FOLLOW THE MONEY - ELECTION 2008

Forums: Politics, Elections, Potus
Email this Topic • Print this Page

Sometimes it doesn't matter, and sometimes it is constructive to follow the money when we assess why a candidate proposes this or that or adopts a wait and see atttitude about this or that. McCain has been criticized by Obama and both Republicans and Democrats for shooting too much from the hip in the current financial bailout crisis. And some said Obama did well with his "wait to see" stance on the bailout.

But sometimes following the money can be interesting.

For instance:

Quote:

All Recipients of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Campaign Contributions, 1989-2008

Name Office State Party Grand Total Total from PACs Total from
Individuals:

Dodd, Christopher J S CT D $165,400 $48,500 $116,900
Obama, Barack S IL D $126,349 $6,000 $120,349
Kerry, John S MA D $111,000 $2,000 $109,000
Bennett, Robert F S UT R $107,999 $71,499 $36,500
Bachus, Spencer H AL R $103,300 $70,500 $32,800
Blunt, Roy H MO R $96,950 $78,500 $18,450
Kanjorski, Paul E H PA D $96,000 $57,500 $38,500
Bond, Christopher S 'Kit' S MO R $95,400 $64,000 $31,400
Shelby, Richard C S AL R $80,000 $23,000 $57,000
Reed, Jack S RI D $78,250 $43,500 $34,750
Reid, Harry S NV D $77,000 $60,500 $16,500
Clinton, Hillary S NY D $76,050 $8,000 $68,050
Davis, Tom H VA R $75,499 $13,999 $61,500
Boehner, John H OH R $67,750 $60,500 $7,250
Conrad, Kent S ND D $64,491 $22,000 $42,491
Reynolds, Tom H NY R $62,200 $53,000 $9,200
Johnson, Tim S SD D $61,000 $20,000 $41,000
Pelosi, Nancy H CA D $56,250 $47,000 $9,250
Carper, Tom S DE D $55,889 $31,350 $24,539
Hoyer, Steny H H MD D $55,500 $51,500 $4,000
Pryce, Deborah H OH R $55,500 $45,000 $10,500
Emanuel, Rahm H IL D $51,750 $16,000 $35,750
Isakson, Johnny S GA R $49,200 $35,500 $13,700
Cantor, Eric H VA R $48,500 $46,500 $2,000
Crapo, Mike S ID R $47,250 $40,500 $6,750
Frank, Barney H MA D $42,350 $30,500 $11,850
Bean, Melissa H IL D $41,249 $34,999 $6,250
Bayh, Evan S IN D $41,100 $16,500 $24,600
McConnell, Mitch S KY R $41,000 $40,000 $1,000
Maloney, Carolyn B H NY D $39,750 $16,500 $23,250
Dorgan, Byron L S ND D $38,750 $30,500 $8,250
Miller, Gary H CA R $38,000 $31,500 $6,500
Rangel, Charles B H NY D $38,000 $14,750 $23,250
Tiberi, Patrick J H OH R $35,700 $32,600 $3,100
Bunning, Jim S KY R $33,802 $29,650 $4,152
Stabenow, Debbie S MI D $33,450 $32,000 $1,450
Chambliss, Saxby S GA R $33,250 $22,500 $10,750
Menendez, Robert S NJ D $31,250 $30,500 $750
Enzi, Mike S WY R $31,000 $27,500 $3,500
Van Hollen, Chris H MD D $30,700 $11,000 $19,700
Landrieu, Mary L S LA D $30,600 $20,000 $10,600
Murray, Patty S WA D $30,000 $23,000 $7,000
Clyburn, James E H SC D $29,750 $26,000 $3,750
Crowley, Joseph H NY D $29,700 $25,500 $4,200
Sessions, Pete H TX R $29,472 $24,000 $5,472
McCrery, Jim H LA R $29,000 $26,000 $3,000
Hooley, Darlene H OR D $28,750 $19,500 $9,250
Royce, Ed H CA R $28,600 $4,000 $24,600
Renzi, Rick H AZ R $28,250 $28,000 $250
Lieberman, Joe S CT I $28,250 $11,500 $16,750
Baucus, Max S MT D $27,500 $21,000 $6,500
Moore, Dennis H KS D $26,550 $25,500 $1,050
Coleman, Norm S MN R $24,690 $12,000 $12,690
Matheson, Jim H UT D $24,500 $24,000 $500
Schumer, Charles E S NY D $24,250 $1,500 $22,750
Durbin, Dick S IL D $23,750 $14,000 $9,750
Rogers, Mike H MI R $22,750 $21,000 $1,750
Lynch, Stephen F H MA D $22,500 $13,500 $9,000
Rockefeller, Jay S WV D $22,250 $5,000 $17,250
