Democrats pulling in more cash for campaigns than republicans

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Sunday, April 4, 2010; 10:14 AM

The Republican Party's strategy since early last year of lock-step opposition to the Obama administration's major legislative initiatives has proved to be less bankable than some party leaders may have anticipated.

Eight months before congressional elections, House and Senate Democratic candidates exceed in nearly every important campaign fundraising category. Democratic House lawmakers appear likely to reverse their seven-cycle record of being outspent by House Republicans, according to recent finance reports.

Democrats in both chambers are enjoying the traditional advantages of majority-party status -- and then some. They lead in donations by political action committees, by committees affiliated with the national political parties or with House and Senate leaders, and in individual contributions to incumbent lawmakers. In some instances, their lead exceeds what the Republicans had when that party controlled both chambers in the 2005-06 midterm election cycle.

___ Democrats say their higher tallies so far are just the beginning, because campaign cash usually follows political momentum and Obama's health-care triumph may have ended a political slide.

"There's been a real kick-up of wind in Democratic party sails," said Jonathan Mantz, a former finance director for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. "Success will breed success, and the energy will bring new resources" to congressional candidates.


read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/03/AR2010040301050_pf.html