"That blog isn't called Smart Politics for nothing."
- POLITICO
"Smart Politics is by far the best Minnesota political blog.
I check it every day and encounter much good information
and analysis that I can get nowhere else."
- Steven E. Schier
Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon
Professor of Political Science
Carleton College
The many bits of information made available from the leak of the Norm Coleman U.S. Senate campaign donor database, posted at Wikileaks on Wednesday, gives the public a glimpse into what type of people supported the Republican incumbent’s candidacy.
On Thursday, Smart Politics broke down the donor data by state; today this blog examines the occupation of those Coleman contributors whose identity was compromised in the database leak. While this list, first exposed in late January 2009, does not document the sum total of all Coleman reelection campaign donors, it does provide an interesting snapshot of those contributing to his campaign.
Although elite professionals top the list – with the legal profession, medical profession, middle management, and CEOs comprising 4 of the top 6 slots – they only tally about one-quarter of all donors (25.5 percent) on this list.
Excluding retirees (who, at 500 strong, contributed the most (10.6 percent)), attorneys and those involved in the legal profession were the most frequent contributors, with 349 giving to Coleman’s campaign from this donor list (7.4 percent).
The medical profession was the third largest group, with 317 donors, followed by homemakers with 307.
Those associated with business and finance comprised the largest subgroup – led by middle management (299), CEOs and executives (241), small business owners (190), accountants (183), salespersons (157), financial advisers and stock brokers (128), real estate interests (89), business analysts (70), insurance interests (41), banking interests (40), and those involved in marketing (39). Combined, these groups totaled 31.1 percent of donors whose private information was leaked.
Observers may be surprised to find a fair number of contributors from groups frequently associated with supporting Democratic candidates: K-12 educators (101), academics (86), students (51), writers and publishers (47), and artists and musicians (26) totaled 6.6 percent of the list.
Although more than 300 medical practitioners appeared on the list, relatively few individuals involved in the pharmaceutical (20) or health services industries (15) contributed to Coleman’s campaign.
Traditional blue-collar workers, such as truckers (23), factory workers (10), and maintenance workers (10) did not constitute a significant number of Coleman's financial supporters.
Norm Coleman’s Compromised Campaign Donors, By Occupation
Rank |
Profession |
Number |
Percent |
1 |
Retirees |
500 |
10.6 |
2 |
Attorneys / legal |
349 |
7.4 |
3 |
Medical profession |
317 |
6.7 |
4 |
Homemakers |
307 |
6.5 |
5 |
Middle management |
299 |
6.3 |
6 |
CEOs / executives |
241 |
5.1 |
7 |
Small business owners |
190 |
4.0 |
8 |
Accountants |
183 |
3.9 |
9 |
Sales |
157 |
3.3 |
10 |
Consultants |
133 |
2.8 |
11 |
Information technology |
131 |
2.8 |
12 |
Financial advisers / brokers |
128 |
2.7 |
13 |
Education (K-12) |
101 |
2.1 |
14 |
Real estate |
89 |
1.9 |
15 |
Academics |
86 |
1.8 |
16 |
Administrative assistants |
75 |
1.6 |
17 |
Other business (analysts) |
70 |
1.4 |
18 |
Software industry |
62 |
1.3 |
19 |
Government employees |
54 |
1.1 |
20 |
Students |
51 |
1.1 |
21 |
Scientists |
48 |
1.0 |
22 |
Writers and publishers |
47 |
1.0 |
23 |
Contractors |
46 |
1.0 |
24 |
Engineering |
44 |
0.9 |
24 |
Design / architects |
44 |
0.9 |
26 |
Insurance |
41 |
0.9 |
27 |
Banking |
40 |
0.8 |
28 |
Marketing |
39 |
0.8 |
29 |
Armed services |
34 |
0.7 |
29 |
Clergy |
34 |
0.7 |
31 |
Airline industry |
32 |
0.7 |
32 |
Artists / musicians |
26 |
0.6 |
33 |
Truckers / drivers |
23 |
0.5 |
34 |
Law enforcement / security |
21 |
0.4 |
35 |
Pharmaceutical industry |
20 |
0.4 |
36 |
Farmers |
16 |
0.3 |
37 |
Health services |
15 |
0.3 |
38 |
Advertising |
14 |
0.3 |
39 |
Food industry |
12 |
0.3 |
40 |
Factory |
11 |
0.2 |
40 |
Maintenance |
11 |
0.2 |
Other |
270 |
5.7 |
|
No response |
294 |
6.2 |
|
Total |
4,715 |
100.0 |
Follow Smart Politics on Twitter.
Comments
This was a comprised private list. In other words, not for public knowledge. What you just did compounded the problem.
Posted by: Cindy | March 13, 2009 10:21 AM
> This was a comprised private list. In other words, not for public
> knowledge. What you just did compounded the problem.
I am using aggregate information only. This blog will not post any information identifying individual donors.
Posted by: Eric Ostermeier | March 13, 2009 10:25 AM
Smart journalism, thanks.
Posted by: Susan Brown | March 13, 2009 2:57 PM
what a great post. I really enjoyed reading it ... who knew! Well if you get a moment please take a look at my website http://www.rochesterhomesource.com
Thanks, I look for to reading more posts.
Posted by: Nordaune at Real Estate Rochester MN | March 13, 2009 4:03 PM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah
http://www.lyricsdigs.com
Posted by: Sarah | March 14, 2009 4:21 AM