Posted on 04/11/2011 7:43:32 PM PDT by MNJohnnie
Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics:
REPUBLICAN DONALD TRUMP’S PAST AND CURRENT GENEROSITY TO DEMOCRATS: Billionaire real estate tycoon Donald Trump's recent speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference excited a number of Republicans, many of whom applauded his statement that Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) has "zero chance" of winning.
It also fueled speculation that the mogul would run for president. Cries of "you're hired!" to a Draft Trump 2012 website added to a growing sense of support among Republicans.
But that GOP support has not always been reciprocated by Trump.
According to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis of Trump's federal campaign contribution history, The Donald has been a prolific donor to both Democrats and Republicans during the past two decades.
In all, Trump has contributed to 96 candidates running for federal political office since the 1990 election cycle, the Center finds. Only 48 of the recipients -- exactly half -- were Republicans at the time they received their contribution, including ex-Gov. Charlie Crist (I-Fla.) and ex-Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), who both of whom received their Trump contributions as Republicans.
Since the 1990 election cycle, the top 10 recipients of Trump's political contributions number six Democrats and four Republicans. Embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), who was censured last year by his U.S. House colleagues, has received the most Trump money, totaling $24,750. The most recent contribution from Trump to Rangel was a $10,000 gift during the 2006 election cycle.
In the most recent election cycle, Trump doled out $22,500 to political candidates, of which $16,200 benefited Democrats.
The top Republican recipient of Trump's money is Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) who has collected $13,600 from the billionaire magnate, the second most of any politician. Trump did not contribute to McCain during the 2010 election cycle, during which the former presidential candidate was facing re-election.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is the recipient of $12,000 in Trump contributions, including $10,000 for his 2006 re-election campaign.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has received the fourth-largest amount of Trump's contributions, including $4,800 in the successful 2010 campaign against Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle. In total Trump has contributed $10,400 to Reid.
In 2010, Trump also contributed $4,000 to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who easily won re-election. Schumer has received $8,900 from Trump since the 1996 election cycle. Trump has also been generous to New York's other Democratic U.S. senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, who's received $5,850 in Trump money.
After McCain, the Republican with the largest amount of Trump's contributions is former Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), who left office in disgrace in 2006 when his online solicitation of male House pages became known. Trump contributed $9,500 to Foley between the 1996 and 2006 election cycles.
Trump has also supported other notable politicians, including:
• $7,000 to former Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), the "liberal lion of the Senate" • $7,500 to former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) • $5,500 to Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) including $2,000 during his 2004 presidential run • $5,000 to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) • $4,000 to former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) • $2,000 to former President George W. Bush (R) • $1,000 to then-Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.)
Trump's donations to various political action committees and 527 groups also demonstrate his bipartisan checkbook.
During the most recent election cycle, Trump contributed $170,000 to the Republican Governor's Association, $50,000 to the ultra-conservative American Crossroads PAC, $30,400 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and $10,000 to the Democratic Party of New York.
However, of the nearly $420,000 Trump has donated to committees, the largest recipient has been the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with $116,000 -- or more than one fourth of his total contributions to all party and political action committees.
try to be a successful real estate developer in New York City or Chicago without greasing the palms of democrats and union bosses. That’s just the cost of doing business in places like that. It doesn’t mean anything.
Maybe so, but at least he’s calling more attention to the BC than anyone else has.
I’m starting to think that Trump is a plant.
The democrats of 1990 would be comparable to today’s Susan Collins or Olypia Snow.
Actually maybe even a bit more conservative.
Just to put it in comparison, here is Rudy's policy chart.
..and Bill Clinton's chart
From ontheissues.org He is way closer to Bill Clinton than he is someone we all agree is a RINO. Heck, on a straight right/left paradigm, he is almost identical to Bill Clinton.
Jeesh...he a BUSINESSMAN, who does business in some pretty BLUE states...he’s just like anyone else in that regard, buying off the powers that be while hedging other bets in the same areas.
Meh.
Jeesh...he a BUSINESSMAN, who does business in some pretty BLUE states...he’s just like anyone else in that regard, buying off the powers that be while hedging other bets in the same areas.
Meh.
