The Next Campaign - Misleading Drive-by Ads

[malaise]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/opinion/08mon1.html?_r=1
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These unrestrained outside groups became one of the crucial factors in the election. Yes, the Democrats raised large amounts of money and often outspent Republican candidates, but the vast majority of their dollars were raised in limited and disclosed contributions to candidates and parties. Opponents railed against the influence of unions on the Democrats, but at least they knew which unions gave money and how much.

Republicans, on the other hand, made up for their outsider status by taking advantage of the new freedoms, and the public has no idea who contributed more than $100 million of their funds. In the 66 House and Senate seats that Republicans have so far won from Democrats in the election, Republicans had an average of twice as much outside spending as Democrats.

In many races where incumbent Democrats had done their own fund-raising and Republican challengers were far behind, the outside groups — many of which coordinated with one another — rushed in to help. In Pennsylvania’s 10th District, for example, the incumbent Democrat, Christopher Carney, raised three times as much money as the Republican, Tom Marino. But thanks to aid of more than $1 million by outside groups, Mr. Marino ultimately had more money spent on his behalf, and won.

Of course, there were several Democrats who prevailed against a huge tide of outside spending, including Senators Harry Reid of Nevada and Patty Murray of Washington, and some Democratic incumbents who lost even when they had the advantage in outside spending. But over all, the batting average of the Republican outside groups was strong: the American Future Fund won 76 percent of the races to which it contributed; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce won 63 percent; the Crossroads groups, founded by Karl Rove, won 58 percent. Lawmakers who really want to change Washington’s broken system should demand a fairer, more open contest in the new campaign that has already begun.
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[Democat]

1. Democrats allowed Roberts and Alito on the Supreme Court!

And let's never forget Ralph Nader's part in this mess.