Daily Dose: Small donors make up the base of Santorum, Paul, Gingrich fundraising efforts

Are you excited about the candidacy of Rick Santorum? Ron Paul? Newt Gingrich? Looking at the percentage of small donors who have contributed to their campaigns, many voters are. What about Mitt Romney? According to fundraising numbers, not likely.

Though Romney has by far the most funds raised at $63.2 million, he has the smallest percentage of small donors (those donating less than $200), at 12%. All of the other candidates have over 50% of contributions coming from small donors, even though their total donations are far less. The second place candidate, Rick Santorum, has raised only $6.7 million, Gingrich has raised $18.2 million, and Paul $30 million.

Though Santorum has the least amount of funds, the fact that it comes from small donors, who often make up the grassroots voting base, has allowed him to maintain a healthy second. They go door to door, soliciting votes, which can be more powerful than a spot on TV. Michael Malbin, who studies small donors at the nonprofit Campaign Finance Institute, had this to say:

This is not just about money … It’s a symptom or a symbol of something that’s more important generally in politics. There’s a large overlap between the kind of people who give $50 and $100 and the kind of people who volunteer.

Romney’s record with small donors shows enthusiasm gap

Romney’s weak percentage of small voter donations could affect his chances of winning the general election if he gets the nod to be the Republican presidential nominee, as small donors make up the base of Obama’s fundraising efforts.

Do you find that door to door solicitation by grassroots supporters makes you more apt to vote for a candidate than a spot on TV?

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