Smith, Gordon H S OR R $22,000 $20,000 $2,000
Mikulski, Barbara A S MD D $21,750 $16,500 $5,250
McCain, John S AZ R $21,550 $0 $21,550
Spratt, John M Jr H SC D $21,500 $17,000 $4,500
Brown-Waite, Ginny H FL R $21,000 $21,000 $0
Davis, Geoff H KY R $21,000 $19,500 $1,500
Velazquez, Nydia M H NY D $20,750 $16,750 $4,000
Baca, Joe H CA D $20,500 $20,200 $300
Alexander, Lamar S TN R $20,500 $20,000 $500
Allard, Wayne S CO R $20,250 $0 $20,250
Neugebauer, Randy H TX R $20,000 $20,000 $0
Nelson, Ben S NE D $20,000 $19,000 $1,000
Salazar, Ken S CO D $19,900 $17,000 $2,900
Jefferson, William J H LA D $19,250 $8,500 $10,750
Byrd, Robert C S WV D $18,500 $8,000 $10,500
Hatch, Orrin G S UT R $18,250 $12,500 $5,750
Miller, Brad H NC D $18,000 $16,500 $1,500
Sherman, Brad H CA D $18,000 $12,500 $5,500
Craig, Larry S ID R $18,000 $15,000 $3,000
Roberts, Pat S KS R $18,000 $18,000 $0
Waters, Maxine H CA D $17,800 $15,000 $2,800
Biggert, Judy H IL R $17,750 $15,500 $2,250
Gerlach, Jim H PA R $17,750 $16,500 $1,250
Reyes, Silvestre H TX D $17,550 $2,000 $15,550
LaTourette, Steven C H OH R $17,500 $17,500 $0
Brownback, Sam S KS R $17,300 $14,250 $3,050
Barrett, Gresham H SC R $17,250 $13,000 $4,250
Watt, Melvin L H NC D $17,250 $13,000 $4,250
Scott, David H GA D $17,000 $13,500 $3,500
King, Pete H NY R $16,750 $1,000 $15,750
Cummings, Elijah E H MD D $16,700 $10,000 $6,700
Grassley, Chuck S IA R $16,500 $14,500 $2,000
Cantwell, Maria S WA D $16,250 $0 $16,250
Domenici, Pete V S NM R $16,226 $7,000 $9,226
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie H SD D $16,200 $4,500 $11,700
Putnam, Adam H H FL R $15,500 $15,500 $0
Feinstein, Dianne S CA D $15,250 $2,000 $13,250
Brown, Sherrod S OH D $15,000 $15,000 $0
Feeney, Tom H FL R $14,750 $13,500 $1,250
Sununu, John E S NH R $14,750 $0 $14,750
Hinojosa, Ruben H TX D $14,500 $13,000 $1,500
Capito, Shelley Moore H WV R $14,250 $8,000 $6,250
Burr, Richard S NC R $14,250 $13,500 $750
Jackson, Jesse Jr H IL D $14,000 $8,000 $6,000
Meeks, Gregory W H NY D $14,000 $13,500 $500
Cornyn, John S TX R $14,000 $12,000 $2,000
Collins, Susan M S ME R $13,000 $12,000 $1,000
Boxer, Barbara S CA D $12,750 $5,000 $7,750
McHenry, Patrick H NC R $12,500 $12,500 $0
Israel, Steve H NY D $12,050 $10,000 $2,050
Nunes, Devin Gerald H CA R $12,000 $12,000 $0
Davis, Artur H AL D $11,750 $11,500 $250
Martinez, Mel S FL R $11,750 $8,500 $3,250
Roskam, Peter H IL R $11,650 $8,500 $3,150
Pryor, Mark S AR D $11,650 $9,500 $2,150
Webb, James S VA D $11,550 $1,000 $10,550
Doolittle, John T H CA R $11,500 $11,500 $0
Harkin, Tom S IA D $11,450 $6,900 $4,550
Lee, Barbara H CA D $11,250 $11,000 $250
Thune, John S SD R $11,057 $1,000 $10,057
Klein, Ron H FL D $11,000 $11,000 $0
Mahoney, Tim H FL D $11,000 $11,000 $0
Fossella, Vito H NY R $10,750 $7,500 $3,250
Schultz, Debbie Wasserman H FL D $10,750 $9,750 $1,000
Thompson, Mike H CA D $10,600 $1,000 $9,600
Moran, Jim H VA D $10,500 $1,250 $9,250
Kennedy, Edward M S MA D $10,500 $3,000 $7,500
Clay, William L Jr H MO D $10,250 $8,500 $1,750
Payne, Donald M H NJ D $10,100 $5,500 $4,600
Dingell, John D H MI D $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Lincoln, Blanche S AR D $10,000 $5,500 $4,500
Levin, Sander H MI D $9,800 $0 $9,800
Roybal-Allard, Lucille H CA D $9,800 $5,000 $4,800
Barrasso, John A S WY R $9,500 $9,500 $0
Nelson, Bill S FL D $9,500 $9,000 $500
Napolitano, Grace H CA D $9,300 $8,500 $800
