Campaign financing: Kerry shows two facets of fundraising: Mpls Str-Trib

[snyttri]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/4332464.html

(free subscription newspaper)

Campaign financing: Kerry shows two facets of fundraising
Greg Gordon, Star Tribune Washington Bureau Correspondent

Published January 22, 2004

<snip>

But while raising $34 million for four Senate races and $23 million in donations through Dec. 31 for his presidential run, he has drawn scrutiny multiple times for his ties to corporate interests.

In 1998, Taiwanese-American businessman Johnny Chung pleaded guilty to using "straw donors" to funnel $8,000 to Kerry and $20,000 to President Bill Clinton's reelection campaign. Kerry denied knowledge of the scheme and returned the money.

In 2002, a conspiracy indictment against a California military contractor included similar charges relating to $13,000 of more than $26,000 company executives gave Kerry in 1996 and 1998.

Kerry currently serves on the Senate Commerce, Finance and Small Business committees, all fertile turf for raising campaign cash. In its newly published book, "The Buying of the President 2004," the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity says companies with a direct interest in Kerry's committee work "have pumped millions of dollars into his campaigns."

<snip>

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. 3rd time today I have seen this posted

Once at FreeRepublic and TWICE here! :eyes:

[Jacobin]

5. Why shouldn't the source of a candidate's funds be discussed?

Is it too unpleasant to consider who may be pulling strings by paying money.

Should it be swept under the rug as uncomfortable to consider?

[displacedtexan]

2. 4 senate races = 24 years. Specious!

He gave the $ back. How many times will this be posted today?

[maddezmom]

3. dupe

[isbister]

4. $34 million for four Senate races

Doesn't his ties to corporate interests allow bush to raise this much at a dinner or two?

[Moderator]

6. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=174481&mesg_id=174481