Friday, February 01, 2008

Liberals Close Fundraising Gap

In the last quarter of 2007, the Liberals closed the fundraising gap, as well as the number of contributors. Here are the numbers for each quarter, for context:
Cons:

First: 5 176 736 (45 192 contributors)

Second: 3 768 122 (36 794 contributors)

Third: 3 152 985 (32 812 contributors)

Fourth: 4 892 921 (44 324 contributors)

Libs:

First: 531 141 (4 365 contributors)

Second: 1 268 043 (9 951 contributors

Third: 793 835 (7 849 contributors)

Fourth 1 944 946 (13 618 contributors)

NDP:

First: 1 237 972 (14 782 contributors)

Second: 722 760 (11 773 contributors)

Third: 594 479 (10 857 contributors)

Fourth: 1 424 524 (15 698 contributors)

Greens:

First 154 451 (2 669 contributors)

Second: 197 373 (2 801 contributors)

Third: 218 505 (3 143 contributors)

Fourth: 414 274 (3 390 contributors)


All the parties had their best fundraising totals in the fourth quarter, except the governing Conservatives.

The Liberal totals are encouraging. The first quarter numbers are skewed, due to fundraising fatigue, in the aftermath of the leadership race. All parties see a downturn in the third quarter, typical during the summer months. If we use the second quarter as a good comparison, we see the Liberals have closed the gap with the Conservatives. What was a 3-1 money advantage is down to 2.5-1. What might be more important, the 4-1 lead in contributors is down to 3-1, a good sign that the Liberals are doing a better job engaging the grassroots. One caveat, the NDP still draws on more contributors than the Liberals, so plenty of work to do.

The total number of close to 2 million is a good sign, particularly in an environment where many donations are going elsewhere, namely helping the former leadership contenders pay off their large debts.

Good news too for the NDP, who raised almost as much as the Liberals for 2007 (quick math 4.7 million to 4.1 million).

The Conservates still hold a commanding lead in terms of fundraising, but at least the trends are better. Finally, there looks to be some evidence that the Liberal braintrust is coming to terms with the new fundraising rules.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, that was funy spin.

Your party is joke when it comes to donations.

Man sheep like you are spinning so much your post are nothing but cotton.

Anonymous said...

Boy, you know the CPC trolls are upset that anything positive is happening for the Liberals when they come up with pitiful responses like Anon 12:10.

Considering the Liberal supporters had donation fatigue because of the leadership rate, I think things are looking up.

Lynne

Steve V said...

anon

What are you talking about it? If you look back, I was quite critical of fundraising previously. That said, these numbers are encouraging, relatively, especially more contributors. Bottomline, numbers are up. Why don't you go sit and SPIN.

Anonymous said...

Because dear steve the CONS are all assholes....signed gramps...I use to have a soft spot for chuck strahl but as I watch him in QP he makes me sick.

wilson said...

The upcoming bi-elections will drain the pot.
Or not.
If Libs are succeeding in grassroots participation, Libs coffers may swell.
Time will tell.

Steve V said...

I think Bob and Martha could spent a dollar each and still win.

Maybe the Cons should run another round of attack ads. Looking at the polls, they've really been quite effective. A few more, and maybe they will be in the 20's.

Ti-Guy said...

The upcoming bi-elections will drain the pot.
Or not.
If Libs are succeeding in grassroots participation, Libs coffers may swell.
Time will tell.


...or not.

Thanks for the laugh, Wilson.

Anonymous said...

Funny you didn't put up the Bloc's numbers...percentage wise they slayed everybody in the fourth reporting quarter.

It doesn't reaaly matter though, grand totals for all parties are down from last year with the Liberals leading the decline.

Look at the sheer number of contributors...the NDP have more loyal supporters. Seems fitting for the average Lib supporter though...tell others how their money should be spent yet contribute nothing yourself.

The blowing in the breeze Liberal Party, with its feckless leader and no real platform or direction to speak of is well on its way to being an "also ran".

Oh happy day!

Steve V said...

"The blowing in the breeze Liberal Party, with its feckless leader and no real platform or direction to speak of is well on its way to being an "also ran"."

Keep telling yourself that :) And, if all that is true, what does it say about the Conservatives, down in the polls. The more people point to Liberal misfortune, the more it says about our hapless government. Too rich.

wilson said...

'I think Bob and Martha could spent a dollar each and still win.'

Was that the 'think' for the past Quebec bi's too?
If Libs can't rally grassroots support ($) around winners....

TiGuy. You laughed when I said that Jack could do well in Quebec too. He did. You still laughing about that one?

Steve V said...

"Was that the 'think' for the past Quebec bi's too?"

Actually, if you recall, I said right from the start the Outremont wasn't "safe". These two by-elections, the only word that comes to mind is landslide.

Anonymous said...

Wilson - get your bloody facts straight. Of the 3 QC byelections only one USED TO be considered a Liberal safe seat. There's a host of factors why the NDP won and Jack Layton ain't one of them! Let's see how future leader Mulcair fairs against former Liberal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon.

Anonymous said...

I had never belonged to or given money to any political party before and haven't even voted Liberal for quite some time, but I gave to the LPC last quarter and will give some more (although I'm not ready to join any party). Stephen Harper finally motivated me! Glad to see the Liberal amounts up, although they still have quite a ways to go.

Steve V said...

clh

I think the longer the reign, the more people will be motivated to donate to the alternative. In many ways, it was the long Liberal government that motivated the Con grassroots.