04/18/2008
Cash grab
Is it just me, or is the subject of campaign money on everybody's minds and lips these days? Whether it is the race for president, for Congress, for the General Assembly, or for your local county council, talk of campaign money seems to be everywhere. In the media and on Main Street, the buzz is money and how much of it has been raised, or not raised, by each candidate. There is constant talk of war chests and whose is bigger than whose.
I know you're probably thinking, "Barb, you just think there's more talk because you're always immersed in public policy matters." And you may be right. But it sure seems to me that in this primary campaign season, in this state, at this point just a few weeks before the primary, there is more talk about candidates and cash than I can ever recall. And I'm not a kid.
Just turn on the TV. It's not just CNN's talking heads discussing campaign cash. The presidential candidates are everywhere; from Leno to Oprah; from talk radio to local TV; from the Indianapolis Star to small town weeklies. Campaigns of all shapes and sizes are the topic and money is always a talking point.
Just go to the coffee shop and listen. It's not just the political junkies like you and me. You'll hear talk of money and campaigns, receptions and rallies coming from everyday Hoosiers.
How much money?
The amounts are staggering. A peek at some of the political Web sites reveals some surprising insights. Just look at the presidential race:
Depending on which source you use, the total raised to date is astonishing. CNN's Politics.Com shows the total raised is $777 million. Another site, OpenSecrets.com lists it as $792 million. Either way, we are well on our way to a presidential race costing one billion dollars.
Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives have raised $455 million. Candidates for the U.S. Senate have raised $162 million this cycle to date.
Tale of the presidential ticket tape
If you look at just the surviving candidates for president:
- Barack Obama has raised $193 million
- Hillary Clinton has raised $169 million
- John McCain has raised $64 million
In Indiana, traditionally a predominantly Republican state, the numbers are curious. The total cash raised in Indiana for the presidential race is $2.6 million.
Tracking the surviving candidates:
- Democrat Hillary Clinton has raised $521 million
- Democrat Barack Obama has raised $518 million
- Republican John McCain has raised $304 million
If you look a little closer, and look at the money county by county, it gets even more interesting. Take a look at the top fundraisers (top money, Republican or Democrat) in these selected Indiana counties:
- Marion County: Tops in cash with $165,000: Rudy Guiliani
- Allen County: Tops in cash with $15,000: Fred Thompson
- St. Joseph County: Tops in cash with $41,000: Barack Obama
- Lawrence County: Tops in cash with $2,300: Ron Paul
Now, a couple of shockers
Two of the most Republican counties in Indiana -- two counties that traditionally lead the charge as Indiana goes "red" in the presidential race -- have surprising leaders in the money race:
- Hamilton County: Tops in cash with $100,000: Hillary Clinton
- Hendricks County: Tops in cash with $6,100: Hillary Clinton
Let's turn to the Congressional races in Indiana
U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth has raised $761,000 for his reelection bid.
U.S. Rep. Dan Burton has raised $622,000. Burton has a serious primary opponent in John McGoff. McGoff has raised $246,000, but is it enough to be competitive?
U.S. Rep. Baron Hill has raised $1.1 million to challenger Mike Sodrel's $200,700. This rematch doesn't look like much of a match in money. Sodrel, a small business owner and an NFIB Guardian Award winner, has his work cut out for him.
So… Who's got the money in the race for governor?
In the race for campaign cash the winner is: My Man Mitch.
According to Howey Politics, "Gov. Mitch Daniels is the "5 Million Dollar Man." Daniels had $5.2 million cash on hand after raising $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2008. This amount is $2 million more than he had at the same point in 2004.
Contrasting with this, the Democrats had a much different picture. Architect Jim Schellinger had $715,000 cash on hand after raising $511,000 in the first quarter. His primary opponent, former member of Congress Jill Long Thompson, had $485,000 cash on hand after raising $470,000 in the first three months of 2008.
Out this week, a Survey USA Today poll shows Long Thompson with a 46-38 percent lead in the Indiana Democratic primary.
The cash grab comes home
Nearly everyday there is an invitation in my mailbox asking me to support one candidate or another. How I wish I could contribute to every good small business candidate personally. I cannot. If you are like me, the best alternative is to contribute to the NFIB/Indiana SAFE Trust and combine your efforts with small business owners all across Indiana.
Whether we like it or not, it takes money for a candidate to communicate his or her message to the voters. If we want good pro-small business candidates, we have to be willing to support them in what ever way we can. So, if you feel so inspired, write a check to your favorite. Then write a check to the SAFE Trust and put your contribution to work with other Hoosier small business owners.
There are other ways to contribute to campaigns. If you believe in a candidate, volunteer to go door-to-door. You will get to know your neighbors, participate in the political process, and get some exercise at the same time.
The rumor mill
Hang on to your wallets, small business owners! Word has it that the Indiana Unemployment Trust Fund is nearing precarious levels. There are a number of reasons, but the declining economy certainly isn't helping. Nobody's talking, but look for small business to be handed the check in the coming months.
Dates to remember
April 23, 2008
Note this date has changed! Fort Wayne Area Action Council meeting at Ehlerding Motor Sports, 4 p.m. Briefing from area legislators and NFIB.
May 1, 2008
NFIB/Indiana is sponsoring the Small Business Administration's Small Business Week Celebration. Location: Ritz Charles in Carmel.
May 13, 2008
Indiana Leadership Council Meeting at the Skyline Club. Keynote speaker: Congressman Brad Ellsworth.
June 8-11, 2008
NFIB Small-Business Summit. Cost: Only $150 to attend. Many nationally recognized speakers. Presidential candidates are invited. Don't miss it!
Questions? Comments? I like to hear them. Please call me at the NFIB/Indiana office or drop me an e-mail. Thank you for taking the time to read this weekly report and thank you for being an activist for small business.
Barbara Quandt
NFIB/Indiana State Director
317-638-4447
Barbara.Quandt@nfib.org
