Skelton, Bishop let money do the talking

Reps. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) are sending strong signals that they will be running for reelection this year.

The two, who have been targeted for retirement by Republicans, each raised more than $380,000 in the fourth quarter.

Bishop raised $383,000, while Skelton raised nearly half a million dollars -- $492,000. Both rank among the top totals for the period. Financial reports are due at midnight.

Other Democrats who have been targeted for retirement also turned in strong quarters, including Pennsylvania Rep. Paul Kanjorski ($233,000), Virginia Rep. Rick Boucher ($203,000) and Indiana Rep. Baron Hill ($251,000).

Reps. Nick Rahall (D-W-Va.) and John Spratt (D-S.C.) each raised less than $80,000, with Rahall ($26,000) seeing his fundraising drop off significantly since a $205,000 second quarter. Still, the West Virginian has $1.4 million in the bank if Republicans can mount a significant challenge.

Spratt raised $77,000 and has $646,000 in the bank. While his total wasn't big, he outraised state Sen. Mick Mulvaney (R) by about $25,000. Mulvaney did self-fund $75,000, giving him more in total receipts.

On the GOP side, Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) still hasn't amped up his fundraising. He pulled in just $750 for the quarter, while Democratic state Sen. Charlie Justice raised a modest $49,000. If Young retires, his swing district is expected to be a battleground.

Fundraising isn't always an indication of retirement intentions, but none of the Democrats to call it quits in recent weeks had been raising big money like Skelton, Bishop and the others.

Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) raised $80,000 in the fourth quarter before his retirement, Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.) raised $96,000, Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) raised just over $5,000, Rep. Marion Berry (D-Ark.) raised $73,000 and Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.) raised $56,000. The sixth Democratic retiree, Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.), does not raise money during the off year.