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The Top 10 Things Every Voter Should Know About Money-in-Politics
PS. Money Isn't Everything

Money isn't the most important thing to politicians. Getting elected is. Money is so important because it's an essential ingredient in winning campaigns, but it's not the only one.

If voters are paying attention to particular issues, any politician who wants to win election will have to adapt to that -- either going with the flow or coming up with persuasive reasons why not.

On some issues, campaign contributions can do more damage than good. That's why any time there's a big scandal in Washington involving major donors, there's always a flurry of checks being returned.

And some issues just don't have a money connection -- at least not as directly as many other issues. The battle over immigration, for instance, has plenty of voters divided -- and often very angry. But there are no big immigration PACs, no single group that raises money for the issue and lobbies heavily on Capitol Hill.

Abortion is a similar issue. While there are groups (and PACs) on both sides of that issue, the battle lines are so clearly drawn that a thousand-dollar campaign contribution is not likely to change anyone's position on an issue so fundamental.

Even the National Rifle Association, which has given millions of dollars over the years to members of Congress, is feared more on Capitol Hill for its millions of members around the country than for the money it gives.

As a general rule, ideological causes raise less money than business issues -- and need less money, since those are issues that voters typically pay attention to. Contrast that with, say, a bill that pits doctors against insurance companies, or cable TV operators against the Hollywood studios. On those issues, money and lobbyists can be the deciding factor, since voters are unlikely to get involved.

Key Points
Some issues don't have a money side to them, at least not an obvious one
Getting reelected is the most important thing. That takes votes. Money buys the votes, that's why it's so important.
Voters who are paying attention -- and especially voters who are organized -- will always trump the money. (There is hope...) But only if the members see it in their own interests to do it.



http://www.opensecrets.org/action/dollarocracy/11.php


http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2010/12/opensecretsorg-unveils-new-iphone-a.html



2:31 pm
December 2, 2010



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