Grayson (has) big lead over Webster in money race.

[elleng]

Old news, but interesting.

'If U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson loses next month to Republican challenger Dan Webster, it won't be because the Orlando Democrat hasn't raised enough money.

Over the last two years, Grayson has netted more than $3.8 million in campaign contributions – more than four times as much as the $891,000 that Webster, a former state senator, has raised, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Heading into the final two weeks of the campaign, Grayson had nearly three times as much in his war chest as Webster, roughly $1.2 million to $400,000.

However, Grayson's advantage has been offset by attack ads financed by outsiders. The National Republican Congressional Committee has bought $600,000 worth, while outside groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the 60 Plus Association are spending hundreds of thousands more. It's a situation Grayson's campaign has tried to turn to its advantage.

"Congressman Grayson's supporters realize that he is the number-one target of the special interests. People support the congressman because they know he cannot be bought, unlike Daniel Webster," said Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski in a statement.

The freshman legislator's haul comes largely from individual contributors, rather than the special-interest groups that normally fuel incumbents' war chests. According to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, about 83 percent of donations to Grayson were from individuals.

Roughly 42 percent of these supporters were from states other than Florida -- a testament to both Grayson's potent online fundraising and his combative liberal politics, which have attracted a national following. >>>

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE/PHONE BANK FOR ALAN GRAYSON HERE:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9368072

[bluestateguy]

1. We tend to forget that he has a lot of money of his own

Not that I condone the DCCC cutting him off (if they in fact did), but he can reach into his own pocket too.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. 12th wealthiest according to wiki.

:shrug:

[gateley]

4. Yeah, but the pockets of the Chamber, et al are pretty deep. nt

[gmoney]

3. How is he polling?

Let's hope he doesn't pull a John Kerry and not put it all to work... how many millions did Kerry have in the war chest when he threw in the towel?

[druidity33]

6. 3 to 10 points down...

depending on the polling outfit. His internals may be better (he hinted at that), but it's a come from behind win if he gets it...

Go Grayson!

K&R.

[dreamnightwind]

7. 4% behind

The NYT 538 site has him behind by 4% with only a 25% chance of winning.

http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/forecasts/house/florida/8

I hope he pulls it out! Gave him a little myself, not much disposable cash around here these days though. Anyone that can give should, he's one of the only fighting progressives we have.

[napi21]

9. I got an email this AM that said he was behind Webster by 3 pts I think.

I think it was a Rasmussen poll.

[elleng]

10. e-mail from where?

Last 'we' saw was 538's around 4 pts.

http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/forecasts/house/florida/8

[napi21]

12. One of the Democratic organization groups. Sorry, I deleted it &

cleaned out my trash today so I can't go back and find the original email.

[elleng]

14. thx

[iamjoy]

5. He Needs Volunteers

He is spending plenty. I think he needs volunteers to do voter outreach.

Time to do more virtual phone bank.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Thanks. I'm sending more $$. n/t

[laughingliberal]

11. K&R. Thank you for keeping this out there. nt

[breadandwine]

13. Unfortunately Grayson is being targeted by the unregulated corporate cash.

Who knows how much is going up against him, it's lots.

And the local media have fallen into corporate lockstep for calling his opponent "Taliban Dan."