Left’s money advantage evident in Minnesota
October 15th, 2007 – 1:45 AM by Dennis J. McGrath
Al Franken |
Even before today’s official deadline for federal candidates to report their fundraising numbers, one thing is abundantly clear: the left is raking in big money.
That’s true nationally and it’s the case in Minnesota, too.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken is enjoying being on the receiving end of this leftist largess.
Meanwhile, Sen. Norm Coleman and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, both Republicans, are on the receiving end of the spending by leftist groups. They’re both the targets of new television or radio ads critizing them over Iraq (Coleman) and the children’s health insurance battle (Bachmann).
The advantage the left is enjoying is highlighted at OpenSecrets.org, which tracks political money. The OpenSecrets overview is here. From the presidential race to Senate and House races to issue-oriented groups, the left comes out on top.
Norm Coleman |
Consider:
Democratic presidential candidates raised an average of $2.2 million to the Republicans’ $1.2 million.
The top two Democrats – Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama — raised a combined $122 million. The top Republicans — Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani — raised $80 million.
Nine out of 10 of the top overall donors have given more than half their money in 2007 to Democrats.
However you slice it, the Democrats end up with the biggest piece of the pie.
And that money is flowing into Minnesota in a big way. OpenSecrets ranks the Minnesota Senate race as the second most expensive in the nation. The Texas Senate race ranked first with $18.5 million raised by the candidates combined, and Minnesota followed close behind with $16.2 million. A distant third was Massachusetts with $8.2 million.
In the most recent quarter, Franken, the Democratic challenger, achieved the rare feat of outraising the incumbent, Coleman. Here’s the Star Tribune story about Franken and Coleman’s fundraising, and here’s our story about money raised by Mike Ciresi.
The radio ad aimed at Coleman is the work of Keeping America’s Promise, which is Sen. John Kerry’s political action committee. Coleman is one of six Republican senators targeted. You can find out more about Kerry’s effort here. And here is Coleman’s campaign website and here is the page we’ve created about him here on Politically Connected.
Michele Bachmann |
While Coleman is being hit by a well-known figure, Bachmann is in the sights of a group that isn’t a household name, but it is one of the biggest left-leaning money groups — the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), with 1.9 million members. The SEIU is part of the coalition paying for the TV ads pressing Bachmann to vote later this week to override President Bush’s veto of the children’s health insurance program.
The SEIU’s advocacy arm (a 527 organization), has raised more money than any other 527 group this election cycle, with $6.7 million, according to OpenSecrets. The closest right wing 527 group: GOPAC with $3.7 million. Here’s SEIU’s website and here’s Bachmann’s campaign website and here’s GOPAC’s site.
OpenSecrets cites the fact that Democrats control Congress as a key reason for their fundraising advantage.
Do you think that explains what’s happening? And why do you think the Minnesota Senate race is drawing so much money?
48 Responses to "Left’s money advantage evident in Minnesota"
This really isn’t new information. While Hollywood is allowed to spew the same old scare tactics, uneducated people are sucked in. The numbers are alway’s suspect.
Let’s just all rejoice in the great accomplishment by our true leader Mr. Albert Gore, scientist, author, inventor of the internet, and not by any means, a hypocrite.
Dennis,
You do realize we’re all going to hell, right?
The left is getting more money because conservatives are not being represented and in turn are not representing. Besides their too busy working, raising families and paying taxes.
Great to see the unions taking their members money and giving it to campaign elections devised at getting the unions more money.
Maybe the left should take these campaign millions and put it to use supporting their idealogy…..122 million raised by obama and clinton and every child in America has no health care and goes to bed hungry. When is the govt going to raise our children???
also, these are dollars not votes. $1.00 does not equal 1 vote.
“OpenSecrets cites the fact that Democrats control Congress as a key reason for their fundraising advantage.
Do you think that explains what’s happening? And why do you think the Minnesota Senate race is drawing so much money?”
