How Different Were Obama Donors in 2008? : the Importance of Resources, Solicitation, Selection and Stimulus

Why do individuals contribute to political campaigns? In this paper we investigate factors that affected whether individuals donated to presidential candidates in the 2008 elections. In particular, we investigate the extent that Obama donors differ from other donors. The Obama campaign reportedly mobilized many new donors, particularly small donors. Using data that includes a random sample of small donors from both the Obama and McCain campaigns, we find that (1) income affects the probability of donating to the McCain campaign more than the Obama campaign; (2) political interests affect the probability of donating to the Obama campaign more than the McCain campaign; (3) prior contributions matter more for McCain donors than Obama donors; and (4) controlling for direct solicitation, Obama donors were more "stimulated" to contribute than McCain donors. We also find that solicitation strongly affects the probability of contribution, and that this effect is roughly equal for McCain and Obama