Kansans' campaign contributions all over map / LJWorld.com

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November 2, 2008

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Election 2008

In-depth coverage of the candidates and the issues, all leading up to the Aug. 5 primary and the Nov. 4 general election.

When it comes to presidential campaign contributions, Lawrence isn't the stereotypical bastion of blue in a sea of red this election season.

Contributing to the tune of $166,800, Lawrence residents gave more to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama than any other city in the state. But Lawrence wasn't the only city favoring the Democratic contender for president.

An analysis by the Journal-World showed that from as far east as Arma to as far west as Goodland, more than 100 towns gave more to Obama's campaign than to Republican contender Sen. John McCain.

In a state that hasn't elected a Democratic president since 1964, Kansas contributed more to the Democratic nominee than to the Republican. According to numbers released this week by the Federal Election Commission, Obama raised $1.3 million in Kansas, and McCain brought in about $1.2 million.

Reasons for disparity

Joe Aistrup, political science professor at Kansas State University, said Obama's contributions point to his ability to energize the Democratic base and entice those who have never given to a campaign before.

"Obama compared to any other Democrat - or Republican for that matter - seems to strike the right chords with a whole lot of people," Aistrup said.

Obama's campaign also made better use of the Internet to attract donors than McCain did, said Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University.

McCain relied heavily on traditional fundraising events, where a scheduled visit by the candidate brought in supporters who then handed over their checkbooks, Beatty said. Meanwhile, the Internet allowed Obama to tap into regions of the country without visiting them.

"You can reach Parsons, Kansas, without having to pick up the phone or go on television," Beatty said.

The fundraising disparity also points to McCain's decision to accept public financing and not individual donations after the Republican National Convention.

"If Republicans in Kansas want to help out the presidential race right now, they are going to donate to the national Republican party," Beatty said.

Kansas Rep. Pat Colloton, R-Leawood, said fundraising efforts for McCain have gone well in Johnson County. There has even been a run on yard signs, she said.

Sticking to federal campaign spending limits, McCain's resources have been targeted to less reliable red states than Kansas, said Colloton, who is the third congressional district chair for Kansans for McCain.

"A lot of time hasn't been spent on the McCain campaign in Kansas. He knows he can count on us," Colloton said.

Area contributors

McCain drew the most money from Wichita. Residents in Leawood, Mission Hills and Shawnee also contributed more to his campaign than Obama's. Along with Lawrence, Obama's campaign raised more in Topeka, Overland Park, Olathe and Manhattan.

Thousands of Kansans living in almost 300 towns and cities donated money to this year's presidential elections.

Overall, Kansas gave more to the entire swath of Republican contenders during this election season. The state gave $2.3 million to Republican candidates compared with the Democrats' $1.7 million.

Early on, Kansans strongly supported home-state favorite Sen. Sam Brownback, contributing $434,000 to his campaign before he dropped out last October.

The $1.1 million that McCain garnered isn't bad for Kansas, Aistrup said, but noted McCain wasn't able to excite the Republican base - and in particular its conservative wing - as much as President George Bush did in 2000 and 2004.

"There were many Republicans just unmotivated to give to McCain. He doesn't float their boat, so to speak," he said.

Come Tuesday, neither political science professor predicts Kansas votes to follow the money. Aistrup sees McCain carrying somewhere between 55 to 57 percent of the vote in Kansas.

Beatty guarantees McCain will win the state and believes Obama's campaign would consider it a moral victory if they came within 10 points of him.

Google Map

Campaign contributions

View Larger Map

From as far east as Arma to as far west as Goodland, more than 100 towns gave more to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign than to Republican contendor Sen. John McCain.

Discussion

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2 November 2008
at 6:54 a.m.

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jason2007 (Anonymous) says…

You're deluded and high on the Obama kool-aid. Douglas county will go to Obama but the rest of the state will still be firmly McCain's.The people you're talking to don't have a clue what they're talking about. It's pure emotionalism as is your love of “change”.Can you please enumerate one specific “change” that the Savior, Our Lord, Barack Hussein Obama is going to bring? I'm talking specific, not “I will give 95% of America a tax break!” Uh, how's that going to work when he wants to increase spending by about $1 Trillion?People who vote for Obama and his socialistic agenda simply amaze me. Is this America or is it pre-USSR Russia? Lenin and Trovotsky are waiting to take office.
2 November 2008
at 7:40 a.m.

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TheSychophant (Anonymous) says…

“You're deluded and high on the Obama kool-aid”So what, Jason boy. You're ship has just sunk. You're a loser. You betcha.
2 November 2008
at 7:40 a.m.