No. The Dems’ fundraising advantage is due to the utter failure of conservatism in government.
The MN Senate race is drawing a lot of money because 1) Franken has a lot of big-money friends in hollywood and 2) Sen Coleman is considered to be at-risk by his party, so is attracting a lot of donors in the hopes that the GOP won’t suffer futher declines in the Senate.
Since every left leaning person I know is also busy raising families, paying taxes and working too, could the real reson Democrats are getting more money be that right wingers created the largest deficit in history, took us to war with lies, and raised governmental spending to unheard of levels with pork barrel projects like a bridge to no where in Alaska?
Did you also complain about the $100 million dollars Bush raised in his last election?! Or are you just frustrated that your party is corrupt, ineffective and losing major support as payback for a record of poor governance?
The republicans had 12 years, ever since Newt and his Contract On America, and many of those years were spent with your party holding all three branches of government. Obviously, a majority of Americans do hold your party accountable, and want a change.
And for the record, I am college educated, pay taxes, raised a family and a veteran. And proud to be a Democrat!
No. The Dems’ fundraising advantage is due to the utter failure of conservatism in government.
Good point, bsimon.
I mean with the budget defict at 6 year lows, the dow over 14k, unemployment at very low rates, your point is well taken.
Now, come on back with the mortgage issues, and be sure to not mention the ten year boom in housing construction, and new home owners.
You’re so transparent, I could write your next post.
Look back to 1999 and tell me all about the market’s decline and how it was the Republicans fault.
Better yet,
get some more illegal aliens in town to ensure your Keith Ellisons and Phyllis Kahns are representing us in the future.
Their districts children will all be set financially if Hilary get’s her way.
It’s a win win. She get’s the support of low income, uneducated, illegal immigrants, and I get to pay more taxes.
Neat.
Robert, if you were to actually offer an explanation about the GOP’s evident disadvantage in fundraising, perhaps we could have an interesting discussion.
Given that the GOP outraised the Dems regularly for most of the last decade, what is your explanation for their change in fortune?
Also keep in mind that the Republican battle for the Presidential Candidate is no where near the scale of the Democrat race in terms of contention. It would thus make sense that they are going to raise more money because it is a tighter race. The Republican campaign has not even begun their full scale fund raising because most of them are smart enough not to fully donate to the presidential PRIMARY because it’s such a futile donation. This article is meaningless and inane. The best part is that four years ago Republicans would have been chastised for so much money being spent on campaigns; but they are so quick to praise Democrats for raising so much.
And for the record, I am college educated, pay taxes, raised a family, and am a veteran. And proud I’m not a Democrat!
bsimon-
“Given that the GOP outraised the Dems regularly for most of the last decade, what is your explanation for their change in fortune?”
I might have an answer….because people like my father who traditionally give money to the Republican party are so sick and tired of the current GOP party and what they represent (or what they don’t represent). And please don’t confuse this dissatisfaction with National defense issues.
The agendas by news sources such as this. Michael Moore. Al Gore lying numerous times throughout “his” documentary. Uneducated voters that are swayed by the liberal media. Hollywood. Wealthy asian businessmen who lean on the shady side (convicted felon.) Inaccurate financial reports. Politicians that target specific ethnic groups as a whole, ala Randy Kelly and his Hmong recruiting term. Phyllis Kahn suggesting illegal aliens be allowed to vote. Democrats scoffing requests to require photo ID’s for voters. Hilary’s suggestion to pro create even though you don’t have the financial means. The scare tactics that you have bought into concerning a volatile economy. Al Franken.
But in the end, bsimon, clear thinking silent majority types offer real solutions to real problems.
Robert, what do you think of Lebowski’s contention that GOP fundraising is down “because people like my father who traditionally give money to the Republican party are so sick and tired of the current GOP party and what they represent (or what they don’t represent)”?
