Posted on 07/15/2011 6:03:59 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Half that amount was raised in a mere 18 days after she formally declared her candidacy, but given her reputation as a fundraising juggernaut, the bottom-line number sure does look anemic next to Romney’s $18 million haul. At Commentary, Jonathan Tobin wonders if she’s ready for prime time:
Bachmann’s excuses for this showing will center on the fact that at the start of the quarter she barely had a campaign, let alone the sort of organization that would allow her to rake in the big bucks. Her Internet fundraising operation, key to a grass roots populist candidacy such as hers, so far lacks the sophistication and promotional efforts needed for her to harness the energy of enthusiastic Tea Party and conservative Christian backers…
Having lifted herself from the second tier to leading alternative to the frontrunner in just a few weeks, Bachmann no longer has the ability to fly below the radar. The congresswoman’s fast start has set high expectations that require her to do more than just skate by. If Bachmann’s performance in the Iowa straw poll in August or the next fundraising report again falls short of what we believe a first-tier candidate must do, her hopes will suffer.
Does anyone think she’ll fall short of a first-tier showing in the straw poll? My assumption’s been that, at worst, she’ll finish second. Bachmann’s also in an odd spot in that, even after her poll surge, no one’s sure how seriously to take her yet. She could bleed lots of support if Perry/Palin get in (which, in Perry’s case, sounds likely) — or, if they don’t, she might surge as tea partiers and social cons choose her as their undisputed standard-bearer. If Romney, Pawlenty, and Ron Paul do a solid job of organizing for the straw poll, Bachmann could finish surprisingly badly there and have to endure a “paper tiger” narrative that leaves would-be donors looking for an alternative. Or maybe she’ll destroy them all and suddenly attract big money as people start to view her as a legitimate threat. Point being, except for T-Paw, no one has as much riding on Ames as Bachmann does. It’s almost pointless to look at their respective balance sheets now since things will change dramatically next month one way or another. But if you do want to look at those sheets, here’s a line to chew on: Although T-Paw outraised her for the quarter (he took in $4.5 million), he had just $1.4 million in cash on hand at the start of July before the big push to Ames. Bachmann has more than $3.6 million, although it’s not clear right now how much of that is for the primary rather than the general. Presumably most of it is, which means Pawlenty’s already in the hole money-wise while he’s trying to catch up in the polls. (Speaking of being in the hole, a factoid from Matt Lewis: Gingrich’s campaign is more than a million dollars in debt — and half of that amount is due to chartering private planes.)
Lest you think Bachmann’s not serious about the nomination, here’s CNN’s report today about her leaving her church in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod last month before her official announcement. Per Lutheran tradition, WELS names the Papacy as the Antichrist; Bachmann, presumably fearing a Rev. Wright problem next year, decided to limit her exposure early, I guess. Undaunted, the left’s seized on an exciting new meme that gives them the chance to attack an ideological opponent while indulging in the sort of cheap jokes that they’ve otherwise derided for years: They think Bachmann’s husband, whose clinic aims to turn gays straight, is totally, totally gay himself. Can’t wait for the Obama attack ad.
Who the hell is giving money to Romney?
Corporate PACs?
That is what I want to know. I just heard how much Romney made and the first thing that I said was “Who the hell is giving this guy money?” Probably the DNC
All I know is that Bachmann’s campaign is falling short of expectations in raising money.
If this trend does not improve, I highly doubt if she’ll make it past a few states before dropping off due to fund exhaustion.
I agree.
For better or worse it takes big money to run a national campaign, if Bachmann can’t attract $ it’s all over for her.
Money can’t buy you love. Unless you are Obama, he doesn’t buy love, he buys votes from the special interest groups such as unions. He buys ciggies, box lunches, Ipods and TVs for the welfare sheeple.
Disappointing political calculation to leave her church. Nobody cares about that stuff.
Well with the Palin supporters attacking Bachmann, all they’ve really done is helped Romney.
Like it or not, both women need to be in the race or Palin will be eaten alive by the RINOs and all the wishful thinking in the world won’t matter a bit.
Why don’t you tell their mommy on them.
Help Romney? Where’s the proof?
I have no respect for pathetic cowards like you and feel no need to answer.
You may go now.
Coward?
Romney’s got corporate PACs. He is the RINO the MSM keeps pushing. The “powers that be” are afraid of a real conservative.
No chance on the planet I vote for Romney and, no, I don’t care that Obama may get term 2. It’s time to send a message to the GOP.
Romney’s money is coming from lobbyists. Here’s the breakdown:
http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00431171/736056/sa/3L
Sadly I’m not seeing nearly as many attacks on Romney at FR than I am on Michelle Bachmann. I mean who the hell do people think they’re helping by giving Romney a pass so they can attack Bachmann?
I care.
Which says a lot about the lack of moral, ethics and class of those attacking her.
My guess it is the candidate of those doing the attacking that will ultimately have to face the backlash coming because of it.
If she keeps leading in Iowa, things will improve.
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