John Boehner’s lawsuit against the president is seriously wounding Republicans. The DCCC announced that they had outraised Republicans in June, $25.3 million to $10.9 million.
Congressional Democrats have $50.9 million in the bank, and $18.4 million more than they had at this point in 2012. As of June, House Democrats have $8.4 million cash advantage over House Republicans.
DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said, “Whether it’s the Republicans’ shutdown or the Republicans’ lawsuit against President Obama, their misguided priorities and damaging agenda are energizing our supporters to elect commonsense leaders who will stand up for the middle class. While Republicans cater to the most radical elements of their party, Democrats will continue to fight to end the damaging dysfunction and focus on strengthening the economy for middle-class families.”
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The cash advantage is already starting to payoff for Democrats. According to the DCCC, “The impact of the DCCC’s fundraising dominance is becoming clear, when the DCCC reserved $14 million more than the NRCC in fall ad time in 10 more districts. In addition, the DCCC has massively expanded its investment in field operations and put staff on the ground in dozens of districts starting in January – six months earlier than ever before.”
On the other side of the aisle, House Republicans are so broke that they are having to strong arm members to pay their dues. There is serious concern among Republicans that the lack of funds could cost them seats in November. The national Republican Party and outside groups are putting their resources behind capturing the Senate, so many incumbent House Republicans are on their own.
Speaker Boehner’s gimmick lawsuit against President Obama has misfired on many levels. Politically, it has energized Democrats instead of Republicans. Financially, House Democrats have been able to raise millions of dollars off of the Speaker’s decision to sue the president. The lawsuit also gave Democrats a ready issue that allowed them to make the Republican refusal to do their jobs for the benefit of the American people a central theme of the campaign.
John Boehner has harmed the Republican Party with his lawsuit. Democrats are invading districts earlier than ever, and they are organizing voters to come out in November. House Republicans may be counting their chickens a bit too soon. If Boehner and the GOP aren’t careful, Democrats will be gaining House seats this November.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