Castle, Michael N H DE R $9,200 $7,000 $2,200
Drake, Thelma H VA R $9,000 $9,000 $0
Dreier, David H CA R $9,000 $7,000 $2,000
Bachmann, Michele Marie H MN R $8,850 $6,500 $2,350
Gonzalez, Charlie A H TX D $8,500 $5,000 $3,500
Lewis, John H GA D $8,500 $4,000 $4,500
Knollenberg, Joe H MI R $8,250 $5,000 $3,250
Moore, Gwen H WI D $8,250 $8,000 $250
Pastor, Ed H AZ D $8,100 $4,500 $3,600
Norton, Eleanor Holmes D DC D $8,000 $3,000 $5,000
Becerra, Xavier H CA D $8,000 $7,000 $1,000
Jackson Lee, Sheila H TX D $8,000 $0 $8,000
Larson, John B H CT D $8,000 $8,000 $0
Lewis, Jerry H CA R $8,000 $7,000 $1,000
Melancon, Charles J H LA D $8,000 $8,000 $0
Walsh, James T H NY R $7,750 $0 $7,750
Corker, Bob S TN R $7,750 $2,000 $5,750
Cramer, Bud H AL D $7,500 $7,000 $500
Cubin, Barbara H WY R $7,500 $5,000 $2,500
Ensign, John S NV R $7,300 $6,000 $1,300
Meek, Kendrick B H FL D $7,250 $6,500 $750
Wilson, Charlie H OH D $7,250 $7,000 $250
Leahy, Patrick S VT D $7,250 $2,500 $4,750
Cleaver, Emanuel H MO D $7,000 $7,000 $0
Marchant, Kenny Ewell H TX R $7,000 $7,000 $0
Thompson, Bennie G H MS D $7,000 $6,000 $1,000
Casey, Bob S PA D $7,000 $6,000 $1,000
Solis, Hilda L H CA D $6,800 $6,500 $300
Gordon, Bart H TN D $6,750 $4,000 $2,750
Pomeroy, Earl H ND D $6,750 $5,000 $1,750
Tiahrt, Todd H KS R $6,500 $6,500 $0
Boyd, Allen H FL D $6,000 $5,500 $500
Capuano, Michael E H MA D $6,000 $5,000 $1,000
Heller, Dean H NV R $6,000 $6,000 $0
Marshall, Jim H GA0 D $6,000 $6,000 $0
Whitfield, Ed H KY R $6,000 $6,000 $0
Klobuchar, Amy S MN D $5,650 $1,500 $4,150
Ross, Mike H AR D $5,550 $3,000 $2,550
McCarthy, Carolyn H NY D $5,500 $5,500 $0
Slaughter, Louise M H NY D $5,500 $5,500 $0
Hodes, Paul W H NH D $5,450 $5,000 $450
Cardin, Ben S MD D $5,300 $500 $4,800
Boren, Dan H OK D $5,250 $5,000 $250
Ackerman, Gary H NY D $5,000 $4,000 $1,000
Andrews, Robert E H NJ D $5,000 $0 $5,000
Camp, Dave H MI R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Cole, Tom H OK R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Davis, Lincoln H TN D $5,000 $5,000 $0
Hill, Baron H IN D $5,000 $5,000 $0
Pearce, Steve H NM R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Perlmutter, Edwin G H CO D $5,000 $5,000 $0
Weller, Jerry H IL R $5,000 $0 $5,000
Snowe, Olympia J S ME R $5,000 $4,000 $1,000
Wicker, Roger S MS R $5,000 $5,000 $0
Davis, Danny K H IL D $4,950 $2,000 $2,950
Chabot, Steve H OH R $4,750 $3,000 $1,750
Honda, Mike H CA D $4,750 $4,000 $750
Price, David H NC D $4,550 $2,050 $2,500
Hagel, Chuck S NE R $4,500 $0 $4,500
Lugar, Richard G S IN R $4,500 $1,000 $3,500
Kaptur, Marcy H OH D $4,350 $1,000 $3,350
McCollum, Betty H MN D $4,350 $0 $4,350
Carson, Andre H IN D $4,250 $4,000 $250
Obey, David R H WI D $4,250 $2,000 $2,250
Salazar, John H CO D $4,250 $4,000 $250
Sanchez, Loretta H CA D $4,250 $3,000 $1,250
Tanner, John H TN D $4,250 $3,500 $750
Cardoza, Dennis H CA D $4,000 $4,000 $0
English, Phil H PA R $4,000 $4,000 $0
Green, Al H TX D $4,000 $4,000 $0
Kilpatrick, Carolyn Cheeks H MI D $4,000 $3,250 $750
Murphy, Chris H CT D $4,000 $4,000 $0
Tester, Jon S MT D $4,000 $3,500 $500
Rodriguez, Ciro D H TX D $3,750 $3,000 $750
Donnelly, Joe H IN D $3,500 $3,500 $0
Matsui, Doris O H CA D $3,500 $2,500 $1,000
Paul, Ron H TX R $3,500 $0 $3,500
Price, Tom H GA R $3,500 $3,500 $0
Schmidt, Jean H OH R $3,500 $2,500 $1,000
Wexler, Robert H FL D $3,500 $3,500 $0
Wyden, Ron S OR D $3,500 $0 $3,500
