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ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who is seeking his fifth term in a bruising race against Republican Sharron Angle, is critical of groups helping Angle, but has also benefited from other groups’ spending on ads attacking his foes.
By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Sharron Angle
Sun coverage
Sun archives
- Sharron Angle pastor: As a Mormon, Harry Reid is cult member (10-7-2010)
- Raggio: I’m with Reid, against Angle because she’s so extreme, but still against Obama’s agenda (10-7-2010)
- Harry Reid accentuates the positive in final campaign push (10-7-2010)
- Sharron Angle offers juice to Tea Party of Nevada opponent (10-5-2010)
- Harry Reid is right at home in a tough fight (10-3-2010)
- Harry Reid inching ahead of Sharron Angle, new poll finds (9-25-2010)
- Sharron Angle, Harry Reid have yet to pursue the undecided (9-12-2010)
- Over half disdain him, but Harry Reid could still win Senate race (9-5-2010)
- Harry Reid, Sharron Angle opposites on economic philosophies (8-22-2010)
- ‘None of the above’ vote could be deciding factor in Senate race (7-28-2010)
- Harry Reid, governor trade jabs over loss of education funding (7-28-2010)
- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman endorses Harry Reid for Senate (7-24-2010)
- Sharron Angle addresses media for 3 minutes on taxes then bolts (7-22-2010)
- Jobless numbers wielded in attacks on Harry Reid (7-20-2010)
- Sharron Angle’s take on separation of church and state (7-18-2010)
- Sharron Angle: Campaign to defeat Harry Reid ‘a calling’ (7-14-2010)
- Harry Reid slams Sharron Angle in new ad on CityCenter (7-14-10)
- Polls: Harry Reid grabs lead over Sharron Angle (7-16-10)
- Jobs at CityCenter give Harry Reid 22,000 talking points (7-9-10)
- Sharron Angle retreats a bit, but mostly stands ground (6-30-2010)
- How experts see route to victory for Harry Reid: Complicated (6-20-2010)
When the U.S. Supreme Court this year determined that corporations and unions had the same rights as the rest of us and could contribute copious amounts of money to candidates and political causes, the ruling was applauded by some and greeted by others with prophecies of doom.
Proponents hailed it as an expansion of First Amendment rights. Opponents said it would open a floodgate of special-interest money, further wresting control of the political dialogue from average citizens to the benefit of the powerful.
The reality of what that decision has so far wrought — good and bad — is on display in Nevada this campaign season as this new breed of spending — unlimited and much of it anonymous — is pouring in to influence voters who will decide the high-profile race between Republican Sharron Angle and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Nevada’s Senate race ranks sixth in the nation for outside spending, according to figures from the Center for Responsive Politics. About $5 million has been spent attacking or supporting both candidates.
A lot of that money is from a new form of political actor — the Super PAC — created in the wake of two Supreme Court rulings this year. Unlike candidates or traditional political action committees, Super PACs can accept unlimited contributions from corporations, labor unions and individuals and can spend that money expressly advocating for a candidate of their choice.
Under past law, such political groups could indirectly support a candidate — for example, by telling voters to tell Reid to nix health care reform — but they could not expressly say vote for or against Reid.
Because these new groups are so young — they’ve only been legal since July — the identity of many donors won’t be revealed until Friday — a day before early voting begins and about two weeks before Election Day.
“Groups can now raise and spend as much money as they want directly advocating in the most profound ways for and against the candidates,” said David Levinthal, spokesman for Center for Responsive Politics.
“The big caveat is they don’t have to immediately disclose their donors. They can put up an ad today and you won’t know until the middle of October as to who may truly be funneling the hundreds of thousands of dollars they are spending.”
At a campaign stop last week, Reid denounced the spending of “shady” organizations to oppose his candidacy, blaming those groups for driving down his approval rating.
“They’ve been spending tens of millions against me for a year and a half, all these outside groups,” Reid said. “Where’s the money coming from? There’s no transparency.”
Although he inflated the amount spent against him so far (it’s only $2 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics), Reid has been the subject of attack ads funded by groups with varying degrees of transparency. Most notably, American Crossroads, launched by GOP operatives Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, and its sister organization, Crossroads GPS, are spending heavily in Nevada.
