quote:

ORIGINAL: Owner59

"Two-thirds of the Republican freshmen who captured Democratic-held seats in the GOP's 2010 takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives saw their fundraising dip in the past quarter, campaign-finance reports show.

Several of the new incumbents, including Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, in a rematch with former congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, have been significantly outraised by their challengers. In addition, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee took in nearly twice as much campaign cash as House Republicans in September — a sign Democratic donors are energized, despite low poll rankings for Congress and President Obama.

Democrats need 25 seats to retake control of the House after losing more than 60 to Republicans last year in a wave of voter anger with Washington.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-11-15/house-freshmen-fundraising/51224634/1

Yes America, there is a wealth gap. Seven of the top ten wealthiest members in Congress are Democrats.

The results are based on a new study released today by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. The Center did an analysis of the financial statements filed by members of Congress for 2010 income and net worth.

This revelation of extreme wealth by Democratic politicians is completely contrary to the public image of the Democratic Party. President Obama has castigated “millionaires and billionaires,” suggesting they are evil people, largely Republican or conservative. The issue of the Democratic Party as the millionaire party has not yet made it into the mainstream media. But the facts are indisputable. Democratic members of Congress tend to be wealthier than their Republican counterparts.

According to the Center, 36 Senate Democrats and 30 Senate Republicans reported an average net worth in excess of $1 million in 2010. The median estimated net worth among members of the Senate Democrats was $2.58 million. Senate Republican median net work was $2.43 million.

And, the wealthy Democrats tend to inherit their money.  Republicans tend to earn it.

Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) all came by their fortunes through marriage or inheritance.  Senator Kerry, who was born into wealth, has listed his net worth as high as $281 million, while his wife Teresa is estimated to be worth $1 billion.  Ms. Heinz did not earn her wealth either. She inherited the money from her husband Senator John Heinz, who died in an airplane crash.

Senator Rockefeller, representing dirt poor West Virginia,  inherited his fortune from his family. He is reported to be worth $136 million.

While the economy continued to tank in 2010, Rep. Pelosi reported her own wealth to grow by 62%. Pelosi’s husband, Paul is a financier.  They own a multi-million dollar vineyard and a number of million dollar homes. They have a net worth of $196 million.

Former Democrat Rep. Jane Harmon (D-CA), who in 2010 was listed as the third wealthiest Member of Congress was married to the late stereo magnate Sidney Harman of Harman-Karmen fame. Together they were worth $493 million.

Only Republican Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) married into major money. His net worth went from $12 million to $502 million in two years.  The explanation? He married an heiress to the Clear Channel radio empire.

Among those who actually got their money by earning it, Republicans were in the slight majority. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), a self-made millionaire earned his wealth by creating the Viper car security system. He is estimated to be worth more than $700 million.  Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) started as a rancher and attorney.  His wealth is cited as $88 million.

Rep. Vernon Buchanan (R-FL), one of only three Republicans to make the top ten earned his money through real estate and car dealerships.  He is estimated to be worth over $323 million.

Much has been made about Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) being the wealthiest Republican in the U.S. Senate. But he is ranked only number 14 because there are so many wealthier Democrats ahead of him. He doesn’t make the Top Ten. He worked as a construction superintendent.  Then started his own company. Today he is worth $107 million.

quote:

ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY

quote:

ORIGINAL: Owner59

"Two-thirds of the Republican freshmen who captured Democratic-held seats in the GOP's 2010 takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives saw their fundraising dip in the past quarter, campaign-finance reports show.

Several of the new incumbents, including Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, in a rematch with former congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, have been significantly outraised by their challengers. In addition, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee took in nearly twice as much campaign cash as House Republicans in September — a sign Democratic donors are energized, despite low poll rankings for Congress and President Obama.

Democrats need 25 seats to retake control of the House after losing more than 60 to Republicans last year in a wave of voter anger with Washington.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-11-15/house-freshmen-fundraising/51224634/1

You know, if you were an OWS supporter, and these were Democrats, you see comments about how "big business" wasn't supporting them because they wanted to change the system, and reign in/modify the gripe of special interest on the political process. The lack of funding would be seen as a positive indication of their success.

But if it's Republicans, it must be because "the people" don't like what they are doing.

In other words, (though I don't think there is sufficient detail in the article to make a conclusion, either way), you could make the argument here that since the TEA party Republicans in Congress seem to wish to break the power of the government - and therefore be less of a money-tree to business - that those businesses are contributing to their opponents.  The Dems, in other words.

I guess it just depends on where you sit. [8|]

Firm

quote:

ORIGINAL: Owner59

We won big last Tues and this confirms the trend.

In spite of President Obama`s low rating,the GOP`s are even lower.

