The Free and Strong America PAC posted its second highest monthly receipts for 2009 in October. Monthly FEC filings for Mitt Romney and Co. show that the PAC brought in $440,000 last month, while expending $211,000. This month’s total also pushes the PAC’s year-to-date total above $3 million, and leaves them with almost $1.2 million on hand. October’s high numbers follow on the heels of strong fundraising numbers for September as well.
How does this compare to other potential candidates for the GOP nomination in 2012? Well, it’s always hard to tell because the Free and Strong America PAC files monthly while the Sarah PAC and Huck PAC have opted to file bi-annually, and Tim Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC is newly formed and has not yet made any filings.
July 1st of this year is the only point we can compare similar time frames. At that point it stood as following:
Romney: $1,908,000
Palin: $733,000
Huckabee: $304,000
A few points to add these sums: My guess is that Romney has by far and away continued to raise the most since July. Sarah Palin’s PAC was not formed until February, and she also raised funds for a defense fund. She is also focusing much of her attention in promoting her new book. Even so her numbers for the second half of the year will be much more telling. Mike Huckabee, though he has dismal fundraising numbers, has had extreme benefit from his show on FOX as well as his radio program. That kind of exposure probably has more monetary value than all of the $3 million Romney has been able to raise this year. On the downside, if he can’t translate increased name recognition and exposure into shear fundraising number he will have a hard time in the general election when he can no longer depend on his TV show.
Month by month fundraising and disbursement totals for the FSA PAC:
November 18th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Why anyone donates money to a gajillionaire is beyond me.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
You beat marK to the punch. He’s the resident PACman.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Right,
You have a point there. This PAC has raised in a year what Romney makes in an hour…..
November 18th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I think Mark predicted that Romney’s fundraising would slow down for the rest of the year. I’m glad to see it’s going strong.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
You guys sound like a bunch of liberal democrats.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Good article Nate.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
#1- @Right Because the money is not going to line his pockets but to promote his message. Sure Romney could fund everything himself, but one who does that is only self promoted and has no real support in terms of numbers of people.
#4 Martha- I had thought they would slow down also. It seems to make sense that most of the money comes from the donors who max out, and once they have that’s it for the year and you have to wait until January roles around again. I’m very surprised to see the numbers actually increase. I think the state of the country with Obama in charge may have inspired people to donate more as well. If so we should see similar bumps with Palin and Huckabee’s receipts as well.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Right: #1
Stay in school and maybe you can become a gajillionaire too.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Could the uptick in Romney’s fundraising have to do with the Governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey? I know Romney campaigned in Virginia for Bob McDonnell, and I’m sure he tried to help out Chris Christie. Heck, FSA even threw $5,000 to Doug Hoffman after Scozzafava dropped out.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Please. Being a free market capitalist doesn’t stop me from observing the self-serving f*ckery rich people engage in all the time.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I find it refreshing to see the PAC’s end its short-lived deficit spending. I suspect it occurred largely because of Mitt wanting to allocate funds to the November elections.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
*Sorry, I mean “refreshing to see the PAC end its short-lived deficit spending”.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Romney has no choice but to lavish money on campaigns other than his. He demonstrated numerous times during the primaries that he was utterly incapable of spending it effectively himself. He would outspend his rivals 3 to 1 and sometimes 4 to 1 in places like New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, California, and still lose spectacularly.
Does anyone remember how the befuddled former financier spent US$11m and six months on the ground in Iowa only to lose it in 2 months to a candidate with no money and up until then no presence in the state? Comedy gold, wouldn’t you say?
November 18th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Right, you are full of it. You, I am sure, would be one of the jackasses whining about Romney buying an election if he spent his own money.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Right: 10
First, you should learn how to write.
Second, your comments suggest that you suffer from the same douchebaggery that is all too common on this board.
Third, you should check out the Daily Kos. I think your ideas would be well-received over there.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
November 18th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
dotan: 16
See comment 15 and apply to self.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Why does everyone who doesn’t like someone tell them they should be at Daily Kos?
Can we pleeeeeeeeease come up with an original insult around here?
November 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Now dotan has some original insults. Over the top? Sometimes. Obsessive? Definitely. But still clever and witty as hell.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
“Romney did spend his own money. US$40m of it in the last round of primaries and all he got was a lousy t-shirt.”
If that t-shirt says “I increased my name recognition, became a national figure, and set myself up to be the frontrunner for the nomination in what should be a very Republican year”, then I really doubt Romney is complaining.
