Democrat Groups Raise More 'Soft Money' (Than Republicans)

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- Whatever the reasons John Kerry and the Democrats lost the race for the White House, lack of money wasn't one. Tax-exempt pro-Democratic groups raising big checks for this year's election collected almost twice as much money as their Republican rivals in the presidential race, a study shows. The financial advantage comes in addition to record fund raising by Kerry, the unsuccessful candidate, and the Democratic Party.

In all, nonparty political groups, known as 527s because of the tax code section that covers them, raised about $534 million and spent roughly $544 million in the 2003-04 election cycle, the analysis by the nonpartisan Political Money Line campaign finance tracking service found.

The presidential race drew most of their attention. Groups supporting John Kerry or opposing President Bush raised $266 million. Those opposing Kerry or backing Bush collected $144 million, the Political Money Line said. The study was based on a review of the organizations' postelection campaign finance reports to the Internal Revenue Service.

Democratic activists began forming such groups soon after a law took effect in November 2002 that banned national party committees from collecting "soft money" -- corporate or union contributions in any amount and unlimited donations from any source.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-shadow-parties,0,5487191.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[DeepModem Mom]

1. The Right apparently succeeds in making "Democrat" an adjective --

heartening we were able to raise mucho $$$, however.

[Leilani]

2. We got a jump on them this election

But watch out next time.

[Yupster]

3. agree leilani

Bush got caught napping on 527 ruling.

If he knew that was coming, his groups could have swamped ours.

They will next time unless McCain is nominee.