Fundraising Is Just One Battle Between Democrats and the GOP

Midterm elections are just weeks away and news coverage is increasingly leaning towards the battle between Democrats and the GOP to control the House and other key spots.  Fundraising, especially now, is critical because it supports advertising and promotion to help get party members elected.  This blog draws in not just political junkies, but most likely a majority of voters who are anticipating going to the polls on November 2nd.  


Fredreka Schouten publishes many blogs for USA Today.  By the looks of her Twitter page and how many people commented on this particular blog (13), she doesn't seem to draw too many readers.  However, I don't think that speaks to her credibility.  If an established paper such as USA Today employs Schouten to blog for them, then I think it's safe to say that she is a credible author. 


Schouten argues through a series of interviews that Republicans are pushing hard to make more money in order to catch up with Democrats (Republicans raised more than $11 million in September.  Democrats raised nearly $16 million) and Democrats argue Republicans are being bought out by special interest groups that want to have some control in Congress. Schouten ends her blog with a quote from the American Action Network, "The American public is frustrated, angry and perhaps frightened about the direction of the country right now. They are angry about government-run health care, mounting debt, out-of-control spending and stimuluses that spend but don't stimulate jobs."  Essentially, fundraising is just the backdrop of a much larger problem that implies hidden agendas and selling out to special interest groups for money and votes.


I agree that both parties are guilty of buying seats in Congress.  I think politicians say whatever they believe will buy more votes and keep money pouring in for their campaigns.  Do I think it matters which politicians are trusted in Congress with our votes and problems?  Yes, because some politicians are out there to do good while others are career politicians, looking to stay in Congress as long as possible even if it means being bought out.