"The DSCC cut $37,300 checks last month to Tester and to three of its other preferred Senate candidates: Hawaii Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, to whom the DSCC is providing material support despite a challenge he faces from Democratic Rep. Ed Case in the Sept. 23 primary; Virginia challenger James Webb, an author and former Navy secretary who is seeking to upset Republican Sen. George Allen; and Sheldon Whitehouse, a former Rhode Island attorney general who is the party+óGé¼Gäós presumptive nominee against the winner of a GOP primary between Sen. Lincoln Chafee and Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey."
Several things. First, it's great to see the DSCC pony up. Hopefully there's more where that came from. However, what I can't understand is why they've only given $37,300 in support of Webb? It's true that $37,300 is the most they can give directly to a candidate but why aren't they giving to the state party? The DSCC has almost $40 million on hand. They gave $829,000 in Nebraska, $553,000 in Montana, $225,000 in NJ, and $187,500 in Missouri.
http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/07/senate_dsccs_edge_makes_june_m.html
So what's next? Does the DSCC pony up and make this thing competitive? Do they wait around until Labor Day and then decide? Finally, what can we do to encourage more giving? So far I'm not convinced the DSCC is taking this race seriously. Time to put its money where its mouth is.