Rove is widely credited as the architect of George W. Bush’s successful presidential bids, and Gillespie is a former Republican National Committee chairman.
American Crossroads is an example of the Super PAC, and has accepted contributions as high as $1 million from Fortune 500 companies, oil executives and other interests. The organization has elected, however, to disclose its contributors monthly. (Under federal guidelines they can report monthly or quarterly.)
Crossroads GPS, however, is a political nonprofit organization that does not have to disclose its donors as long as less than half of its activity is politically related. To maintain it’s tax-exempt status as a nonprofit organization, however, it must have a broader mission outside of politics.
Reid has borne the brunt of that opposition spending, but he has also benefited significantly from more than $1 million spent against his opponents.
Patriot Majority, a group run by one of Reid’s former campaign staffers, Craig Varoga, played a key role in defeating Sue Lowden in the Republican primary. By hammering Lowden, the group helped provide the opening for Angle, seen by Reid allies as a weaker opponent, to win that contest. That effort was funded by large contributions from labor unions.
In July, the group began taking advantage of the new Super PAC status and has spent more than $700,000, mostly on television advertising against Angle.
Some of Patriot Majority’s ads have been humorous and targeted on the economy. Lately, however, its been launching an uglier line of attack, reminding voters of Angle’s comments that abortion should be universally opposed, even in the case of rape or incest.
“They have carte blanche to get as ugly as they want to and spend as much money as they want,” Levinthal said.
Reid supported the failed Disclose Act, which would have required more transparency from groups funding political advertising. The measure was opposed by Republicans.
Some organizations benefiting from the money sources are operating more covertly this election cycle, eschewing the large-scale television ad buys for ground operations to get voters to the polls.
Americans for New Leadership, a Super PAC launched by Republican operative Dick Morris and run in-state by Robert Uithoven’s j3 Strategies, has contracted with a paid get-out-the-vote vendor to conduct turnout operations for Republicans in the 3rd Congressional District.
American for Prosperity, a nonprofit political group largely funded by Manhattan tycoons Charles and David Koch, is quietly conducting voter turnout operations in Southern Nevada.
The Kochs, who made their fortunes in oil, manufacturing and paper products, have spent decades funding conservative think tanks and movements. A recent New Yorker piece detailed their work funding the Tea Party movement, recognizing the upstart activists as a desperately needed cadre of “boots on the ground” for conservatives.
Although some groups in Nevada are benefiting from $1 million contributions from billionaires, others are relying on much smaller donors, indicating the ruling hasn’t pushed aside grass-roots efforts.
“We’re able to accept million-dollar contributions, but ... there are so many groups out there right now competing for large-dollar contributors and there are only so many of them,” Uithoven said. “For us it has been mainly a Web-based, small-dollar-donor funded group.”
Although the effects of the Supreme Court ruling may not be known for years, the millions spent so far in Nevada by outside groups have shaped the U.S. Senate race that’s attracting many of those dollars.
Spending by the conservative groups Club for Growth and Tea Party Express was credited with sweeping Angle to an unexpected victory in the GOP primary. Since then, their money bought Angle time to raise her own funding to challenge Reid’s expected $25 million war chest.
And in that regard, the outside groups may end up having more influence than the candidates.
“The avenues of influence have expanded and as a result of that, outside groups have the opportunity to play a potentially greater role in elections than they have before,” Levinthal said.
It will be interesting to "follow the money."
Will we ever find out how much of taxpayers' money gets cycled through the federal government and directly back to the very politicians who run the federal government.
For example: Incumbent senators & congressmen vote to give taxpayers' money ("our money," in the form of a bail-out or loan or tax break) to a union pension fund or a particlar company. That same pension fund, or particular company then cyles the money back into the incumbents politician's campaign. They get re-elected and the same cycle repeats itself two years or six years later. Along the way they all take some of the money to pay their administrative costs.
Are we being duped with our own money? And when politicians need more money they just raise our taxes?
Perhaps this is the reason why -- this year -- the sentiment is "throw all the bums out" and send some new people to Washington to try and clean up the corruption. The federal government has become too big & too powerful It's supposed to work for us, not the other way around!
