If electoral preferences are measured in terms of dollars donated, then companies in the business of operating radio and television stations are split right down the middle this year. Just under $4M had been donated by such companies, with Republican candidates holding a scant $10K lead in funds received, a statistical dead heat. The numbers are from electoral watchdog OpenSecrets.org, an arm of the Center for Responsive Politics.
The 50-50 tie breaks a pro-Republican trend that began in 1996 and peaked at 66% in 2002. Republican candidates also enjoyed a 57%-43% broadcast donation advantage in each of the last two elections. The OpenSecrets chart goes back to 1990, which was also a Republican year. Democrats have earned the lion’s share only twice, getting 60% in 1992 and 58% in 1994. Click the headline for a peek at the history of broadcast political giving.
RBR/TVBR observation: What is notable about the dollar amounts donated is that they amount to peanuts in the vast ocean of campaign fundraising. This year’s broadcast giving isn’t all that much and the total peaked in 2000 at a mere $7M. It shows that broadcasters are wise enough to be on the receiving end of all this cashflow.
|
Election cycle |
Total contributions |
% to Dems |
% to Reps |
|
2008 |
$3,916,820 |
50% |
50% |
|
2006 |
$4,934,821 |
43% |
57% |
|
2004 |
$6,012,661 |
43% |
57% |
|
2002 |
$5,646,664 |
34% |
66% |
|
2000 |
$7,012,249 |
36% |
64% |
|
1998 |
$2,560,141 |
46% |
54% |
|
1996 |
$2,395,277 |
38% |
61% |
|
1994 |
$1,455,043 |
58% |
41% |
|
1992 |
$1,605,696 |
60% |
40% |
|
1990 |
$777,293 |
52% |
48% |
Source: OpenSecrets.org/Center for Responsive Politics
