Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Dems Expect Fundraising Decline

Only consolation: GOP will probably do much worse

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2009 12:11 PM CST

(Newser) – The economic slowdown is having its expected effect on Democratic fundraising, and the added effects of “donor fatigue” and the magnetic force that draws campaign cash to Barack Obama could leave them pinched for the next election cycle, Politico reports. But things could be worse—like they are for Republicans.

The biggest donors, say insiders, are rich enough that they still have plenty to give even after their fortunes have dwindled. More worried than the fundraisers, however, are conservative Blue Dog Democrats, who fear the Obama team will wield its wallet to get them reelected, then pressure them into voting for measures that will turn their constituents against them.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Obama's success has been great for Democrats, but his popularity and the power of his online fundraising system could spell emptier congressional coffers. (AP Photo)

Under Howard Dean's leadership, the Democratic National Convention did fundraising without stepping on the toes of individual lawmakers' outreach efforts. (Business Wire)

Mike Ross has said that being a conservative Democrat makes for a frustrating job. Some blue dogs are worried that if Obama helps them fundraise, he could pressure them politically. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

Members of the House Democratic Leadership are preparing for a steep decline in fundraising, and shoring up for a stronger effort to fill their campaign coffers. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

What used to take two calls, now takes five. But somebody who had $80 million and now has $40 million is still a wealthy person and can afford to give. - An unnamed Senate Democrat

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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

More Newser Stories

Romney Copies Obama's Super PAC Strategy

Candidate will let top aides appear at fundraisers

(NEWSER) - After President Obama announced this week that he'd allow top aides to speak at super PAC events, Mitt Romney is following suit. "President Obama's decision opens a new chapter in this campaign, and we will not play by different rules," said Romney's campaign manager in an email to staff viewed by the Wall Street Journal . The email says that new campaign finance terms allow staffers to assist Restore Our Future, a super PAC working on the candidate's behalf. More»

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

(NEWSER) - President Obama continues to be successful raising money through small donations—and this time around, he's outpacing his campaign from four years ago. Last year, almost half of the money raised by the president's re-election campaign came from donors who gave $200 or less in total, a new report from the Campaign Finance Institute shows. In 2007, by comparison, just 22% of the $96.7 million he raised came from donations of $200 or less. In total, Obama raised $56.7 million from small donors last year, compared to the $38.1 million small donors contributed to all of his Republican opponents combined. More»

Obama's 2011 Haul: Less Than Bush's in 2003

But still an impressive amount: Politico

(NEWSER) - The Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised a significant amount of funds in 2011—$222 million—but not quite enough to beat the Bush-Cheney amount from the same period eight years ago. In 2003, Bush's campaign and the RNC raised about $239 million, which Politico did not adjust for inflation. And the $68 million raised by Obama and the DNC in the fourth quarter was less than the $70.1 million raised the quarter prior. More»

Obama 2012? Some Dems in Congress Won't Say

Some moderates, liberals reluctant to voice support for reelection bid

(NEWSER) - It may not come as a surprise that Joe Lieberman isn’t sure where he stands on President Obama’s reelection bid—but a number of Obama’s fellow Democrats aren’t rushing to support him, either. Instead, they’re refusing to comment or choosing their words carefully, Politico finds. Just a few Blue Dog Democrats the site contacted were willing to offer their views on the 2012 presidential race; other Dems skirted the issue. Some are holding off until they learn who Obama's opponent will be. More»

Thousands of 2008 Donors Abandon Obama

President loses supporters in Northeast, West Coast

(NEWSER) - Tens of thousands of donors to Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign are sitting this one out—or giving money to the other side—and it’s costing the president millions of dollars, the AP finds. With the help of the Democratic Party, Obama’s campaign has plenty of cash on hand, and the president even has some new donors this cycle. But the departure of many supporters who gave $200 or more last time around suggests he’ll have to step up his game. 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

Dems Expect Fundraising Decline