Things are certainly heating up for the November midterm polls especially with just less than 4 weeks left before that historic moment. Democrats are in an uncomfortable situation especially when recent polls suggest that people grew weary and tired of the failures of the Obama administration. Anger and frustration are the main themes of the upcoming polls with much criticisms all directed to the Democratically-controlled House and Senate. With this, several Democratic candidates are stepping up their efforts to overcome their tough Republican rivals. In fact, three Midwestern Democrats have recently launched attack ads against their GOP candidates tagging them as an unethical insider who cannot be trusted.
In the Indiana Senate race, Democratic candidate and representative Brad Ellsworth is facing a stiff challenge against the well-funded Republican candidate Dan Coats. Recent polls by EPIC-MRA suggest that Coats is leading by 18 points against Ellsworth. Also, the recent Rasmussen Reports telephone survey also tells that Coats is leading Ellsworth with a 50% to 29% margin. In an effort to reverse the expected results, Ellsworth launched an ad that branded Coats as a lobbyist who sold out Indiana to line his pockets and supported controversial free trade laws. Democrats now believe that Anti-Washington attacks may well work for the Democratic Party too.
The Democratic Party is now strongly looking at the strategy of pairing Republicans to special interest and also linking them to corruption. Democratic Senate candidate to Missouri Robin Carnahan recently launched a new attack ad against her Republican rival Rep. Roy Blunt. The ad pointed Blunt to have sold earmarks in exchange for campaign contributions. It also explains how Blunt received a huge chunk of money days after million-dollar congressional earmark is passed. Blunt is also rumored to have used his congressional immunity in order to not get prosecuted. Her ads may have worked like a charm especially that recent polls suggest that Carnahan is only lagging by a single digit margin.
In the state of Wisconsin, Democratic candidate Russel Feingold is also stepping on the gas and has recently launched attack ads directed towards not only his rival, Ron Johnson, but to the whole Republican party as well. His ads depict the excessive celebrations undertaken by Republicans such as in football games. Feingold mentioned “It’s exactly the kind of behavior the corporate special interests and Ron Johnson are engaging in”. He also added “They’re dancing in the end zone because they think they’re going to take down the U.S. senator who’s been named the No. 1 enemy of Washington lobbyists. With barely 4 weeks to go, we expect more political ads to surface especially that numerous candidates are in the tick of the tide in their respective races.
Showing posts with label interest groups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interest groups. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
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.
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.
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