The amount of money he will have to invest in his own campaign in 2012 should be minimal – particularly since he already appears able to completely outraise his nearest competitors.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Dude. Taunt them if you must. I know I do. I can’t help myself. But please don’t ask a mittwit to be innovative. That’s just plain mean.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
MWS–I coined the term “douchebaggery.” Does that count as an original insult?
November 18th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
If I were the Romney folks I wouldn’t worry about the “true conservatives” turning on him – they never liked or trusted him to begin with despite his months and months of appeals to their ringleaders, and heck, they hated McCain too. That really stopped him in his tracks last year. Or not
Fact is outside of Iowa their influence is very limited.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Oh, and I forgot to mention on the stage of Glenn Beck’s show. They still wield influence there.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
“Fact is outside of Iowa their influence is very limited.”
Thats not entirely true – although the point that the tea-partiers are unlikely to decide the election as a group isn’t entirely false either.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Gov,
#22.
Not bad. But I more admire insults that combine the object’s own thoughts, historical, theological, or literary references, and a dash of British understatement.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
This really bothers me, because I consider myself a true conservative, and I support Romney, can’t stand Huckabee, and don’t see why so many like Palin.
Fact is neither Huckabee or Palin are really conservative at all, its simple certain segments who like to attack
Romney as not being Conservative, even though he has always governed as a conservative. Huckabee, of course governed more like a liberal than a conservative, but don’t look at the facts.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
“and don’t see why so many like Palin.”
I do – she has all the right talking points, and a record too thin to find the kind of dirt you see people dig up on Romney, the less you do, the less you can be blamed for.
As I’ve said before, were it not for the need to have a competent, credentialed, experienced, successful, atriculate President, I’d be all for Palin.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
So Thunder, what do you think of MassCare, or Mitt’s solid support of the TARP program? Or Romney’s abortion record?
November 18th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
” MassCare”
It got everyone covered, on cost, without a government takeover, and, though not perfect (thanks to the liberal legislature and courts), remains a model for other programs
–
“Mitt’s solid support of the TARP program”
In which he was joined by those with a clear understanding of the banking crisis all over the political spectrum…
—
“Or Romney’s abortion record”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJDhS4oUm0M&feature=fvw
November 18th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
WSU,
” though not perfect (thanks to the liberal legislature and courts)”
I thought it was the Palinites who were always blaming everybody else.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Try convincing the American voter that TARP was wise, RomneyCare is good and Mitt’s not a flip-floppin’ chameleon.
Because when the campaign officially begins, they will be brought up EACH & EVERY day by Mike Huckabee.
Romney loses because of the issues of the day.
He’ll be done after huge losses in Iowa-South Carolina-Florida.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Dotan,
You are comedy gold. Just keep it up.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
It’s all about Romney now. It’s shaping up Romney.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Do you really think that the voters, the tea party voters, those voters in the heartland are going to say, “I think I will vote for Romney because he can raise the most money?”
What about Corzine and all the money he spent on his own campaign? What about Bloomberg and all the money he spent to barely win in NY? And look at all the money Romney wasted trying to buy his way into the white house.
You Romney folks never talk about the behind the scenes money that Romney used to gain inside support. He started doing that early in 2006. So that money is not added to his 41 million of his own money that he spent. I am not talking about bribes, I am talking about donations he made to certain conservative agencies, clubs, associations, etc and then all of a sudden, he got their endorsement in 2008.
Is that what the angry voter of 2012 will be looking for? I don’t think so!
November 18th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Reading these comments is exhausting and discouraging. Are we the party of bickering? Everyone here has the corner on how the American voter will think, what true conservatives are, and it always applies to themselves. Everyone thinks that what appeals to them is what should be true for everyone else. If people don’t agree with us then they are stupid. We are like little children without an adult among us.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Mitt Romney’s PAC Continues Rapid Fundraising in October…
The Free and Strong America PAC posted its second highest monthly receipts for 2009 in October. Monthly FEC filings for Mitt Romney and Co. show that the PAC brought in $440,000 last month, while expending $211,000. This month’s total also pushes the…
November 18th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Keep up the good work, Romney.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
35. Texas,
I would like to see a list of groups Romney donated to, and the amounts. Do you have a list?
