Dems, Obama Still Have Millions In Cash

by: Chris Bowers

Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 13:40

Obama still has $30,000,000 on hand, according to his latest FEC filing:

And as of November 24, the last day included in this report, the Obama campaign had nearly $30 million left in the bank.

Not to be outdone, Open Secrets lists Democratic Party committees with over $90M combined cash on hand:

DNC: $11.01M
DCCC: $23.35M
DSCC: $8.36M

Of course, all of this is overshadowed by the RNC, which for some reason still has over $59M in the bank. Either they were confused about when the election was taking place, or they simply decided to pass on this effort and save their resources for a later time.

The obvious move for the Obama campaign and Democratic Parties in this surprisingly cash-flush, post-election environment would be to re-hire the 200 state party organizers that form the core of the fifty-state strategy. Clearly, cost was not an issue in their termination, as the DNC and the Obama campaign combine for over $40M in the bank as of November 24th. The program was simply cut, and the fifty-state strategy appears to be in serious jeopardy.

Now, even in an economic downturn, this is actually not a bad time to be looking for work as a Democratic political professional. However, not everyone in politics wants to move to D.C. Some, myself included, enjoy being a political professional while living out here in the provinces. These state party jobs were not only key in building up Democratic parties around the country, but in supporting a broad, nationwide talent pool for Democratic organizers.

Ending the fifty-state strategy despite huge amount of cash on hand smacks of the Obama campaign's original decision to not use 527s during the general election. A few months later, the Obama campaign relented, and "called in the cavalry." So, this is at least the second instance where the Obama operation has decapitated an essential piece of progressive infrastructure. Hopefully, this will be the second time when they relent. The money is certainly available.

Also, the Democratic Strategist has some good thoughts on this.

Chris Bowers :: Dems, Obama Still Have Millions In Cash

Tags: Democrats, infrastructure, Fundraising, fifty-state strategy, (All Tags)

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Dems, Obama Still Have Millions In Cash | 13 comments

Grease (0.00 / 0)

While I share your hopes, Obama probably sees these funds as "walking around money" to influence congressional votes.

by: wobbly @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 19:01:33 PM UTC

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What makes you think that? (4.00 / 1)

I'm honestly curious. It seems like a strange conclusion to draw: what makes you think he has drawn that conclusion?

by: Chris Bowers @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 19:12:53 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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One word - Rahm. (0.00 / 0)

Nationalism is not the same thing as terrorism, and an adversary is not the same thing as an enemy.

by: worldlymother @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 19:52:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

For no other reason (0.00 / 0)

than it's a common practice among legislators that gets results. Admittedly, I have not one whit of empirical data to back this up, but it seems no less speculative than thinking Obama takes the $30 mil to fund a new 50 state strategy. I think we've got a better shot w/the DNC, DSCC, etc., but am not holding my breath.

I like the 527 analogy as it suggests a willingness to cede centralized control. Yet I wonder if using it in a post-electoral context where the objective is to pass legislation rather than win elections might extend it too far.

by: wobbly @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 20:08:34 PM UTC

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Refund to the donors of the last $30,000,000 (0.00 / 0)

If they didn't end up needing the money they solicited in the last couple weeks of the campaign, give it back. Most of it was donated by credit card. Do a massive charge back.

John McCain won't insure children

by: magster @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 19:12:11 PM UTC

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Donations (0.00 / 0)

I continue to receive e-mails from the campaign requesting donations. I'm told that if I donate $30 or more to the DNC to help fund the efforts it undertook in 2008, I'll receive a limited edition "Victory" t-shirt. And just this week I have received e-mails from Bill Clinton and Joe Biden requesting help to retire Hillary Clinton's campaign debt.

by: Kane @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 19:36:59 PM UTC

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I get a fundraising e-mail from Obama (0.00 / 0)

almost every day, it seems. A recent one promised a four-year calendar as a gift if I donated some amount to the DNC.

I am confused about why the DCCC and DSCC would have cash on hand now. Is this money they borrowed right before the election, so they need to raise money to pay it back?

I totally agree with you on the need to hire back the organizers. Iowa needs a truly coordinated GOTV campaign in 2010, because what we had this year worked great for Obama but not nearly as well for our statehouse candidates.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by: desmoinesdem @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 19:44:20 PM UTC

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Heh (0.00 / 0)

They should use the money to buy Chrysler

by: mcc @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 19:46:54 PM UTC

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Chris, what about the DNC's claims of debt. (0.00 / 0)

I'm sure you've recently heard Dean and others talk recently of the DNC's debts? Does the 11.1 include that??

And it angers me that the DCCC barely spent its funds, causing us a great deal of difficulty - while Dean went broke with his 50 state efforts.

It's another reason I'm done with the Dems now that Dean has left. Rahm used DCCC money for those six lost election while the DCCC was under his thumb. And he used it not to elect more Dems, but spread it around to retain certain ones, while starving others not to his liking.

With that chest still so full, and Rahms new position of power, it will only get worse for all but the most right leaning pro-business, pro-war Democrats.

More of the same -with a kick in the ass to boot.

Nationalism is not the same thing as terrorism, and an adversary is not the same thing as an enemy.

by: worldlymother @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 20:02:20 PM UTC

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Oh, a big P.S.!! (0.00 / 0)

I've received several solicitations to donate more. But the AP reports Obama is trying to get the grass roots to cough up and pay off Hillary's debts.

When Governor Dean is given a major cabinet position - I'll think about it.

Nationalism is not the same thing as terrorism, and an adversary is not the same thing as an enemy.

by: worldlymother @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 20:05:31 PM UTC

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Republicans (0.00 / 0)

Everybody assumed that the RNC money would be spent down the stretch for McCain. Wrong. Are they so ideological that the RNC made a deliberate decision to sabotage their own Presidential candidate? Just maybe, these days. Who is really running it and who does he/she serve?

Meanwhile, it was pretty clear that the money did not go into the coffers of House and Senate Republicans. Most of the 11/24 reports are in and as of today eighteen incumbent Republicans are down under $100 K in cash on hand. Some of them are starting the 2010 cycle in big trouble; others are coasting. Among those who are coming off tough re-elects and are strapped: Don Young (AK), Scott Garrett (NJ-5), Mark Souder (IN), Judy Biggert (IL-13), Walter Jones (NC-3), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Jim Culberson (TX-7)Brian Bilbray (CA-50).

by: David Kowalski @ Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 23:42:22 PM UTC

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Meh (0.00 / 0)

In my state, the 50-State program funded 3 staffers, two of whom never accomplished a single thing apart from picking up the party chair's coffee. I won't be sad to see them go.

by: mattw @ Sat Dec 06, 2008 at 09:59:38 AM UTC

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Obama's money (0.00 / 0)

will be used as in the past, to support his congressional supporters and assure his re-election.

by: AnninCA @ Sat Dec 06, 2008 at 16:01:29 PM UTC

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Dems, Obama Still Have Millions In Cash | 13 comments

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