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News_to_me (Anonymous) says…

After eight years of Bush buffoonery, it is time for new ideas, new solutions and a new vision. Not the politics of fear but the politics of hope. Not scatter brained, erratic, impulsive decisions but thoughtful, measured judgments. Not taking care of your buddies with handouts to the rich and powerful but tax relief for the people who actually drive this economy. Only one candidate offers that and that's Obama. The most important decision of this campaign was McCain's vice presidential pick and that was a huge blinder. Country first hell. That was all about his party and it shows his lack of judgment.You can throw out all the barbs you want about socialism but the fact is this country has been redistributing wealth for quite some time now. Trouble is, it's all been going to the top few percent and they've pissed it all off. And now, after they've done that, we still have to bail their greedy asses out.That's not kool-aid. That's a bitter pill to swallow. Time for a new direction and that will not be provided by McCain/Palin (aka Geezer/Dingbat).Obama/Biden 08
2 November 2008
at 7:42 a.m.

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TheSychophant (Anonymous) says…

It's a mere two days before V-A Day (Victory in america), and while planning the evening's festivities, I thought, albeit momentarily, about our good Republican friends, and I said to myself, “Self, those poor boys are gonna be hurting Tuesday evening. Poor, poor republicans. Cry me a river.” But then I thought to myself, “Self, that's not nice. This is America. Let's help the poor schlubs out.” So, in the spirit of reconciliation, I am soliciting volunteers for “Adopt a Loser Night.” Its easy. Here are the ways to adopt: (1) Donate some of your extra Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for our needy friends. Believe me, they will need triple dosages come Tuesday evening. (2) Sign up for Grief Phone Counseling. Sure, some of them are a little dense, and a few are hot-heated, and there are also a handful of downright fools, but they're real Americans, too, ya know. (3) Take a loser to your party. This one needs no additional explanation. With the holiday season almost upon us, I urge all my friends, to give, give early, and give often. You Betcha.
2 November 2008
at 9:15 a.m.

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mmblack (Anonymous) says…

Last night, my Obama sign was ripped to shreds. So much for my First Amendment rights. Don't you realize you are hurting your own cause McCain supporters. I'm just going to go back down to campaign headquarters and buy another one, maybe even two now? $20 more dollars in Obama's coffers.
2 November 2008
at 9:16 a.m.

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Dani (Anonymous) says…

jason2007 said: You're deluded and high on the Obama kool-aid. Douglas county will go to Obama but the rest of the state will still be firmly McCain's.While I agree with you that Kansas's 6 electoral votes will likely go to McCain, Obama is going to do better than Douglas County. I predict he is going to carry Wyandotte County and possibly Johnson County. I think he'll also come close in Sedgwick Co. but not quite get there.
2 November 2008
at 9:24 a.m.

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NoSpin (Anonymous) says…

Remember the last time people were really fed up with the GOP? Answer: 1976 after Watergate. How did that angst work for us? Oh yea, jimmy carter. We had 20% interest rates, double digit unemployment, and what a great way he dealt with Iran- good luck when history repeats itself!

2 November 2008
at 9:39 a.m.

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NoSpin (Anonymous) says…

Dani- Johnson County, are you serious? Have you ever been east of Lawrence? Take a drive and you will see McCain signs everywhere. Can't argue about KCK though.
2 November 2008
at 10:10 a.m.

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autie (Anonymous) says…

At first, I'm surprised by the increase of blue..but then I think of guys like my dad. He was a big Bush supporter way back..but time convinced him that maybe it was time to get those dummies out of Washington. And he views McCain as nothing more than George in an older body…the fact so much rural Kansas has gone blue is a testatment to regular folks being just plain fed up with the BS.
2 November 2008
at 10:28 a.m.

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tangential_reasoners_anonymous (Anonymous) says…

There has been a consistent 17-ish% conservative margin in Kansas, the gap only widening ( slightly ) over time, indicating the state almost certainly will paint itself red once more.In contrast to red-faced Kansas, national projections would have Obama safely taking 264 electoral votes ( of 270 needed to win ) , with another 47 votes likely and 85 tossups.With his projected 142 safe and leaning electoral votes, McCain would need to claim ALL the tossup states AND those votes now leaning toward Obama in order to win the election.”…Somewhere over the rainbowSkies are *blue*,And the dreams that you dare to dreamReally do come true….”
2 November 2008
at 10:31 a.m.