Then why these donations?
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is the recipient of $12,000 in Trump contributions, including $10,000 for his 2006 re-election campaign.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has received the fourth-largest amount of Trump's contributions, including $4,800 in the successful 2010 campaign against Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle. In total Trump has contributed $10,400 to Reid.
However, of the nearly $420,000 Trump has donated to committees, the largest recipient has been the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with $116,000 -- or more than one fourth of his total contributions to all party and political action committees.
The guy loves America in a traditional red blooded albeit NY city fashion.
If he’s the nominee I will gladly punch the ballot.
Then why these donations?
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is the recipient of $12,000 in Trump contributions, including $10,000 for his 2006 re-election campaign.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has received the fourth-largest amount of Trump's contributions, including $4,800 in the successful 2010 campaign against Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle. In total Trump has contributed $10,400 to Reid.
However, of the nearly $420,000 Trump has donated to committees, the largest recipient has been the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with $116,000 -- or more than one fourth of his total contributions to all party and political action committees.
Looks to me like he is covering all his bases as much as he can. I would bet it might be hard to get proper permits and such if he didnt.
Of course, some people dont understand how that works.
You do realize that the Democrat of 1990 included people like Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and John Kerry? The only difference between the Democrats of 1990 and today is age.
Uhhh...with Rudy’s stands on gays, guns and abortions that’s where he winds up? Me thinks your diagram is not worth the electrons it uses. No offense to you...
That just shows how left Trump is. A lot of Rudy’s stands on gays and abortion push him toward the Libertarian realm which is why he appears here.
The point is the comparison of how far left Trump is on all these issues to someone none of us deny is a RINO.
Then why these donations?
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is the recipient of $12,000 in Trump contributions, including $10,000 for his 2006 re-election campaign.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has received the fourth-largest amount of Trump's contributions, including $4,800 in the successful 2010 campaign against Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle. In total Trump has contributed $10,400 to Reid.
However, of the nearly $420,000 Trump has donated to committees, the largest recipient has been the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with $116,000 -- or more than one fourth of his total contributions to all party and political action committees.
Seriously? Trump has extensive holdings in real estate and casinos in both NJ and NV.
The democratic party has gone from center liberal to left socialism (bordering communism) in 2011.
JFK would never have even won a mayoral race as a democrat today. He’d be unelectable as a democrat today.
” I’m starting to think that Trump is a plant. “ ========================
I just said the same thing! I love what Trump is doing, but if he is real the Obama team will soon remind us what a non-conservative Donald Trump has always been and we’ll begin to sober up. Trump won’t get past the primary.
Otherwise, wonder if the Obama campaign team got him out there to get all the controversies out, so when the time is right they can clean it up and all will be long forgotten by election Tuesday, Novermber, 2012. A commercial gain for Trump would be pretty easy for the WON. The rich stick together.
The Donald’s business interests require him to be able to work with Democrats and liberals in order to get things done. Political donations to incumbents in places like NY and Chicago are just a cost of doing business. Thinking his previous donations indicate anything about his personal political views is pretty much the same as judging Tiger Woods’ golf game by his performance on a putt-putt course. Trump’s done quite well on the putt-putt courses of NYC and Chicago and Palm Beach... looks like he wants to use his driver in the presidential election. Should be interesting.
Does business in NJ doesnt he? He has buildings in Las Vegas doesnt he?
The democrats control the places he does most of his business dont they?
Your probably right about that
Good for Trump to bring attention to Obama’s birth certificate, but he's no conservative by a long shot, and he should under no circumstance be the Republican nominee in 2012.
Not a Trump supporter myself, but I'd say the words you are looking for are: Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
mnehring, where on your chart does it show the imminent destruction of the United States and where do the candidates stand on that issue? You are caught up in crap that was 23 steps ago. We are standing at the edge of the abyss and need to yank this thing back now before it is too late. If Trump has the ability to open up the peoples eyes and help destroy obama and his ilk, then get out of his way.
I think I would rather vote for a questionable business man than the typically corrupt politician.
While I would like to see someone other than the Donald as the nominee, if it’s a choice between him or Mitt, Huck, Pawlenty,and a few others I’d take Donald.
