Arizona’s Republican blog crew is having a collective fit of denial over an Arizona Republic article calling attention to the state GOP’s miserable record of fund raising this cycle. The article points out that there is a 3-1 financial disparity between the state parties, and that the same holds true for new party registrations. This trend is also reflected in the absolute dominance of the Democrats in national fund-raising for congressional campaigns, with the DCCC having raised $28.3 million, and the NRCC having raised a paltry $1.3 million.
Red State Arizona seems to have taken the pole position for the Republican spin assault. The Sonoran Alliance has tasted their Kool-Aid and found it good. RSA’s beef seems to be that the Republic’s article omits key facts that make this pattern of disparities a little more tolerable. Just what are these glaring errors of omission? The main one seems to be that if you "factor in the operating expenses of both parties, the Dems’ lead decreases substantially." The Democrats have spent over $1 million this year on operating expenses, while the GOP has only spent about $250K.
How risible is that? The huge fund-raising disparity is really nothing to worry about because the Democrats are wasting their money on professional staff with which they are building a competent media, fund-raising, field organizing, and volunteer training infrastructure. You Republicans shouldn’t worry that Democrats are putting your dicks in the dirt, because they are wasting that money on staff with which to cream your candidates, and won’t have all that money to spend on media with which to cream your candidates.
Even after that exercise in ostrich logic, the best spin RSA eek out was that the AZ GOP was only really trailing the Dems 2:1, not 3:1. I’m sure that comes as a huge relief to somebody. RSA caps off the spin-fest with a hearty defense of Randy Pullen’s leadership; I absolutely concur. I love Randy Pullen and hope that he’ll continue to lead the AZ GOP for many, many, many years to come.
A final interesting tid-bit from today’s traipse through the wilds of the rightward leaning Arizona blogosphere: my buddy Framer at Arizona 8th had the grace and kindness to lionize me for having "shining moments of brilliance," saying that this is why he continues to link to me. I wonder if this post might be one of those moments? Somehow I doubt it. Mostly, his admiration is aroused because he liked my conclusions in this particular post, but in any case, it’s a enough to make a blogger feel a little bi-partisan. Ol’ Framer ought to show up to a Drinking Liberally session, and I’ll buy him a beer and see if I can find some nice things to say about him.
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I think you have a sampling bias here. If you are only looking at years after W started destroying the soul of the GOP, you might have a skewed view of how fund-raising has trended in Arizona since the 60s when the GOP became the dominant party here.
I claim no expertise here and I am sure my data is incomplete, but here is what I think I see. 🙂
In 2002, there was $11 millions donated to State party committees – Democrats had 66% of that.
In 2004, there was $5 millions donated to State party committees – Democrats had 92% of that.
In 2006, There was $7 millions donated to State party committees – Democrats had 77% of that.
Looking at the state office races for those years, it certainly appears as though Republicans have raised more money, but it is only a couple thousand bucks per office here and there. I’d say it is pretty close to even – especially if you take in the incumbent status of many of these races.
I _really_ like Framer. He is such a pleasant, intelligent guy. You can tell he is from good people. 🙂
Joel,
Seriously? When was the last time Republicans raised _less_ money in Arizona for a national or state-wide race? I haven’t looked it up, but my guess would be it’s been a while.
As for Framer, there’s alot of good things which can be said about that guy … I am glad he’s running, even if I disagree with his positions by-and-large.
Hey Mike, I’m back in the saddle. good to see you are still blogging, and apparently, hot.
So, what is going down from my perspective is simple. We Republicans have an ongoing (half) joke about how horrible we are at raising money. Republicans tend to HAVE to do more with less in this regard because we tend to raise a lot less (with a couple of exceptions). However, I believe the root of this problem is simple. The RNC has gone off-reservation, according to the base, on several key issues over the past several years and people who would typically donate just refuse to – for now.
Leading up to 2008, what I think we are going to find is one of two things:
1) Many Republicans are going to be happy with the nod for the Presidential ticket and start donating with a fury.
2) Many Republicans are going to be dissatisfied with the nod for the Presidential ticket and abstain in a major way.
Well, that’s my 2 cents anyway.
He is NOT single and his wife is delightful – go look elsewhere!
gee Mike you are hot…are you single ?