The latest report to the Federal Election Commission shows maverick Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska raising only $387,215 in the last quarter with but $483,000 cash on hand. His opponent for the Republican nomination, State Atty. Gen. Jon Bruning, raised $723,688 in that period.
Hagel's lack of fund-raising reflects that he has yet to select from four options: run for a third term in the Senate, run for president as a Republican or an independent, or get out of elective politics.
A footnote: The biggest senatorial fund-raiser for the last quarter was Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts with $6 million. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky led Republicans with $4.4 million.
GOP DISCONTENT
The biggest political upset so far of this election cycle reflected rank-and-file Republican disgust with the party establishment when former State Sen. Jim Whitehead was defeated Tuesday as the anointed successor to the late Rep. Charles Norwood in a heavily Republican northeastern Georgia district that includes Athens and suburban Augusta.
Dr. Paul Broun, a little-known physician, outworked a complacent Whitehead to win the battle between two conservative Republicans. Broun's aggressive mail and telephone campaign attacked an overconfident Whitehead, who did not even respond. Whitehead had led Broun, 44 percent to 21 percent, in the first round of balloting.
Although the seat will remain in Republican hands, Whitehead's unexpected loss terrified those incumbent Republican House members who had thought themselves safe for re-election in 2008.