The money is in taking back the Congress...the POTUS just needs to go along for the ride.
Trump has also donated to Republicans. Wealthy/successful business people and corporations are known for contributing to both parties in order to ensure that their interests are being looked out for regardless of shifting political winds. It’s as common as corruption. Trump is a professional businessman, not a professional politician. He has been playing a totally different game than your standard politicians and that is part of his appeal IMHO.
Wow-—interesting facts about his Dem contributions. Maybe The Donald voted for the Bam and now just hates what America has become under King BOZerO. WHat I don’t like about The Donald is he might be a little too arrogant and not much of a christian. On the other hand BOZerO is an unmitigated disaster. If Trump is on the ticket he gets my vote.
Pretty smart!!
Every RINO on capital hill could pass the campaign contribution purity test. But they are nothing more than a bunch of self serving lawyer turned politician seeking to become one of the elite. And then feather their nest with incumbency.
Donald Trump will never pass through the ideological purity test. But personally I don't care.
I think is a red blooded American who genuinely loves this country and is pissed off at what the Obama and the dems are doing. No way this guy is just looking to get elected to pad his resume and then play the game the way it has always been played.
I hope to God he keeps gaining momentum.
All of those issues are pieces of the destruction you cite and Trump leans far more toward the policies that result in said destruction.
What’s your Discredit Score?
We aren't talking 'purity' test here, but he doesn't even pass minimum standards. He is almost identical to Bill Clinton politically (see political charts above).
Yes the guy lives and works in NYC. Home of the Liberal Mother beast. Of course he has to spread the moola around to make sure his business deals get done. He gives to both parties. So do all the major corporations in America. I am more concerned about what Trump would do as President to get this country back on track. If he has good ideas then I would listen. Just busting Barry on the BC is a great donation to the conservative cause.
There is no guarantee that conservatives will be “in control” during a hypothetical Trump administration, and that could easily lead us down the path two disaster from just my two primary issues.
Putting another RINO in the White House is not the answer, which is why it is imperative to begin the vetting of potential candidates now, and Trump cannot be trusted, IMO.
I think Trump is his own man.
OK, well, this thread is about political donations, not every other pet issue. Having said that, I think we need to straighten his ass out on a few things before we give him the nod. He’s refreshing and all but an AWB is a definite show stopper. He needs to flip flop on that and, because it’s Trump we’re talking about here, I suspect he will. It’s all business baby. Just so we’re clear though, Romney made assault weapons permanently illegal in Massachusetts and that’s who we’re really trying to defeat here.
Well, you can argue about this. I don’t know how many of those politicians were on committees who could have blocked some of Trumps dealings.
But, still, it’s a pretty pathetic list. Most of the Republicans are just about as bad as the Democrats. Newt is the closest thing to a real conservative anywhere on the list.
And there’s the American Crossroads PAC, said to be extremely conservative. Well, apparently that PAC was founded by Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie in 2010. Not exactly what I would call “extremely conservative.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/21/karl-roves-american-cross_n_653918.html
What a goat cluster copulation and circus of the bizarre it all has become in running candidates for president of the USA.
you are wrong as usual.
All but AWB? How about his use of eminent domain seizures for his own personal gain (such as parking lots for his hotel)? How about his being life-long pro-abortion until the past couple of weeks when he suddenly ‘sees the light’? How about, in his book The America We Deserve, saying Amnesty is the ‘right thing to do’? How about his financial ties to George Soros (who has funded many of his ventures)? How about his support of the progressive tax code?
About the only thing I think he is on the right on is defense.
Coming from someone defending the furthest left RINO we’ve seen in a while, I’ll take that as a compliment.
Romney can be taken out easily enough, IMO, and without Trump being “the One”.
Too many people are fired up over this guy because he has done the country a favor by pushing the BC issue, but most of that fervor is blinding rational people to the danger this man represents to some of our most basic freedoms, and that needs to be pointed out right now, not several months away after he's had time to “go Romney” on these basic issues.
Kind of reminds you of the Rudy old days doesn’t it?
who do you hate more, Trump or Romney?
I remember when he was fighting with Pal Beach Libs about his big flag.
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