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Blue Dog PAC Fundraising Grinds To A Halt

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 27, 2009, 11:57AM

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The Blue Dog Democrat PAC has seen its once mighty river of donations dry up nearly completely, according to a new report from the Center for Public Integrity. Last month, the PAC had just three donations from other PACs, for a total of $12,500. Between January and July, the group averaged more than $170,000 in PAC donations per month.

The three PAC donations in September came from consulting firm Ernst & Young, the Food Marketing Institute PAC and the NRA's political action fund.

The tiny September haul for the Blue Dog PAC continues a decline in revenue for the group that began over the summer. In its report the CPI described the decline:

[I]n just three months, the Blue Dog PAC's monthly fundraising average dropped by more than $50,000 -- probably not the sort of fiscal conservatism the 52-member coalition was hoping for.

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10 comments

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CT Voter

October 27, 2009 12:05 PM

Thanks for the pic of a blue dog.

"Once mighty river"? Fundraising was robust at some point in time?

I'm hoping the Blue Dogs might be losing some oomph.

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Richardxx

October 27, 2009 12:11 PM in reply to CT Voter

At $12,000 last month, did they even cover administrative costs of the PAC? Since money is power and votes, they as a group have become toothless.

They may also individually be concerned about reelection.

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CT Voter

October 27, 2009 12:20 PM in reply to Richardxx

If they are concerned about reelection, that would be interesting, indeed. The whole argument for their position is that their constituents are conservative, and they're just representing their constituents. But if fundraising is evaporating, and some are worried about reelection, could it be that they're not actually such great representatives of their constituents after all?

(As poll after poll after poll suggests about, e.g., Jim Cooper, Blue Dog Poster Representative?)

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KY Yellow Dog

October 27, 2009 12:27 PM

I'm confused. Does this PAC solicit donations FOR Blue Dogs or FROM Blue Dogs? If it solicits donations FOR Blue Dogs then this is bad news for Blue Dogs seeking re-election regardless of individual fundraising.

I assume this PAC solicits donations from the usual corporate and NRA-type wingnut organization suspects in order to distribute money to the campaigns of needy Blue Dogs.

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Docb

October 27, 2009 12:30 PM

No surprise..So has the DSCC and the DNC and the RSC/ RNC..

No one wants to contribute to a body that has not done it's job.... Each donation request I get goes back with the same reply..No bill with a PO and no money...

Re-election coffers are pretty dry, too

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Mr.E.

October 27, 2009 12:37 PM

Hmm, could it be that potential donors recognize that supporting DINOs may not actually be a viable strategy?

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AJM

October 27, 2009 2:38 PM in reply to Mr.E.

And maybe ordinary folk who have been donating decided they didn't want the Blue Dogs they have -- let alone more.

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Walter Mitty

October 27, 2009 12:42 PM

They were probably mostly funded by Republican outfits and big business who are pissed that they can't stop Pelosi and are thus worthless to them.

This is far from good news though, as it means more national money will have to go to these races.

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Mr.E.

October 27, 2009 12:49 PM in reply to Walter Mitty

Or, the Blue Dogs may recognize that they gotta dance with them that brung 'em and start playing nice with their own pack, rather than making eyes at the gal in the red dress.

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