Deseret News | Reader comments: GOP rakes in majority of Utah donations

Reader comments
GOP rakes in majority of Utah donations

Instereo | 8:19 a.m. April 29, 2008

I imagine that if you took Romney out of the equation, funding raising in Utah would be much more equal. Including his numbers makes it look like the republicans have the super majority that is typically preseved but I also think it masks the democratic swell that is growing in this state. In Utah the Romney campaign was more about religion then it was about politics because many in Utah felt that "One of our Own" had a shot at the presidency. The last thing this article shows is that in a democracy there may be a few who contribute a lot but it's the small time contributors that make up the numbers that vote. So the republicans may have more contributions but they may not have more contributors. So to me it appears the money is hiding what's really happening with the voters.

Anonymous | 8:53 a.m. April 29, 2008

The ailing GOP is going to need more than donations.
They are going to need a complete revamp of Bush Doctrine.

elisabeth | 9:08 a.m. April 29, 2008

Isnt it sad that money buys elections? For two reasons: for one, corporate donors are buying political influence that often is counter to the interest of the majority. And second, most of the money is used for media which should be publicly financed so that we have a more equal playing field.

If you keep media ownership and political airtime rules as is, the only way you can influence public opinion is to get large sums of money. Then it becomes a viscious cycle of the wealthy supporting politicians that support the interests of the wealthy.

Comments continue below

Michael Moore | 9:39 a.m. April 29, 2008

Dem voters are smart enough not to donate much to their party because they know that if they get their candidate elected, the candidate will make plenty of money from big money corporations who need the governments help to control the market and sell their junk.

McBush | 10:55 a.m. April 29, 2008

This is fantastic news. It's very reassuring to know that Utah Republicans--well Utah--are committed to continuing on this path of prosperity.

Money Money | 11:00 a.m. April 29, 2008

Interesting article...I really believe money raised from individuals in Utah translates into support and credibility in any race. Some people say money plays too much of a role, and I believe it does to an extent...but it does play a necessary role and shows how much one is supported by individuals.
Also, isn't it interesting that David Leavitt is No. 10 on the list of money raised--obviously showing widespread support for him and a great ability to raise money--compared to the other challengers in his race.

American: The Land of Hope | 11:06 a.m. April 29, 2008

hope the bank doesn't foreclose on my house.

I hope I can somehow pay off the crushing burden of my student loans someday.

I hope my job doesn't get shipped overseas.

I hope I don't get stop-lossed again.

I hope the war is over by the time my son is grown.

I hope I don't lose my health insurance.

I hope reckless investment bankers haven't destroyed our entire economy.

I hope I can afford to heat my home next winter.

I hope we can make it through the next seven months of the Bush Administration..

Hope | 11:21 a.m. April 29, 2008

"America: The Land of Hope"? In one phrase you may have just written exactly what's wrong with America. America used to be the Land of Getting Off Your Keyster and Doing Something About It. Now it's the Land of Hope, as in people are hoping (expecting?) the government to solve their problems.

If you don't know if you can afford to heat your house, keep your house, pay for health insurance, then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BESIDES HOPE!

I was born in a foreign country in poverty. But I worked and sweated my way to success - now my children have opportunities I didn't have.

America used to be a land of tough-it-out doers. Now it's a land of woe-is-me whiners. The comments above are proof.

Figures | 11:24 a.m. April 29, 2008

Franklin wrote: "Fools and their money are soon parted." I wonder what Franklin would think of Utah's majority here?

Anonymous | 11:38 a.m. April 29, 2008

Re: Hope

Under the Bush/Cheney administration the size of government employees has tripled.
This same government is now running this country into the ground while a select few are getting filthy rich.

Sorry Hope. I didn't vote for these monsters.

Justin | 11:39 a.m. April 29, 2008

Maybe the reason Republicans raise more isn't for as cynical a reason as ya'll are suggesting. Maybe it's because Republicans actually have a better message than Democrats. Maybe people don't want higher taxes, easier abortion laws, and a foreign policy that caters to terrorists.

Anonymous | 12:22 p.m. April 29, 2008

"Republicans have a better message than Democrats?"

Maybe that is why Democrats are turning out in record-breaking numbers at the polls.

You are hilarious, Justin.

Denny Andrews | 12:24 p.m. April 29, 2008

Re: Anonymous 11:38...
I'm assuming you wanted to say that the numbers of civil servants have grown, not that the existing ones are all around 600 pounds.
Sorry. I got a kick out of it, wondering what the eveil bush regime was feeding the civil service to fatten it up. Maybe that's why they do all that fundraising...

Cody | 12:26 p.m. April 29, 2008

Justin, Well said.

Amazed | 1:22 p.m. April 29, 2008

Wow! Republicans rake in more money in Utah than Democrats do? That really is news!

Chuck blue | 1:40 p.m. April 29, 2008

The sad thing is that in such a christian state like Utah, the vast majority are republicans. How sad indeed. Search your souls, Jesus, would not approve of the Republican values. They are totally unti poor and anti social.

Better Choices | 1:53 p.m. April 29, 2008

I am one of those donors - and although my few dollars is all I can afford, I am hopeful that it keeps us out of the abyss that Democrats seem to be determined to sink us into.

Anonymous | 2:52 p.m. April 29, 2008

Better choices -
I'm afraid you have that backwards.
With an illegal, immoral and unwinnable war; an economy that has all the indicators of Greater Depression on it, trillions of debt to China,
your GOP has already sunk us into the abyss you are talking about.

Prediction:
Landslide victory in November

re: Anonymous 2:52 | 3:24 p.m. April 29, 2008

What economic principles do the democrats propose will save our nation?

Anonymous | 3:48 p.m. April 29, 2008

The #1 economic principle will be the automatic DEMISE of the worst administration in our history that has:
- created an unwinnable war that is bankrupting us
- coming after our social security to fund that war
- went from a surplus to the largest debt in history
- a devalued dollar
- largest growth in federal employees ever
- made enemies worldwide
and that's just for starters.

re: Anonymous | 2:29 p.m. April 30, 2008

Okay, I agree that Republicans have spent like Democrats which is so so unfortunate, but you did not answer my question...What economic principles do the democrats propose will save our nation?

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