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4paz (Anonymous) says…

“Can you please enumerate one specific “change” that the Savior, Our Lord, Barack Hussein Obama is going to bring?”Ignoring your attempt to demean Obama, one thing he plans to change are the rewards given to companies who take their jobs out of the US. Of course, if you are an investor who has been raking in money from these so-called “American” companies, you probably wouldn't like that change. But if you are an American who isn't academically inclined, it might mean a real job for you.
2 November 2008
at 11:37 a.m.

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JohnBrown (Anonymous) says…

4paz, one change will be the return to a non-politicized Justice Department. No more political litmus tests for would be prosecutors. Another would be the end of torture of people only “convicted” by being accused (a tactic worthy of Stalin). When these people are brought to trial they are usually not “convicted”, but they still remain behind bars because they are still “guilty by accusation”.Another will be the US will restart its search for Osama bin Laden, something Bush gave up on years ago.And finally, the US will begin its withdrawal of its dependence on oil from Venezuela with a 10 year initiative to create alternative power sources.You only asked for one example, so consider the rest a gift.
2 November 2008
at 11:42 a.m.

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gccs14r (Anonymous) says…

Hey NoSpin. Nixon's economic chickens came home to roost during the Carter years. We would have had double-digit inflation, interest rates, and unemployment no matter who was in office. The same will be true next term, too, but you guys will blame Obama, rather than Bush.
2 November 2008
at 12:28 p.m.

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4paz (Anonymous) says…

JohnBrown, I was quoting jason2007's question and giving a very important example of change. When people ask “Why doesn't Obama talk about specifics”, I want to scream. He does talk about specifics, they just aren't listening. Thanks for the additional examples.
2 November 2008
at 3:37 p.m.

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Liberty_One (Anonymous) says…

4paz, incorrect. Obama's increase in tax rates will only make it that much more attractive to head overseas in search of friendlier tax climates for big corporations. Obama won't bring any real change to the White House, Ron Paul was the real candidate for change. Expect Franklin D. Obama to take full advantage of the economic downturn to create more federal programs, print more money causing further inflation and boom/bust cycles, and further trample the US Constitution.

2 November 2008
at 3:53 p.m.

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4paz (Anonymous) says…

And if he gives companies incentives to keep jobs in the country? I don't believe his plan is just to take away the incentives for taking the jobs out of the country. Yes, many major corporations will take their money and run to Dubai or wherever the latest tax haven is, but then they shouldn't be allowed to do business in the US. If you truly believe in capitalism, then you must believe other companies will step in to fill their shoes. Do you believe that these powerful corporations are true capitalism? I don't even think Ron Paul could agree with that.
2 November 2008
at 3:54 p.m.

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sdinges (Anonymous) says…

While I suspect two counties in Kansas will go blue (as usual), it's a bit naive to think that represents the entirety of Kansas. Sometimes, living in Lawrence, it's easy to forget about the rest of the state.But you're talking about people who still came out and gave Mike Huckabee the nod after it was pretty clear the primary race was over.McCain might have failed to energize Kansas Republicans, but they're still energized enough about abortion to go out and vote against Obama.I'm afraid if you want to live in a swing state, you'll have to go cross the state line to Missouri.
2 November 2008
at 5 p.m.

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Liberty_One (Anonymous) says…

4paz, if we cut off trade with protectionist policies that will only cause prices to rise. Either way, the ones hit hardest are the middle class and poor, and the ones that profit are large businesses. Protectionist policies in the end only serve to help maintain oligopolies' grip on the market. The oligopolies are not good for capitalism, and it is the government regulation and interference that creates the oligopolies. If we want to keep companies here and keep prices low, then let the workers come here through legal immigration and get rid of corporate taxes and regulations.
2 November 2008
at 6:21 p.m.

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George_Braziller (Anonymous) says…

Whoever wins is going to have a hell of an uphill battle. I really can't see how either one of them can accomplish much of anything in four years other than try to do damage control and clean up some of the mess that Bush the administration is going to leave behind.
3 November 2008
at 1:24 a.m.

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davisnin (Anonymous) says…

I for one am super excited about the extra 300 bucks a year obama is going to give me! These tax cuts are exactly what I need to get that one more double whiskey a weekend. I'm also excited that he'll finally stick it to those rich SOBs that pay nearly all of the taxes in this country as it is. I mean why in the hell should me and the rest of the bottom 50% of wage earners together have to pay 3%!!! of the tax burden!! That is outrageous!!! I shouldn't have to pay anything. The world owes me a plasma TV dern it! If they don't like it they can take their money somewhere else as far as I'm concerned!! I mean capitol is easy to move unlike labor, so they can move their capitol and give some foreigner a job and I'll be happy as pie, unemployed in a welfare state!