And, frankly, none of the things you cite are new in the last 2 years. The so-called liberal media has been around far longer. As have Michael Moore, Al Gore & Al Franken. No, that doesn’t explain why a GOP that led in fundraising for a decade or more is suddenly having a hard time collecting any money. I suspect Lebowski is correct, and me, frankly, though Lebowski’s way of saying it was less inflammatory.
bsimon,
I’ve found that any time a political point is prefaced with “I used to be a dem, or rep, it’s usually not true, hence the point is moot.
That would be like a Christian saying that despite the fact Bill Clinton is married and received fellatio in our most sacred office from a young intern, I still think he has integrity.
bsimon-
i must tell you his frustrations though, immigration (no one is doing anything to address), social spending/welfare state, health care, taxes (how much is enough), education system failure, social security, etc.
It is political career suicide to deliver the hard truth when the MSM gets a hold of your stance…..no you people can’t stay here, leave and come back legally….. no you can’t have any more hand outs, get a job and pay your own way…..no, health care isn’t free to you kids, your parents have to pay (at least that is what you want them to think)….. cut taxes, we pay too much and get too little…..cut education, there is an optimal level of coswt versus the best education and we are way passed it……social security, get rid of it (slowly).
At the end of the day, let’s enable people to be responsible for themselves.
bsimon-
my point is there are too many career politicians and w/ the liberal msm it is very, very difficult to hold anyone accountable. hence, more govt, more spending, talk of socializing health care and dozens of other completely whacked ideas that “sound great” for the future of humanity.
Robert Grant writes
“I’ve found that any time a political point is prefaced with “I used to be a dem, or rep, it’s usually not true, hence the point is moot.”
Robert, I see that you don’t have a comment on the topic of why the GOP is less successful this year in fundraising than they’ve been in other recent years. I also get the impression that you’re a GOP supporter. So let me ask: is the GOP performing adequately - do they meet your expectations at the state and national level? exceed expectations? fall short?
It is my contention that they are falling short of what moderate GOP voters expect. I think the GOP has ‘lost its way’ as a political party and, upon suffering some additional losses in 2008, will rethink what it stands for & revive itself, possibly by moderating some of their positions in order to attract more moderate voters - i.e. the swing voters that decide elections. When that happens, their fundraising campaigns will meet with more success.
bsimon,
I think we are headed in the right direction. The deficit is in check, unemployment is low, the Dow is at record levels, interest rates are low, but the way the media portrays everything, I think you will disagree.
I’ve seen many positive thing’s in Iraq, and then been forced to listen to flat out lies.
I saw Matt Entenza last night talking about how our schools are failing, teachers aren’t pursuing positions, and we need more money. The constant DFL thinking is very frustrating to me. I think it’s an accountability issue. I do know 10 of the last 13 school related tax increases have passed in my community, and yet we are still “financially tied.”
Last I heard, we ranked pretty damn high in educational testing nationwide.
I don’t like the scare tactics by your party.
Robert Grant & Co. appear to believe the DFL is the party of dirty political trickery. And they also seem unaware of any public dissatisfaction with the last 6-8 years of GOP leadership.
Both points help explain the GOP side of the MN money battle.
Bachmann is a wacko - but a smart, capable wacko. And 6th dist. Republicans still get shivers over the thought of being represented by Wetterling.
“I don’t like the scare tactics by your party.”
Huh? I don’t recall joining a party. Perhaps you have made some inaccurate assumptions.
But, if you “think we are headed in the right direction,” you are apparently alone - as evidenced by 1) GOP losses in 2006 and 2) low GOP fundraising for the 2008 cycle. Perhaps all the GOP retirements from office are indicative of those members’ feeling of a ‘job well done’ - it is time for a break!
