TPMDC
Ensign's Fundraising Pool Dries Up
Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 16, 2009, 11:37AM
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)
Share
Send to a friend!
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) says he plans to run for reelection in 2012, despite being dogged by a sex-and-cover-up scandal since June.
Recent fundraising reports show that Ensign might be the only one who thinks running again is a good idea. In the third fundraising quarter, Ensign banked just $33,000 -- a low number for any incumbent senator and a huge drop compared to his normally gold-plated FEC filings.
Politico reports on the magnitude of the drop in earnings:
[T]hat's down from the $301,792 he raised in the previous quarter. He spent more than he raised last quarter, shelling out $46,000 on legal fees, meetings, political consultants and administrative expenses.
Who's still giving to Ensign? For the most part, not lobbyists. More from Politico:
Most of Ensign's contributions since news of the affair broke came from individual donors, although he did receive $1,000 from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in September, just as the Senate Finance Committee - on which he sits -- was considering its health care bill.
Other Stories Featured at TPMDC
Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
PollTracker
Most Popular
- Harry Reid, and What Happened to the Public Option
- Al Gore: I'll "Outcrazy the Crazy"
- Sarah Palin Goes Rogue With Bill O'Reilly
- Lieberman Repeats Claim That Public Option Not Part Of 2008 Presidential Campaign
- Backfire! NC GOP-er Delivers Anti-Republican Survey Comments To Dem Gov
- Stewart Takes Down KSM Trial Fearmongerers
- Internal AP Memo Thanks Writers For Successful 'Literary Treasure Hunt' In Finding Sarah Palin's Book
- Obama's Got Seoul: The President In South Korea
- Senate Agrees To Debate Health Care Bill
- Where Does This Leave Us?
- Lieberman Repeats Claim That Public Option Not Part Of 2008 Presidential Campaign
- Senate Agrees To Debate Health Care Bill
- Is Everybody Disappointed In Obama?
- Bernie Sanders: 'My Vote For The Final Bill Is By No Means Guaranteed'
- November 22
- I Call Bullshit.
- HCAN: "It's a Shame Not a Single Republican" Voted To Allow Debate
- Steele: 'Moderate Democrats Sacrificed Their Principles'
- THE EXPERT AS THE DANGEROUS WHORE
- Intel Inside? Prove It.
- Where Does This Leave Us?
- Filibuster Thwarted ... For Now
- I Call Bullshit.
- Is Everybody Disappointed In Obama?
- Establishment Reality
- THE EXPERT AS THE DANGEROUS WHORE
- The Cast Has Assembled
- Bernie Sanders: I Want My Leverage!
- Clinton Not Attending Health Care Event Because it's Politicized?
- Time to contact the FCC
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2009 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
CT Voter
October 16, 2009 11:57 AM
This seems like some serious writing on the wall. . .
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Hussein Stemper
October 16, 2009 11:58 AM
How fitting -- the health insurance industry is the only entity he's still in bed with.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Rich in NJ
October 16, 2009 12:00 PM
Maybe they want a payoff from Ensign's stepfather for their past support?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
DickTater
October 16, 2009 12:05 PM
it just hit me afresh
how much wheeling and dealing these guys do on our dime. Now I have Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold as my Senators, and you can't find two more reliable Dems, both pretty frugal...esp. Feingold.
But the other 98 Senators, most of them are standing at the center of a money blizzard, and a lot of it get's spent on maintaining their lifestyle and CYA, and then when the shit hits the fan....smearing their enemies and paying lawyers. And a whole lot more I am not thinking of. Cars, limos, traveling, setting up fakey meetings and action committees, fundraising, shakedowns, photo ops, publicity stunts. Doesn't leave much time for representing plain folks.
I already knew this, but sometimes it really has to stun you to think what priveleged, cart-before-the-horse jobs these folks do...and how much we just let slide because that is how "the game is played".
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kunda311
October 16, 2009 3:13 PM in reply to DickTater
Your post should be made into a scrolling banner at the top of every political blog and website in America, esp. places like TPM.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
hinterlandharry
October 16, 2009 12:06 PM
Do remember Ensign is a member of "the Family" those prayer breakfast organizing Elite Fundamentalists who believe THEY have been chosen by God (Jesus) to lead the world. However, it still takes money to get elected; looks like he's going to need a lot of "pennies from heaven".
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kman23
October 16, 2009 12:12 PM
Is there a Democrat who's Dad isn't the Senate Leader who is in a good spot to take this seat? Any early favorites?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Lexlee
October 16, 2009 12:16 PM
My Blue Cross Blue Shield premiums go up every year to support Senators like John Ensign (R-NV)
I don't know who chose John Ensign but it certainly wasn't God.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
NobleCommentDecider
October 16, 2009 12:30 PM
Too bad for Ensign, he had a shot at restoring his standing among the GOP base if he had just stood and yelled insults at the President at the recent address to Congress. Tough for him as I am sure he believes God forgives him.
On the other hand it may give him time to spend some time on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
_jonny_5_
October 16, 2009 1:24 PM
Repubs always say that a "People vote w/ their Pocketbooks" and that is why they are free-market advocates...
Perhaps they are onto something...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
xargaw
October 16, 2009 2:08 PM
Look at the bright side. When Reid looses his seat, maybe the DEMs can pick up Ensigns.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
xargaw
October 16, 2009 2:10 PM
Look at the bright side. When Reid looses his seat, maybe the DEMs can pick up Ensigns. That way, we keep the majority, but get a new leader.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
billp
October 18, 2009 11:05 AM
Ensign's parents bought him into office in the first space, they can afford to do it again.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Leftflank
October 19, 2009 12:13 AM
Considering what Ensign (his parents) can afford for a little action on the side, I'm sure they can afford to purchase, I mean, fund another election.
Ensign should have resigned on despicable grounds alone, looks like cash or the lack of it is all he understands.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?