Biden, Joseph R Jr S DE D $3,300 $0 $3,300
Gutierrez, Luis V H IL D $3,250 $2,500 $750
Harman, Jane H CA D $3,250 $0 $3,250
Hensarling, Jeb H TX R $3,250 $1,500 $1,750
Kennedy, Patrick J H RI D $3,250 $0 $3,250
Ryan, Paul H WI R $3,250 $2,500 $750
Myrick, Sue H NC R $3,200 $1,500 $1,700
Schwartz, Allyson H PA D $3,200 $2,000 $1,200
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln H FL R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Lucas, Frank D H OK R $3,000 $1,500 $1,500
McCarthy, Kevin H CA R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Souder, Mark E H IN R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Udall, Mark H CO D $3,000 $2,500 $500
Bingaman, Jeff S NM D $3,000 $3,000 $0
Levin, Carl S MI D $3,000 $3,000 $0
Stevens, Ted S AK R $3,000 $3,000 $0
Hobson, Dave H OH R $2,850 $0 $2,850
Johnson, Eddie Bernice H TX D $2,825 $1,000 $1,825
Berkley, Shelley H NV D $2,750 $2,000 $750
Jones, Walter B Jr H NC R $2,750 $0 $2,750
Ferguson, Mike H NJ R $2,700 $0 $2,700
Cannon, Chris H UT R $2,500 $2,000 $500
Childers, Travis W H MS D $2,500 $2,500 $0
DeGette, Diana H CO D $2,500 $2,000 $500
Ellison, Keith H MN D $2,500 $2,500 $0
Keller, Ric H FL R $2,500 $2,000 $500
Oberstar, James L H MN D $2,500 $0 $2,500
Serrano, Jose E H NY D $2,500 $1,500 $1,000
Shays, Christopher H CT R $2,500 $2,000 $500
McCaskill, Claire S MO D $2,500 $2,500 $0
Cuellar, Henry H TX D $2,450 $2,000 $450
Markey, Edward J H MA D $2,250 $0 $2,250
Smith, Adam H WA D $2,250 $2,000 $250
Butterfield, G K H NC D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Costa, Jim H CA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Foster, Bill H IL D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Grijalva, Raul M H AZ D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Hastings, Doc H WA R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Moran, Jerry H KS R $2,000 $0 $2,000
Murphy, Patrick J H PA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Olver, John W H MA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Porter, Jon H NV R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Regula, Ralph H OH R $2,000 $0 $2,000
Reichert, Dave H WA R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Sanchez, Linda H CA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Sires, Albio H NJ D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Tauscher, Ellen H CA D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Akaka, Daniel K S HI D $2,000 $2,000 $0
Cochran, Thad S MS R $2,000 $2,000 $0
Whitehouse, Sheldon S RI D $2,000 $1,000 $1,000
Allen, Tom H ME D $1,950 $0 $1,950
Stearns, Cliff H FL R $1,850 $1,850 $0
DeLauro, Rosa L H CT D $1,750 $1,000 $750
Towns, Edolphus H NY D $1,750 $0 $1,750
Hulshof, Kenny H MO R $1,700 $1,250 $450
Fattah, Chaka H PA D $1,500 $1,000 $500
Neal, Richard E H MA D $1,500 $1,500 $0
Diaz-Balart, Mario H FL R $1,450 $1,000 $450
Kucinich, Dennis J H OH D $1,349 $0 $1,349
Alexander, Rodney H LA R $1,250 $1,250 $0
Carnahan, Russ H MO D $1,250 $1,000 $250
Wilson, Heather A H NM R $1,250 $0 $1,250
Coburn, Tom S OK R $1,250 $0 $1,250
Feingold, Russ S WI D $1,250 $0 $1,250
Kyl, Jon S AZ R $1,250 $0 $1,250
Linder, John H GA R $1,150 $500 $650
Sestak, Joe H PA D $1,150 $0 $1,150
Specter, Arlen S PA R $1,100 $350 $750
