When it comes to dollars, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is cashing in with Syracuse University donors.
For his campaign, SU workers — staff members, faculty, and administrators— have contributed $46,000, according to Federal Election Commission reports. The contributions went to his campaign between April 2007 and October 2008.
Some highlights from Obama’s SU fundraising from the FEC:
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The $46,000 to Obama compares to $1,200 from SU employees to Republican John McCain.
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Obama’s biggest SU contributors are London program administrator Meredith Hyde and political science professor Margaret Hermann, who gave $4,600 each; and education program mentor Joshua Bornstein, who gave $3,420.
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Obama’s campaign set all-time records in September month when it raised $150 million. Of that, $14,000 came from Syracuse University.
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The average donation was just less than $150.
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While Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton were fighting for the Democratic Party nomination, he out-raised her at SU $26,000 to $19,000
Obama’s running mate is Joe Biden, an alumnus of the SU College of Law. In the two weeks before August 23, when Biden was nominated, SU employees donated only $375 to the campaign. But in the two weeks after Biden’s nomination, SU employees donated almost ten times as much — $3,450.
SU political scientist Danny Hayes says the Orange connection is probably a factor, but the timing also includes another important event.
“I’d say that there’s probably some connection. Too, there’s always great enthusiasm among party supporters when the convention comes around. So, it’s probably difficult to disentangle a convention effect from a Biden effect.” (Danny Hayes, political science professor, Syracuse University)
Hayes also says it’s not surprising that the university springs for Obama—but only because Syracuse is in a traditionally blue state of New York.
The election is November 4th.
For Democracywise: Zachary Kineke.
(Zachary Kineke is a senior dual majoring in broadcast journalism and political science.)
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