WP: Fundraising Records Broken by Both Major Political Parties

[Julien Sorel]

The GOP and the Democrats broke all previous fundraising records this year, but for the first time since the mid-1970s, the Democratic National Committee raised more money than the Republican National Committee.

The DNC reported yesterday that it raised $389.8 million from Jan. 1, 2003, to Nov. 22, 2004, compared with $385.3 million by the RNC.

Total spending on the presidential campaign from all sources seeking to influence the outcome exceeded $1.7 billion, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. At least $925 million was spent in support of Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and $822 million in support of President Bush. In the 2000 presidential contest, total spending was just under $1 billion.

One of the major reasons for the sharp increase in overall spending was the decision by the campaigns of Bush and Kerry to reject public financing for their primary campaigns, which would have imposed spending limits. Without those limitations, Bush and Kerry together boosted spending by more than $300 million.

In every previous election cycle since 1976, the year the FEC first began issuing reports, the GOP has decisively trumped the Democrats. In 1999-2000, for example, the RNC raised $377 million, $116.4 million more than the $260.6 million collected by the DNC.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29739-2004Dec2.html

[Renew Deal]

1. Good news and bad news

Good news, we can raise money. Bad news, campaign money is off the wall. We need some real campaign finance reform.

[Julien Sorel]

2. I agree wholeheartedly.

And there's not a chance in hell of it happening as long as the Republicans are in control. Campaign finance reform should be a Democratic talking point; unfortunately they likely won't make it one because the money situation looks reasonable for them, and the threat of a third party weighs heavier on Democrats than it does Republicans. But at the least, the Dems should put together some kind of campaign finance reform plan and make it a part of their oppositional movement.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Totally fucking obscene

[Moderator]

4. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1041024