CONSERVATIVE CHEAPSKATES? LIBERAL FAT CATS

Let's see, Republicans are the candidates with all the money, and the poor Dems have to run a bare-bones operations, right? Wrong, wrong, wrong. A recent analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) shows that the Dems are way ahead of Republicans might as well be selling pencils.

Here's what the CRP says: "Top industries and interest groups have increased their giving over 2004 by 46 percent, the Center finds. As money shifts to Democrats, giving from Republican strongholds is mostly flat.

"The sharpest increases since 2004 tend to be in the ideological sector. Democratic/liberal interests have increased their giving 396 percent since 2004, fueled particularly by Internet fundraising organizations such as ActBlue."

"Candidates have been donating money to each other at a greater rate, too. Contributions from candidate committees are up 164 percent compared with four years ago, and contributions from leadership PACs—political action committees formed by politicians to support other candidates—are up 88 percent over the '04 [election] cycle."

"The industries with the smallest increases [in political giving], and even decreases in several cases, tend to have Republican-leaning track records. The automotive industry, which has contributed 75 percent of its money to the GOP since the 1990 cycle, has decreased its contributions by 20 percent since 2004."

'Democratic donors seem unusually mobilized for this election," [one expert] said, "but those industries who've traditionally given to Republicans seem to be either nursing their wounds from '06 or sitting this election out."

"As interest groups and industries contribute substantially more money, they are also shifting their giving to Democrats, both to members of Congress now that the party is in control and to Democratic presidential candidates. The typical big-giving industry is now giving 57 percent of its contributions to Democrats, a shift of 14 percentage points from both 2006 and 2004, when the party and its candidates collected only 43 percent of the money."

The CRP article notes that the sectors increasing their political giving include the securities and investment industery, lawyers and law firms, and the entertainment business -- all traditionally big donors to Democrats.

What's the good news for Republicans in the piece? There isn't any.

CRP drives the nail in us by saying, "As interest groups and industries contribute substantially more money, they are also shifting their giving to Democrats, both to members of Congress now that the party is in control and to Democratic presidential candidates.

Overall, CRP says, "The typical big-giving industry is now giving 57 percent of its contributions to Democrats, a shift of 14 percentage points from both 2006 and 2004, when the party and its candidates collected only 43 percent of the money."

Clearly, the CPR story isn't exactly the kind of music that's going to get the GOP elephant dancing in the streets. It makes one think that the pasting we took in 2006 may be nothing compared to the beating we experience in 2008.

A major reason SmartPolitics101 exists is to discuss ways that under-funded Republican campaigns can still be winners. This blog's columns emphasize the need for organization and relatively low-budget communications, mainly those that take place over the Internet. Essentially, it means we have to knock on every door in order to get voters to support our candidates.

I'm also emphasizing the need to get people who have never contributed to a political campaign to turn over a new lead and become at least small donors. My assumption is that somebody who finally unlocks a wallet or purse and gives $25 probably will donate again. They'll be "invested" in a campaign in a way that will make them effective activists.

Specifically, there are hundreds of thousands of people (probably millions) who would really like to see Lt. Col. William Trower Russell defeat John Murtha. If 10% of the people who believe "MurthaMustGo" made even small contributions to Russell, he would have enough money to wage a winning campaign.

Being a conservative doesn't mean just having spouting off regularly on what's wrong with America. It also means doing what is necessary -- including making contributions -- to ensure conservative views get a real hearing in Washington, DC.

Frankly, we do more for terrific candidates than just wish them well. We need, as the saying goes, to start putting our money where our mouths are.

There are 85,000 military veterans in the 12th District of Pennsylvania. If one percent of that number -- 850 people --make a relatively small donation to William, which they should, it could add tens of thousands of dollars dedicated to his effort. He's making a big sacrifice, and all of us should make at least a small one.

The upshot: If you haven't contributed yet to Lt. Col Russell, please do so today. Otherwise, we'll all end up singing the same old sad song the day after the Election.