Holmes Misreads FEC Data, Accuses Inhofe Of Receiving Illegal Corporate Donations
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes (left) is out with a news release today that incorrectly accuses Republican Senator Jim Inhofe of accepting illegal corporate campaign donations.
Holmes apparently based his accusation on summary data of Inhofe contribution sources but missed the key element in the industries listing on the authoritative website Open Secrets (http://www.opensecrets.org/races/contrib.php?cycle=2008&id=OKS2), which states, "The organizations themselves did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates." Holmes' attack appears to be part of a coordinated Democratic National Committee effort to paint incumbent Republican senators as hostages of "big oil."
Inhofe's Federal Election Commission reports do not support Holmes' allegation; they do show donations from corporate employee political action committees and individuals employed by some corporations. Holmes has not responded to a request for an explanation of, and the source of, his allegation of illegal corporate contributions.
Text Of Holmes' Release
While gas reached $4 a gallon this summer, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe saw his friends in the oil industry enjoy a record financial quarter, Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes said Thursday.
It is clear that Inhofe's cozy relationship with big oil companies is mutually beneficial. Today, one of Inhofe's largest contributors, Exxon Mobile, announced second-quarter earnings of $11.68 billion, a new record for the highest corporate profits in American history.
"The five largest oil companies together are pulling in $443 million each day in profits," Holmes said. "Sen. Inhofe has taken more than $1 million in his career from Big Oil, and in 2006, when he wasn't even up for re-election, Inhofe took $94,000 from Exxon, BP, Valero, Conoco and KOCH oil companies. Only one senator took more from those companies than Jim Inhofe," Holmes added.
"Oklahomans have been watching gas prices climb higher and higher while Jim Inhofe has been watching his contributions from Big Oil climbing higher and higher," Holmes said. "He consistently opposes reductions in tax subsidies to oil companies, and they richly reward him," Holmes added.
Holmes said the combination of these facts hurts Inhofe's credibility on energy policy. "Gas costs more than ever, Exxon is making higher profits than ever, and Jim Inhofe is taking more money from oil companies than ever. It is not a coincidence that Jim Inhofe's energy policy is always, 'Let's drill more oil,'" Holmes said.
Holmes cited Inhofe's numerous votes against alternative-energy tax credits and better fuel efficiency for cars as proof that Inhofe's oil company ties keep him from supporting the economic interests of Oklahoma families."
It is clear that Inhofe's cozy relationship with big oil companies is mutually beneficial. Today, one of Inhofe's largest contributors, Exxon Mobile, announced second-quarter earnings of $11.68 billion, a new record for the highest corporate profits in American history.
"The five largest oil companies together are pulling in $443 million each day in profits," Holmes said. "Sen. Inhofe has taken more than $1 million in his career from Big Oil, and in 2006, when he wasn't even up for re-election, Inhofe took $94,000 from Exxon, BP, Valero, Conoco and KOCH oil companies. Only one senator took more from those companies than Jim Inhofe," Holmes added.
"Oklahomans have been watching gas prices climb higher and higher while Jim Inhofe has been watching his contributions from Big Oil climbing higher and higher," Holmes said. "He consistently opposes reductions in tax subsidies to oil companies, and they richly reward him," Holmes added.
Holmes said the combination of these facts hurts Inhofe's credibility on energy policy. "Gas costs more than ever, Exxon is making higher profits than ever, and Jim Inhofe is taking more money from oil companies than ever. It is not a coincidence that Jim Inhofe's energy policy is always, 'Let's drill more oil,'" Holmes said.
Holmes cited Inhofe's numerous votes against alternative-energy tax credits and better fuel efficiency for cars as proof that Inhofe's oil company ties keep him from supporting the economic interests of Oklahoma families."
Labels: Ivan Holmes, Jim Inhofe
posted by Mike McCarville @ 4:02 PM
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