Clinton’s Hill supporters do little to narrow fundraising disparity

Few of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) supporters in Congress have responded to her pleas for cash since early February, when Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) began to build his delegate lead.

Nearly half her lawmaker backers have given nothing to her campaign, even though Obama’s financial advantage has emerged as a major problem in states such as Pennsylvania.

{mosads}Since Super Tuesday, Feb. 5., only eight Clinton supporters have given to her campaign, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Financial support from lawmakers dried up just as Clinton faced a daunting shortage of funds that eventually prompted her to loan her own campaign $5 million.

Her allies on the Hill have, however, given hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which has amassed a large cash advantage over the House Republican fundraising committee.  

Of the 94 lawmakers who have endorsed Clinton, 48 have given her money, according to a survey of fundraising reports posted this week and a list of political committee contributions compiled by CQ Money Line. But only 18 have given to her campaign since she finished third in the Iowa caucuses, behind Obama and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.).

Most of those who gave money after Obama won more primaries on Super Tuesday represent New York districts and have incentive to curry favor with Clinton even if she fails to become president. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) gave $2,300 on Feb. 20; Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) gave $2,000 on March 11; and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) gave $4,000 on Feb. 18.

Even fewer of Obama’s supporters have given to him since the beginning of January, but his campaign has been awash in money. Only Reps. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) have contributed since Clinton beat him in the New Hampshire primary on Jan. 8, reports filed this week with the FEC show.

But Obama is having no problem raising money, unlike Clinton. He astonished allies and rivals by raising $37 million in January, $57 million in February and an estimated $40 million in March. Clinton has raised about $75 million, or about 55 percent as much, during the same period.

That disparity has made a difference in Pennsylvania, where both candidates are campaigning vigorously. Obama has outspent Clinton nearly 3-to-1 on television ads, allowing him to narrow Clinton’s previous lead in polls.

Lawmakers’ contributions would make little difference because of the tens of millions both candidates have raised in such a short period of time. But the lack of contributions may also reflect the shallowness of their support.

“The campaign has been lucky to have such enthusiastic grassroots supporters who have stepped up every time Sen. Clinton has needed them,” said Clinton campaign spokesman Blake Zeff. “We also greatly appreciate the continued support of such a large number of elected officials.”

Several lawmakers supporting Clinton have districts in which African-Americans form the majority of voters and which have supported Obama overwhelmingly. These lawmakers have felt pressure from constituents to abandon Clinton.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) is the only African-American representative to give to Clinton since Iowa, according to fundraising reports. He gave $2,292 from his National Leadership PAC (political action committee) on Feb. 19.

Donna Christensen (D), an African-American delegate from the Virgin Islands, gave $1,000 from her reelection committee at the end of March.

By contrast, Reps. Yvette Clarke (D) and Edolphus Towns (D), who represent majority-black districts in New York, have not given Clinton any funds, campaign records show.

Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, also has not given Clinton a donation, according to available records. Surprisingly, former New York Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R), whom Schumer ousted in a fierce 1998 race, gave her $4,000 from his leadership PAC.

“Sen. Schumer has focused his energies on raising the necessary resources for our Democratic Senate candidates so that when Sen. Clinton becomes president, she’ll have a Congress ready to help enact our agenda,” said Schumer spokesman Brian Fallon.

Clinton’s congressional backers have given generously to the DCCC; 13 have given more than $1 million between them since the beginning of the year.

They have also rallied to the support of Rep. Andre Carson (D), who won a special election recently in Indiana. Twelve Clinton backers have given $19,000 to Carson since Jan. 1.

Since Super Tuesday, Obama has won 13 Democratic primary contests and Clinton has won three, including big states such as Ohio and Texas. During that time, Obama has narrowed Clinton’s lead in congressional endorsements significantly. Ninety-four House Democrats have formally endorsed Clinton, compared to 87 who have backed Obama.

Andrea L. Alford contributed to this report.