Since you brought up Iraq, there’s an interesting op-ed piece in the Wash Post today. A dozen former Army captains write that it is time - after 5 years in Iraq - for the US to decide whether we’re willing to do what it takes to finish the job.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR2007101500841.html
“There is one way we might be able to succeed in Iraq. To continue an operation of this intensity and duration, we would have to abandon our volunteer military for compulsory service. Short of that, our best option is to leave Iraq immediately. A scaled withdrawal will not prevent a civil war, and it will spend more blood and treasure on a losing proposition.“
Yes, bsimon, I must be.
You better take a look around.
I can tell you’re obviously a Rep.
I believe everything I read, especially in the Strib and Washington Post.
Lets not interact. People like you will never get it.
Robert Grant writes
“I can tell you’re obviously a Rep.”
Actually I tend to split tickets. In the 2006 primary, I voted for IP candidates, since MN mandates that primary voters can only vote for one party. There is no provision for people, like me, who find both major parties pretty contemptible, but occasionaly find certain of their candidates worth supporting.
But to a large majority of the population, they are just the greatest thing ever. For some subset, no Republican (or Democrat) can do wrong, and no Democrat (or Republican) can do right. Right?
What I find particularly amusing is the mindset that there is no room for disagreement. That people who do not agree shouldn’t even interact. I suppose I could make some assumptions, but I will not post them here. I can’t help but wonder though, if you don’t believe what you read in the Strib or Post, what do you believe? To what unbiased news source should an interested party turn, in order to get the facts - just the facts?
I anxiously await your response!
bsimon,
You obviously don’t recall, but we had this very debate a while ago on Eric Black’s left leaning blog before he chose to delete all my comments.
I believe in facts that I know to be true.
Usually facts that I can personally validate.
I’ve had conversations with people about Iraq that have actually never eve been there. The “facts” you refer to are often total BS. You can believe me or not, I really don’t care. One thing I’m quite certain of is the fact you and I are miles apart on most issues.
I really have nothing further to say to you. I suggest you post your opinions, and I’ll post mine.
Have a nice day.
But Robert, you haven’t told me where I might find some of these facts you talk about! The Wash Post published an essay by 12 Army captains that you dismiss - because it was published in the Post! Where should they have published this article, in order for it to carry weight with you?
On the economy, here’s what the Star Tribune reports being said by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (appointed by Pres Bush) and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke (also appointed by President Bush:
In his most somber assessment of the crisis to date, Paulson said that the housing correction is “not ending as quickly” as it had appeared it would and that “it now looks like it will continue to adversely impact our economy, our capital markets and many homeowners for some time yet.”
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday that the housing problem would be a “significant drag” on economic growth into next year and that it would take time for Wall Street to fully recover from a significant credit crunch.
http://www.startribune.com/535/story/1487959.html
Are these guys deluded? Are they being misled by the ‘liberal media’? Or is it your contention that the Star Tribune is misrepresenting their words? As you noted above, the DOW reached a new high last week - surely the Treasury Secretary & Fed Chairman are aware of this & don’t have a pessimistic outlook, right? So surely the ‘liberal media’ is nefariously undermining their efforts to keep this economy in a growth state, right?
Lastly, Mr Grant, did you ever address the topic at hand and postulate about GOP fundraising, or is that just another in a long line of lies spun by the vast left wing conspiracy?
“I really have nothing further to say to you.”
Ah, so it goes.
You have yourself a nice day as well.
bsimon-
Can you honestly tell me that you don’t think the MSM is left leaning?
I can find you 12 generals that will tell you…. “apart from Hawaii, I can’t think of a better place than Iraq to bring our kids for a family vacation”.
that would not shed the negative light the MSM needs to declare this war a failure and Bush the worst.
bsimon,
Do you understand what an editors role is?
Do you recall the day after the bridge collapse?
I do. I also remeber the inaccurate figures the following morning, “Nine Dead.” This kind of crap sells papers. It’s the last act of a desperate industry.
The ninth victim was recovered 10 days after that headline.
How about the “accurate” poll results from 2000?
Until you accept the fact that news sources such as the red star have an agenda, you can believe whatever the hell you want.
