Donors Donate, Despite the Economy

The unemployment rate remains at 9.7%, but the lousy state of the economy hasn't stopped political donors from giving money to candidates and party committees in this election year, Hotline OnCall's Reid Wilson reports: the health care vote seems to have driven $2 million each to the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and a slew of competitive races have propelled fundraising for House and Senate challengers. Perhaps most impressive is the Republican National Committee's $11.4 million, despite its run of bad press and discontent with the leadership of Chairman Michael Steele.