307,769
John M. Shimkus (R-Ill): $1,153,269
Patrick J. Tiberi (R-Ohio): $1,147,090
Hal Rogers (R-Ky): $1,137,222
Jerry Lewis (R-Calif): $1,059,536
Ric Keller (R-Fla): $1,059,493
Tim Murphy (R-Pa): $1,040,863
Jerry Weller (R-Ill): $1,029,333
Jim Ramstad (R-Minn): $1,022,517
Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan): $969,991
Dave Camp (R-Mich): $965,272
Henry Brown (R-SC): $938,439
Fred Upton (R-Mich): $930,515
Greg Walden (R-Ore): $923,012
Zach Wamp (R-Tenn): $901,00

If each candidate were to chip in just 10% of his or her cash on hand to these candidates in the toss-up races, it would be more than enough for us to hold the House.

If you’re so inclined, why not give some of these pols a call? If you do, be polite, and also keep in mind that if you’re a constituent, your request will carry extra weight. So, if your Congressman or Senator is on the list, make sure to contact him and ask him, again, politely, to give 10% of his cash on hand to our candidates up for reelection. If they say that they will or that they already have, feel free to report back in the comments section. Remember, it could be your phone call that ends up putting another $100,000 in the pockets of our candidates right before these crucial elections!

You can contact the Senators, here[4] and the House members here[5].

Endnotes:
  1. Washington Times: http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20061024-121457-5701r.htm
  2. Use It Or Lose It: http://www.mydd.com/images/user/217/Use_It.htm
  3. list for you: http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/topcash.asp?Cycle=2006&Display=A&Memb=H)http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/topcash.asp?Cycle=2006&Display=A&Memb=H
  4. here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
  5. here: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml

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