The Rich Prefer Democrats (and Rudy!)

So while poking around various places on the interwebs, I ran across something extraordinary. It comes as no surprise to many people, but… I thought it pretty shocking.

Turns out, the Democrats are the party of the Rich:

Number of $4,600 Donors:

Presumably, the $4600 donor is a husband-wife couple each donating the max $2300 per individual.

Only Giuliani and McCain attract any significant numbers of max donors, but on the whole, the Democrats are getting people to pony up the max by the thousands.

Interestingly, the accompanying chart shows what percentage of the total contribution is raised from those of $200+, $2,300+, and $4,600+.

Clinton: 13% ($200) / 63% ($2,300) / 37% ($4,600)
Obama: 25% / 46% / 11%
Edwards: 28% / 39% / 16%

Rudy: 12% / 60% / 19%
Romney: 14% / 49% / 1%
McCain: 22% / 47% / 10%
Huckabee: 25% / 37% / 0%
Thompson: 34% / 38% / 2%

I’m no political professional, so these numbers may not mean anything. And I can already anticipate objections. But at a minimum, does it not make you wonder and ask certain questions? For example…

How is Romney getting 49% of his money from the $2300 crowd, but only 1% from their spouses?

How is it that Rudy has less of his money coming from the $200 crowd than Hilary does? Is he the choice of the GOP elite?

Was Clinton’s downfall inevitable by the pattern in her fundraising?

Can any guesses be made about grassroots support for a candidate based on these? (Incidentally, Ron Paul is: 49% / 17% / 0%)

-TS