Obama triples Romney in Ann Arbor area campaign donations
Ann Arbor area political donors have given $307,752 to U.S. presidential candidates during the 2012 campaign — but about 90.6 percent has gone to President Barack Obama, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.
President Barack Obama greets supporters at an event in Ann Arbor in January 2012.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney greets voters after a speech on health care in Ann Arbor in 2011.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Statewide, Romney had raised $1.576 million as of Feb. 13, edging Obama, who had raised $956,998, according to Federal Election Commission records sorted by the Center for Responsive Politics and analyzed by AnnArbor.com.
No Ann Arbor area donors have contributed to the presidential candidate's main Super Political Action Committees (PAC), which are operated independently of the official campaigns and are not subject to individual donor limits.
Here are five facts about Ann Arbor area political giving to presidential candidates:
1. Obama has raised $195,199 from local donors. That includes at least $36,152 from University of Michigan employees. U-M donors have given $5,000 to Romney and $1,402 to Paul.
2. Romney has raised $62,750 from local donors, tripling Paul’s total of $20,969. Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has raised $3,470 from local donors.
3. About 55 percent of Romney’s local fundraising comes from 11 Washtenaw County residents, including three family members who have each given the maximum of $2,500 for the primary and $2,500 for the general election. About 38.4 percent of Obama’s local fundraising comes from 38 individual donors.
4. Although Santorum enjoys a slight lead in several Michigan GOP primary polls, he’s gotten virtually no financial support from Ann Arbor area residents. Santorum had raised $950 from local donors as of Feb. 13.
5. Candidates who have already dropped out of the campaign raised about $24,414 before exiting the race. That included $8,464 for pizza company executive Herman Cain, $5,700 for U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and $3,500 for Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
genetracy
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 7:01 p.m.
This should set a record for white guilt donations to a candidate.
hank
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.
A lot of slurs aimed at the people that live in Ann Arbor. So conservatives why are property values so high in Ann Arbor and not in your neighborhood?
gonefishing
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
obama could throw this grandmother under a bus and he would still collect more money in Ann Arbor than any republican----Oh !---I had forgotten he has thrown her under the bus already----
hank
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
That's because people in Ann Arbor think about the issues not just fox news talking points that have no value.
robert bowman
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
New Michigan Poll: Romney 40% Santorum 34% Don't be duped by Obama's desparate anti-Romney attack ads VOTE ROMNEY Obama's billion-dollar reelection machine is at it again. This time they are taking their deceptive attacks and "kill Romney" campaign to Michigan. With less than one week from the Republican primary, they have purchased $238,000 worth of air time to attack Mitt Romney. You read that right. That's $238,000 in negative attacks from President Obama's liberal allies aimed at voters in Michigan's Republican primary. And why are they desperately attempting to tip the scale in the Republican primary eight months before the general election? Because the last thing President Obama wants to do is run against Mitt Romney.
Kade
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.
yeah--and Romney's spending two million, Robert. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/20/romney-inches-forward-in-michigan-but-victory-still-far-from-certain/" rel='nofollow'>http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/20/romney-inches-forward-in-michigan-but-victory-still-far-from-certain/</a>
Sam
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
If Michigan residents knew that Romney refuses to voice an opinion on the construction of a new bridge to Canada, despite Gov. Snyder's support of the construction, would they continue to contribute to his campaign. If you want to know more about it, check Jack Lessenberry's column in today's Michiganradio.org.
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.
Intelligent people vote for a leader that is level headed intelligent problem solver that believes in the separation of church and state. That person is President Obama. Now on the other side you have a choice between a person that thinks the American auto corporations should fail along with your mortgage values ( romney) or a religious zealot that thinks contraception should be outlawed and churches should be part of Government(santorum) .
russellr
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
I can see Ann Arbor voting for Obama. He has sent us into the worst debt in history. Also lets borrow money from China to give to China in donations. America is on it's knees right now. Why wouldn't Ann Arbor support the down fall of America It only makes sence they support foreign automobile makers where the money goes back to China, Korea, Japan. They are the worst offenders. It makes me mad looking at all the foreign cars that are driven in Ann Arbor, and they want us to support local stores???? They don't support the American worker where the profits stay here in America. If Obama gets back in as president America as we use to know it is over.
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
I started to write a long reply about how it was Bush that sent the debt soaring but I think it would be an effort in futility.
Michigan Man
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
I thought the smartest people in the US lived in Ann Arbor?
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
They do!
Top Cat
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
Now Mr. Obama, his donors and Stephen Chu have gotten their wish, higher gasoline prices. The only problem is that every American has to pay for this. Obama's campaign slogan for this time is Groucho Marx's quote "Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?" He will need a lot more donors to fool the people twice.