Berry, Marion H AR D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Blackburn, Marsha H TN R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Boswell, Leonard L H IA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Boucher, Rick H VA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Boustany, Charles W Jr H LA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Calvert, Ken H CA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Campbell, John H CA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Cazayoux, Donald J H LA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Conaway, Mike H TX R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Cooper, Jim H TN D $1,000 $500 $500
Ellsworth, Brad H IN D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Filner, Bob H CA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Graves, Sam H MO R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Hayes, Robin H NC R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Higgins, Brian M H NY D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Johnson, Hank H GA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Latham, Tom H IA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Lofgren, Zoe H CA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
McNerney, Jerry H CA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Michaud, Mike H ME D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Mitchell, Harry E H AZ D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Musgrave, Marilyn H CO R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Ortiz, Solomon P H TX D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Rush, Bobby L H IL D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Schiff, Adam H CA D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Scott, Robert C H VA D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Smith, Chris H NJ R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Space, Zachary T H OH D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Terry, Lee H NE R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Walberg, Tim H MI R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Welch, Peter H VT D $1,000 $1,000 $0
Wolf, Frank R H VA R $1,000 $1,000 $0
Dole, Elizabeth S NC R $1,000 $0 $1,000
Lautenberg, Frank R S NJ D $1,000 $0 $1,000
Christian-Green, Donna D VI D $750 $0 $750
Inslee, Jay R H WA D $750 $0 $750
Duncan, John J Jr H TN R $600 $600 $0
Bilbray, Brian P H CA R $500 $0 $500
Bishop, Sanford D Jr H GA D $500 $500 $0
Castor, Kathy H FL D $500 $0 $500
Edwards, Donna H MD D $500 $0 $500
Hinchey, Maurice H NY D $500 $0 $500
LaHood, Ray H IL R $500 $0 $500
Mack, Connie H FL R $500 $0 $500
Pascrell, Bill Jr H NJ D $500 $500 $0
Pickering, Charles "Chip" Jr H MS R $500 $500 $0
Rehberg, Denny H MT R $500 $0 $500
Sarbanes, John H MD D $500 $0 $500
Shadegg, John H AZ R $500 $0 $500
Skelton, Ike H MO D $500 $500 $0
Smith, Lamar H TX R $500 $500 $0
Stark, Pete H CA D $500 $500 $0
Weldon, Dave H FL R $500 $0 $500
Wu, David H OR D $500 $0 $500
Graham, Lindsey S SC R $500 $0 $500
Brown, Corrine H FL D $450 $0 $450
Turner, Michael R H OH R $375 $0 $375
Hastings, Alcee L H FL D $300 $0 $300
Warner, John W S VA R $300 $0 $300
Aderholt, Robert B H AL R $250 $0 $250
Arcuri, Michael H NY D $250 $0 $250
Carney, Chris H PA D $250 $0 $250
Dicks, Norm H WA D $250 $0 $250
Lampson, Nick H TX D $250 $0 $250
Manzullo, Don H IL R $250 $0 $250
Platts, Todd H PA R $250 $0 $250
Watson, Diane E H CA D $250 $0 $250
Weiner, Anthony D H NY D $250 $0 $250
DeMint, James W S SC R $250 $0 $250
Sanders, Bernie S VT I $250 $250 $0