It's a good idea to follow the money trail from the taxpayers' coffers and then out, as it passes from hand to hand and from group to group and right back to the incumbent politicians.
On the other hand, most of the ordinary people who join non-government groups, like the Tea Party, give ten or twenty bucks (about all they can afford these days) out of pocket, to support some new candidate who is not backed by the powerful government interests. No wonder the people are frustrated and feel like they're losing their government.
As long as they declare their contributions and we are informed as to who they are, let them back whomever they choose. Since we know who they are, we can take their support seriously or with a grain of salt. Years ago, I stopped patronizing businesses or buying their products because I did not agree with their policies, practices or political persuasions. They don't get any of my money to help them do it. That's what free & informed choice in the market place is all about.
What this really means is that paid operatives destroyed legitimate debate on Health Care Reform,were most likely the instigators of chaos at Town Hall Meetings, and are slinging hate speech.We thought things were bad before...All this, just to win an election.
Oh my. Just when you thought you'd seen the very definition of "disconnect", along comes this pearl of wisdom from JanK:
"On the other hand, most of the ordinary people who join non-government groups, like the Tea Party, give ten or twenty bucks (about all they can afford these days) out of pocket, to support some new candidate who is not backed by the powerful government interests."
Seriously? Apparently the Koch brothers are unknown to you as they are the ones who are backing that "grassroots" organization. And they aren't the only billionaires to do so, either.
How do you figure these "new candidate[s]" are "not backed by powerful government interests"? Are you aware that American Crossroads was started by Karl Rove? Isn't HE a "powerful government interest"? What about the US Chamber of Commerce? They've spent millions on ads supporting these tea party candidates. Would you consider THEM a "powerful government interest"?
Or (as I suspect) is it only a "powerful government interest" in your mind when it disagrees with your point of view?
I remember reading one of your posts some time ago wherein you stated that you are or were a Democrat. At the time I figured campaign season had started early (you know it's officially campaign season when you see the "I'm a Democrat BUT" and "I'm a Republican BUT" trolls out in force) and that you were yet another paid troll. Is the pay good? I mean, I can write this stuff and probably better than you or Future.
lvfacts101:
That's just the problem; they AREN'T disclosing who their contributors are. They aren't legally bound to so in a timely manner. Oh there's a law through the FEC but if they (these "super PACS") wait until maybe after the election, maybe sometime next year, maybe never, there are virtually no repercussions.
So while I agree with you in principle, in practice it's just not working. And the USSC decision simply made it worse.
Karl Rove's PAC has 3 billionaires who contribute 90% of that PACs money. so 3 guys helping determine the outcome of races. Welcome to the new world. Voters better start educating themselves instead of relying on the noise
Basically the Republicans on the Supreme Court said it is now A-ok for corporations to buy elections! You can kiss the country goodbye!
Why does knowing the contributors make you more informed on the subject? The contributors have nothing to do with whether their statements are factual or not. Forcing donors to be outed silences political opposition - the Supreme Court has already ruled as much when they defended the NAACP and donors from racists in the 1960s.
Mr. Lamy,
Don't worry about the billionaires you sell you stuff you voluntarily buy. Worry about the billionaires who collude with government and get Obama and congress to subsidize them, protect them from competition, or give them market power.
Mr. Sun, ALL the effin money in the world cannot change the fact that Harry Reid and Sharron Angle are two of the most inept Senate candidates Nevada could produce...fellow Nevadans, we should be ashamed of ourselves...
You have to look pass the bias of this newspaper and ask yourself just how much has Harry spoken the truth? It's all opinion and in ours, Harry is the one who is bad for Nevada...If you lost your job, home, etc... and vote for Reid, you have NO RIGHT in complaining as you did nothing to FIX WHAT WE KNOW DOES NOT WORK! Bad Reid Bad Senator http://aBadReid.com
In some of the races for these mid terms, it really don't matter how much money is spent.
One particular instance is the Senate race here in Nevada.
On one hand, you have a proven leader who stands with his record. Opposing is a State Government worker who did nothing and, during the campaign, propounds really, really whacky stuff thrown out there left and right...and then retracts it...flip flopping.