Arborcomment
Sun, Feb 26, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
I appreciate your comments and gratitude bedrog. Two excellent op/eds in today's Washington Post would be of interest to you: "Together Again?" by Danielle Pletka/Gary Schmitt, and Ignatius on Syria.
bedrog
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
arborcomment: Thank you for your service. sincerely. You and i are clearly not that far apart...if at all... on foreign policy .i just give obama points for having more tools to use to those ends,,and the intelligence to use them, than his opponants.. I also cringe at their domestic policies, which in the case of santorum seem more christian hizbollah-like than not, while paul would simply capitulate to their ilk. Did obama miss chances re the iranian 'green revolution" of 2009 ?? maybe--maybe not ...as all of these " Islamic springs" are having uncertain ---and possibly worse --outcomes than the previous regimes. In the case of Iran in particular several of the anti -current regime forces are horrible and ' support at your own peril" outfits: notably the "mujahidin i halk" which also opposed the shah but acted as mercenaries for saddam hussein ; and 'jundallah'...the ethnic baluch/sunni fundamentalist outfit that's against the regime but allied to al qaeda. ( and from a region i know well enough to at one being an occasional go-to guy for intelligence matters... just as i also was extremely dubious about unqualified support for the "good' afghan mujahidin of the 80's many of whom morphed into the taliban.). i just object to the overwhelming blame being laid on the incumbant ...who is a mere mortal ( no--i dont view obama as a messiah!!) ... by his critics for chaotic situations that are unquestionably the primary fault/responsibilty of the populations/ cultures in the region at issue.
Arborcomment
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
Bed, not picking on anyone but I'm not seeing the "gets it". Predators? Make sure you thank Bush and Gates for the precedent, use, tacit agreement with Pakistan, and more of them. Seal Team 6? The only call to make for military and political reasons (a body and no rubble). "Pragmatically nuanced"? You mean ignoring the second Iranian revolution and hoping it would go away? Or, failing to negotiate a SOFA with Iraq and practically sealing increased Iranian influence in that country? Or maybe doing nothing but whine in the UN about Syria when a golden opportunity exists to remove their Hezbollah proxy? Understanding you need the "yeah but" argument - but Reagan? That's well, old. I'm glad you at least acknowledge the threat, it's a step above most in this town. No doubt due to your travels. I too have been influenced - two deployments to Afghanistan and too many acquaintances who did not come back from Iraq.
bedrog
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
arborcomment: Boy do you have the wrong guy to be picking on re Iranian/jihadist bad behavior. I'll bet there are few in town who have been more vocal on this site and others ( and few are better informed) on jihadist misdeeds than me. ( and i'm sure a2.com moderators/editors will back me up!) My point is simply that obama "gets it" , although he's alot more multifaceted , and pragmatically nuanced in his approaches....yet still forceful ( drones / seal team 6 anyone??). than his critics ( some of them my allies on pro- israel/ anti-anti semite matters) give him credit for. This in contrast , say, to the bluster of reagan in the iranian hostage crisis , where he outmachoed the milquetoast carter....and then wound up selling arms to the ayatollahs and cutting and running from lebanon after one suicide bombing by hizbollah ( however big it was....and i was just the across the border when it happened... just as i've spent plenty of time in frontier pakistan where things are more amenable to what obamas actually done ...i.e. a combo of diplomacy , special ops and drones...than foaming 'shock and awe' babble , ala both bush and the clowns on the republican slate.
Arborcomment
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
And I'm curious bed - how wide should the door be open? 1. Iran provided sanctuary to ALQ members that fled Afghanistan after 9/11. Even though they never got along with ALQ or the Taliban. 2. Iran provided EFPs (explosively formed projectiles) and sophisticated IED radio initiators to Iraqi insurgents used to kill our troops. 3. Attempted to kill the Saudi ambassador on our soil. 4. Sponsored bombings of Israeli facilities world-wide (even before the mysterious accidents befalling their nuclear scientists). 5. Their nuclear efforts. 6. supports Hezbollah in Lebanon and is a major backer of Assad (three guesses where he will seek sanctuary). There's a difference in "keeping the door open" and being a door mat.
Arborcomment
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
Yes bed, picking on poor Iran for wanting to go nuclear, close the straights, and generally being the world's new North Korea has had an effect on oil prices. Also, growth in China and India has created an increased demand on world markets. In the meantime, drilling rights released by the Obama administration are at levels lower than in the Clinton administration, while he blames "speculators" for raising the price of a commodity that he has sought to curtail the production of. When his own secretary of energy says "we need to get US oil prices in line with Europe" - pretty clear who's steering that tanker.
bedrog
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
ohmigod: you obama 'hatas" are beyond shameless in your tunnel vision blame-gaming. The spike in gas is due in large measure to assorted sabre rattling... by the u.s , iran and israel... over Iran and its nukes , and mostly reflects the latter's characteristically bombastic threats to close the straits of Hormuz. Both republicans and democrats have fed into this ( and republicans blame obama for not doing so even more forcefully, although his own record on forcefully combatting middle east extremism is pretty good. His "sin" is in keeping diplomatic doors open alot more than repubs would....although middle east extremists are not walking through them, which is their " bad" , not obama's.). 4 more years, ( and where's that dang checkbook)?
