Posted on 06/23/2008 5:27:47 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
(CNSNews.com) - Campaign finance analysts say that conservative or Republican-affiliated "527" independent political committees have raised far less money than such groups affiliated with Democrats.
"The Democratic organizations, through the 15-month point, have raised more than three times as much as the Republican groups -- $87 million to $24 million," said Michael Malbin, executive director of the Campaign Finance Institute.
Malbin, whose nonpartisan group is affiliated with George Washington University and tracks campaign finances, said it was ironic that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) last week blamed his decision not to take public financing, in part, on the supposed need to stockpile money to counter independent "527" committees.
Last Thursday, Obama said he was foregoing the $85 million in public funding he could have received because it tied his hands -- and because the campaign finance system was allegedly slanted toward his expected Republican challenger, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Accusing McCain of being "fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs," Obama said that 527s tied to McCain and the Republican National Committee are "spending millions and millions in unlimited donations" to attack him.
"We've already seen that (McCain's) not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations," the putative Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement e-mailed to Cybercast News Service in lieu of a requested interview.
However, Sean Parnell, president of the nonpartisan Center for Competitive Politics, said that Obama's claims were simply not accurate.
"Sen. Obama is being incredibly disingenuous when he makes that statement because there is no way Sen. McCain -- or Sen. Obama, for that matter -- can control or limit these 527 organizations -- nor should they be able to," Parnell said.
So-called "527" groups, named after the section of the IRS tax code that allows their creation, are groups founded by citizens who believe they should have a voice, he added.
"I see that as a very healthy thing," said Parnell, no relation to the Alaska lieutenant governor of the same name.
"We don't want a political system where only the candidates are allowed to talk about issues, and the citizens are essentially told to 'sit down and shut up' and on the first Tuesday of November make a decision," he added. "What 527s ensure is that a broad range of voices are included in campaigns."
Malbin, meanwhile, agreed that Obama was being disingenuous.
"He really wasn't complaining when he went to AFSCME (the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union) this week," the former State University of New York professor told Cybercast News Service.
"(This is a group) which ran an ad paid for by its 527 to attack John McCain just before Obama visited and sought their endorsement," Malbin said. "Are labor union 527s good and other 527s bad?"
That ad, which cost more than $540,000 to produce, is airing nationally on CNN and MSNBC, as well in the key labor states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio.
Jointly produced by AFSCME and the liberal online activist organization MoveOn.org, the ad implies that McCain's Iraq policy would lead to the involvement of U.S. troops over generations.
AFSCME declined to talk to Cybercast News Service about the ad or its endorsement.
Interestingly, MoveOn.org, which did not respond to an interview request, is hosting its own pro-Obama campaign events -- "Bake Sale for Obama" -- the weekend of June 21-22. According to the Obama campaign, the nonprofit liberal activists have set up "hundreds of bake sales" to fund the organization's "campaign to win the White House."
The Democrat's refusal to accept federal funds drew criticism from plenty of quarters -- especially the McCain camp, which said it will likely take in the much-needed cash.
"Obama set up a deal with the [Federal Election Commission] to take public financing, then publicly pledged to take it if his opponent did as well," McCain spokesman Brian Rodgers told Cybercast News Service. "And now, he's broken his word to the American people."
Nevertheless, both Parnell and Malbin defend Obama's right to refuse the money.
"A lot of people are portraying this as the death of campaign finance reform," Malbin said. "I don't see it that way. Sen. Obama made a calculation that it would hurt him more than it would help him."
Malbin added: "I think the real problem he has is not that he made a calculation, but that in February 2007, instead of saying, 'I will take funding if my opponent does,' he should have said, 'I will take it if it is convenient for me.'"
However, Parnell sees opting out of taking federal money as a positive move for democracy.
"I think it is a great step forward," he told Cybercast News Service. "One of the things that accepting public funding means is limiting the communication that a candidate is able to make to voters and citizens. By rejecting that regime, what Obama has decided to do is spend as much money as he can raise in order to communicate his message to voters.
"I think that's a positive step for democracy," he added.
According to the Federal Election Commission, Obama has already raised $265 million dollars from individuals, dwarfing McCain's $88 million.
(Cybercast News Service correspondent Michael Gryboski contributed to this report.)
Fewer voters want to bet on the losers.
I would like to see the list of names....just to see if my name is on it.
According to the Federal Election Commission, Obama has already raised $265 million dollars from individuals,
$200 million of it is from George Soros, Chicoms and other enemies of the country. A large portion of it was spent on the Democratic primary.
“$265 million dollars from individuals”
And I bet 250 million came from Soros.
These 527s are creatures of the Fall. What they raised or didn’t raise in the winter and spring before the election isn’t of much value.
I’d imagine a bunch of chinese dishwashers are on it for about $10,000 each.
There are about 360 million people in the US. He’s collected $263 million dollars. Seems to be a pretty high average there.
The Crooked jerk and his friends should all be jailed.
George Soros supports McCain too. Or didn’t you know?
yes I knew, not the the extent of Obama. Was the last time Mccain took Soros money in 2004?
I don’t do his books, so I can’t say.
Yet donations are rolling in at record amounts. What gives?
“What gives? “
Somebody’s lying and I’d wager on the politicians.
Thats got my vote, probably the only vote I'll be comfortable with this year.
They also forget to include the largest 527 group for Obama which is the Drive By Media.
That would be my suspicion also.
There is one 527 with 40 million, waiting to dump on McLame. There is much to dump on there. Both him and his wife.
You are right on this one, Obama set up campaign in all 50 states and raised his money from poor individuals $5.00, $10.00 a shot.
$200 million of it is from George Soros, Chicoms and other enemies of the country. A large portion of it was spent on the Democratic primary.
I want to see any proof of that. If that was a truth Mc Cain would not be whining about Obama giving up taxpayers money for Pres Campaign.
If that was a truth McCain would be the first to expose Obama for taking contributions from "enemies of the country". The only one taking contributions from enemies of the country was Slick Willy and dependence of foreign oil lobby.
Why the big oil and all lobbyst for selling America outdoes not support Mc Cain with big contributions?
Semms nobody wants to bet on the loser. Sorry dude you are full of it on this one.
Not that I am Obama supporter. LOL
I think $500 millions of it came from Soros, so all individuals contributing 5 or 10 bucks a pop are going to get hefty refunds, then Obama is going to tax the s*it of everybody and pay all debt to China incurred by Bush in no time.
LOL
Thanks for that insight. Sounds about right.
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