Presidential Campaign Money and Virginia

Anyone who has followed politics knows that 2008 was the first time in 44 years that Virginia went for the Democrat in the presidential campaign.  The Commonwealth swung back to the GOP in the 2009 statewide races and in 2010, the GOP won a majority of the congressional races, sending only three Democrats out of 11 to represent the congressional districts.  This year's U.S. Senate race is considered a tossup between former Senator George Allen and former Governor Tim Kaine.

So it is understandable that both presidential candidates are targeting Virginia in 2012 as one of a handful of swing states that will decide this year's presidential race.  The Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD) reported this morning the contribution totals for both candidates in Virginia and where their money strengths are in various portions of the Commonwealth.

Obama topped Romney $483,000 to $332,000 that month, according to the nonpartisan tracker of money in Virginia politics. VPAP cited a list of itemized presidential donors provided by the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics.

Through April 30, Romney still tops the president by a slight margin — $3.3 million to $3.2 million — among Virginians who have given at least $200, according to VPAP. The figures do not include totals from small donors.

According to the RTD, Romney leads in over $200 contributions in the Richmond area, Hampton Roads, Roanoke and Bristol, and Obama leads in Northern Virginia and in Charlottesville.  The RTD also noted that in the liberal enclave of Charlotesville (home of the University of Virginia), Obama has raised $286,638 to Romney's $85,500.

So, what does this mean for the election in November?  Campaign contributions do represent a certain level of support and the fact that Romney out raised Obama during a time when he had competition for the nomination does show some strength.  A better indication of that strength however is going to be the level of volunteers that staff phone banks, various local fairs, and other events where the general public will be inundated by campaign folks from now until November.

The NRA has launched the "All In" campaign for the 2012 election.  While gun owners may be wary of Mitt Romney, the fact is, either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney will be elected President in November.  We know where Obama stands and what type of Supreme Court nominees he will nominate over the next four years.  Gun owners need to be "All In" to defeat Barack Obama.