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Democrats Balk at Obama's Donation Ban
Lower-level candidates need the cash; policy offends lobbyists
By Dustin Lushing
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Posted Jun 10, 08 3:27 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Barack Obama won't accept contributions from lobbyists and PACs, but the rest of his party is unlikely to follow suit, reports Politico. Democratic lobbyists and fundraisers are outraged that the donations they secure are automatically considered suspect, while Senate and House candidates simply need the cash to compete. "You really have to look under every rock," a House aide says of fundraising.
Democratic House candidates have received more than $103 million from PACs this election season; Democratic Senate contenders have taken in about $20.5 million. Obama has "got to realize that right now, he's the Babe Ruth of politics," says a lobbyist. "You've got a lot of other people out there who are AAA ballplayers."