By George: The Democratic party is now brought to you by super-investors

National Review | 11/10/03 | Byron York

[GulliverSwift]

Last June, the billionaire investor George Soros announced that he was cutting back the work his foundation, the Open Society Institute, did in Russia so that he could focus his attention on the United States. The change was needed, Soros told reporters in Moscow, because the political scene in America had become "quite dangerous." In the Bush administration, Soros explained, "the executive branch has come under the influence of a group of ideologues who have forgotten the first principle of an open society: that they don't have a monopoly on truth."

Soros, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Hungary, said President Bush had "abused" the September 11 terrorist attacks as a pretext to expand his own power and to run roughshod over other nations. Soros has included these concerns in a book, The Bubble of American Supremacy, due out next January, which will attack the so-called arrogance of the president's policies.

But Soros plans to do much more than write. Recently, he pledged $10 million to a new Democratic group devoted to defeating Bush in 2004. Soros's gift will be the largest single political donation from an individual in history, surpassing the $7 million check that film producer Haim Saban gave the Democratic party in 2002. "I've come to the conclusion that one can do a lot more about the issues I care about by changing the government than by pushing the issues," Soros told Fortune magazine recently.

It's not clear whether Soros can, in fact, change the government, but his $10 million pledge has instantly made him one of the most important men in the Democratic party. His money is going to a new group called America Coming Together (ACT), one of several organizations that have sprung up in the aftermath of the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law. The law made it illegal for contributors like Soros to give $10 million to the Democratic party, so the founders of America Coming Together created what is, in effect, a substitute party, which can still legally accept such large contributions. Such groups are often referred to as 527's, after the section of the tax code that allows them to operate.

ACT was put together by the main interest groups that make up the Democratic constituency. It was founded by Ellen Malcolm, who is the president of Emily's List; Steve Rosenthal, the former political director of the AFL-CIO; Andrew Stern, head of the Service Employees International Union; Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; and Cecile Richards, head of America Votes, a group similar to ACT that is made up of representatives of environmental, civil-rights, pro-abortion, and labor groups. Together, they represent pretty much everyone in the Democratic party.

Funded by Soros and others, ACT will assume some of the tasks that the party performed before reform. While it will not run ad campaigns or other media efforts, ACT will concentrate its resources on intensive get-out-the-vote efforts, now often referred to as "voter contact." When ACT announced its formation in August, its officials said it would focus on 17 states: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Each state was tightly contested in the 2000 election and promises to be close again next year.

One other thing is notable about Americans Coming Together: There is no organization comparable to it on the right. A recent study by the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity found that so-called 527 groups actually got started before campaign-finance reform and played a significant role in the 2002 elections, the last before McCain-Feingold took effect. The center found that, in the 2002 cycle, Democratic-affiliated 527's spent $185 million in soft money -- more than twice the $82 million spent by Republican-affiliated groups.

The center found that all of the top five soft-money spenders during its study period, which began in August 2000 and ended this summer, were affiliated with the Democratic party. First was the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which spent $37,990,064. Others included Emily's List and the Sierra Club. In fact, nine of the top ten organizations are Democratic, the only exception being the Bush-Cheney 2000 committee, which spent $13,820,764 during that election. For the top 527 groups, the ratio of Democratic to Republican spending during the study period was a bit more than 12 to 1.

The center also found that Democrats dominated the individual-contributions category. The biggest 527 contributor of all was actress Jane Fonda, who gave $12,918,450 to an organization called Pro-Choice Vote. The second-biggest soft-money donor, Alida Messinger, a Rockefeller heir, gave $2,413,000, most of it to the League of Conservation Voters. Beyond Messinger, nine of the top ten individual soft-money donors gave to Democratic causes. The only exception was retired pharmaceutical executive Daniel Searle, who gave $1,050,000 to the conservative Club for Growth (he placed ninth on the list). For the top ten individual donors, the ratio of Democratic to Republican contributions during the study period was 25 to 1.

And that was before George Soros and America Coming Together appeared on the scene. Their presence, and that of other Democrat-supporting groups, promises to make the Democrat-Republican disparity even more pronounced in 2004.

One might expect that such a massive Democratic soft-money campaign would ring alarm bells among Republicans, but it appears to have raised few concerns outside the circle of GOP insiders who work on such issues every day. In fact, a sort of false confidence appears to have taken hold in some parts of the GOP because of the success both the party and President Bush have had in raising hard money -- the contributions from individuals, limited to $2,000, that are allowed under McCain-Feingold.