I think it's safe to say that it really don't matter how much money is spent, people have made up their mind already.
And they want sanity (Senator Reid). And not tea (Sharron Angle).
The other instance is what is happening in California between Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown. That billionaire woman is trying to buy that election. So far, she has spent $140 million of her own money. And she was up in the polls. But then, her hiring of an illegal immigrant and other things basically tanked her. She is down now in the polls and predicted to lose this race. And Jerry Brown has only spent about $10 million of his own money!
Money ain't everything. I STILL say that people can see who are nothing but talk. And I STILL say that the truth is far more valuable than any flowery ads, catchy phrases and wide disseminated media.
One thing that is good about this controversy is that it has been revealed. And it has motivated Democrats to go on the offense and go in the attack mode. And I love it. Because Tea Partiers and their Republican brethren just hate that when we lash out back at them with the truth.
One piece of information that is glaring about this mid term election is the total and complete absence of President Bush. He is holed up and incommunicado. Why? Because, no matter how many people all claim it is unfair to blame stuff on Bush, even stuff we're facing now, the fact of the matter is...IT'S TRUE! Bush screwed everything up. And he knows it. And to the Republican hacks out there that are trying to get elected, Bush campaigning for them would essentially be the kiss of death...totally toxic. In other words, even the Republicans want Bush to go away. Because he has already went down in the history books as heading the worst, most incompetent and totally ineffective American Government ever. But what's funny, and they won't point this out, the Republicans STILL stand by his failed plans and policies that bankrupted America...and even want to start it up all again...but do it in such a way as to blame President Obama and his administration.
There basically are truths that just cannot be glossed over. No amount of money can cover this stuff up. And this is a dilemma for the Republicans. To prove my point, look at Karl Rove today! He's jumping up and down and blaming everyone in the Democratic Party for everything. Because his latest dirty tricks have been revealed in the light of day. And he likes to work behind the scenes, absolutely hating to be put in the spotlight.
Colin...Read the commentary from Sherman Frederick in today Las Vegas Review. I couldn't have said it any better. Is Obama going to blame Bush 2 years from now? Also speaking about buying elections why don't u mention BLOOMBERG in NEW YORK who spent $165 mil. for his election. How much will Obama spend on his election?
I am so thankful for the PACs, Republicans and the manipulated, naive Tea Party members who are standing up for the few of us who earn more than $250,000 per year. Without them who knows what the current administration would do to our privileges, special interest and unique opportunities. I'm fed up with those who now want to take some of this away from us. After all, why should those of us who can afford to pay our fair share to reduce the deficit actually contribute to its reduction? OK our friend, George Bush, created most of it and we benefited wildly during those years while middle income people slipped further behind in real income, but that doesn't matter. Government needs to find something they've implemented to protect our citizens or something that makes this country the best place in the world to live (call it waste or big government if that suits you) and cut that instead. For my benefit, please vote for those who will extend my tax cuts. Thanks -- we won't forget you! "honestly"
#1 Most people use Tivo/DVR and change the channel at ads
#2 How stupid does this site and many posters really thing people are? The non-elite aren't voting for Angle because someone told them to; if you want to know the real reason keep reading
#3 It's about, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs. Got it? Reid is unpopular because of his policies which affect us.
#4 Healthcare wasn't made evil by PAC's, it was common sense economics. Are evil PAC's aren't the ones raising my actual healthcare costs, increasing the cost of doing business and borrowing debt at unprecedented levels?
#5 If a liberal used the same philosophy then everyone should buy the lie that Bush is to blame when the legislative branch controls the $$$. Ignore the fact that the D's have controlled this since January 2007. Are we supposed to buy this article, really???
Peto, have you really looked to see who pays taxes? If you knew where all the tax revenue came from you couldn't ethically say what you just did. I am not in the $250K+ but I can tell you this group is why you have a job and they are bearing the brunt of the tax responsiblity right now. Businesses take risks such as making new products and innovating because of the reward. When they do this they need workers which creates jobs. If you want to take away the reward side that is fine, but realize that businesses will sit on cash and invest in capital gains because its cheaper under your plan than innovating. Higher taxes on any segment means less spending by that segment, and for the $250K+ crowd it means using their capital not to take risks to make new products. One has to have run a business to understand why the $250K+ group is so imporatant. They pay 35% taxes now, it's not like they are getting off easy...
