Corporatizing the political system: Not what the founding fathers ordered
Loophole lets corporations fund political conventions
By Jim Drinkard, Associated Press Writer | June 4, 2008
WASHINGTON -- Five years ago this week, a federal election regulator predicted that corporate sponsorship of political conventions would eventually be as common as it is for football bowl games.
"I look forward to the day, by 2008, when Americans can turn on their TVs and watch the Nokia Democratic Convention, or the AT&T Republican National Convention," joked Bradley Smith, then a Republican member of the Federal Election Commission.
That day has pretty much arrived.
The Democratic and Republican conclaves this summer in Denver and St. Paul, Minn., will be financed overwhelmingly by private money from some of the nation's largest corporations, says a report released Wednesday by the Campaign Finance Institute, a nonpartisan study group. From AT&T to Xcel Energy, companies have lined up to pay for the two events in exchange for the promise of access to the nation's most powerful politicians, the report says. The group estimates private funds likely will amount to 80 percent of the meetings' $112 million combined pricetag.
Talking points prepared for Minnesota's Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, which the institute obtained under an open-records request, asked corporations to give generously for the chance to "connect with influential government officials (Cabinet, President, next President)." Colorado Democrats also are offering donors invitations to private events attended by prominent politicians.
(Continued here.)
By Jim Drinkard, Associated Press Writer | June 4, 2008
WASHINGTON -- Five years ago this week, a federal election regulator predicted that corporate sponsorship of political conventions would eventually be as common as it is for football bowl games.
"I look forward to the day, by 2008, when Americans can turn on their TVs and watch the Nokia Democratic Convention, or the AT&T Republican National Convention," joked Bradley Smith, then a Republican member of the Federal Election Commission.
That day has pretty much arrived.
The Democratic and Republican conclaves this summer in Denver and St. Paul, Minn., will be financed overwhelmingly by private money from some of the nation's largest corporations, says a report released Wednesday by the Campaign Finance Institute, a nonpartisan study group. From AT&T to Xcel Energy, companies have lined up to pay for the two events in exchange for the promise of access to the nation's most powerful politicians, the report says. The group estimates private funds likely will amount to 80 percent of the meetings' $112 million combined pricetag.
Talking points prepared for Minnesota's Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, which the institute obtained under an open-records request, asked corporations to give generously for the chance to "connect with influential government officials (Cabinet, President, next President)." Colorado Democrats also are offering donors invitations to private events attended by prominent politicians.
(Continued here.)
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