Arborcomment
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.
Yes Hank, as it takes several years to go from lease, drill, and get; more oil now because the Bush administration released drilling rights. Something Obama can't do without upsetting the loyal base. But fear not! Deep water drilling IS returning to the Gulf of Mexico! The semi-submersible rig "Scarabeo-9" just completed a four month transit from Sinapore and will begin drilling in deep water just 29NM off of Key West! At least three wells will be drilled - for Cuba. <a href="http://gcaptain.com/bienvenidos-a-cuba-the-scarabeo-9-deepwater-drilling-rig-arrives-in-havana/?37968" rel='nofollow'>http://gcaptain.com/bienvenidos-a-cuba-the-scarabeo-9-deepwater-drilling-rig-arrives-in-havana/?37968</a>
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
Again, I"ll make this simple,Its the wall street republicans that inflate the price of gas. In fact under Obama there has been more oil production than under Bush .
xmo
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
The University Of Michigan needs to institute some diversity training to its employees. Maybe even some hiring affirmative action to attract and retain more Republicans. It looks like it only hires Liberal/Progressive/Democrats. "Obama has raised $195,199 from local donors. That includes at least $36,152 from University of Michigan employees. U-M donors have given $5,000 to Romney and $1,402 to Paul."
nekm1
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
Saving your bacon with your College jobs for life. I can totally understand. You gotta love the mentality of the bubble!
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
Envy is hard to get over.
Karen Hart
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
What? Only triple? Don't tell me we're becoming more Republican!
Bcar
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
I can only hope so.
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
I can only hope not.
Jimmy McNulty
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 1 p.m.
Breaking News: Ann Arbor votes democrat Next up, Water Will Freeze Below 32 Degrees
genetracy
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 : 7:03 p.m.
Wow triple D, that is heavy. Can you tell if reality in Ann Arbor is different than in Ypsilanti?
ddd3
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 4:48 p.m.
Actually, it depends on the pressure.
jondhall
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
Think about it Obama proposes over a TRILLION dollar deficit, now key word is DEFICIT how much spending is that? So is he buying votes or what is going on? My grand kids, grands kids will not be able to pay off this debt. Go ahead elect him again let him destroy this nation, you get what you deserve. Everyone wants an ENTITLEMENT! Look at the price of gas under this administration. Wake up AMERICA!
Kade
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
jondhall-- typical responsive from a conservative. If we're talking about the deficit, I think it's more important to talk about the least $3.2-4 trillion dollars that was spend on the war in Iraq, rather than what we'll spend on something like Obamacare. Notice that I also said the last ~15 (and I've venture 20years or more, even) years, and thanfully, bush wasn't in office for all that time. World events, bad decision making and circumstances have contributed irrevocably to why this generation of Americans will be far worse off than those before them. But hey, nice try.
jondhall
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 5:35 p.m.
Kade, Let's blame Bush
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 3:10 p.m.
I'll try to make this simple,Washington does not control the price of oil the free market does. The republicans love free markets and the wall street types.
Kade
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
Your grandkids will not be able to even approach the billions of dollars spent by the former administration on an 11-year war. The last 15 years, regardless of elected president, have changed the financial landscape of the middle class entirely. The price of gas is such a red herring argument. It would be this high regardless of whomever was in office. If a republican president were in office and lowered the gas price by 50 cents, they'd rob peter to pay paul somewhere else. You want to spend less on gas? Drive less. Find other ways to get around.
motorcycleminer
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
Thats a no brainer this is OZ...sheeple here still have impeach Bush signs up and and run around with elect granholm stickers on their cars....you can't fix stupid...thankfully the bulk of the state with the exception of the freeloader zones seems to have a clue...
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
The bulk of the state,where do you get your information fox news?
Bcar
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 12:11 p.m.
Wow. Really? I would have never guessed... (eyes rolling...)
mhirzel
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
Yeah......... Donate or he'll send a drone to your house or have you indefinitely detained.
antikvetch
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 11:57 a.m.
We give more to President Obama cuz we're so smrt.
Kade
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Yep. It's true.
jondhall
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.
I agree this is a bunch of socialist BS
cinnabar7071
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.
So how much does it cost to buy a President?
cinnabar7071
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
Or maybe Soros? No shortage of people to ask.
hank
Fri, Feb 24, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
Ask the rich supporting the Republicans.