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Bush Team Raises $190 Million for Nov. Elections Ronald Kessler President Bush, Laura Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney have raised $190 million so far for the November elections, according to Republican sources. That figure is more than twice the amount the Bush team raised for congressional races during the entire 2002 election cycle.
The funds were raised at 140 events, including 45 attended by Bush, 74 by Cheney, and 21 by the first lady. The president raised $157 million, while Cheney raised $23 million and Laura Bush raised $10 million. The money raised by the Bush team went to the Republican National Committee, congressional campaign committees, and individual Republican candidates.
Overall, Republicans continue to hold a strong lead over Democrats in fundraising. According to Federal Election Commission reports for June, the RNC has raised $152.9 million during the current election cycle, compared with $79.6 million for the Democratic National Committee. The RNC has cash on hand of $43.1 million, compared with $10.3 million for the Democrats.
Including congressional campaign committees, the Republicans have raised $300.1 million versus $191.5 million for the Democrats.
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A recent AP-Ipsos poll found that if elections were held today, voters would favor Democrats 51 percent to 40 percent. But congressional elections are local, and voters focus more on candidates than parties.
"You need good candidates, you need issues, you need a record, and you need momentum," said Brad Blakeman, a Republican strategist and former Bush aide. "I think we have qualified candidates, we have the power of incumbency, we have the money—almost two to one over the Democrats—and we have issues that our base cares about and the general population cares about."
Blakeman said the power of incumbency gives Republicans a leg up.
"On the issues, we have plans," he said. "We actually are doing something and espousing something, where the Democrats are against everything. If you are against everything, you are for nothing. The Democrats would like everybody to believe that it's 1994 all over again, but in their favor. It's not going to happen."
The RNC's four-fold lead over the DNC in cash on hand is critical. It will pay for the Republican blitz to come.
"The summer is going to be dead," Blakeman said. "They'll come out swinging Labor Day."
Editor's note:
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