Nonprofit political organizations like Crossroads never have to disclose their donors. Why don't we just let the Chinese and the Saudis go ahead and vote in our elections, since they can spend billions influencing our elections without our ever knowing it?
Jerry Fink may feel that his vote is worthwhile, since he won't contribute to companies that support causes he does not believe in, but personally I would feel more powerful with a few billion dollars to influence an issue than I do with my one American citizen's vote.
More than 3,000 years ago, Aristotle questioned whether a democracy could protect itself against powerful interests over time. Last year, our own "conservative" Supreme Court helped to ensure that it could not.
"I think it's safe to say that it really don't matter how much money is spent, people have made up their mind already."
It's safe to say too, that money is not the deciding factor, but mind.
chazbean:
IINM (and I'm not) Bloomberg spent HIS OWN MONEY (or at least the bulk of that figure you tossed about was his own money). It's ludicrous to speculate what Obama WILL SPEND on the next election. That said, however, neither is comparable to MEGA-CORPORATIONS buying THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION.
Of course, you're in lockstep with Sherm so I don't expect you to understand the obvious difference, let alone a nuance or two.
middletoright:
Apparently, "sarcasm" isn't your forte ;) But just out of curiosity, what happened to all those jobs that Bush (and the rightwing) claimed were going to be created by giving the fabulously wealthy those tax cuts? Come to think of it, the rightwing is STILL making that sorry claim.
Like most Nevadians who registered to vote in the primary(hopefully having weighed the merits of both) have made their choice based on the contributions and effectiveness of each candidate in relation to the office. "Persona gravitis" is a personal major factor in choosing. I was deeply moved by the by the recent endorsement of Senator Reid by Mrs.Guinn; who even in her deepest hour of grief and mourning displayed grace, courage and dignity exemplifying the heart of traditional Republican views(not the extremist fringe version garnering all the attention of late) a devotion to the state transcending party lines.There has always been lobbyist activity in relation to backing of one candidate or another, it is part and parcel of political office.The issue appears to to be one of transparency(soon to be rectified)the debate rages splintering the ranks and creating large blocks of dissent on both sides and disproportionate amount of confusion and apathy on the part of many voters.The greatest fear of most people in rational discussion appears to be one of monopoly, negating a two party system something we all agree is contrary to effective government for representation only reflects in favor of one group. Balance is attainable but requires strength of opposing views ensuring equal measure of justice for the greater whole.
worst supreme court decision since dred scott...
remember when obama schooled those maggots on the supreme court during a state of the union address...
and maggot justice sammy alito mouthed "not true"...
well guess what sammy the maggot...
IT IS TRUE!!!
make no mistake boys and girls...
the supreme court is a political entity...
they don't give a damn about right and wrong...
just what's best for their party...
and that starts at the top...
with chief maggot roberts...
man o man...
those republicans are nothing but maggots...
MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS, MAGGOTS!!!
"remember when obama schooled those maggots on the supreme court during a state of the union address"
Nice see you posting more lately.
Not sure where you went to.
Yes, Obama demostrated that he had zero class.
There has never been a president ever to do something like that during a Joint Session of Congress.
"I was deeply moved by the by the recent endorsement of Senator Reid by Mrs.Guinn; who even in her deepest hour of grief and mourning displayed grace, courage and dignity exemplifying the heart of traditional Republican views ..."
You're deeply influenced, by forces you're usually not even aware of and therefore like almost the entire humanity not really free.
We should all be worried about this. The Chamber of Commerce and other traitors are selling America to foreigners.
America IS overrun by illegals, you betcha.
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/07/bahr......
http://thinkprogress.org/?p=121701
http://thinkprogress.org/?p=93244
Thanks again for another good article, Anjeanette.
Every dime spent on Angle, is a dime that could be spent elsewhere on a better candidate. I hope Harry wins by a nose, thus making the big-money greed-heads waste as many dimes as possible.
