The Romney campaign is experiencing what some officials believe could be the beginning of a mass exodus of big money donors diverting their cash away from the Republican presidential hopeful and toward Republican candidates for the House and Senate races more likely to win in November, the FOX Business Network has learned.
The trend isnt at the acute stage, at least not yet, said one person with direct knowledge of the matter. This person, a major player in Romneys New York fundraising circles, confirmed to FOX Business that a few New York donors have backed away from financial commitments to the Romney campaign and instead said they will spend their money to help the Republicans hold on to the House of Representatives, and pick up seats in the Senate.
But another person with direct knowledge of the matter says the trend, though nascent, is more geographically broad based, and reflects an increasing degree of anxiety both with what they believe is the tentative nature of the Romney campaign, and recent poll numbers that show President Obama with a lead, particularly in key battleground states, that some Republican contributors are starting to believe is insurmountable.
This isnt just a New York trend, this person said. Its beginning to occur all over the place.
A spokeswoman for the Romney campaign said many donors like to also donate to other candidates in addition to the support they have already given Gov. Romney.
Some of Romneys New York donors, particularly from the financial industry, have been openly critical of the campaigns approach, arguing that Romney should be spending more time forcefully attacking President Obama on the economy and his foreign policy, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Theyve also accused the campaign of muzzling his vice presidential running mate Paul Ryan on the campaign trail, something Ryan has personally denied when asked.
Romney has raised a little more than $279 million, compared to $432 million for President Obama, according to the latest numbers from the Center for Responsive Politics. But Republicans running for House seats have raised more than $446 million, compared to $335 million for Democrats. Republicans also have a fundraising lead in the Senate, $223 million to $204 million.
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