Total $4,844,572 $3,017,797 $1,826,775

Includes contributions from PACs and individuals. 2008 cycle totals based on data released electronically by the Federal Election Commission on Sept. 2, 2008.
http://able2know.org/post/discuss/

Notice that these are contributions given over the last 19 years. Barack Obama has been there for less than 3 of those years. Is there any chance that he was influenced to adopt a noncomittal stance on Fannie Mae?

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Discussion • Score: 9 • Views: 3,441 • Replies: 63

Could you double check those totals and get back to us, Foxy?

0 Replies

@Foxfyre,

wrong post which distract my attention and
446 people online
innocents.
Upholding the system which had degraded American image around the globe is a sort of politics.
But degrading a puny party to score a point is yet another politics.
THE SYSTEM whether rulled by reps or dems will never be perfect.
Rama

0 Replies

@Foxfyre,

have you got the link to the numbers? it would probably make more sense/be easier to read in its original format

2 Replies

@ehBeth,

Yes I have.
I was the one who had exposed both parties of your god-blessed country in A2k.
That was long long back.
Try to klick my name and do some reasech if not try to use the usual seach in google

1 Reply

@Ramafuchs,

Which two parties would those be? and what country?

~~~

I think you're overdue for a nap.

1 Reply

@ehBeth,

I love humanity.
i hate hypocracy and violence.
my party is not there in your country.
Now it is 0519 in Köln and there are some 436 people online.
I need a nap to rejuvenate.
But i will be here in few hours to entertain the A2k regulars with my barbaric English

0 Replies

@ehBeth,

ehBeth wrote:

have you got the link to the numbers? it would probably make more sense/be easier to read in its original format

Sorry I thought I did, but I see I didn't. Here it is. I know nothing about the "Opensecrets" site but they are citing their source as the Federal Elections Commission.
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/09/update-fannie-mae-and-freddie.html

1 Reply

@Foxfyre,

It's been my contention we need to throw out all the bums from the administration and congress; that's the only way we can have real change.

0 Replies

Most of the rats' money as I understand it comes from the trial lawyers guild and govt. employee unions, particularly the NEA.

Very little of it comes from middle class people.

2 Replies

Quote:

Since the 1990 election, Merrill Lynch's PAC and employees have given $14.7 million to federal candidates, parties and committees. The company leans heavily Republican--64 percent of the brokerage's total donations have gone to GOP candidates and committees. All three of its top recipients have been (or still are) presidential hopefuls this election cycle. Republican John McCain received $394,300 from people associated with Merrill Lynch, making the company his top contributor. Democrat Hillary Clinton collected $290,650, and Barack Obama got $229,100. The company's favorite non-presidential candidate is Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a member of both the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. He has received $226,150 in this election cycle.

Bank of America's PAC and employees have given $16.6 million, also favoring Republicans, though less sharply. About 54 percent of the company's contributions over time have gone to the GOP. Obama is the top recipient of contributions from employees at Bank of America, with $263,500 in donations. McCain has brought in $177,500, making him the fourth-largest recipient. Sen. Chris Dodd, chair of the Senate banking committee, has collected $144,650, while congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer (both Democrats) and John Boehner (a Republican) are all among the company's top 20 recipients over time.

Lehman Brothers has given $9.2 million through employees and its PAC since 1989, with 54 percent of that going to Democrats. Clinton and Barack Obama top the list of all-time recipients for the company, collecting $410,000 and $395,600 respectively. Schumer hauled in $181,450, while Dodd has collected $165,800. The top recipient of PAC money from Lehman Brothers has been Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over banking and the securities industry. Castle has collected $38,500 from Lehman's PAC since 1993.