Give 'em hell, Harry Reid! Good luck in November vs. the "Juice" Lady!
Karl Rove doesn't care about Nevada. Voters who vote for his candidates are fools for that fear-and war-mongering neo-con.
Reid and other Democrats did a fundraiser in Canada.
Are they "traitors selling America to foreigners"?
Anyone want to check every donation to see if it comes from an illegal immigrant? Those are not not allowed either.
Compare the reporting in the AP article taken from this story and the full story: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/oct...
Going back to basics, I also think that Citizens United was one of the worst decisions ever (if not *the* worst ever) rendered by SCOTUS.
Simply put, corporations are NOT people and do not vote.
Individual shareholders already have the right to voice their opinions and they CAN vote if they are legal US citizens. Why should they be given a second bite at the apple, as it were?
I know that most of my classical liberal brothers and sisters (libertarians) would disagree with me, but I ask you to give this a second look. Why should anyone's voice be louder than mine just because they have more money? I submit that such a state is not in our best interests.
As I have said elsewhere, I would like to see campaign donations, indeed political activity in general, be limited to those who are eligible to vote in the race in question. After all, we supposedly electing people to represent us. Unfortunately, thanks to Citizens United, it will take either a new panel on SCOTUS or a constitutional amendment to effect this change.
At the very least, and this IS constitutional, direct campaign donations should be limited to "people" who reside in the state that will be served by the office in question.
Harry Reid is a disgrace at least Angle will cast votes putting Americans first!
A former REP, then DEM, now INP I am so discouraged with both parties and their policies, that all incumbents should be expelled, to include Reid. Reid has done more to support illegal aliens and their welfare then he has taxpaying citizens! He has devoted more time protecting the rights of law breakers (illegal aliens) then he has the citizenry of this state and great nation. It's time to vote Harry Reid out of office and receive the proper representation. Vote NO for Harry Reid in November.
Please Nevadans, Please don't deliver "old Harry" back to Wahsington. Your state may be in good shape from his politics (highest unemployment in the nation), but our Country just cannot afford him.
it's true Senator Reid is the best friend that illegal aliens ever had, he is hoping to get hispanic vote, as far as I am concerned, we MUST change this birth right citizenship thing, where as the Children of illegal aliens can automacally become U.S Citizens, they will cast a vote for the illegal alien parents. The 14th Amendement to the Constitution was written to give former slaves Citizenship, and the right to vote, The Naacp set back and watch the Hispanic race inherit the rights that our black ancesters died for, a 100% Republican congress voted to end slavery, while 80% of the Democratic Congress voted to keep Slavery in America. Blacks need to get off of Senator Reid's plantation, the Democratic Party have keep many of us in a state of "We're the victim". We are being overran by illegal aliens, blacks are impacted first, and for the longest, We are being replaced by Hispanic workers, and Senator Reid supports illegal aliens every change he gets. Vote Senator Reid out, does not matter what party you're in, he need's to go,
No longer, there in sin abide! This all important step decide! Come out, where Christ can touch your soul, And at this moment be made whole!
Americans in general are ignorant to the richness of blacks Politicians in America. Many are surprised to hear that there were black congressmen in the 1800's Pleas get informed, Many blacks and white Americans are surprised when I tell them that Dr. Martin Luther King was a Republican, yet you never hear black Democrats say that, and shamefully you never hear black Republicans say that either, the roots of Blacks in America's Politics was founded in the Republican party, the Democratic Party was started by the KKK. Many Blacks are slaves to it until this day.
http://www.nbra.info/
Comment removed by moderator. All caps.
Reid is a big joke that isnt funny. How is it anyone cannot look at this mans face and not see how he is exactly like every other politician in the world, a lying skunk who feeds off the blood of the citizen.
"Dirty Harry" is two-faced. His is a crooked, "bought and paid for" career Democrat politician who's out of touch with the people of Nevada. The solution is simple, FIRE REID! November 2nd vote for Sharon Angle for the senate.
I find it interesting that Sen. Reid is raising money in Nevada and Ms. Angle has lots of her money coming in from out of the state. Just because the state animal is the Desert Bighorn Sheep doesn't mean we need to act like sheep and get herded around by people that don't even live here.