Early Money: Who Is Donating To The Presidential Candidates?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Maybe it’s the economy. Maybe it’s too early in the game. Or maybe it’s the candidates themselves. But for a state that loves its politics, Rhode Island has yet to put its money where its mouth is in the 2012 Presidential race, including with support for President Obama.
The Ocean State ranked ahead of only North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Mississippi and Alaska in terms of dollars donated to the President or the seven official Republican candidates, as of the second quarter, which ended June 30. According to the Federal Election Commission, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum did not even receive a contribution from any Rhode Islanders in the first two quarters. Texas Governor Rick Perry, who will officially announce his candidacy today, is not on the list.
In total, Rhode Island residents contributed just $77,785 to Presidential campaigns in the first two quarters, with the overwhelming majority ($55, 439) going to President Obama.
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So which Republican candidate is cashing in early in Rhode Island? Mitt Romney.
The former Massachusetts Governor, who is still considered to be the favorite in the deep GOP primary, is the only candidate that has made an appearance in the state and has always been a favorite among prominent local GOP members.
According to FEC numbers, Romney raised $14,300 in the first two quarters. Those numbers will likely rise as Romney held a fundraiser in Newport at the beginning of the new quarter. Included among Romney''s top donors were former CVS Caremark CEO Tom Ryan, Mathew Enright of Bristol, Habib Gorgi of Providence and Richard Small of Rumford. The four donors contributed $2,500 each to Romney.
Late last month, Romney noted that he had received endorsements from former Governor Don Carcieri, former Congressman Ron Machtley, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian as well as several members of the General Assembly.
“I am proud to have the support of these Rhode Island leaders,” Romney said. “I am especially pleased to have won the endorsement of Governor Carcieri. I know him well from our time serving as governors and look forward to working with him again during my campaign.”
Profughi: Economy And Dissatisfaction A Factor
Still, there isn’t a candidate (or the President, for that matter) that can be happy with their early haul in Rhode Island. Quest Research Pollster Victor Profughi says a number of factors contribute to the reason fundraising numbers have been so low out of the gate, but he said early numbers are important for a candidate’s viability in the long run.
“Early money is generally desirable because it shows the ability to raise money but also frequently discourages potential opponents from entering the race,” Profughi wrote in an e-mail to GoLocalProv. “In the case of the presidential races it may not be quite as important, since prospective candidates who think they will make great presidents may enter the race anyway....but if their fund raising efforts lag early they are also likely to drop out quickly once the field begins to solidify a bit after the Iowa caucus and a couple of early primaries.”
Profughi said the state of the economy and the state’s increasing unhappiness with the President has likely hurt fundraising as well.
“As for the general lack of fund raising success this time around: first, the economy is no doubt a factor, then there is quite a bit of dissatisfaction with Obama's performance on the part of the progressives and I suspect that this will have an impact,” he said.
Paul And Cain Rank 2nd And 3rd
As far as Republicans go, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and businessman Herman Cain were the only other candidates that managed to raise $1,000 in the first two quarters.
Paul received $1,800 from Rodney Driver of West Kingston, just over $1,000 from Robert Carawan of Portsmouth and $1,000 from Joseph Procaccini of Johnston.
Meanwhile, Cain raised $1,600 total in the first two quarters, which $1,000 coming from Warren Galkin, a prominent Republican donor from Warwick. According to finance reports, Galkin contributed over $30,000 to Republicans during the 2010 election cycle, including John Loughlin, Christine O’Donnell, Michelle Bachman and Marco Rubio. Galkin also donated to Democraic Congressman James Langevin, last year.
Galkin has also contributed to the campaigns of Tim Pawlenty and Newt Gingrich.
Republicans Tend To Support Front Runner
The current lack of money for Republicans in Rhode Island isn’t much of a surprise, according to Darrell West, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.. West said local Republicans tend to support candidates from New England or the favorites.
He said that should be good news for Romney.
“Rhode Island Republicans generally have gone for candidates from the region or who seem to have a good chance of winning,” West said. “Romney should do very well in the state because he is from New England and currently is seen as the GOP frontrunner. It is hard to see any of the other Republicans getting much money because their views are too extreme for many within the state.”
RI: Tough To Raise Money
While Obama has outperformed his Republican counterparts, his fundraising leaves much to be desired as well, especially in a state considered to be as liberal as Rhode Island. The President’s top donors so far have been Martin Douglas of Newport ($5,000) as well as Democratic consultant Mark Weiner of East Greenwich, Alison Townsend of Barrington, Heidi Duffy of North Kingstown, who each contributed $2,500.
Rhode Island GOP Executive Director Patrick Sweeney said the state has historically been a tough place to raise money. From his perspective, however, Romney is the favorite.
“As far as money donated, there hasn't been a lot raised from either side of the aisle. Rhode Island historically is a tough state to raise money,” Sweeney said. “However, thus far, it looks like Governor Romney is a clear favorite. He has raised over twice the amount of money compared to the next closest Republican candidate. Yet, at this point, it is still early. But with a couple of debates under the candidates' belts and the Ames Straw Poll around the corner, I believe more voters will start paying attention and donating more.”
Sweeney said he still predicts a Republican will win the Presidency in 2012.
“While it may be early, our current President is forcing taxpayers to pay attention due to his lack of leadership,” he said. “The silver lining here is that no President has been elected to a second term when the unemployment rate is above 7.2% and given the state of the economy, I think it is fair to say, President Obama will be a one term President...no matter how much money he raises.”
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