According to FEC records, the three big Republican-party committees -- the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee -- have collected a total of $133,861,490 in limited, hard-money contributions so far in the 2004 election cycle. In comparison, the three analogous Democratic committees have collected a total of $45,662,730.

In the presidential race, Bush raised $49,187,571 in the third quarter of this year, all of it in limited, hard-money contributions, compared with Democratic challenger Howard Dean's $14,800,282, John Kerry's $3,927,059, and Richard Gephardt's $3,724,842.

When those numbers alone are considered, Republicans appear to be winning the money race. But reports of the GOP's substantial lead in hard-money contributions have largely ignored the Democrats' growing lead in soft-money donations to 527 groups. In addition to America Coming Together, the group America Votes promises to raise even more soft money for Democratic causes, and dozens of other groups will also raise significant amounts, including a so-far-unnamed organization being put together by former Clinton operative Harold Ickes.

It should be said that Republican-affiliated groups accept soft money, too. It's just that they are doing far less of it. In the new world of super contributions designed to skirt the requirements of McCain-Feingold, Democrats are the clear winners.

Of course, it was mostly Democrats who said they wanted to remove the allegedly corrupting influence of big contributions in politics. Now, however, the passage of McCain-Feingold has created an irony: By and large, Republicans are working within the spirit of a law they opposed -- that is, relying on limited hard-money contributions from individuals -- while Democrats are violating the spirit of a law they supported -- that is, relying on the kind of unlimited soft-money contributions they roundly condemned during the reform debate.

Back in March 2002, as the Senate prepared to pass McCain-Feingold, Kentucky Republican senator Mitch McConnell, the bill's most energetic opponent, rose to make a final summing-up. "Today is a sad day for our Constitution, for our democracy, and for our political parties," McConnell said. "We are all now complicit in a dramatic transfer of power from challenger-friendly, citizen-action groups known as political parties to outside special-interest groups [and] wealthy individuals."

What McConnell predicted has come to pass with the emergence of groups like America Coming Together. In the post-McCain-Feingold, Democratic-dominated world of 527's, the small donor has become less important, and mega-donors like George Soros have become even more important -- precisely the opposite of what reformers said they wanted.

Remember the Democrats who spoke so eloquently about the need to eliminate donations -- like Soros's $10 million -- from the political system? Never mind.

[barker]

Since the demise of the Soviet Union, the Democratic Party has become the leading enemy of the American Republic.

Hey, can I borrow that for a tagline?

[jern]

I have been saying this for the long time. The financial impact of FR is not being felt. Could moveon really raise more money than FR?

[sanjacjake]

Soros is one of those that thinks 9/11..was a video game...
If he likes the apathy of the Democrats and the Clintons.. as it pertains to the security of our country..then have
at it...us non-Billionaires know where our money goes and
also the type of people who believe in their Oath of Office....like President Bush....Uphold Constitution..serve and protect ..all of us. No President has assumed the
duties with more energy and confidence..but there are these
types of people that can't stand to see good men in power..reminds me of a great man over 2,000 years ago that was also taken down because he was too good....Jake

[WilsonTheDog]

I wish I could find the exact figures but there are more millionaires among Demoncat senators than Republicans by quite a few. Yet, like you said, Dems are seen by many as the "party of the poor".

This is similar to the issue of blacks voting 90% Demoncat. They think the party sticks up for them when, in reality, it only hurts them. Blacks are finally starting to realize this and are leaving the Demoncat party in droves. They're starting to think for themselves instead of following the party line.

[GulliverSwift]

Soros' ability to get out of the concentration camps has never adequately been answered. He likely turned in a number of his own people to the Nazi scum.

And he does it again today by continuing to back organizations that want to destroy all of Israel.

[GulliverSwift]

I wish I could find the exact figures but there are more millionaires among Demoncat senators than Republicans by quite a few. Yet, like you said, Dems are seen by many as the "party of the poor".

Actually, there are more Republican millionaires; but the very richest senators are all Democrats.

