President Bush has raised twice as much money as Senator Kerry. Historically, the GOP raises and spends millions of dollars more than the Democratic Party each presidential cycle.
There is no way to know what is happening with 501(c) fundraising, where the GOP has traditionally excelled. This election cycle, 527 Democrats are raising significantly more money than 527 Republicans. The nod goes to Republicans for funds from ideological/single-Issue PACs.
The Center for Responsive Politics has published a list of the top 100 donors based on contributions since 1989. The following data for this election cycle come from their online database:
Political Parties (8.2.2004 FEC data)
Democratic Party - $114,738,161
Top Sectors:
- Finance/Insurance/Real Estate - $26,722,468
- Lawyers/Lobbbyists - $19,706,494
- Ideology/Single Issue - $16,380,423
- Communication/Electronics - $10,368,695
- Health - $5,345,028
Top Contributors:
- National Education Assn - $2,680,933
- Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union - $2,260,875
- American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees - 	$2,194,274
- Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - $2,174,070
- American Federation of Teachers - $2,037,758
Republican Party - $256,082,690
Top Sectors:
- Finance/Insurance/Real Estate - $46,164,279
- Construction - $10,542,250
- Communication/Electronics - $8,999,570
- Energy/Natural Resources - $7,309,975
- Health - $13,730,495
Top Contributors:
- Dick Armey Campaign Cmte - $1,999,000
- Bill Thomas Campaign Cmte - $1,931,083
- Christopher Cox for Congress - $1,483,400
- Dreier for Congress Cmte - $1,410,500
- Hastert for Congress Cmte - $1,185,758
Single-Issue PAC Donations (9.5.2004 FEC data)
Total Amount: 	$23,772,024
	 Total to Democrats: 	$9,227,239 	(39%)
Total to Republicans: 	$14,462,130 	(61%)
- Leadership PACs - $14,958,785 (26%-D, 74%-R)
- Pro-Israel: $2,218,405 (64%-D, 36%-R)
- Human Rights: $1,349,843 (85%-D, 15%-R)
- Republican/Conservative - $1,300,039 (1%-D, 98%-R)
- Democratic/Liberal - $1,059,867 (100%-D)
- Abortion Policy/Pro-Choice: $620,313 (88%-D, 12%-R)
- Gun Rights: $618,906 (16%-D, 84%-R)
- Foreign & Defense Policy: $256,308 (55%-D, 45%-R)
- Environment: $288,373 (76%-D, 22%-R)
- Women's Issues: $264,189 (87%-D, 13%-R)