November 19th, 2009 at 12:12 am
#13,you thought you were right because Mitt dropped out but the true Mitt is right and you were wrong,because your nominee was defeat but Mitt is a rising star now and you still don’t see his leadership,if you opened your eyes, you know that no one is better than Mitt in all America political now,even democrats.Mitt is the most experience in all that meet the need of this great country,Mitt is the smartest,the strongest,the most qualify for the presidency,and look more presidential than other,he has the leadership style,he has leadership character,he is the right man for the right job,the right leader for the right country,why his pac is in the lead,because American people really need him,educate friend,open your mind man,look for the country,talk for the nation,think for American people,don’t talk for yourself,America are going hell now,because you guy closed your eyes nominee the wrong candidate for yourself,not for the republican,not for the country,why Mr. Van Jone the communist was in the white,the Mrs.pro Mao was in the white house,that is the change Obama want to change America.We need stop his goal now by unite with Mitt to take back America for American people in 2013.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:18 am
#13
dotan:
Why are you living in the past? This was news over a 1 1/2 years ago. It still might be fun to talk about it but really it’s old news. Move on….You must have some new stuff.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Bim,
Are you a native English speaker over the age of 8?
November 19th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Texas #35
Well, when people run for president, they need money. Money to travel from place to place, money for ads, money for a good campaign staff etc., it’s very expensive to run for president, that’s just how it is, it’s always been like that…and since campaigns start a lot earlier than in years past more money is needed. It’s just some are better at raising money than others and more power to the ones that are good at it. Huckabee is still complaining about it.
BTW: This money is being used to help elect Conservative Republican candidates around the country in 2010, isn’t Romney doing a good thing here.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:12 am
“This money is being used to help elect Conservative Republican candidates around the country in 2010, isn’t Romney doing a good thing here.”
Yes, we should all be tickled pink Mitt is helping conservative candidates all over the land….but no…you guys are too busy being jealous and making liberal talking points about the evils of money.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:03 am
The money Mitt is donating to candidates is a really small token of support. This doesn’t even begin to count the MILLIONS Mitt helped raise for candidates and the party in the past 10 months. He headlined at least a dozen events in VA for McDonnell/Bolling/Comstock/RPV. He did the same for Christie. And the same for another dozen state and county committees, lending his name to draw crowds of people with a willingness to support the cause. He didn’t take any money for these events and paid his own expenses out of F&SA. His VA fund raising alone had to approach $1,000,000.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Mitt did NOT Quit!!!! He suspended, meaning he could come back and compete at any given time should McCain have tanked for whatever reason..Mitt was second to McCain with all the dirty politics and double teaming at his suspension time… Mitt utilized the American Dream..I admire success. Even the Bible says, God does not want his people to be losers. MITT WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE GOOD PARENTS, GREAT SCHOOLING, AND DID NOT WASTE HIS LIFE..HE WORKED HARD…You know, even those who are fortunate to have successful parents get great starts only to lose everything…Mitt is wise, smart,frugal, a doer, turnaround expert, proven success using his dime in private business, and morally sound…Not a sniper, a gentle man…So you see, not all of us think the way some here do…Glass half full, half empty??? Take a listen to Mitt, at his freeandstrongamericapac addressing the College youth in Texas at the Reagan facility…He was all over Obama’s policies and very Presidential…Reagan????? darn close in my minds eye!!!!!! Romney 2012…..
November 19th, 2009 at 8:36 am
In seeking to woo conservatives, Romney has also used his personal PAC—the Commonwealth Political Action Committee—to contribute lavishly to several national pro-life groups, the Federalist Society, the National Review, and the Heritage Foundation, among others. In South Carolina, Romney set up a branch of the PAC all the way back in 2004. (He started branches in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Arizona at the same time.) Since then, the state branch—with guidance from a number of consulting firms, including DC Navigators, a top Washington-based group—has run up expenditures of roughly $518,000. Recipients in South Carolina include dozens of state representatives as well as Lieutenant Governor André Bauer ($3,500) and Attorney General Henry McMaster ($1,000). Romney has ladled $9,500 on the state Republican Party, $3,500 on the state Senate G.O.P. caucus, and $7,000 on the House caucus, and has sent tens of thousands of dollars in total to numerous county-level party committees.
