GOP donors slow to invest in 2008 race

Washington Post:

More than a third of the top fundraisers who helped elect George W. Bush president remain on the sidelines in 2008, contributing to a gaping financial disparity between the GOP candidates and their Democratic counterparts.

Scores of Bush Pioneers and Rangers are not working for any Republican candidate, citing discontent with the war in Iraq, anger at the performance of Republicans in Congress and a general lack of enthusiasm. More than two dozen have actually made contributions to Democrats.

Matt Fong, a former California state treasurer, 1998 U.S. Senate candidate and two-time Bush Pioneer, said that after months of disappointment in the Republican Party, he had hoped to be recharged by the new crop of presidential candidates.

"I have yet to get interested in any of them," he said. "I'm just not happy with the direction of our party. I think we have a huge credibility problem, which I have not seen any of the candidates show the ability to rise above."

Democrats now have more than twice as much money to spend in the upcoming primaries as Republicans do, according to Federal Election Commission reports released this week. Some leading Republicans said they fear that a lack of enthusiasm could translate to indifference from rank-and-file Republicans in next year's election.

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Money for the primaries campaign should not necessarily be an indicator of what will be available for the general election. While George Bush easily led all candidates in 2000 and 2004, in the latter race he was actually out spent by the Democrats and their 527s in the general election. Also by sitting on their wallets now, there is an opportunity for greater funding later when the issues sharpen and they become more focused on the evils of liberalism and the ineptitude of Democrats on issues of national security. Those disappointed with the war now can also change their mine once it is clear that we are winning and that the Democrats would have led us to a disastrous defeat instead of a surge to victory. That is a fact the media has yet to focus on even as it is acknowledging the good news coming out of Iraq. In a campaign, it will be harder to ignore.

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