Free Republic

In political circles, it is common knowledge that Democrats at all levels rely on generous financial support from plaintiffs’ lawyers. Indeed, during the last election, the American Association of Trial Lawyers (ATLA) gave more than $2.1 million to Democrats. And contributions to Democrats at all levels from individual members of the plaintiffs’ bar probably totaled more than $100 million. So when ATLA recently threatened to postpone and curtail its fundraising efforts for Democrats, it sent a clear and powerful signal: ATLA is scared to death. What has the nation’s leading assemblage of ambulance chasers quaking in their wing tips? It’s...

JOHN Kerry's choice of John Edwards as his vice presidential candidate is getting predictable but sincere applause from Democrats, relieved that some charisma will enliven their presidential ticket. But the initial positive reaction may not last long as the Bush campaign zeroes in on Edwards' vulnerability: his presidential campaign contributors. During his run for the top job, John Edwards relied heavily on leading trial lawyers. Twenty-two of his top 25 donors were trial attorneys. And those donations likely cloak a multitude of sins and violations of the campaign-finance laws.

"We are not going to lose the race for lack of funds", said Dallas trial lawyer Fred Baron, finance co-chairman of the Edwards campaign (and poster boy for legal ethics) as the Wisconsin primary approached. (Rob Christensen and John Wagner, "Edwards sees no reason to surrender", Raleigh News and Observer, Feb. 12). The challenge for Edwards's fund-raising was spelled out by the Washington Post last month (Paul Farhi and Thomas B. Edsall, "Filling War Chests Key As Campaigns Progress", Jan. 21): "The North Carolina senator has received a higher percentage of large donations than any other major candidate -- 83...

Pity the poor trial lawyers. They're people, too, said Bill McBride in his last debate with Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. But Bush beat McBride 56% to 43% in the Nov. 5 election. And around the country, the trial lawyers' favorites lost in most close races. Fans of tort reform say it's a trend. The rising cost of health care has made voters more receptive to their message blaming excessive malpractice awards. That's helped win key elections. And fewer activist judges and more Republican lawmakers better the odds for tort reform, even if getting stalled bills out of the Senate is...

<p>Health and insurance officials blamed Houston's recent flooding and a well-publicized Austin lawsuit for fueling media hype that they said has overblown the health concerns about toxic mold.</p> <p>The frenzy has spurred thousands of area homeowners to have their property inspected for mold, especially toxic strains, which can cost $500 or more.</p>