A Money Story of Campaign 2009

by: Rosi Efthim

Wed Oct 07, 2009 at 07:19:00 PM EDT

The three major candidates, Governor Jon S. Corzine, Republican Candidate Christopher J. Christie, and Independent Candidate Christopher J. Daggett, have raised 10 percent less and spent 20 percent less than candidates Corzine and Forrester did at the 29-day reporting deadline in 2005.

Brindle pegs the difference on the fact that both candidates in 2005 - Corzine and Republican Doug Forrester - opted out of public campaign financing, and largely paid for their campaigns themselves. The public's sharper understanding of pay-to-play laws may be making potential donors hesitant, says Brindle, and the country's overall economic conditions may also be contributing. Or, not contributing, as it were.

The campaigns are hardly austere, even given the decline in spending. The report - a financial snapshot of the campaigns 29 days out from Election Day - show Corzine, Christie, and Daggett have raised $27.5 million and spent $23.1 million. In 2005, the two major candidates had reported raising $30.7 million and spending $28.9 million in that 29-day report. Combined, all the other independent govy candidates raised $28,582 and spent $12,227.

Of course, the Republicans started spinning this pronto. Witness two competing headlines at pnj; the factual report by staffer Matt Friedman and then the spin quote from Christie campaign manager Bill Stepian. H/t huntsu for that little nugget.