Public Campaign Action Fund - fundraising

Speech for lobbyists

Adam Smith — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:49:11 +0000

As I was checking my Google news alerts this morning, I came across this article from the Arizona Capitol Times highlighting "quotes of the year." One in particular caught my eye.

One Beeeellion Dollars

Adam Smith — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:31:47 +0000

Last week, I reported on the fact that more Congressional candidates raised over a million dollars than ever before. Well, that's not the only record that was broken in 2008. According to CQ Politics, when added together, these candidates raise over $1 billion-- a nearly 10 percent jump from 2006 numbers.

Million Dollar Members

Adam Smith — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:48:09 +0000

A few weeks ago, the Center For Responsive Politics released a report showing that winning U.S. House candidates raised an average of $1.1 million in the 2008 cycle. Yesterday, the USA Today shed more light on the story. Here's what their analysis found:

What is it with senators and home renovations?

Adam Smith — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:11:23 +0000

While Minnesota election officials are still deciding the fate of Sen. Norm Coleman (R), there are reports out this morning that he may have other things to worry about. According to news reports, the FBI is investigating allegations that Nasser Kazeminy tried to funnel $75,000 in campaign contributions through Laurie Coleman, the Senator’s wife.

$54,000 a day

Adam Smith — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:33:22 +0000

Sen. Hillary Clinton’s (D-N.Y) nomination as Secretary of State has opened up a vacancy with no dearth of applicants in the Empire State. In the Washington Post today, the reporter and his sources handicap the race. And what was one of the requirements? Fundraising prowess. To be more exact, the candidate must be able to raise an estimated $35 million for their 2010 election to keep the seat.

Can't Run Without Clean Elections

Adam Smith — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:35:49 +0000

In 2007 in New Jersey, Clean Elections candidates won all nine seats in the state's pilot Clean Elections project. With the news that the New Jersey system may be on hold for the next election in 2009, one possible candidate says that may just keep him from running.

Obama’s Online Success is Unlikely for Congress

Burney Simpson — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:46:31 +0000

President-Elect Barack Obama's incredible ability to generate small online donations has some members of Congress thinking they can apply his methods to their campaigns. That flies in the face of reality.

Donors represent small slice of the country

Adam Smith — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:21:28 +0000

While Sen. Obama has boasted an amazing number of donors this election, cycle, the truth is, the number of Americans donating to candidates at the federal level remains relatively unchanged from previous elections.

It never stops

Adam Smith — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:25:53 +0000

From day one, members of Congress must spend time raising enough money to prepare for their next election, be it two years away or six. And the fundraising doesn't stop--even if you're in a safe seat or facing no opposition.

$5 Billion?

Adam Smith — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:45:36 +0000

Our friends over at the indispensable Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) have made their prediction for the cost of the 2008 elections: $5.3 billion. Yes, that's a b. And that's a huge increase from the $4 billion raised in 2004.