527 Activity Surges in the States. Liberals have raised more money than conservatives.

Capital Eye ^ | Sept. 13, 2006 | Lindsay Renick Mayer

[FairOpinion]

The advocacy groups that rose to prominence in 2004 have scaled back their federal activity this election. Instead, 527s are focusing on state issues and elections. Liberals have raised more money than conservatives.

In politics, the money behind the message speaks volumes. And although the issue advocates known as 527 committees continue to be somewhat elusive, the Center for Responsive Politics has found that these tax-exempt groups are increasingly putting their 2006 money into state-level messages, instead of focusing on national issues.

527 committees raise unlimited money for political activities, such as voter mobilization efforts, and use advertising to push their positions on particular issues.

“The Democrats are doing better comparatively in this election than usual, so that’ll show up in any campaign election funnel,” Tufts University’s Berry said. Also, progressive groups have tended to favor 527s as instruments for issue advocacy, while right-leaning groups tend to fund such efforts through trade associations and other types of non-profit organizations.

Berry predicted that for the 2008 presidential election, the country will see an upsurge in 527 activity, in individual states and nationally, and by progressives and conservatives. He added that while 527s may not dramatically swing national public opinion, they might sway it just enough in states to influence the outcome of close races. And in 2006, that could have big implications for the balance of power in Congress and in statehouses throughout the nation.

[FairOpinion]

Go to the link above to check out details of state by state info on the 527-s and their activities in 2004-2006 elections. (at the bottom of the article under "More information")

Another article mentions that Soros gave $23M to 527-s in 2004, to defeat President Bush.

"Many 527 donors argue they're just exercising First Amendment rights to voice opinions. Wigglesworth contends their money drowns out other voices: "As long as George Soros and Roland Arnall can spend so much of their money on getting someone elected, the rest of the country is deprived of the right of elected public servants that are going to represent them."

Soros, a New York City billionaire financier, gave more than $23 million to 527s opposing President Bush's 2004 re-election. "

[Khepera]

Dont worry they will spend it all on dope.

[battlegearboat]

Vote early and vote often

[Roy Tucker]

Thanks, Senator McCain, for the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance reform. You are electoral politics' Sorcerer's Apprentice. You have completely robbed Republicans of their inherent advantage in campaign fundraising: thousands of concerned citizens with disposable income. And your "reform" has allowed rich fat cats such as Georges Soros and Clooney to have an inordinate influence on politics in this country through 527 corporations. Satisfied? I'll bet you are.

[jmaroneps37]

They always raise a lot of money. They always hurt themselves by using it to "get out" their message. They always do. This always causes them to lose because voters don't like their message. They then always claim "we didn't get our message out". Then they always work harder and put together more money for the next cycle. Which they always lose and claim it was because they didn't get their message out and then ...............

[bmwcyle]

The GOP no longer gets any money from me.

[Roy Tucker]

I hear ya.

[Czar]

"The GOP no longer gets any money from me."

Nor from me.

[bmwcyle]

After today they might get soft metal.