This election cycle, Lehman employees have given about $1.3 million to presidential candidates. Only fellow financial giants Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley have given more to the presidential hopefuls this election cycle. Lehman employees have made their firm one of the top contributors to both Obama ($370,500) and John McCain ($117,500) this election cycle. (For a full list of recipients of Lehman contributions, see this post from Friday.)

Of all the companies making headlines this week, AIG has been the most nonpartisan in its contributions, splitting evenly the $9.7 million it has contributed over time. Dodd has racked up the most from AIG, with a total of $281,400, while Schumer takes second with $116,400. McCain and Obama collected $103,000 and $82,600 from AIG, respectively.

Source: OpenSecrets.org

1 Reply

0 Replies

@Walter Hinteler,

Walter Hinteler wrote:

OpenSecrets.org wrote:
... (For a full list of recipients of Lehman contributions, see this post from Friday.) ...

That's the list Foxfyre posted above.

0 Replies

@gungasnake,

Quote:

Most of the rats' money as I understand it comes from the trial lawyers guild and govt. employee unions, particularly the NEA.

Very little of it comes from middle class people.

Prove it. And before you even attempt your weasling, you described that trial lawyers and unions gave "most" of the money that the democrats have taken in via donations. That would mean a majority of the money taken in. Show the following, the TOTAL amount of money they took in, and list the money donated by trial lawyers guilds and govt. employees unions

Go ahead, support your bullshit or just shut your stupid ******* mouth.

Come on tough guy, back up your words.

0 Replies

@Foxfyre,

An interesting thing when you look at the FEC website and start to research the numbers. Anyone that donates money to a candidate is required to list their employer.

Most of the donations to Obama are for his run for President and most of them seem to be in the $250 range from Fannie employees that are not executives. There isn't much of a surprise at all. Fannie and Freddie have a lot of employees. Those employees gave small contributions to Obama. With over 2 million people giving money to Obama in small amounts its no surprise at all that Obama got a lot of money from companies with a lot of employees.

Fannie and Freddie have (or had) about 11,500 employees. Those employees gave $126,000 to Obama or about $10.90 per person. That compares to the adult population at large that gave Obama about $2.30 per person.

1 Reply

@parados,

The dirty little secret in campaign financing, however, is that 'reform' limited how much any particular entity or person can give to a candidate. It does not limit how much any particular entity can give in the name of its employees. That is how big unions, big corporations, etc. have and continue to effect influence on the process. It appears that the money is coming from the grass roots when it isn't.

I think the truth is that it is naive to believe that EVERY or MOST or even a LOT of employees from any average corporation or group is giving contributions to political candidates or that those employees who do are giving a lot. At best I think most Americans check off that $3 or whatever it is on their 1040.

DISCLAIMER: I don't have a clue how those Fannie Mae contributions got into the works and maybe every employee did write out his/her $10 check. But somehow, I think that is highly doubtful.

In the grand scheme of things, a hundred thousand or so among many millions is unlikely to sway an election. But bundled together with other influences, I still think it is constructive to follow the money.

2 Replies

@gungasnake,

Quote:

Most of the rats' money as I understand it comes from the trial lawyers guild and govt. employee unions, particularly the NEA.

What you understand and reality are often quite different
Top contributing industry sectors for Obama
1 Lawyers/Law Firms $24,060,136
2 Retired $23,180,767
3 Education $10,375,038
4 Securities & Investment $9,873,356
5 Business Services $6,746,937

Total Contributions - $452,055,273

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/indusall.php?cycle=2008

Even if we double the Education dollars to get a govt employee union we still only get 11% of the total. The last time I checked 11% is not MOST.

