Political Spending of Interest Groups Dwarf Democrats and Liberals 7 to 1

If present trends continue, the upcoming US midterm elections in November will go down to be one of the most expensive in history. Recent reports showed that interest groups have increased their spending up to the point where they have overshadowed the major political parties in the United States. According to figures, interest groups are now spending five times larger compared to their total last midterms. Also, these groups have also been more secretive more than ever on where they get these funds and who their donors are especially with the recent ruling by the Supreme Court on Corporations and interest groups.

Last midterms, interest groups or those political groups who do not belong to the two major political parties in the US, the Republicans and Democrats, have spent a little over $16 million with over 90 percent of its donors being identified. Interestingly, there is today a massive surge in political spending by these groups who are hoping to influence the upcoming midterms. Interest groups have invested over $80 million so far with millions more expected as we go near the elections. Also, compared to the 90 percent disclosure of donors, today’s interest groups have been more secretive today falling to less than half of the total of the last midterms.

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court that unleashed the ability of corporations and interest groups to spend money for politics enabled such surge in political spending. Also, with the massive rage towards Democrats and the perception that they are anti-business, donors have been more inclined to spend money and influence the upcoming polls. There is now a ratio of 7 to 1 in the spending category where interest groups, the bulk coming from conservatives, have dwarfed the Democratic Party. The increase in conservative spending has come both from long established groups and from groups only a few months old.

Of all the biggest spenders, the little-known Iowa group called the American Future Fund, stood out to be largest having spent $7 million on behalf of Republicans in more than two dozen House and Senate races. According to the Federal Election Commission, the group hasn’t filed the donors responsible for the group’s ad campaign. The group recently announced that it would devote up to $800,000 to campaign against Democratic candidate Bruce Braley of Waterloo. A commercial was aired alleging that Braley supports the building of an Islamic center near Ground Zero. While Braley strongly denied the accusations, the ad may have already done the damage especially at a time where Americans are having issues against religion.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for unlimited spending for political affairs by corporations, unions and other interest groups. Because many of these interest groups are categorized as non-profits, they are now required by law to disclose their donors and financial backers which is the primary reason why the sudden surge in secret donors. While Republican have greatly benefited from the interest group’s money, Democrats, on the other hand, have proven that they too can raise money for themselves and for their individual candidates. By law, those donations must come from individuals and are limited in size.