Texas wasting a lot of money on Democrats this year

Houston Chronicle:

Texas is considered a solidly Republican state by political professionals and pundits alike — but don't tell that to Democrats on Capitol Hill.

A Houston Chronicle analysis of congressional campaign contributions in the 2010 election season found that Texans are shipping millions of dollars to out-of-state candidates this year, and most of the recipients are Democrats.

Eight of the top 10 non-Texas recipients of Lone Star State political money are Democrats. Overall, Democrats are receiving about 60 percent of the $6,823,766 in Texas money headed to Senate and House candidates in other states, according to Federal Election Commission filings through Feb. 10.

Houston, the top political exporter, sends about two-thirds of its campaign cash to Democrats.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is trailing four Republicans in Nevada polls, leads the list with $585,098 in Lone Star dollars, followed by Arkansas Democrat Blanche Lincoln, who is fighting for her political life in a hotly contested re-election bid.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar of Minnesota leads all House candidates with $145,700.

How extensive is the Texas money trail? Texans are sending nearly as much money to out-of-state candidates as Texas candidates are receiving from all 49 other states combined.

Experts say the Texas Democratic political pipeline is, in large part, the result the minority status of home-state Democrats — which leaves wealthy donors and other political activists with limited options inside of Texas.

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I like to see Democrats waste money on races that are not winnable and at this point the Reid and Lincoln races certainly fit that category. It is going to look like a very poor investment if the Republicans retake Congress this year.