Kesher Talk

Money not yet flowing to McKinney's opponent: Today's Roll Call reports, "After Artur Davis (D) ousted a five-term incumbent in Alabama last month in a runoff fueled by Mideast politics and out-of-state money, some strategists were privately buzzing that former Judge Denise Majette (D) could be on track to do the same in Georgia's 4th district. Majette is challenging Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D), who has been beset by controversy over her own views on foreign policy and the war on terror, in an Aug. 20 Democratic primary. But new financial disclosure reports indicate there are some big differences between the Georgia race and Davis' defeat of Rep. Earl Hilliard (D). Federal Election Commission reports filed last week show Majette raised almost the same amount as McKinney during the second quarter reporting period, but she fell far short of meeting the incumbent's cash-on-hand total. The Congresswoman raised $263,000 in April, May and June, compared to the $246,000 Majette raked in. McKinney, meanwhile, ended last month with a war chest of $463,000, more than four times the $99,000 Majette showed in the bank. Davis' defeat of Hilliard gained international attention after money from outside Alabama flowed into both candidates' coffers. Davis was heavily supported by the Jewish community, while Hilliard was backed by pro-Arab groups and affiliated interests. Both Hilliard and McKinney, viewed as hostile to Israel by some Jewish political groups, voted against a resolution passed by the House earlier this year that condemned Palestinian suicide bombings. ... But a month and a half later, when the candidates filed pre-primary reports, Davis had outraised Hilliard by more than a 2-to-1 margin and had more cash on hand. However, the new FEC reports indicate that Majette has not benefited from the same monetary windfall that helped propel Davis' candidacy. According to Majette's campaign, 90 percent of the contributions she has received have come from individuals in Georgia."

posted by Howard @ 7/22/2002 10:29:29 AM