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The
Corporate Campaign
2000
Election Update
Corporations are already set to "shatter
all fundraising records" when it comes to "soft
money" contributions in the 2000 election cycle, reported
Common Cause (Common
Cause website) in a study released August 30.
The biggest donors to the Democratic and
Republican parties (which constitute "soft money,"
as opposed to hard money gifts to individual candidates): the
telecommunications industry ($3.9 million), securities and
investments ($3.8 million), and insurance ($3.3 million).
Unions have given $2.6 million so far. The top
nine industries together gave over $25 million — ten times
labor’s contributions.
THE BIG WINNERS —
SO FAR
As widely reported, Republican George W. Bush
is piling up money at an appalling pace — $37 million so
far. Finance, insurance, and real estate interests are his top
money sources.
Vice President Al Gore is in second place with
$19.6 million. Lawyers and lobbyists, followed by finance,
insurance, and real estate are Gore’s vital sectors. Only
$27,275 of Gore’s money comes from unions. Biggest single
giver: Ernst & Young.
Bill Bradley has impressed the powers that be
with his ability to rustle up bucks. He has raised $11.7
million to date, much of it from lawyers and investment firms.
Lehman Brothers tops his list.
Sources: Common Cause (www.commoncause.org);
Center for Responsive Politics (www.crp.org). |
