GOP group money down, hints at donor uncertainty

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_GROUPS_CAMPAIGN_MONEY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-11-18-06-59-47

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The biggest Republican-leaning money machines are spending dramatically less to help the party ahead of the 2014 congressional elections, a year after big-dollar conservative groups poured millions into unsuccessful campaigns against President Barack Obama and Democratic candidates, and the GOP failed to retake the White House or the Senate.

Groups such as American Crossroads and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce no longer are willing to risk major investments on hard-line conservatives who embarrassed GOP leaders last fall and rattled the confidence of party donors. Many remain concerned after last month's government shutdown highlighted Republican divisions.

"Is the malaise still there? Yes," said Lisa Wagner, a Republican fundraiser in the Chicago area. "But they are nervous about giving in light of the shutdown."

Outside spending on television ads designed to benefit Republican Senate candidates is down almost 60 percent compared with two years ago, according to spending reports provided to The Associated Press. There are signs that the shift is shaping the national fight for the Senate majority.