Tweet
Glendale News Press , CA
Oct 30 2010
Schiff, Sherman transfer funds
Candidates seen as heavy favorites divert campaign money to other Democrats
By Bill Kisliuk, [email protected]
October 30, 2010
Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) have
given nearly $1 million in combined donations to their colleagues
during a fundraising cycle in which Republican challengers are poised
to make significant gains.
Both incumbent congressmen face relatively weak Republican challenges
in their own re-election campaigns for Nov. 2, and so have diverted
more money to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
The committee directs dollars to the congressional races where
Democrats need them most. Many House Democrats from around the nation
are fighting for their political lives this year, with polls
indicating Republicans will win enough seats Tuesday to gain control
of the House.
Sherman and Schiff's races are seen as relatively safe, as they have
more money and name recognition than their rivals - Mark Reed and John
Colbert, respectively - and represent Democratic-leaning districts.
In 2009-10, Sherman says his campaign has given more than $746,000 to
other Democrats. That includes $517,500 to the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee and nearly $229,000 to candidates
ranging from other House Democrats to California gubernatorial hopeful
Jerry Brown.
"I'm proud of it," Sherman said, noting that a recent U.S. Supreme
Court ruling made it easier for corporations and unions to pay for
influential political ads that are not directly tied to candidates.
"Given the large amount of money given by corporations secretly, I
felt I had to step forward," he said.
Sherman has also hosted fundraisers for others, including an August
event for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Burbank.
Schiff has given more than $163,000 to the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee for the 2009-10 cycle, according to Federal
Election Commission filings. Since he was first elected to Congress in
2000, records show Schiff has given more than $816,000 to the
committee.
"Adam has always been supportive of other good candidates around the
country," said Schiff campaign spokesman Parke Skelton. "The battle
terrain is extraordinarily broad this year, and the needs for funding
are major because there are so many seats in play."
The donations are part of a river of cash flowing toward House races
as election day nears. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
raised $129 million through Oct. 13, while the National Republican
Congressional Committee had raised $107 million, according to the
Federal Election Commission.
But John Pitney, Jr., a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna
College, said Schiff and Sherman are expected to pay dues to the
committees.
"One reason they do it is simple," Pitney said. "They have to."
He also said the donations are strategic investments for both the
parties and the candidate. Parties put the money into races where it
is most needed.
For example, in 2010 the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
has given Pennsylvania candidate Timothy Burns, who is trying to win
the seat of the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha, more than $480,000.
The money also helps the donor, Pitney said.
"Some members are ambitious to move up in the party ranks, and you get
the gratitude of the leadership and the members by giving campaign
money," he said.
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-gnp-spending-20101030,0,3091461.story
From: A. Papazian
Oct 30 2010
Schiff, Sherman transfer funds
Candidates seen as heavy favorites divert campaign money to other Democrats
By Bill Kisliuk, [email protected]
October 30, 2010
Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) have
given nearly $1 million in combined donations to their colleagues
during a fundraising cycle in which Republican challengers are poised
to make significant gains.
Both incumbent congressmen face relatively weak Republican challenges
in their own re-election campaigns for Nov. 2, and so have diverted
more money to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
The committee directs dollars to the congressional races where
Democrats need them most. Many House Democrats from around the nation
are fighting for their political lives this year, with polls
indicating Republicans will win enough seats Tuesday to gain control
of the House.
Sherman and Schiff's races are seen as relatively safe, as they have
more money and name recognition than their rivals - Mark Reed and John
Colbert, respectively - and represent Democratic-leaning districts.
In 2009-10, Sherman says his campaign has given more than $746,000 to
other Democrats. That includes $517,500 to the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee and nearly $229,000 to candidates
ranging from other House Democrats to California gubernatorial hopeful
Jerry Brown.
"I'm proud of it," Sherman said, noting that a recent U.S. Supreme
Court ruling made it easier for corporations and unions to pay for
influential political ads that are not directly tied to candidates.
"Given the large amount of money given by corporations secretly, I
felt I had to step forward," he said.
Sherman has also hosted fundraisers for others, including an August
event for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Burbank.
Schiff has given more than $163,000 to the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee for the 2009-10 cycle, according to Federal
Election Commission filings. Since he was first elected to Congress in
2000, records show Schiff has given more than $816,000 to the
committee.
"Adam has always been supportive of other good candidates around the
country," said Schiff campaign spokesman Parke Skelton. "The battle
terrain is extraordinarily broad this year, and the needs for funding
are major because there are so many seats in play."
The donations are part of a river of cash flowing toward House races
as election day nears. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
raised $129 million through Oct. 13, while the National Republican
Congressional Committee had raised $107 million, according to the
Federal Election Commission.
But John Pitney, Jr., a professor of politics at Claremont McKenna
College, said Schiff and Sherman are expected to pay dues to the
committees.
"One reason they do it is simple," Pitney said. "They have to."
He also said the donations are strategic investments for both the
parties and the candidate. Parties put the money into races where it
is most needed.
For example, in 2010 the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
has given Pennsylvania candidate Timothy Burns, who is trying to win
the seat of the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha, more than $480,000.
The money also helps the donor, Pitney said.
"Some members are ambitious to move up in the party ranks, and you get
the gratitude of the leadership and the members by giving campaign
money," he said.
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-gnp-spending-20101030,0,3091461.story
From: A. Papazian