GOP candidates clobbering Dem candidates in fundraising

Now, the Dems have made a big deal out of Max Baucus and Brian Schweitzer's big fundraising numbers. Well they might. Like it or not, money plays a huge role in who gets elected, and right now those two characters are in the catbird seat.

But here's a story you might not have heard.

Except for Mike Lange, every Republican who's running against a Democrat is raising more money.

Denny Rehberg vs. Bill Kennedy: $484,572 to $107,307 overall, and $205,721 to $63,742 this quarter.

Duane Grimes vs. Monica Lindeen for State Auditor: Lindeen, the Democrat, has $34,841 overall, which would put her in the lead. But Duane Grimes -- not announced, but raising money as a Republican challenger -- raised $19,954 this quarter, far outstripping the $11,549 Lindeen raised this quarter.

Brad Johnson vs. Linda McCulloch for Secretary of State: Johnson, the Republican incumbent, has raised $41,779 overall and $22,592 this quarter. Linda McCulloch, the Dem challenger and sitting Superintendent of Public Instruction, could only raise $13,435 this quarter, and $10,000 of that was a personal loan. Since she didn't get started until this quarter, the remaining $3,435 is all McCulloch has been able to raise in actual donations so far. Plus, she just lost a key political staffer. Looks like Dem insiders know which way the wind is blowing for this race.

Attorney General: It's true that the Dem candidates have raised more money here -- a Lot of it -- but this is not what I meant by every Republican who's running against a Democrat. Right now, Tim Fox is running against Lee Bruner for the Republican nomination, and numerous Democrats are running against each other for their own party's nomination.

OPI: Repubicans have no candidate here. But if they did, it's a safe bet that candidate wouldn't have taken $16,000 in illegal contributions. Which one of the leading Democrats did.