See http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/06/13/senators.finances/

The top ten:
"John Kerry, D-Massachusetts: $163,626,399
Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin: $111,015,016
John Rockefeller, D -West Virginia: $81,648,018
Jon Corzine, D-New Jersey: $71,035,025
Dianne Feinstein, D-California: $26,377,109
Peter Fitzgerald, R-Illinois: $26,132,013
Frank Lautenberg, D-New Jersey $17,789,018
Bill Frist, R-Tennessee: $15,108,042
John Edwards, D-North Carolina: $12,844,029
Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts: $9,905,009"

[GulliverSwift]

And Fitzgerald will soon be out. So that leaves one Republican (Frist) in the top 10.

[vannrox]

.

While George Soros may be a United States Citizen...
He must comply with the Campaign Spending Limits...
Which are limited to $2000 a person...
Unless...

It is a Corporate Sponsor.

BUT...

George Soros DOESN'T OWN ANY AMERICAN COPRORATIONS!

... Today he is chairman of the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the founder of a network of philanthropic organizations that are active in more than 50 countries. Based primarily in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union but also in Africa, Latin America,and Asia

Given this information...Why do the weak wristed Rubublicans allow this man to openly break the law, and flaunt it all over television. I thought that Campaign contributions from foreign sources are FORBIDDEN and highly ILLEGAL! Why doesn't John Ashcroft do something about this criminal?

[vannrox]

.

Given this information...Why do the weak wristed Rubublicans allow this man to openly break the law, and flaunt it all over television. I thought that Campaign contributions from foreign sources are FORBIDDEN and highly ILLEGAL! Why doesn't John Ashcroft do something about this criminal?

.

[oceanview]

is FR in the business of raising funds to run ads?

how did moveon.org get started? maybe some freepers should go off and start an org like that. The best source of seed money should come from the top talk radio personalities and authors. These people are making a ton of money because of us: Rush, Hannity, Ann Coulter, et al. Let them collectively come up with 5 million in seed money to get the organization started, and then when it has some traction, smaller donors like most of the FR readers can kick in.

OK, who is the first ambitious freeper to take the challenge?

[vannrox]

.

PROOF that GEORGE SOROS
IS USING
Foreign Monies to Influence an
AMERICAN ELECTION!

The monies provided by George Soros forthe Democrat Party will come from his foundations. None of which are us based. Under campaign law, it is ILLEGAL for anyone, even Billionaires, to influence an election through the use of monies from other countries. WHy is John Ashcroft permitting this to occur? Why isn't Geoge Soros in jail. He has already gave the Democrats 15 Million dollars. Why is the people of EASTERN EUROPE supporting the Democrat party?

Soros foundations are autonomous institutions established in particular countries or regions to initiate and support open society activities. The priorities and specific activities of each Soros foundation are determined by a local board of directors and staff in consultation with George Soros and OSI boards and advisors. In addition to support from the Open Society Institute, many of the foundations receive funding from other sources.

Soros foundations consist of national foundations in 29 countries, foundations in Kosovo and Montenegro, and two regional foundations, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). OSISA and OSIWA, which are governed by their own boards of directors and staffs from the region, make grants in a total of 27 African countries.

Below are links to all of the Soros foundations, arranged alphabetically by country or area.

Albania:  Open Society Foundation for Albania Armenia:  Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation?Armenia Azerbaijan:  Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation?Azerbaijan Bosnia and Herzegovina:  Open Society Fund?Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria:  Open Society Foundation?Sofia Croatia:  Open Society Institute?Croatia Czech Republic:  Open Society Fund?Prague Estonia:  Open Estonia Foundation Georgia:  Open Society Georgia Foundation Guatemala:  Fundacion Soros?Guatemala Haiti:  Fondation Connaissance et Liberte Hungary:  Soros Foundation?Hungary Kazakhstan:  Soros Foundation?Kazakhstan Kosovo:  Kosova Foundation for Open Society Kyrgyzstan:  Soros Foundation?Kyrgyzstan Latvia:  Soros Foundation?Latvia Lithuania:  Open Society Fund?Lithuania

Macedonia:  Foundation Open Society Institute?Macedonia Moldova:  Soros Foundation?Moldova Mongolia:  Mongolian Foundation for Open Society Montenegro:  Foundation Open Society Institute?Representative Office Montenegro Poland:  Stefan Batory Foundation Romania:  Open Society Foundation?Romania Russia:  Open Society Institute?Russia Serbia:  Fund for an Open Society?Serbia Slovakia:  Open Society Foundation?Bratislava South Africa:  Open Society Foundation for South Africa Southern Africa:  Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa Tajikistan:  Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation?Tajikistan Turkey:  Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation?Turkey Ukraine:  International Renaissance Foundation Uzbekistan:  Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation?Uzbekistan West Africa:  Open Society Initiative for West Africa

[oceanview]

a related thread here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1019644/posts

this is the wrong approach however, sending money to the RNC to combat moveon.org and soros. it has to be an organization separate from the party, with the guts to run hard hitting ads that the party will not touch.

