campaign 08

On my blog, Weapons of Mass Discussion, I recently put some numbers together taken from various CQ Politics articles that I think makes a point that isn't being made anywhere else.  It is a point that really demonstrates the strength of the Republican Party in these troubling times.  The point: The GOP has raised MORE money than the Democrats.

According to my math...

RNC = $143.3 million
NRCC = $69.3 million
NRSC = $47.9 million
GOP Total = $260.5 million

DNC = $77.6 million
DCCC = $92.6 million
DSCC = $76.5 million
DEM Total = $246.7 million

Caveat: My numbers do NOT include the presidential race fundraising numbers.  But I'll point out that the difference between McCain and Obama in cash on hand is only $15 million -- nearly the difference between the GOP and DEM figures from above.

Now don't get me wrong, I think that the GOP is in some trouble -- particularly with conservatives -- but I don't think the situation is near as grim as it is being portrayed.

(We're pleased to welcome to these pages Kristen Soltis, director of policy research at the Winston Group, a Republican polling firm. -Patrick)

With Senator Obama claiming a majority of pledged delegates and an increasing number of superdelegates, it appears that Senator Obama's path to the Democratic nomination is clear; his nomination almost a foregone conclusion. (Just ask Tim Russert!)

But polling data is a fun thing, and this morning's two newest national polls show Obama slightly behind McCain or running even with him, while Hillary Clinton is ahead of McCain in both polls. 

The Gallup five-day running average from their tracking shows McCain ahead of Obama, 47-44.  Yet in a head to head with Clinton, McCain loses by three, 45-48.  Take a look at the trending throughout May - Obama and McCain swap in and out of the top spot with each other four times in this one month alone, while Clinton never once gives McCain the edge.