Strong Rhetoric Pays for Candidates of Both Parties

Few voters would probably identify themselves as extremist. But candidates on both sides of the aisle are finding that whoever makes the most strident statements pulls in the most campaign cash, Politico reports.

Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a favorite of the tea party movement, has attracted $9.6 million in donations, nearly matching the kitty of Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina in California. In Nevada, Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle, who once mentioned possible “Second Amendment remedies” to the explosive growth of government, has drawn $14 million in just the past three months.

As for Democrats, Florida Rep. Alan Grayson, has vilified opponents of healthcare reform, saying they believe sick people should “die quickly.” But he has been able to pull in $4.8 million for his campaign, besting his Republican opponent Daniel Webster by 400 percent.