[GOP_Lady]

Oh, how I wish I still worked at Progressive -- it would be worth it to see Peter Lewis' face when he walked past my cube and saw a pic of "W" on it.

[GulliverSwift]

Soros is able to give so much because he is not giving "hard" money. It's all soft money that political parties cannot take any more but private groups can take as much as they want.

Recall, if you will, that Soros was also the principle funder of the pro-McCain-Feingold interest groups like Campaign for America's Future or Democracy 21. I firmly believe the reason he pushed so hard for MF is that he wanted a way to minimize the Democratic party so that _he_ could gain control of the left in this country.

John McCain gave him his desire.

[Ronaldus Magnus Reagan]

Fred Barnes of Fox news just brought up a good point. George Soros is probably upset that he is being ignored for his financial advice to presidents. Fred said that Bill Clinton basically ignored him and George Bush has too. Perhaps Arnold Schwarzenegger did too. Fred said that in the first half of the 20th century, rich financiers like Bernard Baruch were often sought out by presidents to get their thoughts on world financial affairs.

So, George Soros reminds me of the Glenn Close character in the movie "Fatal Attraction" where she said to Michael Douglas..." I WILL NOT BE IGNORED"

Just consider this as George's hissy fit.

[headsonpikes]

Yes. ;^)

[Alas Babylon!]

Bill O'Reilly talking about Soros and MoveOn right now. Catch also on the rebroadcast. Top of the show.

[GulliverSwift]

That's good to hear. I'm glad to see that Soros' extreme politics are finally being exposed to a wider audience.

[barker]

Drat, it's too long so I had to shorten it. Great line though. Wish I had thought of it ;-)

[Grampa Dave]

Tonight I received this email from Senator George Allen decryin the actions the New Nazi Soros:


I am outraged. Our enemies have stooped to a new low.
Last night, on the eve of Veteran's Day, no less, they have compared our Commander-in-Chief, President Bush, to the Nazis.

Have they no shame?



As a supporter of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), I am asking for your immediate help to counter this outrageous, inflammatory personal attack on President George W. Bush.

It was reported this morning in the Washington Post how left-wing billionaire George Soros is using his vast fortune to unseat President Bush.

"On Monday, he and a partner committed up to $5 million to MoveOn.org, a liberal activist group, bringing to $15.5 million the total of his personal contributions to oust Bush....

"...'America, under Bush, is a danger to the world,' Soros said. Then he smiled: 'And I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is.'

"'When I hear Bush say, "You're either with us or against us," it reminds me of the Germans.' It conjures up memories, he said, of Nazi slogans on the walls, Der Feind Hort mit ('The enemy is listening')."

-- Washington Post, November 11, 2003

I know what you just read is astounding! George Soros is outrageously comparing the Bush administration to the Nazis. His comments are a disgraceful affront to all Americans and his deliberate plan to skirt election laws is something that must be countered.

That is why I am asking you to sign our petition to stop Mr. Soros. I will email the petition to each of the Democrat candidates for President and ask them to denounce Mr. Soros' outrageous comments. To do so please go to

http://www.nrsc.org/index.cfm?FuseAction=SignUp.Home&Petition_id=48.

You may wish to email MoveOn.org and ask them to reject Mr. Soros' money. Send your emails to info@moveon.org.

Also, if you'd like to make a donation to the National Republican Senatorial Committee of $25, $50, or $100 today, please go to https://donate.nrsc.org/index.cfm?mode=account&category_meta_id=150.

I firmly believe that if we rally together we will set the record straight.

This election is about who has the best ideas and solutions to create more jobs and investment, growing the economy, strengthening Medicare and making our America safer. It is not about partisanship, obstruction and personal attacks on President Bush.

Join me today in denouncing Mr. Soros and please support our cause.

With warm regards, I remain

Sincerely yours,



Senator George Allen
Chairman, NRSC