Romney’s game plan in South Carolina depends on winning a large share of the social-conservative vote, which makes up at least a third, and perhaps even two fifths, of the state’s G.O.P. electorate. To that end, his PAC has also funded the Palmetto Family Council, which, according to its website, “works in the centers of influence (church, government, media, academia, and business) to present biblical principles through research, communication and networking.” Another $5,000 was delivered from Romney’s PAC to an organization sponsoring a statewide ballot initiative, passed in 2006, that added an amendment banning gay marriage to the state constitution. The PAC also sent money to South Carolina Citizens for Life ($500), South Carolina Club for Growth ($1,000), a school-choice group called South Carolinians for Responsible Government ($1,000), a Republican GOTV effort called South Carolina Victory ($2,000), and a group of conservative school-board candidates in Charleston ($2,000) called, humorously enough, “The A-Team.” (One pities the fool who might oppose them.) Moreover, the Romney campaign in June formed a national “faith and values steering committee” that includes four South Carolinians, among them a pastor, Mark White, and a Christian political activist, Dee Benedict. Both White and Benedict—whom Romney also put on the payroll as a consultant—are from upstate, the heart of South Carolina conservatism.
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2007/11/0081773
November 19th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Preparation Meets Opportunity!!!!! go to: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29685 experience, been there done that, seasoning only comes with lessons of hard knocks!!! Getting back up, dusting one off and start all over again, because You finally GET IT!!!!!Mitt Romney has prepared!!!!!Perfect? No, but pretty darn close!!!! I would feel very safe and secure if Mitt were leading America……..Romney 2012…..
November 19th, 2009 at 8:39 am
With his new strategy of being more of a moderate, in 2012, Romney will be seen as the establishment candidate. He will also be seen as business as usual in Washington-almost like pay to play.
The voters are tired of this and will vote against money and establishment. Not because of money itself, but because of the influence of money and power and politics.
So keep praising Romney and all of his PAC money.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Texas, I’ll remind you that that money comes from real people, who are real supporters. You can say all the bad things you want about his fundraising. The only thing I get out of it is that your jealous.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I think Romney’s doing a great job with his PAC. He seems to be spending money wisely and and leaving substantial evidence of his devotion to the Republican cause. I feel the same way about Huckabee and Palin and Pawlenty and Barbour and Gingrich and others.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:57 am
47. Texas,
‘Lavishly’ might not be the exact word. Most of the donations were modest, falling between $5,000 – $25,000. The Federalist donation was solicited. The Heritage Foundation donation came after they worked with him on healthcare. The NR donation was $5,000 to help with a charity dinner. Every group stated that the donation did not buy influence.
You are free to question Romney’s motive, but I don’t think it’s fair to disparage the groups by implying they are for sale.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:58 am
49. Texas,
Does Romney have a new strategy? I have not noticed that. I think a lot of people are assuming that he does, but I have not heard him say anything moderate.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Nate, Do I wish that the money people in Washington and New York would donate to Huckpac? Sure. Do I wish that Huckabee’s supporters could donate more money to his pac? sure Do I wish that Huckabee would do more promoting of his pac? sure As I think it could be more successful than it is in regards to money.
But I am not jealous. I am not that type of person. I do see and have read about the money that helped influence support for Romney. And we all know that it happens in politics. Just like with endorsements-you endorse someone and you hope later on that they will in return endorse you. It’s all part of the game.
But I really do think that most Americans are going to be looking for a different way of doing things in 2012.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Texas, you seem to carry the same populist message that Huckabee touted so well. Money is evil. It comes from evil people. People who do well for themselves lied and cheated to reach that point…. it’s ridiculous. What ever happened to the idea that if a person asserts himself, he can get ahead? Isn’t that what makes our country great? Innovation, hard work, ingenuity – are these things of the past for you Texans?
And don’t tell me Huckabee hasn’t promoted his PAC. His whole ‘BalanceCutSave.com’petition was a ploy to get people (viewers of FOX news) to funnel to his PAC website. There is no balancecutsave.com – it forwards you directly to his site where you can learn more about the man and, of course, DONATE to his cause. Granted, he shied away from promoting his petition on AIR after people caught on to his intentions.
If your candidate ever makes it to the national stage, you darn well know he’ll be needing a bit more monetary support than he is getting (and a better money-handling team [AKA get rid off his daughter]). If not, he’ll be drowned out by Obama, no question.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Aaronius,
I am not carrying a populist message. I am all for people working hard, earning money, and being successful. But that has nothing to do with what I said about the PAC’s.
What are PAC’s for-to win friends and influence people, chits for future needs, etc.
