USA Today, pg1: Freshmen Congressional Democrats get fundraising burst; double GOP average

USA Today: Dem freshmen get fundraising burst: Donors focus on vulnerable seats
By Richard Wolf
USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Democrats who captured control of the House last year after a 12-year hiatus are dominating the first clash of the 2008 elections: the money race.

The most vulnerable House Democrats — freshmen who won in districts that went for President Bush in 2004 — raised an average of $600,000 in the first six months of this year, according to campaign-finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. That's nearly double what Republican freshmen raised. If the trend continues, it will make it difficult for the GOP to reduce Democrats' 231-202 House majority.

"Our goal is to put our members in the strongest position as possible, as quickly as possible," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "We are right on target."

The 42 Democratic freshmen raised an average of $1.8 million to win election in November, half of them in Bush districts. Four raised more than $3 million. This year, they have picked up where they left off:

•The median amount raised by Democratic freshmen is $503,643, compared with $203,988 by the 13 GOP freshmen....

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070821/1a_lede21.art.htm

The DLC is so great at ensuring a Democratically-controlled Congress - it just takes my breath away.

I'm looking forward to Dean's ouster.