Obama woes spark jump in Republican fundraising

Call it the summer of their discontent, a steamy August of town hall outbursts and pistol-packing protesters, a collective railing against government-run healthcare and soaring federal deficits.

Now, the guns of August have produced a surge in the fortunes of Republican causes. According to an analysis by USA Today, GOP campaign committees out-raised Democrats by $1.7 million in August.

"Republicans have been able to tap into some of the anger against Democrats in power and translate that into fundraising," Nathan Gonzales of the Rothenberg Political Report told the paper. "There are a lot of Republicans who wish the election were this November, not November 2010, because they feel like the momentum is on their side now."

The breakdown: Nationally, the Republican National Committee brought in $1 million more than the DNC. In the Senate, the Republican fundraising committee brought in $3.1 million, compared with $2.2 million by the Democratic committee. Only in the House did Democrats manage to out-raise Republicans in August, by $200,000. So overall, advantage Republicans.

The question: Is it a trend?

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Protesters outside a town hall meeting where President Obama spoke about healthcare in Portsmouth, N.H. Credit: John Spencer / Getty Images

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Comments

[Bookie]

Everyone— both democrats, republicans, independents, and libertarians— should have a deep sense of alarm at this administration. Those of us who escaped totalitarian and socialist regimes see the self evident earmarks. We need people who believe in the Constitution — whether democrat or republican or whatever. As someone said, how many people have endeavored to leave the US in rafts to escape to another country? Let's preserve the US. Vote conservative.

[Give me liberty or give me death.]

I just donated $600 to become a life member of the NRA. Without the NRA and it's supporters fighting for the 2nd amendment we would truly lose the US Constitution. If you are a hunter, or shooter, or gun lover then you should support NRA. Republicans and Democrats that support and embrace the second amendment can surely agree that there are organizations worth spending your money on if you choose to.

[Trudger]

Don't worry. The Republicans will figure out a way to blow it between now and next November.

[fred]

Is it a trend? You will see in November 2010 when the Dems lose 30+ seats. Until then, keep drinking the kool-aid!

[Vangel]

Some of the better fund-raising performance is probably due to the inclusion of unconventional Republican candidates that are actually libertarians. It is very likely that much of the public has as little use for the big-government 'conservatives' as they do for the Obama socialists.

[Liz]

Yep. It's a trend. Corruption is on the out, now.

[Parad E. Makewater]

I expect that the next report will show a huge turn around for the Dem's, don't forget that they control the treasury's printing presses, and the dead voter rolls to help with laundering the "donations". If all else fails they will give themselve's a taxpayer funded bail out!

[gb_in_tx]

A few observations regarding the photo.

The 2 sides are on opposite sides of what appears to be a street. One side, the left which is in the foreground, has what are obviously professionally printed signs. The other, across the street in the background, have what are obviously home made signs. Which indicates real grass roots spontaneity? Which indicates professional, big money backing? Which are the real grass roots, and which are Astroturf? The signs tell the tale. Next, it is obvious from the framing of the picture which side of the street the LAT photographers are on. What does that tell you about their political bias? Which side of the street are they most comfortable?

The obvious conclusions are left as an exercise for the reader.

[AST]

Your line "town hall outbursts and pistol-packing protesters" mischaracterizes the protesters, most of whom were orderly and very few of which carried guns and did so legally. If you want a contrast, check the reports of protesters at the G20 meetings, but please quit trying to portray the people who spoke back to politicians over trillion dollar deficits and nationalization of health care as violent, or Un-American. They're just ordinary people who've become alarmed by the attitude in Washington that they're just sheep who can be herded in whatever direction the left wants and sheared as needed to pay the bills.

[ame]

YOU BET IT'S A TREND - LEFTIST FASCISTS OUT IN 2010 AND OBAMANATION OUT IN 2012.
AND WHEN the American people take back their government BY throwing the Obama Chicago thug Statist Fascist styrofoam Greek column arrogant power lusty narcissistic cowardly leftist Dems out, it will be
"the millionth time in my adult life I've been proud of my country!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Haa]

President Obama attracted and socialized closely with extreme radicals, criminals and anti-americans before he was elected president. It's troubling to see him now cozy up with america's enemies while he push america's allies aside. He often opologize to the world as if he really don't like america. It seems to me he's taking this country in the wrong direction and making things better for terrorist here and around the world. As Cheney said, I feel less safe.

[steve rodriguez]

No fear! Obama still has ACORN!

[Joe Fundraiser]

;-p The jump in fundraising is because I've been calling for the National Republican Senatorial Committee at least 5 hours per week for the last 2 months. ~$250/hr*5*8=$10,000...okay...I guess I'm only part of the spike. ;-p