Faculty put money where their mouths are with campaign donations

If you thought Facebook was the ultimate stalking device, think again.’

This election, a popular fun news source The Huffington Post developed a public online database that displays campaign donations made to political candidates. The database, Fundrace, was originally created at Eyebeam.

On the site, one can search people by name, location, employer and occupation.
The site has gained major popularity by showing the donations made by celebrities to political campaigns, it’s front page showing just a few including Jennifer Aniston, Steven Spielberg, and Jerry Springer.

By searching Fairfield University on the site, one will find that $6,453 was given to Democrats from 14 people, while $0 was given to Republicans.

In fact, according to Fundrace, Barack Obama has raised over $600 million from contributions, while McCain has only raised a little over $350 million.

All calculations are based on public records filed with the FEC of contributions by all individuals totaling more than $200 (and some totaling less than $200) to a single Republican or Democratic presidential campaign or national committee for the 2004 and 2008 election cycles.

Public contribution data is found using public U.S. Census Bureau data.
Maureen Dewan, adjunct professor in Judaic Studies, contributed to the Obama campaign on three occasions.

‘The first time was early on … probably during the primaries. The second time was after he got the nomination, and the third time was after Sarah Palin got the nod to be the Republican VP,’ she said. ‘I found it shocking, to say the least, that McCain, 72 years old and having had three bouts with cancer, could put someone so clearly unqualified so close to being president. I’m still sputtering … so the final installment was a protest against that,’ said Dewan.

‘I believe in Obama so thoroughly, and have from the beginning, especially after reading his first memoir. I have contributed to most presidential campaigns since I’ve been old enough to vote.’

Betsy Gardner, a psychology professor, contributed $1,135 to the Obama campaign.
‘I asked myself how much would it be worth to me to have Obama, and not McCain, win,’ said Gardner. ‘The answer is, a hell of a lot of money.’

‘I decided to give at least a small fraction,’ she said.

Gardner, like many other supporters, also provided funds and donations for specific causes, including LGBT rights and voter registration efforts.

‘The $1,000 was a few months ago through an organization that supports LGBT rights,’ she said. ‘I wanted to give to the Obama campaign anyway and I figured this would send an additional message.

‘The next $100 and $35 were for registering new voters and for reaching people in swing states,’ she said.

Irene Mulvey, professor in mathematics and computer science, donated to Hillary Clinton’s campaign during the primary season, and also has made multiple donations to Barack Obama.

‘Given that Connecticut will surely vote Democratic in the general election,’ said Mulvey, ‘it seemed like the best way I could support and help the Democratic ticket was by a financial contribution which would enable them to get their message out in states where election will be closer.’