Surprised? News Corp. Donates More to Democrats Than Republicans

Not news: Reading that major media outlets donate more to Democrat candidates than Republican candidates.

News: Learning Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation (which owns The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, the 20th Century Fox studios, and Fox News) donates much more to Democrats than Republicans.

Really?

“All the major media companies, driven largely by their Hollywood film and television businesses, have made larger contributions to President Obama than to his rival, former Gov. Mitt Romney,” The New York Times reports, citing the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics.

“The center’s numbers represent donations by a company’s PAC and any employees who listed that company as their employer,” the report adds.

But Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.?

“In 2008, News Corporation contributed $380,558 to Mr. Obama’s campaign, compared with $32,740 to the Republican nominee John McCain [emphasis added],” according to the report.

Well, then-Sen. Obama was a fresh face and his opponent was a little, um, less-than-exciting. Maybe it’s not that surprising News Corp. contributed that much to the Obama campaign. Surely, things have changed since 2008, right?

“News Corporation … has contributed $58,825 to Mr. Obama’s campaign, compared with $2,750 to Mr. Romney,” the Times reports.

Oh.

“News Corporation has [also] donated $504,162 to individuals, Super PACs and candidates in 2012,” the report continues, “Eight of the 10 top recipients of that cash are Democrats. (Mr. Murdoch’s personal contributions largely favor Republicans, though his wife, Wendi Murdoch, has donated to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York.)”

Actually, considering the fact that Murdoch hasn’t been all that coy about his dislike of Romney, perhaps this news isn’t all that surprising. But, you know, as the Times notes, Romney’s decision to go with Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as his running mate might turn thing around.

“Thank God! Now we might have a real election on the great issues of the day. Paul Ryan almost perfect choice,” Murdoch tweeted after the selection was announced.

Final Thought: Despite having media outlets shoveling cash in his direction, President Obama is still being outraised by the Republican Party. The GOP has $186 million on hand, compared with $124 million for Democrats, according to a Federal Election Commission report released Monday.

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