You post any topic, and in a matter of minutes, I’ll rebuke with a differet take.
I mentioned I choose to believe what I can verify, i.e., the BS stories about Gitmo this rag of a paper spewd.
Gather facts, and make your own judgements. Don’t allow yourself to become another sheep.
where’s this………….
ST. PAUL (AP) _ A panel of skeptical lawmakers gave the Minnesota Department of Transportation the authority to spend an extra $60 million in the aftermath of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse _ less than a third of the agency’s $195 million request.
Democratic House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said the partial approval should tide the department over until the legislative session starts in February.
But Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau, who is also the lieutenant governor, wouldn’t rule out delays in other construction projects.
The move came shortly after Gov. Tim Pawlenty sent a letter pleading with the eight-member Transportation Contingent Advisory Group to approve the full $195 million.
That’s the amount Congress approved but has yet to deliver to help Minnesota with the bridge disaster.
Ask Nancy Barnes.
Dennis,
Do you have any answers?
Don’t you think it would have been on the front page if it were a Republican lead House? I can see it now…….
Evidently Republicans DON’T CARE about infrastructure and loss of life as displayed when they approved 1/3 of requested budget to rebuild the bridge that tragically cost MN lives.
Instead it will be a dead issue until next year when it will be tied to tax increases.
Robert Grant writes
“Gather facts, and make your own judgements. Don’t allow yourself to become another sheep.”
I do gather facts. I’ve explicitly asked you several times on this thread where you go for unbiased facts and you’ve, thus far, failed to tell me any. Now Lebowski has chimed in with the same tired old talking point about the MSM having an agenda, being liberally biased, etc.
So I ask again: where are the unbiased sources? If the MSM is so liberal, where are the neutral parties? Are there any?
bsimon,
Why the same old tired logic?
My sources are business owners, military personal, co-workers, contacts at conventions, defense contractors.
Real people that contribute to society, not ass clowns like Nick Coleman, Syl Jones, Nancy Barnes, Kate Parry, and the rest of the braintrust that have driven this newspaper into the ground.
More liberal media bias, from the pages of the star tribune:
“Minnesota lost 6,300 jobs in September, compared with August, raising the unemployment rate from 4.6 to 4.9 percent, according to the state’s monthly report. That marked a new high for the state against the U.S. rate, which rose from 4.6 to 4.7 percent in September.”
Right-of-mainstream media are reporting job gains for September.
Robert Grant writes
“Why the same old tired logic?
My sources are business owners, military personal, co-workers, contacts at conventions, defense contractors.”
Ok. I get it now. Your ‘facts’ are anecdotal and unverifiable. Rather than getting information from the ‘main stream’ media, I should seek out business owners, military personnel, etc for the news.
Maybe unverifiable to you, but I know what I’ve seen, so I believe I’ll trust my own experiences rather than read someone’s opinion.
You see, bsimon, that’s what’s great about democracy.
You can seek out whomever you’d like. We don’t have to agree, it’s just that one of us is correct. It’s up to you to determine who that is.
“it’s just that one of us is correct. It’s up to you to determine who that is.”
Actually that’s not quite true. We could both be wrong. Like you, I trust my own observations & judgements more than others’.
Budget deficit falls to lowest level in 5 years
Associated Press
Last update: October 11, 2007 – 11:30 AM
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration reported Thursday that the federal budget deficit fell to $162.8 billion in the just-completed budget year, the lowest amount of red ink in five years.
The administration credited the president’s tax cuts for helping generate record-breaking revenues but warned of an approaching “fiscal train wreck” unless Congress deals with unsustainable growth in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
October, 6th 2007
Stocks jump; S&P 500 sets record close
Stocks jumped sharply and bond prices tumbled Friday after the government reported strong September job growth and revised August’s weak data upward, cooling fears of a recession. The Dow Jones industrials rose more than 130 points and along with the Standard & Poor’s 500 index broke into record territory.
