VA: Tim Kaine raised 2.25 Mio. $ in second quarter

[Tender Branson]

In the first quarter of fundraising for his 2012 U.S. Senate bid, Democrat Timothy M. Kaine has raised $2.25 million, his campaign reports.

The figure marks a strong start for Kaine's campaign, which was already $1.5 million behind fellow former governor and Republican opponent George Allen's when Kaine entered the race in early April.

Allen's second-quarter figures are not yet available, a spokeswoman said Monday, and neither were figures for Republican candidate Jamie Radtke, who raised $55,000 in the first quarter.

Tim Donner, a Northern Virginia television production company owner seeking the GOP nomination, has raised $206,000 since entering the race two months ago. Of that total, $115,000 was self-funded.

Finance reports are due to the Federal Elections Commission by July 15.

Larry Sabato, a political scientist and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, called Kaine's numbers "a good start for what will be a ridiculously expensive campaign."

As one of the nation's marquee 2012 races, Sabato estimated that the frontrunners' would need between $20 million to $30 million, including money raised through outside groups.

http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/jul/05/tdmet01-kaine-raises-225-million-toward-2012-ar-1151873/

[Lief 🗽]

Wow, that really puts the Republican presidential candidate's crappy fundraising into perspective.

[Napoleon]

Allen is overestimated on this forum.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

I for one welcome Senator President Kaine.

[RogueBeaver]

What were the comparable numbers for '06? Regardless, they're still tied in the polls and will be until E-Day.

[Napoleon]

What were the comparable numbers for '06? Regardless, they're still tied in the polls and will be until E-Day.

Because of macaca, there are no comparable numbers.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Webb didn't actually get into the race until February of 2006.

[Meeker]

While this is all well and good, George Allen and every other Republican in the nation will have plenty of shady independent expenditures to make up any edge Democratic candidates may have in candidate vs. candidate fundraising.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

What is the date for the Virgnia 2012 senate primary?

June 5.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Allen is overestimated on this forum.

I don't think so.  The polls show an even race, we have to take that as the situation.  Plus, isn't it a base assumption that Republicans will raise money, especially in swing states with tight races?

[Napoleon]

Allen is overestimated on this forum.

I don't think so.  The polls show an even race, we have to take that as the situation.  Plus, isn't it a base assumption that Republicans will raise money, especially in swing states with tight races?

The money and current poll standings had little to do with my comment. Allen is a discredited racist who will not return to the Senate.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Allen is a discredited racist who will not return to the Senate.

See, I agree with your end result: Allen will lose.  But, I disagree that he is discredited.  People still like him.  He has a base, and that matters.  People see a close race, so they give him money and support.  I don't think he is overestimated - I think you are overestimating my fellow Virginians.

[tmthforu94]

By Election Day 2006, pretty much all of Virginia knew about the Macaca incident and he still received over 49% of the vote. Though Obama will increase Democratic turnout in Virginia, the environment for Allen won't be nearly as tough as it was in 2006, and the issue on most voter's minds is the economy, not a comment a candidate made 6 years ago.

It'll also be beneficial to Allen to have Bob McDonnell campaigning for him, who has a very high job approval rating in the state.

Not necessarily saying Allen is a lock for this, but I certainly wouldn't call him DOA either.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Isaac's thinking is similar to mine, in terms of the impact of Macaca.  Kaine won't focus on Macaca.  Instead, he'll hit Allen on other things, and hope Obama can carry him over the top.  Kaine was a fairly successful Governor, and that helps him.  Likewise, the boom in NOVA, along with NOVA getting more Democratic, is a huge deal.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Allen is guaranteed to get about 48% of the vote. So is Kaine. They're going to be fighting over 4% of the electorate for the next 16 months.