Latest Citizens United Fallout: Chemical Lobby Buys Pro-GOP TV Ads In Wisconsin

[marmar]

Latest Citizens United Fallout: Chemical Lobby Buys Pro-GOP TV Ads In Wisconsin

The predictions that Citizens United ruling would unleash corporate cash in elections is coming true.


When the U.S. Supreme Court issued its controversial Citizens United decision in 2010 expanding corporate political speech rights, an odd thing happened: the biggest abusers of campaign finance loopholes were not corporations but instead wealthy individuals writing big checks and new political groups masquerading as non-profits. But now that is changing.

According to a detailed report by Brendan Fischer in PR Watch, corporate cash is beginning to pay for big media buys in the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin, where the beneficiary is former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. The American Chemistry Council has bought almost $650,000 in television ads supporting Thompson, now a Senate candidate, saying he will "expand domestic energy production, support small business, and cut spending and red tape." Fischer writes:

The ads appear to be the first reported expenditures from the chemical trade association in 2012, spending made possible by the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC. That decision opened the door to corporations -- including nonprofit 501(c)(6) corporations like ACC -- to use funds from their general treasury to pay for political ads. Some of ACC's spending since 2010 has gone to benefit politicians who have proven their pro-corporate credentials through membership in ALEC.

The report describes how the chemical industry trade association, like other members of the pro-corporate, anti-regulatory American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), have been fighting federal regulators for years. They also have supported Democrats who share their agenda. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/hot-news-views/latest-citizens-united-fallout-chemical-lobby-buys-pro-gop-tv-ads-wisconsin

[calimary]

1. I suspect the romney people are pulling out because they know the hole will be well filled.

They're not conceding anything. I wish they would, but this is gonna be a long, hard fight.

[russspeakeasy]

2. Will tommy be sober enough to make the ad ?

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Hell, we never knew he drank until he showed up for a speech

almost sober once.