October 23, 2005

Not contributing.

They want you to give, but do they?
One of the kings of Democratic fund-raising, Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, collected more than $25 million to win a second term easily in 2004, and he has raised much more since then as head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

None of it came from his own pocket.

Not once, according to federal records, has Mr. Schumer, right, donated to his Congressional campaigns, which go back more than two decades.

"Every spare nickel I have goes to college tuition," said Mr. Schumer, who has two daughters.
There are lots of others who don't contribute to their own campaigns. The typical excuse is that they need all their money to support their family. Who doesn't?

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Senator Schumer hsa been talking about this since he tagged the Make College Affordable Act on to the 2001 Bush tax cuts - tax cuts which amusingly he didn't like. I don't recall how much but I believe his bill allowed a tax deduction of up to $12,000 dollars. Which is quite a sizeable amount.

This has to be a nice line for Schumer that his aides tell him to bring up every now and again. Go google it - it comes up very often.

And you're right - everybody has tight payments. But then this is NY state where Republican's don't have a hope of becoming state Senator. And I haven't looked but it would be interesting to see if his daughter's go to school in the instate SUNY system.

Bruce Hayden said...

To give him credit, or, rather, not to make too big of a deal of this, it is easier at some points in your life to contribute to either candidates or charities, and it is harder at others.

I only have one kid, and that kid doesn't start college for a couple of years. But I am at least expecting private college, and that is getting scary. It has gone up quite a bit since the time 33 years ago when my father had 3 in private school at once.

I was much more incensed a couple of years ago when Ted Turner was railing agaist how little the other billionaires were giving then to charity, and then found that he wasn't giving any more: 1%-2% of his wealth a year. I know plenty of middle income people honestly tithing - before taxes. (and yes, I know the difference between income and wealth).

Anonymous said...

honestly tithing - before taxes.

Yes, neither Ted Turner nor Charles Schumer are honestly tithing as judged by Mr. Hayden.

A tenth part of one's annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, especially for the support of the clergy or church.

My head asplodes.

Matt Brown said...

Perhaps the senator who just won some Powerball money could help Schumer out.

Eli Blake said...

Well, last year Republicans went after John Kerry for taking out a mortgage so he could give to his own campaign. So he was damned if he did, and Schumer is damned if he doesn't.

What this only shows that no matter what a Democrat does, Republicans will criticize him for it.

But that is the party of attack, attack, attack and very little else, so what else can you expect?

Unknown said...

Well, last year Republicans went after John Kerry for taking out a mortgage so he could give to his own campaign. So he was damned if he did, and Schumer is damned if he doesn't.

Kerry taking out a mortgage to finance his campaign was a sign it was foundering, Schumer not donating to his own re-election once in 20 years is a sign of a tightwad.