Money!

Looking at the FEC’s database of electioneering communications, Republican leaning 527’s have outspent Democratic leaning 527s by more than 10X on presidential campaigns, since August 13th.

What is an “electioneering communication”?

“Electioneering Communications are broadcast ads (television, radio, cable, satellite), made by people or groups who do not file regular reports with the FEC, that refer to a federal candidate, are targeted to voters and appear within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election. Individual contribution limits do not apply here, but, with some exceptions, no corporate or union funds may be used to pay for these ads, and they must be disclosed.”

527’s will appear in this database, but hard dollar Independent expenditure PACs will not. (The difference between the two is 527’s can accept unlimited contributions and do not have to file “regular reports with the FEC. PAC’s are limited to $5000 contributions and have to file reports. MoveOn for example is a PAC.)

Here is how it breaks down:

Five Republican groups have spent a total of $4,938,067 while Progressive Groups have spent $464,323. SEIU spent a total of $385,648 and the American Leadership Project has spent 78,675.

The five Republican groups are:

Group Money Spent
America’s Majority $97,364
BornAliveTruth.org $338,226
RightChange.com $583,723
Vets for Freedom $3,918,754
Total
 4,938,067

In the Senate, Democrats fare slightly better:

Democratic Leaning Groups:

Group Money Spent
AflCIO $190,192.00
Alliance for Better Minnesota $877,453.00
American Rights at Work $2,300,049.00
Campaign Money Watch $166,333.00
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund $36,828.00
Majority Action $921,111.00
Patriot Majority $1,440,000.00
They Work For Us $194,132.00
Totals $6,126,098.00

Republican Leaning Groups:

Group Money Spent
AMERICAN FAMILY BUSINESS INSTITUTE AND FOUNDATION $65,000.00
American Future Fund $1,048,169.00
AMERICANS FOR JOB SECURITY $1,220,397.00
Americans for Prosperity $461,691.00
Club for Growth $1,033,919.00
Freedom's Watch Inc. $2,172,450.00
Louisianna Conservative Action Network $173,830.00
Susan B. Anthony Inc. $313,679.00
US Chamber of Commerce $6,020,155.00
Total $12,509,290.00

In the House Democratic leaning groups actually hold just under a 3-1 advantage.

Democratic Leaning Groups:

Group Money Spent
Patriot Majority $3,783,420.00
Majority Action $486,000.00
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund $228,400.00
Total $4,497,820.0

Republican Leaning Groups:



Groups Money Spent
US Chamber of Commerce $232,347.00
National Taxpayers Union $22,499.00
Freedom's Watch Inc. $1,108,097.00
Council for Citizens Against Gov't Waste $22,499.00
Club for Growth $264,902.00
Total $1,650,344.00