DNC: No corporate cash at Charlotte convention

[impik]

For the first time ever, the Democratic National Convention will not accept donations from corporations, PACs or federal lobbyists in 2012.

Individual contributions also will be capped — another first — at $100,000, according to the contract governing the convention.

Democrats say the policy is in keeping with the fundraising focus that powered President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign.

“From the very beginning, President Obama has placed a high priority on increasing the influence of grassroots and individual donors, and this convention will go further in that direction than any convention ever,” Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse said.

The committee aims to raise $36 million for the convention to be held in Charlotte, N.C., the week of Sept. 3, 2012.

The donor policy explains a mysterious line in the announcement e-mail from First Lady Michelle Obama that the party had until now refused to explain.

“We will finance this convention differently than it’s been done in the past, and we will make sure everyone feels closely tied in to what is happening in Charlotte,” Obama wrote in announcing the site of the convention on Tuesday. “This will be a different convention, for a different time



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/48891.html#ixzz1D6BQJ214

[marmar]

1. No, we'll just do whatever corporations want us to do legislatively instead.

nt

[golddigger]

2. +1

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[treestar]

6. If that were so, it would be due to job numbers

The US government is not going to be a Soviet Style caretaker of the economy.

I don't see how just trashing all corporations, even if legal, would help.

There are many more voters than there are corporations, for one thing.

And if voters are influenced by corporate money used for slick campaign ads, that's on them.

[NorthCarolina]

4. Is this plan limited to financing of the convention, while excluding campaign donations? nt

[ProSense]

5. Not taking corporate cash

will spark outrage.

This is not a good thing. The DNC needs to reconsider and take corporate cash.

Better add this:

:sarcasm:

[treestar]

7. Outrage of who?

[ensho]

8. good - thank you DNC

nt

[otohara]

9. AT&T Logos Were Everywhere in Denver

along with many other corporate logos.

This is good news.

[ClassWarrior]

10. Excellent. Great start.

NGU.

[Brickbat]

11. This also means union money. FWIW.

Which is fine; now maybe that money can go to some labor candidates.

[former9thward]

12. It sounds like they are going to reject federal funding.

The federal government provides $4 million plus inflation adjustments to each party for their conventions. If they accept the money they are limited to that amount with a few minor exceptions. Thee DNC note says they want $36 million so they wouldn't be able to get the federal funding.

[vi5]

13. Great. Now if they'd only do this when legislating...

..and deciding issues and making laws that affect the entire country.

[flpoljunkie]

14. Dems failed to even have a vote on the Fair Elections Now Act in 111th Congress

It has not yet been reintroduced in the 112th Congress--altho it is seemingly introduced every session to appease those in the Democratic party who want the public interest to take precedence over the special interests. Apparently, having special interest lobbyists bundle contributions to fill their campaign coffers is just too sweet for Dems to turn down.