GOP has edge in Harley-Davidson donations

Aug 26, 2008 (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- HOG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Aug. 26--The intersection of the political conventions and this week's Harley-Davidson anniversary celebration raises a question.

When Harleys are parked and placed on their kickstands, do they lean slightly to the right?

So far this election cycle, Harley-Davidson company's political action committee has given 57% of its contributions in federal races to Republicans and 43% to Democrats, according to data collected by watchdog Web site Opensecrets.org.

Those numbers are a little bit skewed because Rep. Paul Ryan of Janesville received by far the largest contribution from the PAC -- $5,000.

Democrat Max Baucus of Montana, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has received the second biggest contribution, $2,300.

Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison received $250, Rep. Ron Kind of Rep. Ron Kind of La Crosse received $1,500 and Rep. Gwen Moore of Milwaukee pulled in $1,000. Republican Rep. Tom Petri of Fond du Lac received $250 and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Menomonee Falls received $1,000.

The donations don't seem to be a partisan thing. The PAC gave 75% of its donations to Democrats in the 2006 election cycle, when it seemed Democrats were likely to make gains in the U.S. House and Senate. It gave more of its donations to Republicans in 2004 and 2002, but more money went to Democrats in 2000.

And none of the contributions are huge. Through June 30 of this election cycle, the PAC has donated $14,550 to federal candidates.

That's about the list price of a 2009 Fat Bob.

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