Several of the top lobbyists in Washington helped pad Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s massive campaign warchest last quarter, plunging $100,000 into his 2010 re-election effort.
Linda Daschle, the wife of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and whose lobbying firm represents Boeing, Lockheed Martin and other major companies, pulled in $21,600 for Reid in the last quarter, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Lobbyist Tony Podesta, whose brother John was a chief of staff in the Clinton White House, bundled $31,500 in contributions for Reid. Paul DiNino, a former Reid aide who now is a lobbyist representing hospitals and other clients, helped his former boss with another $23,200 in campaign cash. And the lobbying powerhouse DLA Piper – which represents clients ranging from oil companies to the commonwealth of Puerto Rico – delivered another $23,900 to the majority leader.
The money is a fraction of the $8.7 million Reid has accumulated through the last quarter, according to newly released campaign filings. And Reid is hardly alone in using lobbyists to bundle cash, a practice still widely employed by members from both sides of the aisle and Democratic and GOP campaign committees.
But Reid's impressive haul from Washington lobbyists could become a source of criticism back home in Nevada, where his opponents want to paint him as out of touch with the home-state voters. In fact, Reid's first slate of 2010 campaign ads have been framed as re-introducing himelf to Nevada voters, portraying him as a fighter for Silver State interests.
Reid’s disclosure complies with a new ethics law approved last Congress requiring candidates to disclose lobbyists’ who have “bundled” contributions, referring to smaller donations collected by one person and delivered to a candidate. Earlier this year, the Federal Election Commission increased the threshold for candidates to disclose the bundled contributions to $16,000.
So do you think this is "Freedom of Speech"?
1 comment:
Freedom of speech? This guy is trying to use other people to make his wallet fatter. No wonder Nevada has decided to "disown" him. Would you want to be associated with some guy who sits around, but constantly wants money? I wouldn't.
I don't think this is freedom of speech. Of course he can ask people for money, but there should be a basis for it. I think it's odd that some people would never, ever give even a penny to a beggar on the street, but they wouldn't give a second thought to giving money to a campaign. What is wrong with today's society? Are we so caught-up in political affairs that we fail to see the poor people with broken legs and five children standing on the street trying to collect money? I just don't understand the logic of this.
I do believe that Reid is guaranteed the right to ask, by Amendment One, but, honestly, why can't he turn around and see the world around him?
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