Michael Steele Gets Boost From Recent Woes As RNC Outraises DNC in February

GOP Tops Dems in February Fundraising The numbers are surprisingly poor results for the party now in control of the White House and both houses of Congress

FOXNews.com Friday, March 20, 2009

Republicans topped Democrats in national fundraising in February, according to numbers released Friday that show surprisingly poor results for the party now in control of the White House and both houses of Congress.

The Democratic National Committee raised only $3.26 million in February, the first month under its new chairman, former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, according to the February campaign finance reports. Two years ago, under Chairman Howard Dean, the committee raised $5.5 million in February.

The Republican National Committee, on the other hand, pulled in $5.1 million last month, giving a boost to new Chairman Michael Steele after a rocky first few weeks of his tenure.

The DNC reported $8.6 million on hand and $7 million in debt, while the RNC reported $24 million in the bank and no debt.

A Democratic operative with knowledge of the party's fundraising capabilities told FOX News that the national committee expected a slow January and February for several reasons, including a list of donors that already had been asked to help cover the cost of the presidential inauguration in January.

And because of Virginia law, Kaine was not able to raise money until after the Virginia General Assembly session adjourned Feb. 28, which badly affected party fundraising this past month. (He essentially is a part-time party chairman until his term as governor ends later this year.) Democrats also blame the bad economy, noting that charities also have been reporting tepid giving.

The Democratic operative argued that the party simply hasn't tapped into its full fundraising list yet, nor has it taken advantage of President Obama's massive e-mail list. The DNC plans to kick off major fundraising efforts later this month at an event with the president.

FOX News' Serafin Gomez and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/20/gop-tops-dems-february-fundraising/
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My Thoughts

Excuses, excuses from the Democrats.

Will this GOP advantage last? Who knows? This is only one month, but it is promising. Michael Steele has received a bunch of heat of his flops lately, but this takes some steam out of the momentum that was building for his resignation. He still has away to go until the calls for his departure totally subside.

Tim Kaine's part-time status probably has something to do with the low amount of funds. However, the Democrats have severely stumbled out of the gates since the beginning of the political cycle.

People are upset with the earmark-filled porkulus and overspending bills and the total lack of bipartisanship brought about by the top Dems in Congress, such as Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, not caring one bit about even trying to get Republicans on board.

Obama's wheels has fallen and can't get up in his foreign policy agenda. He has offended enemies and allies alike. He has refused to acknowledge the mettle tests of Putin and N. Korea.

Obama's budget proposals has deficits that look like Bush squared.

People are becoming increasingly skeptical of the new administration. He's already lost almost all moderate Republicans. The independents are not far behind. Blue Dog Democrats are likely to start wavering, if things continue on this path of disaster.