Liberal PACs set to spend record amounts

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- Republican fundraisers say they're being swamped by left-wing and liberal political action committees who are raking in tens of millions of dollars.

PACs supporting conservative candidates will need to ratchet up their efforts to keep pace with their liberal counterparts, David Bossie, president of the right-leaning Citizens United fundraising organization, told The Hill newspaper.

"Conservatives are completely outmanned, outnumbered and out-financed," Bossie told the Washington newspaper. "We have to work harder," he said, adding that such pro-Democratic PACs such as MoveOn.org and the Center for American Progress have been highly successful at raising funds so far.

The Hill reported that Democratic Party allies have racked up impressive donations. For instance, the Service Employees International Union will spend $85 million this election cycle, a record for the union, while the AFL-CIO has budgeted $53.4 million for political activity, a $5 million increase over 2004.

Meanwhile, MoveOn.org says it will spend about $35 million in "hard money" contributions, the Hill reported.