Share the Wealth

Abstract

Although we now know a good deal about the contribution strategies of individuals, parties, and Political Action Committees (PACs), we know considerably less about contributions made by incumbent members of Congress to other candidates. Such contributions are some-times made through PACs established by the incumbent, but many more members contribute through their campaign committees. This article explores incumbents' contributions during the 1983-84 election cycle. Those contributors who give large amounts often do so for instrumental purposes—to further their election, power, or policy ends. The vast majority of contributors, however, seem to channel their surplus campaign funds to candidates in need—particularly those identified by their parties' campaign committees as likely to be involved in a close election.

Either with Us or Against Us: Business Power and Campaign Contributions in an Age of Hyper-Partisanship

“…There are various manifestations of this. First, intra-party redistribution of funds has become standard practice, whereby “safe” incumbents give to party committees and fellow partisans whose reelection prospects are less certain (Heberlig, Hetherington, and Larson 2006; Wilcox 1989). Second, parties have set up systems where incumbents pay “dues” to the party, ranging from 125,000 dollars for junior lawmakers to more than one million dollars for top party leaders (Herrnson 2012, 93–94).…”

The Texture of Time

“…O show thyself to me, Or take me up to thee! (73-78) 87 Th e replacement of the natural rhyme word "Stay" with "Come," is even more striking because the poem uses either the word "stay" or a rhyme for it as part of the rhyme scheme in fi ve diff erent stanzas (1, 6, 8, 10, and 13). 88 Nowhere do any of the line ends contain a rhyme for "come," so the syllable is completely out of the poem's rhyme patt ern, suggesting the discordance of the poet's experience but also perhaps the intensity of his longing.…”