No more cut and past. It’s foolish.
lebowski writes:
“where’s this………….
ST. PAUL (AP) _ A panel of skeptical lawmakers gave the Minnesota Department of Transportation the authority to spend an extra $60 million in the aftermath of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse _ less than a third of the agency’s $195 million request…”
Lebowksi also says:
“Don’t you think it would have been on the front page if it were a Republican lead House? I can see it now…….”
And rgrant asks:
“Dennis,
Do you have any answers?”
Um, yes, I do have an answer. It WAS on the front page of today’s paper. Here’s the headline: “Stopgap spending on roads, bridges sets up showdown/ Legislators OK spending $60 million to stop delays. Pawlenty sought at least $145 million.”
Here’s the link to the story online: http://www.startribune.com/10220/story/1486224.html
Or stop by and I’ll give you a copy of today’s paper. I know there are some people who will criticize the paper no matter what we do — or don’t do. But please, all I ask is that your critiques be informed and factual.
my apologies, Dennis.
You are correct. It is on the front page. I didn’t see it on-line.
Lebowski: No problem. Thanks very much for your note. I appreciate it.
Wow, that was vitriolic there, wasn’t it? All I want to add to this discussion is that sources do matter. Since we tend to align ourselves with people of the same thinking, perceptions, with or without basis in any factuality, become ‘real’. This is because the group reinforces itself. This is best guarded against by breaking free of self-imposed confines occassionally (i.e. breaking bread with the enemies).
As Dennis said, keep it factual. In my studies, if I present to others, I need to back up my information with verifiable sources. Same goes here. If I have a source, doesn’t mean you have to agree, but it does mean that there is substance to my argument, that there is at least a building block of factuality. If I say this is what I believe, then that’s fine, but I will not change any other’s mindframe.
Break free of strict pedagogy, expand your horizons, seek out people who differ, and never be afraid to change your mind.
The last time the US had a balanced budget was when Clinton was president; Congress used the pay-go system which required congress to either cut spending or raise taxes during that time.
Bush inherited a surplus and squandered it; the Democrats win control of the congress and again implement pay-go and now the projected budget deficit is decreasing. Go figure
Dennis,
I agree. I hold the Strib to it’s mission statement as well. In the past, when I’ve brought up discrepencies, your former reader rep did not respond. I’ve also called Nancy Barnes, and have received no reply.
What do you suggest?
Do you think the Strib in biased?
R. Grant: **The Bush administration reported Thursday that the federal budget deficit fell to $162.8 billion…**
Why, yes they did. Apparently, there are few rules governing what they can report.
The nearly $200 bil annual cost of the Iraq war more than doubles that deficit figure. It just doesn’t get “reported”.
(Dennis, can ANYONE stop by for a free paper?)
You mean the Iraq war that was approved by congress?
Democrats and Republicans?
Wish,
Remind us what the latest approval ratings are for our beloved congress.
Robert:
Of course I don’t think the Star Tribune is biased, aside from the Opinion pages, which by their very nature should stake out a point of view.
But I also know that when it comes to political coverage, the more passionate people are, and the farther they are on the extremes, the more likely they are to see bias in the coverage.
Wish:
Since you asked, yes, you can have a free copy, too — of Tuesday’s paper. Stop by any time next week and I’ll give it to you!
Actually, to Wish, Lebowski and Robert — the offer still stands. And I’ll even throw in the current day’s paper. Be happy to meet you.
But gotta draw the line there in terms of the offer. The budget’s tough enough as it is. Sorry.
Robert Grant: *You mean the Iraq war that was approved by congress?*
*Remind us what the latest approval ratings are for our beloved congress.*
Yes - that war.
Are you suggesting that Bush is justified in falsifying his deficit report by more than 100% because Democrats in Congress, which today holds a poor approval rating, joined Republicans in authorizing his use of force against Iraq back in ‘02/’03?
Or was there some other point to your comments?