Republicans will need to raise far more if they want a serious chance of making significant gains next year.
House (in millions)
DCCC
August 2009: $3.3
2010 Cycle: $37.4
Cash on Hand: $10.7
Debt: $4.7
NRCC
August 2009: $3.1
2010 Cycle: $23.8
Cash on Hand: $4.2
Debt: $2.0
Senate (in millions)
DSCC
August 2009: $2.2
2010 Cycle: $27.5
Cash on Hand: $6.9
Debt: $2.9
NRSC
August 2009: $3.1
2010 Cycle: $26.5
Cash on Hand: $5.1
Debt: $0
Senate (in millions)
DNC
August 2009: $6.9
2010 Cycle: $53.6
Cash on Hand: $15.3
Debt: $5.3
RNC
August 2009: $7.9
2010 Cycle: $59.9
Cash on Hand: $21.0
Debt: $0
Those DNC numbers are actually surprisingly strong. In the 2008 cycle, the RNC outraised the DNC by a 2-1 margin, $428 million to $260 million. Having the White House makes a world of difference, even with a part-time (and practically invisible) DNC chair. That massive edge kept the GOP money-competitive while their Senate and House committees were being crushed by the Democrats.
House Democrats look set to continue their advantage, but a warming sign -- the GOP raised more from individual contributions in August than the Democrats, who made up the difference by getting member checks. Having a nearly-80 seat advantage will prove a continual fundraising bonanza for the rest of the cycle. Members can write unlimited checks to the party committee. But intensity among individual donors does appear to be moving in the GOP's direction. Democrats can reverse that trend by actually delivering on their campaign promises. The House needs the Senate to stop trying to kill effective reform.
And the Senate... Last cycle, the DSCC outraised the NRSC $162 million to $94.4 million. The GOP is at near-parity this year (and ahead, if you take debt into account). The Senate is where good legislation goes to die, and I'd certainly urge people to withhold their contributions to Senate Democrats until they show the capability to deliver the change the nation demanded the past two elections. There has to be ramifications for a caucus that thinks it's still a good idea to keep Baucus as chair of the Finance committee and gave the farm away to Joe Lieberman in exchange for his continued obstruction and mischief making. The Senate is dysfunctional, and the Democratic leadership is contributing to that ineffectiveness. No need to reward terrible behavior.
p.s. You want more proof that the Democratic Party is the party of Satan?
The DCCC made a loan repayment of $666,667 in August ...
As if we needed more evidence.