Year: 2014

It’s All Big Money Politics Now

Buck Banks

$323 million

Amount the 100 biggest campaign donors gave in 2014 — “almost as much as the $356 million given by the estimated 4.75 million people who gave $200 or less,” Politico reports. “And the balance almost certainly would tip far in favor of the mega-donors were the analysis to include nonprofit groups that spent at least $219 million — and likely much more — but aren’t required to reveal their donors’ identities.”

Most New York Voters Would Rather Spend New Year’s Alone than with NY Politicians

Buck Banks

45%

Of New York State voters would rather spend New Year’s Eve alone than with New York politicians, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the New Year’s Eve date of choice for 37 percent, while 8 percent want to toast to 2015 with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and 8 percent want to sing “Auld Lang Syne” with Mayor Bill de Blasio, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

There Goes Webb’s Prez Run!

Buck Banks

$100,000

Amount Jim Webb’s (D) “Born Fighting PAC” paid to his wife and daughter, according to Business Insider. Webb launched a 2016 presidential exploratory committee last month. “Records show his committee essentially ceased political activities once Webb revealed his decision to depart Congress. However, Born Fighting PAC continued to contribute to Webb’s family long after it stopped giving to the candidates and groups it was ostensibly established to support … The majority of the money Webb’s wife and daughter received from the committee came after it stopped giving money to politicians and political groups.”

Bush Leads Everyone but Romney

Buck Banks

23%

Percentage of Republicans who support Jeb Bush’s candidacy for president, 10 points higher than his nearest rival, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a new CNN/ORC poll finds. However, notes Byron York: “But amid all those names — 14 in all — CNN left one off: Mitt Romney. The 2012 Republican nominee has been leading the GOP field in surveys that include his name — indeed, he led CNN’s November poll, with 20 percent to Bush’s 9 percent. Did Romney’s support disappear in the space of a month, even as Bush announced he is ‘actively exploring’ a presidential run?”