Business lobby hedges bets by backing more Dems (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

[sabra]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06265/724164-28.stm

Business lobby hedges bets by backing more Dems


WASHINGTON -- Freshman Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean of Illinois is facing the Republican Party machine in her re-election bid. Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker Dennis Hastert have headlined money-raising events for her opponent. The National Republican Congressional Committee has budgeted $1.5 million to attack her.

But Ms. Bean has won an unexpected ally with clout to counter the Republican heavyweights: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Usually a stalwart of Republicans, the chamber has run about $700,000 in advertisements defending the Democrat and plans to help get out the pro-business vote for her in the fall.

Ms. Bean is among more than a dozen Democrats in key races across the country that the chamber is backing this year. Half of them also have benefited from the chamber's first-ever television ads for Democrats. Partly, the organization is rewarding these Democrats for votes in favor of free trade and other issues it holds dear. It also is sensing possible Republican defeats in congressional elections on Nov. 7, and is hedging its bets by spreading some of the organization's wealth to the other side of the aisle.

The chamber's move mirrors a subtle but significant shift across the business community, which has begun anticipating that the Republican majorities in Congress could shrink, if not collapse. Washington lobbying firms are balancing their Republican rosters with Democratic hires, and some companies are injecting more bipartisanship in their campaign giving.

[AX10]

1. Wall Street has given 52% of their 2005 donations to the Democrats.

It's expected to be about 55% this year.

I don't care for the US Chamber of Commerce. I believe in the markets, but the Chamber of Commerce has a history of going to far. They demonized Tom Daschle as well as many liberal Democrats. I wouldn't want their dirty money for anything.

[never cry wolf]

2. Bean is my rep. and she is pretty much a DINO

But better than the repube Phil Crane. She has to be moderate in this suburban Chicago district which kept Crane in for 33 years.

[formercia]

3. We know who the Chamber of Commerce represents

and we know their game. I wonder if they are going to help rig the vote again this time.

Make note of who they back. I'd bet they might be stealth candidates.