Campaign Donation Bundlers

[ClydeR]

The Wall Street Journal has an article (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121814759801722163.html?mod=googlenews_wsj) this morning on campaign bundlers who have raised more than $500,000 for the Obama or McCain campaigns. The two campaigns have reported 98 bundlers between them.

The really interesting part is that Obama has 35 bundlers, even though he claims to raise money from small donations. If you read the article, which discusses Obama's bundling activities in detail, you'll have to wonder if Obama is in these people's pockets.

The article does not mention how many bundlers, if any, the McCain campaign has.

[Ashliana]

The article does not mention how many bundlers, if any, the McCain campaign has.

Um.. Simple math? If there are 98 reported total between the two campaigns, and 35 are Obama's, wouldn't it stand to reason that 63, almost double Obama's, belong to McCain?

In any case, the article also states Obama's policy on not accepting outright lobbyist funds, AND that several of his so-called bundles are also made up of small donations.

[Mabus]

In any case, the article also states Obama's policy on not accepting outright lobbyist funds,
He does accept lobbyist money.

Now is someone a lobbyist? Depends on what the definition of what "is" is to Obama.

This "lobbyist" line sounds good, but remember that it is only lobbyists that are currently registered as federal lobbyists. He takes money from the partners in the same lobbying firm as federally registered lobbyists. He gives a little wink when the firms hold fund raisers at their facilities for him. He takes money from state lobbyists (some that even work at the federal level). He takes money from in-house corporate lobbyists. His campaign was jump started with money from PACs and lobbyists.

Before the WSJ article is called into question over right-leaning status, let's look at a "progressive" site:
Common Dreams Obama Lobbyist Article (http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/22/681/)

It is also widely known that Obama has taken money from the spouses of lobbyists, directly after returning the check of a lobbyist.

From a USA Today article: (http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-04-15-obamainside_N.htm)
"Obama accepts money from spouses of federal lobbyists. In December, the campaign returned a $250 contribution from lobbyist Thomas Jensen of Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal, but a few days later, it cashed a $500 check from his wife, Sarah, records show. Jensen said his wife had "personally chosen" to contribute to Obama."

Tom Daschle isn't a federally registered lobbyist, but he is a consultant for the large lobbying firm "Alston & Bird". This is part of the Chicago-style politics he is playing on the citizens of this country, "Lie and smile, and don't worry the voters are the ignorant."

And while people can rant and rave over lobbyists, the facts show that they usually make up less then 2% of presidential campaign funds, and that traditionally the DNC has benefited more from them and PACs then the RNC.

These are a small few of the "half truths" he feeds his supporters about where his money is coming from. I hope those supporters are hungry, he has more snake oil to sell them.

[crb]

... and besides, lobbying is both necessary and constitutionally protected, it isn't an evil thing. Only politicians who allow their votes to be bought are evil.

[Mabus]

... and besides, lobbying is both necessary and constitutionally protected, it isn't an evil thing. Only politicians who allow their votes to be bought are evil.
It's those damn lobbyists at AARP that are ruining this country!
;)