Obama Won't Share Funds With Senate Dems

Party sees chance to boost majority, but nominee feels pressure to stuff war chest

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Sep 16, 2008 10:06 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama has rejected an appeal from the Senate Democrats to kick some campaign money their way, Politico reports. Obama raised a record $66 million in August, but is currently outmatched by the combination of John McCain and the Republican National Committee. With 23 GOP-held seats being contested, Senate Dems had looked to Obama to help finance a rare opportunity to boost their majority.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has allowed Senate Democrats to use his name on email and other pitches, but turned down a request for $10 million in aid. (AP Photo)

With 23 Republican Senate seats beign contested this year, Democrat Charles Schumer was among those hoping Barack Obama would open his campaign war chest to aid the party's down-ticket efforts. (AP Photo)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was rebuffed in a request earlier this month for funds from Barack Obama's campaign, which raised $66 million in August. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

How Reid Rescued the Public Option

Opt-out plan bridged divides in Dem caucus

(NEWSER) - The public health insurance plan was brought back from the brink of oblivion thanks to Harry Reid's swift adoption of an "opt-out" plan brought to his attention just three weeks ago. In backroom negotiations with members of the Democratic caucus, the majority leader found that the federal approach bridged the gap between conservative and liberals on the issue, roping in the 60 votes needed to break a Republican filibuster. More»

Senate Rejects $35B Jobs Bill

Portion of larger American Jobs Act won't move forward

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s first attempt to split his American Jobs Act into smaller bites did not go well: His $35 billion package, intended to protect the jobs of teachers and first responders, was blocked in the Senate last night. Democrats couldn’t get the 60 votes needed to move the bill forward; three members of the Senate Democratic Caucus joined all Republicans to vote against it, resulting in a 50-50 vote blocking a debate on the package. It was one fewer vote than Obama got in the Senate for his full $447 billion proposal, Politico notes. More»

Senate Dems Float 5% Millionaires' Tax

Instead of the raft of tax changes President Obama proposed

(NEWSER) - Senate Democrats today proposed a 5% surtax on all income above $1 million as a way to pay for President Obama’s jobs bill—throwing out Obama’s more intricate suggestion for eliminating various tax deductions for the wealthy, oil companies, and other businesses. The surtax would hit all income, including dividends and capital gains, and would be enacted permanently, the Wall Street Journal reports. Harry Reid hopes to bring the new bill to the floor next week. More»

Boxer, Feingold Oppose Another Bernanke Term

Liberal Democrats join rising tide against Fed chair's reappointment

(NEWSER) - Two Democratic senators said today they won't vote to reappoint Ben Bernanke as Fed chairman. Barbara Boxer and Russell Feingold added to the groundswell of opposition imperiling a second 4-year term for Bernanke, which requires 60 votes. “Our next Federal Reserve chairman must represent a clean break from the failed policies of the past,” Boxer said. “It is time for Main Street to have a champion at the Fed.” More»

Own Ill Health Doesn't Keep Byrd From Voting on Reform

92-year-old Dem brought to Senate floor via wheelchair

(NEWSER) - His own battles with ill health haven’t kept Democrat Robert Byrd from making it to the Senate for key milestones on the long road to the health-care reform vote scheduled for tomorrow morning. The 92-year-old—wheelchair-bound and with a live-in nurse after a recent hospital stay—has only added to his legend in the process, colleagues tell the New York Times . “When he comes onto the floor and the members cheer and his face lights up, it just makes our day,” Sen. Charles Schumer says. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Obama Won't Share Funds With Senate Dems

Party sees chance to boost majority, but nominee feels pressure to stuff war chest

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Charles Schumer • Harry Reid • Senate Democrats • US Senate

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

How Reid Rescued the Public Option

Opt-out plan bridged divides in Dem caucus

Senate Rejects $35B Jobs Bill

Portion of larger American Jobs Act won't move forward

Senate Dems Float 5% Millionaires' Tax

Instead of the raft of tax changes President Obama proposed

Boxer, Feingold Oppose Another Bernanke Term

Liberal Democrats join rising tide against Fed chair's reappointment

Own Ill Health Doesn't Keep Byrd From Voting on Reform

92-year-old Dem brought to Senate floor via wheelchair

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Obama Won't Share Funds With Senate Dems

Party sees chance to boost majority, but nominee feels pressure to stuff war chest

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Charles Schumer • Harry Reid • Senate Democrats • US Senate

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

How Reid Rescued the Public Option

Opt-out plan bridged divides in Dem caucus

Senate Rejects $35B Jobs Bill

Portion of larger American Jobs Act won't move forward

Senate Dems Float 5% Millionaires' Tax

Instead of the raft of tax changes President Obama proposed

Boxer, Feingold Oppose Another Bernanke Term

Liberal Democrats join rising tide against Fed chair's reappointment

Own Ill Health Doesn't Keep Byrd From Voting on Reform

92-year-old Dem brought to Senate floor via wheelchair

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?