0 Replies

@Foxfyre,

The Fannie and Freddie takeover (by the Treasury, btw, not the Senate) is going to be a drop in the bucket compared to what we are paying to bailout Wall Street, and what we will pay if Paulson gets what he wants.

2 Replies

@FreeDuck,

It depends on how smart those handling the bailout out are. If we leave it to the experts, at least those I have been listening to, it is possible that the taxpayer will actually profit. The government has the clout and ability to know when the debtors have the money to repay and can go after it and/or know when the property appreciates to its former value, etc. so it can be sold without a loss and the loan repaid. With careful management, what are bad loans can be transformed into good ones, resold, and put things back into solvency.

Hopefully this process will include better laws to prevent such speculation in the future, and our more benevolent law makers can be convinced that it really is important that people demonstrate a reasonable expectation of ability to repay a loan before a bank is required or encouraged to make one. And the speculators should be required to make good on their debts.

Nobody's hands are clean on this one. But the country is strong and we do have a few smart folks at the helm. I am convinced we'll get through this. I only hope that we emerge much wiser.

2 Replies

@Foxfyre,

Foxfyre wrote:

The dirty little secret in campaign financing, however, is that 'reform' limited how much any particular entity or person can give to a candidate. It does not limit how much any particular entity can give in the name of its employees. That is how big unions, big corporations, etc. have and continue to effect influence on the process. It appears that the money is coming from the grass roots when it isn't.

What utter nonsense from you Fox. It is illegal for a company to reimburse political contributions. If you have evidence of a company doing so. then present it.

Let me repeat that .. it is ILLEGAL for a corporation to give money in the name of an employee. You should have known that Fox. People have been convicted of it in the past. You have probably attacked Clinton and Gore for that very issue.

Quote:

I think the truth is that it is naive to believe that EVERY or MOST or even a LOT of employees from any average corporation or group is giving contributions to political candidates or that those employees who do are giving a lot. At best I think most Americans check off that $3 or whatever it is on their 1040.

Who said every or most? I only pointed out the average. If the average contribution was $250 then only 500 of the 11,500 employees contributed. Yes, employees of Fannie and Freddie contributed at a higher rate than the general population which is why I posted per person averages but there could be reasons other than the company telling them to. Employees of Fannie and Freddie could earn more than waitresses and truck drivers so are better able to contribute.

(Companies can recommend that employees contribute but they can't force them to and can't reimburse them.)

Quote:

DISCLAIMER: I don't have a clue how those Fannie Mae contributions got into the works and maybe every employee did write out his/her $10 check. But somehow, I think that is highly doubtful.

You should have just stopped when you thought "I don't have a clue" and done some research before you made this post Fox. You don't have a clue is an understatement. You make up facts so they fit your world view.

Quote:

In the grand scheme of things, a hundred thousand or so among many millions is unlikely to sway an election. But bundled together with other influences, I still think it is constructive to follow the money.

Yes, it is an interesting exercise but one that can't be done in a vacuum. The numbers you posted don't include donations to the National committees. The 2 parties are going to be spending quite different. The democratic candidate will spend about $3 for every $1 spent by the democratic committee but on the Republican side the Republican committee will spend about $3 for every $1 spent by the candidate.

So, your exercise compares 3/4 of Obama's spending to 1/4 of McCain's.

0 Replies

FOLLOW THE MONEY - ELECTION 2008

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know