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Unregulated groups put millions in election - Special interests, millionaires skirt campaign limits.
LA Times ^ | October 30, 2006 | Stephanie Simon

Posted on 10/30/2006 4:01:33 PM PST by neverdem

Sterling, Colo. — Unions, corporations and wealthy individuals have pumped nearly $300 million this year into unregulated political groups, funding dozens of aggressive and sometimes shadowy campaigns independent of party machines.

The groups, both liberal and conservative, air TV and radio spots, conduct polls, run phone banks, canvass door-to-door and stage get-out-the-vote rallies, with no oversight by the Federal Election Commission. Set up as tax-exempt "issue advocacy" committees, they cannot explicitly endorse candidates. But they can do everything short of telling voters how to mark their ballots.

Because they can accept unlimited donations from any source, the committees — known as 527s — have emerged as the favored vehicle for millionaires and interest groups seeking to set the political agenda.

"It's become the new way to do business in politics," said Pete Maysmith, a national director of Common Cause, a nonprofit that lobbies for more transparency in campaign finance.

Named for a section of the IRS code, 527s have been around for years but became a political force in 2004 after the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 — also known as the McCain--Feingold Bill — limited donations to political parties. Groups such as Swift Boat Veterans for Truth on the right and America Coming Together on the left contributed $600 million that year, with a heavy focus on the presidential race.

The cash flow is lower this year because it's a midterm campaign, but 527s and a related type of organization known as 501(c)s have expanded their reach. With the Nov. 7 election days away, the groups are flooding the airwaves in state and local races as well as congressional contests.

By far the largest chunk of unregulated money — nearly $60 million — comes straight out of union treasuries and is used mostly to benefit Democratic candidates and...

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: cfr; mccain Comment #1 Removed by Moderator

To: neverdem

You should have had a number and special character in that password. Now someone may figure it out! :p


2 posted on 10/30/2006 4:06:19 PM PST by KoRn
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To: KoRn

Everyone knew that this would be the end result of Campaign Finance Reform. McCain is such an ego-driven putz.


3 posted on 10/30/2006 4:27:52 PM PST by DeweyCA
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To: KoRn

Getting back to the topic....

What is even more shocking, is that individuals can purchase advertising that does endorse a candidate, provided they are not coordinating with the candidates campaign. Furthermore, they can discuss the election with their friends and relatives, and try to persuade them how to vote.

Perhaps we should lock up all these troublemakers until the campaign is over?


4 posted on 10/30/2006 4:28:30 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: DeweyCA

Yes: we have McPain to thank for this.


5 posted on 10/30/2006 4:31:00 PM PST by sgtbono2002 (The fourth estate is a fifth column.)
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To: proxy_user
Perhaps we should lock up all these troublemakers until the campaign is over?

Nah, only the conservative ones, and then, why let 'em out after the election?

6 posted on 10/30/2006 4:33:59 PM PST by Navy Patriot
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To: DeweyCA
DITTO!

7 posted on 10/30/2006 4:36:27 PM PST by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: DeweyCA
the end result of Campaign Finance Reform

The part I like is that I can't advertise asking voters to vote for a candidate, but MSM talking heads and newspapers can.

8 posted on 10/30/2006 4:39:55 PM PST by Navy Patriot
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To: Navy Patriot

" The part I like is that I can't advertise asking voters to vote for a candidate....

Not so. It is legal for you to do so, provided you are not affiliated with a campaign.


9 posted on 10/30/2006 4:48:33 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: ValerieUSA; Berosus; FairOpinion; Fedora; Ernest_at_the_Beach
527s have been around for years but became a political force in 2004 after the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002
...and everyone was really, really surprised. ;')
10 posted on 10/30/2006 7:41:58 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Dhimmicrati delenda est! https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: KoRn

#1 removed? Sad. Anyway, this obviously means we need even MORE campaign finance reform! I mean, it works so well!


11 posted on 10/30/2006 7:49:03 PM PST by dr_who_2
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