Big G.O.P. Donors Adopt Wait-and-See 2012 Tack

Source: New York Times

The vaunted Republican network of high-dollar donors and fund-raisers, for so long a fear factor for Democrats, has been slow to commit itself to the 2012 presidential candidates, contributing to the faltering start of the party’s drive to unseat President Obama.

So far, only former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts has assembled a strong bench of the top Republican financiers. Scores of other fund-raisers remain unaligned, waiting with their money — and contact lists — in their pockets as prospective candidates bombard them with phone calls, e-mails and in-person visits around the nation.

“It’s not at the top of the agenda for most folks right now,” said Brian Ballard, the Florida finance chairman for Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid, who has heard from all of the potential hopefuls this year but, like many of his associates, has yet to choose a 2012 candidate.

A result is the chicken-egg dynamic that is delaying the party’s urgent need to begin raising money to defeat an incumbent president whose fund-raising goals are as high as $1 billion. Potential candidates have been slow to get into the race without the assurance that they can raise the money necessary for a credible campaign, while donors are waiting to see how the field develops before making decisions.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/us/politics/08repubs.html

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My advice: Forget 2012. Save your cash for 2016. President Rubio is your man.

would not make too much of this story, one way or the other.

Also, could be a strategy to make Dem donors keep their hands in their pockets.

to Democratic causes or other worthwhile legitimate charitable organizations so they don't have as much to give to assholes.

Could we set up an organization or candidate that they would be willing to contribute?

Their first hurdle will be the 21st of May. the next will be the Mayan Calendar. LOL

they will focus on congressional and gubernatorial elections. they will support the losing republican presidential nominee just enough to position the party for a credible run in 2016.

of course, "maintenance mode" for the republican party still means crazy money, but they're not going to go over the top to try to beat obama. they know they've got a VERY uphill battle for the white house this time.

I look forward to seeing whose political career Obama is going to end next year.

They are focused on controlling the State houses to implement policy.

That is why I think we need to raise issues in the primary season so they have to spend resources nationally which will limit what is available for the State purchase plans.

-Hoot