Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 7, 2008 12:01:59 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Party Conventions: the Last Loophole for Big Donors

Posted Jun 7, 08 10:14 AM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Big donors are pumping big money into both party's conventions, one of the last remaining loopholes in the rules governing so-called soft money contributions, the New York Times reports. And while it's all perfectly legal, the issue may test the conviction of both Barack Obama and John McCain on their desire to eliminate the influence of deep-pocketed contributors.

The candidates are outspoken against special-interest money, but neither has spoken out against the convention donations. Meanwhile, both parties are going after contributions from corporations, promising easy access to political bigwigs. Republicans are faring better, which could raise a dicey problem for Obama if he tries to help. “He’ll be going to rich individuals and to corporations with lobbyists”—just what he’s promised not to do, says a campaign finance expert.

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Obama Grabs 50% in Poll

    Sep 3, 08 6:16 AM CDT
    Obama Grabs 50% in Poll Barack Obama has the support of 50% of voters for the first time since beginning his run for the White House, according to the latest Gallup poll. It's a key symbolic threshold for Obama, who was evenly split at 45% with John McCain before the Democratic convention, reports Politico. McCain tallied 42% in the latest poll.
    More »

  • Convention Bounce Small, Fading Fast

    Sep 2, 08 9:49 AM CDT
    Convention Bounce Small, Fading Fast Barack Obama enjoyed a noticeable, but below-average, bounce in opinion polls after last week’s Democratic National Convention, Politico reports—but the gains appear to be already diminishing. Obama has risen 4% in Gallup’s daily tracking poll, 3% in a CBS survey—smaller than the average 5-6% convention bounce. And while Gallup had Obama 8% ahead of John McCain on Saturday, his margin was 5% yesterday. More »

  • GOP Looks to Rain on Convention Parade

    Aug 26, 08 5:53 AM CDT
    GOP Looks to Rain on Convention Parade The days of the parties giving each other a breather during convention week are long gone, the New York Times reports. As Democrats reveled in Denver yesterday, the Republicans began popping balloons--launching attack ads, holding press conferences underscoring the Clinton-Obama divide, and trotting their candidate out on the Tonight Show. The Dems, for their part, plan to be just as aggressive during the Republican National Convention.
    More »

  • 'Relic' Conventions to Host Huge Political Shifts

    Aug 23, 08 12:16 AM CDT
    'Relic' Conventions to Host Huge Political Shifts The presidential nominees are already decided—so why have conventions? “Money and publicity," Bill Schneider writes on CNN. Gala events are prime opportunities to milk donors, and high visibility has led “both parties try to control every minute of the convention as if it were a television show—because it is a television show.” But this year, writes Schneider, the convention hoopla hides two major shifts.
    More »

  • Journos Should Skip RNC, DNC

    Aug 14, 08 5:07 PM CDT
    Journos Should Skip RNC, DNC The press should quit covering the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, argues Jack Shafer in Slate. Little more than a four-day “infomercial” for the host party,  each would be better covered by “sportscasters like Bob Costas,” who “know how to make a game with a foregone conclusion seem entertaining.” Journalists defend their coverage—but they also enjoy the booze-filled, expenses-paid vacation, says Shafer.
    More »

People cheer at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.   (Magnum Photos)
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors & Florida Press Association Convention Thursday.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
In this May 17, 2008 file photo, Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks at the New Hampshire Democratic Convention in Manchester, N.H.   (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter, File)
Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, wave to delegates after he delivered his keynote address to the Democratic National Convention in Boston in this July 27, 2004, file photo.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 6)

Tags

Barack Obama  • John McCain  • Democratic National Convention  • Republican National Convention  • campaign finance  • Democratic National Committee  • Republican National Committee  • lobbyist  • special interests


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Politics Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »