Top 10 Political Donors - '89 to '10. Which party got more $?

There have been several threads here lately about the recent decision by SCOTUS to overturn what existing campaign finance rules we had.

Given that ruling and the ensuing debate and discussion I thought it might be interesting to take a look at just who the top contributors have been over the years and which party they gave the most to.

Full list is available at -

Open Secrets - Top All-Time Donors, 1989-2010

Here's the top 10 for 1989 to 2010

1 AT&T Inc $44,027,485 D44% R55%
2 American Fedn of State, Cnty & Municipal Emp $41,751,311 D98% R1%
3 National Assn of Realtors $35,438,725 D48% R51%
4 Goldman Sachs $31,413,462 D64% R35%
5 Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $31,359,957 D97% R2%
6 American Assn for Justice $31,319,029 D90% R9%
7 National Education Assn $30,068,167 D92% R6%
8 Laborers Union $28,814,400 D92% R7%
9 Service Employees International Union $27,911,232 D95% R3%
10 Carpenters & Joiners Union $27,769,683 D89% R10%

I'll admit, the list surprised me. I'd have thought that more large companies would have been in the top 10 and less unions. I'm also surprised by how the giving shakes out by party.

You have 2 that slightly give more to Repub's than Dems, (ATT and National Association of Realtors). However, it is somewhat small % (10% more for Repubs by ATT and 3% for the Realtors). To me this is more that these groups want to make sure they butter their bread on both sides.

As for the rest of the top 10 - Goldman Sachs has the next most even split with D64% and R35%. Of the rest, the money goes almost entirely to the Dems it looks like. I'll be honest, that surprised me.




[edit on 26-1-2010 by Frogs]

[edit on 26-1-2010 by Frogs]

reply to post by Frogs


This doesn't include 527s, or other front groups like the ones that astro-turfed the tea-party movement. Anyway, so what, the SCOTUS decision entrenches incumbent based two-party oligarchical rule.

Best,
Skunknuts

reply to post by skunknuts


Well - they do have 527's. Its just on a different page.

527s: Advocacy Group Spending - Left Leaning

527s: Advocacy Group Spending - Right Leaning

527s: Advocacy Group Spending - All

Hmmm.. I wish there was a way to do a table here - or if there is that I knew how to do it.

I'll try and do a simple breakdown just for 08 & what they have for 10 (I don't see 09 there for some reason).

Left Leaning
YR Receipts Expenses
2008 $265,336,613 $263,837,445
2010 $39,889,341 $40,957,350

Right Leaning
YR Receipts Expenses
2008 $161,107,257 $149,746,601
2010 $31,929,365 $25,601,169

Anyway, you can see the full figures at the links above. The gap is closer - but it still seems to follow the same pattern. Again, I'll admit I was surprised. I thought the Repub's had the upper hand in funding - but these numbers just aren't proving that to be the case - unless I'm missing something?

reply to post by Frogs


I'll bet we can agree it's all pretty disgusting. I personally feel publicly-funded elections are the best way to restore some decency and fairness to our electoral process. I'd like to work within the system, if possible, but the latest SCOTUS decision (regardless of judicial reasoning) will only make things worse.

Originally posted by skunknuts
reply to post by Frogs

 

I'll bet we can agree it's all pretty disgusting. I personally feel publicly-funded elections are the best way to restore some decency and fairness to our electoral process. I'd like to work within the system, if possible, but the latest SCOTUS decision (regardless of judicial reasoning) will only make things worse.

At least from me - on those points I agree 100%