GOP Urges Wider Ban on 'Soft Money'

[Freddie Stubbs]

FEC Asked to Rule on '527' Organizations That Raise Unlimited Funds
By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 13, 2004; Page A04

The Republican National Committee plans to ask the Federal Election Commission today to ban the raising of $300 million or more in "soft money" by pro-Democratic groups seeking to pay for voter mobilization and TV ads in this year's elections.

The request marks a reversal of traditional Republican opposition to regulating political money. Democrats say the shift is motivated by the GOP's recognition that tougher regulation might work to Democrats' disadvantage.

The Republican request would restrict most political spending to "hard money" contributions, which are limited to $2,000 per individual to a federal candidate. The Republican Party and President Bush hold a substantial advantage over Democrats in raising such money.

Last year, the Republicans' national, senatorial and congressional campaign committees raised nearly $183 million in strictly regulated hard money, more than twice the $81 million raised by Democratic committees, according to PoliticalMoneyLine, a Web site that tracks political money. Bush, in turn, has raised about $131 million in hard money, three times the $41 million raised by his closest Democratic competitor, Howard Dean.

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11271-2004Jan12.html

[GRClarkesq]

1. GOP winning in hard money - dry up soft money for Dems.

eom

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. That's the plan (n/t)

[Sir_Shrek]

3. I think MoveOn is a 527....

Didn't click the link, so I don't if it was mentioned.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. You are correct

The part of MoveOn that runs the anti-Bush ads is a 527.

http://www.moveonvoterfund.org/

[PATRICK]

5. we have to win the hard money anyway

but I hope they fail this year. That is why they hit the consumer and ask them to spend so there is nothing left for the suddenly awakened to contribute. This is total money control, politics dictating the economic realities of all Americans. Personally I am saving up those four figure sums to take down bums and everyone here who can should be doing the same even if means debt. I know membership drives indicate that our pockets aren't deep but most have money for other things that are relatively inconsequential, perhaps scandalously so considering our convictions.

More people because the party benefits all, the more money- but that has not yet happened. But it can.

[priller]

6. I think this has a lot to do with George Soros, also

Look at what he's been saying:

Billionaire George Soros, probably the single biggest giver to Democratic causes, said Monday that Republican criticism of him could be very costly.

"It has got a rise out of me," he said, adding that his anger "will probably find expression" in additional donations to efforts to defeat President Bush.

How much, Soros wouldn't say. He already has given $10 million to Americans Coming Together and $2.5 million to www.moveon.org, groups that are running anti-Bush campaigns.

Soros, recently ranked as the 28th richest man in America by Forbes magazine, said he will devote this year to unseating Bush.

"I'm ready to put my money where my mouth is," said the Hungarian-born financier, who made his fortune in New York as a hedge-fund operator. His opposition to the Bush administration is based chiefly on the invasion of Iraq.


$12.5 million already, from one person. Once the other feared "Hollywood elites" and people like that follow suit, you can bet the Pukes are nervous about it. It's no surprise they want to nip this in the bud.

[AndyTiedye]

7. Bush* Doesn't Need Money, He Has Fox, CNN, ABC, MSNBC...

and those don't count.

[schultzee]

8. Bush has declared class war. He wants to create a Corporatist state

and he is doing it right under the slumbering noses of the republicans who vote middle class.

[maggrwaggr]

10. he's already done it. But you're right, nobody's noticed yet

because the media is his propaganda tool. And they're cooperating 100%

[PROGRESSIVE1]

9. "GOP urges elimination of Democratic Party"

Chairman Ed Gillespie wants one party autocratic rule.

:puke: