« Thoughts On Election Day | Home | How Can Mavericks Be Status Quo? »
So Much For Campaign Finance Reform
By Joshua Rosenstock | November 7, 2008
Has there ever been a less effective piece of legislation than McCain-Feingold?
Unions, political action committees and other special interests shelled out nearly $98 million in independent expenditures to influence the presidential election, according to a CQ MoneyLine analysis of campaign finance reports through Nov. 4.
While there was no “Swift Boat” ad that defined this year’s White House race, these special interest groups created a strong presence by spending almost twice as much as the national party committees on independent ads, canvassing and other campaign activities.
The groups overwhelmingly favored Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, spending $48 million in his behalf since June, while Republican nominee John McCain was favored with $28 million over the same period. Another $22 million was spent during the primaries on behalf of all presidential contenders.
Leading the was the Service Employees International Union. It spent more than $28 million, a lot of it going to fund multi-lingual, 30-second spots promoting Obama and railing against McCain’s views on economic issues.
In addition to the service employees union, the groups that rung up the most in independent expenditures included:
- National Rifle Association of America, $6,890,820
- The National Republican Trust PAC, $6,592,925
- MoveOn.Org, $5,369,254
- United Auto Workers, $4,860,571
- National Right To Life Political Action Committee, $4,658,122
- American Federation of State County & Municipal Employees, $4,176,346
- 1199 Service Employees International Union, $3,910,471
- Let Freedom Ring Inc., $3,257,939
- American Federation of Teachers, $2,982,565
It’s one thing to amass millions of dollars in small donations, but it is quite another when one special interest group can give millions of dollars to a polical party and/or candidate. What do they think they are getting for that money, a thank you and a pat on the back? Pay for play politics needs to stop.
Topics: 2008, Campaign Finance |
November 7th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Millions of dollars in small donations still reflects support from a special interest group. They actually speak with a greater voice fiscally than the groups cited.
November 8th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
FOR SALE Slightly used Presidency. Has a few small debts and smokes occassionally but well worth the investment; excellent ROI. It comes with a great (corporate lap dog) commerce department, out-sourced military-industrial complex and a well lobbyed rubber-stamp congress. Also features a dumbed down electorate, banker bosses, legacy library & highly compensated speaking tours. One billion dollars OBO. Call 1-800 AMERICA
November 8th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
You call 220 years slightly used?
November 8th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Just put’n lipstick on it.
November 8th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Compared to Egypt’s, 220 years of American history is like 1 second after midnight in a 24 hour day.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:37 am
http://novemberfive.org/