Advantage democrats.

quote:

ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY

FR:

Here's an interesting analysis about "money in Congress".  It's based on a study done by the Center for Responsive Politics (the Opensecrets.org people):

Seven of the Top Ten Wealthiest Members of Congress Are Democrats

Yes America, there is a wealth gap. Seven of the top ten wealthiest members in Congress are Democrats.

The results are based on a new study released today by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. The Center did an analysis of the financial statements filed by members of Congress for 2010 income and net worth.

This revelation of extreme wealth by Democratic politicians is completely contrary to the public image of the Democratic Party. President Obama has castigated “millionaires and billionaires,” suggesting they are evil people, largely Republican or conservative. The issue of the Democratic Party as the millionaire party has not yet made it into the mainstream media. But the facts are indisputable. Democratic members of Congress tend to be wealthier than their Republican counterparts.

According to the Center, 36 Senate Democrats and 30 Senate Republicans reported an average net worth in excess of $1 million in 2010. The median estimated net worth among members of the Senate Democrats was $2.58 million. Senate Republican median net work was $2.43 million.

And, the wealthy Democrats tend to inherit their money.  Republicans tend to earn it.

Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) all came by their fortunes through marriage or inheritance.  Senator Kerry, who was born into wealth, has listed his net worth as high as $281 million, while his wife Teresa is estimated to be worth $1 billion.  Ms. Heinz did not earn her wealth either. She inherited the money from her husband Senator John Heinz, who died in an airplane crash.

Senator Rockefeller, representing dirt poor West Virginia,  inherited his fortune from his family. He is reported to be worth $136 million.

While the economy continued to tank in 2010, Rep. Pelosi reported her own wealth to grow by 62%. Pelosi’s husband, Paul is a financier.  They own a multi-million dollar vineyard and a number of million dollar homes. They have a net worth of $196 million.

Former Democrat Rep. Jane Harmon (D-CA), who in 2010 was listed as the third wealthiest Member of Congress was married to the late stereo magnate Sidney Harman of Harman-Karmen fame. Together they were worth $493 million.

Only Republican Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) married into major money. His net worth went from $12 million to $502 million in two years.  The explanation? He married an heiress to the Clear Channel radio empire.

Among those who actually got their money by earning it, Republicans were in the slight majority. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), a self-made millionaire earned his wealth by creating the Viper car security system. He is estimated to be worth more than $700 million.  Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) started as a rancher and attorney.  His wealth is cited as $88 million.

Rep. Vernon Buchanan (R-FL), one of only three Republicans to make the top ten earned his money through real estate and car dealerships.  He is estimated to be worth over $323 million.

Much has been made about Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) being the wealthiest Republican in the U.S. Senate. But he is ranked only number 14 because there are so many wealthier Democrats ahead of him. He doesn’t make the Top Ten. He worked as a construction superintendent.  Then started his own company. Today he is worth $107 million.

So, in summary:

1.  Democrats in Congress tend to be wealthier than Republicans.

2.  Wealthy Democrats more likely have acquired their money through the efforts of others, while Republicans acquired theirs through their own efforts.

What conclusions could we draw from these facts?

Firm

quote:

ORIGINAL: outhere69

Firm, what's the rundown on all Democrats and Republican, not just Congressfolks?

quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

quote:

ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY

Here's an interesting analysis about "money in Congress".  It's based on a study done by the Center for Responsive Politics (the Opensecrets.org people):

I think we can draw the conclusion that it is more partisan bullshit from Pajamas Media.

I've always loved that name.

It reminds me of little kids pooping in their jammies.

quote:

Fully 37* Senate Democrats and 30 Senate Republicans reported an average net worth in excess of $1 million in 2010, according to the Center's analysis. The same was true of 110 House Republicans and 73 House Democrats.

quote:

ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY

quote:

ORIGINAL: Owner59

"Two-thirds of the Republican freshmen who captured Democratic-held seats in the GOP's 2010 takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives saw their fundraising dip in the past quarter, campaign-finance reports show.

Several of the new incumbents, including Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, in a rematch with former congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, have been significantly outraised by their challengers. In addition, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee took in nearly twice as much campaign cash as House Republicans in September — a sign Democratic donors are energized, despite low poll rankings for Congress and President Obama.

Democrats need 25 seats to retake control of the House after losing more than 60 to Republicans last year in a wave of voter anger with Washington.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-11-15/house-freshmen-fundraising/51224634/1

You know, if you were an OWS supporter, and these were Democrats, you see comments about how "big business" wasn't supporting them because they wanted to change the system, and reign in/modify the gripe of special interest on the political process. The lack of funding would be seen as a positive indication of their success.

But if it's Republicans, it must be because "the people" don't like what they are doing.

In other words, (though I don't think there is sufficient detail in the article to make a conclusion, either way), you could make the argument here that since the TEA party Republicans in Congress seem to wish to break the power of the government - and therefore be less of a money-tree to business - that those businesses are contributing to their opponents.  The Dems, in other words.

I guess it just depends on where you sit. [8|]

Firm