That is what I am talking about. Again, I applaud Romney in that he is a successful businessman, who worked hard and earned a ton of money.
My point is about the American people are tired of the games that are played in politics. Look at all the money being used to influence the healthcare debate. I think the American voter will vote against money being used to win friends and influence people.
Totally different point.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Texas,
I regret to inform you. But to run and add on the air, and attempt to compete nationally, is something that comes for free. Its not ‘Politics’, its common sense campaigning. Your fundraising totals are a direct correlation with your support and your competitiveness. I hope that your candidate doesn’t intend to compete against Obama on charm and bass-playing skills alone? ..Because if Obama learns bass in the next couple years, your guy is out.
You say: “My point is about the American people are tired of the games that are played in politics. Look at all the money being used to influence the healthcare debate. I think the American voter will vote against money being used to win friends and influence people.”
Hello? It is THE AMERICAN PEOPLE that are donating! It is real people like you and I that are sending their money in form of support to a candidate they believe will make a difference.
I’m glad that you now applaud Romney for his turnaround business/financial success; now realize that it takes someone of this same caliber to run our government, which should be handled like a business, as it is the largest business in the world. Qualification is everything.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Excuse me, I meant to say “is NOT something that comes for free” – Unless you are still running a cable network show through your campaign, I suppose.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Aaronius,
See you keep taking what I say and talk about something different. Now you are talking about the campaign money-that is different than PAC money.
Campaign money is used to win a campaign. Yes, you need lots of that. Every voter who is engaged will want to donate to their candidate of choice.
PAC money is used to win friends and influence people. Otherwise, the owner of the PAC would just direct his supporters to donate directly to an individual’s campaign.
Let’s stick to my point and compare apples to apples. You have twisted what I stated twice now.
I am one of those people who says what I mean and means what I say.
Again, no jealousy here. Not a populist here. Not ignorant on the need for campaign money.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Texas,
You say, “PAC money is used to win friends and influence people. Otherwise, the owner of the PAC would just direct his supporters to donate directly to an individual’s campaign.”
Do mean like this: http://mittromneycentral.com/2009/11/04/romney-behind-both-gop-gubernatorial-victories/ and this http://mittromneycentral.com/2009/10/29/romney-adds-final-muscle-to-va-governors-race/ and this http://mittromneycentral.com/2009/10/10/romney-helps-raise-100000-for-nebraska-gop/ and this http://mittromneycentral.com/2009/09/23/romney-helps-raise-100000-for-virginias-mcdonnell/.
In many of his efforts, Romney’s money has gone directly to the candidate or the cause – asking his supporters to help support the people he endorses. It got us a victory in Virginia, it got us a victory in New Jersey, it will get us countless more victories in 2010. You may call it ‘winning friends and influencing people’ but the rest of us call it BRINGING AMERICA BACK! If PACs are evil in that sense, then why is it you wish Huckabee would “promote his PAC more”?
I see what you’re saying, though. Its totally wrong to use all of your efforts to promote the conservative cause around the country. Its just a huge facade designed to look like Romney cares about the future of the country, when all he really wishes to do is kiss butt. Down with raising money for your PAC because Americans are really get sick off it. Its so evident that Americans are outraged at this sort of thing because they, themselves, KEEP donating to the PACs. You see, its a love/hate relationship: they hate PACs, but somehow they feel the need to continue to send money to them. Outrageous.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Aaron, be nice and stop twisting T-Con’s words
November 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Texas – whether its raising money during the ‘pre-season’ or raising money during an official campaign, there is no dispute that it is crucial to the success of that cause/candidate. Aaronius is right when he states that the amount you raise is a direct reflection of the amount of support you have going for you. After all, its the supporters themselves who are donating those funds.
If Huckabee would spend less time writing/signing cheesy books, and a bit more time raising funds for his Republican constituents, his supporters might feel like he were doing more to “promote his PAC” and in turn, the conservative agenda. What Huckabee is doing currently is merely filling his own pocket and building his own name. How is that better than ‘making friends and influencing people’ through raising funds for them?
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
[...] political action fund raised $440,000 in October. The website, race42008.com said Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC has raised more than $3 million so far this [...]
December 4th, 2009 at 8:42 am
[...] steps to win. The first, Mitt Romney, is making speeches on national defense and foreign policy, getting money through his PAC and generally making himself the early establishment candidate who is, unlike Palin, Huckabee and [...]