Factcheck: Newsweek Says Obama Wrong

From www.newsweek.com ~ Barack Obama announced he would become the first presidential candidate since 1972 to rely totally on private donations for his general election campaign, opting out of the system of public financing and spending limits that was put in place after the Watergate scandal.

One reason, he said, is that "John McCain's campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs."

We find that to be a large exaggeration and a lame excuse. In fact, donations from PACs and lobbyists make up less than 1.7 percent of McCain's total receipts, and they account for only about 1.1 percent of the RNC's receipts.

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House Rules Committee Advances Dank Reform Bill

Rep. David Dank (R-Oklahoma City) today praised members of both parties who voted to advance his ethics and campaign finance reform bill from the House Rules Committee.

"Today's action is the first step to real, comprehensive ethics reform in this session," Dank said. "I am grateful to the Republican and Democratic leadership for taking a stand for this bill, which will help restore the trust of Oklahomans in their elected officials. I am also grateful to Senator Glenn Coffee for agreeing to co-sponsor the bill in the State Senate. It is no accident that so many of the recent scandals in Oklahoma government are related to shady campaign funds. HB 2196 will be a first step in removing those temptations and cleaning up the process."

The bill, named the Oklahoma Clean Campaign Act of 2008, prohibits fundraising by incumbent legislators or legislative candidates during and 15 days before and after annual legislative sessions.

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World: Tribal Donations Top $1 Million

By Randy Krehbiel and Mick Hinton, Tulsa World ~ Oklahoma Indian tribes contributed more than $1 million to state politicians, parties and political action committees in 2006 and 2007, according to Oklahoma Ethics Commission reports.

Ninety percent of the money came from just three tribes. The Chickasaws have given $408,100 since January 2006, the Choctaws have given $282,250 and the Cherokees have given $213,900. All three tribes have been deeply involved in negotiating tobacco and gambling contracts with the state in recent years.

Energy interests and lawyers still contribute far more than Indian governments do, but tribal giving has grown perhaps as much as five-fold since 2000.

In no other state do tribes account for a bigger share of campaign cash, according to data from the Center for Responsible Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group.

Greg Pyle, the chief of the Choctaw Nation, said it is wise to give contributions to lawmakers. Pyle said he asked a federal official a few years ago how a tribe could work successfully with state elected officials. "The question he posed to me was, 'Did you help get them elected?' " the chief said.

Pyle said that in his travels around the country, he has seen that the most successful tribes support political campaigns. The chief said it is important that when issues come along, Indian leaders "have a seat at the table."

"The lawmakers are busy people; everyone wants to see them, so it is important that they know you, and you can sit down and visit with them," he said. Now if an issue comes up, a lawmaker sometimes will pick up the phone to get the Indian tribe's viewpoint, Pyle said.

Rep. Lisa Billy, a Choctaw/Chickasaw Indian, said it is crucial that the tribes, who have branched into many business ventures besides gambling, work closely with the Legislature. Billy, R-Purcell, has organized an Indian caucus concerned with business endeavors of Indian tribes. About two dozen lawmakers are registered tribal members.

Indian nations have signed numerous compacts with governors over the past several decades. The federal government has held that states must negotiate with tribes on such matters as gambling.

State Ethics Commission records show that Gov. Brad Henry has received $33,750 from Indian tribes since 2006. Billy said tribes give to both parties. Democrats and Democratic PACs received $673,850, compared to $345,650 for Republicans and Republican PACs. Nonpartisan candidates and other PACs received $22,800. In some instances, tribes gave to both candidates in a race.

In 2006, the Cherokees gave $5,000 to incumbent state treasurer Scott Meacham, and $3,000 to his opponent, Tulsan Howard Barnett.

Although about two-thirds of the money went to Democrats, the largest recipient of tribal money was the Republican Legal Fund (not associated with the Oklahoma Republican Party), which received a single $50,000 contribution from the Chickasaw Nation late last year. Chad Alexander, listed at the Oklahoma Ethics Commission as chairman of the fund, said the money will be used for legal fees, which is all the explanation that current ethics law requires. Alexander said various entities were asked to give money to the fund, and he is thankful that the Chickasaws decided to contribute.

While tribes can only give a maximum $5,000 to an individual, there is no limit on how much it can give to a legal fund. Chickasaw officials were not available late last week to comment on their contributions.

Among the lawmakers receiving contributions was Rep. Scott BigHorse, D-Pawhuska, who is a registered Osage. He received $32,500 in contributions from Indian tribes since 2006. Rep. T.W. Shannon of Lawton received the most tribal money of any Republican. Shannon, a Chickasaw citizen, received $17,000 from Indian tribes during the two-year period.

By contrast, Oklahoma tribes contributed very little to congressional campaigns and federal party funds in recent years -- just $18,700, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Graphic courtesy Tulsa World.

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KTOK Confirms GOP Ethics Probe

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ It is believed the Oklahoma Ethics Commission has launched an investigation into a 2004 fundraising effort by two officials of the legislature at the time, and the Oklahoma County Republican Party.

It's also believed that notices from the Ethics Commission have been delivered to the Capitol offices of two top State House Republicans.

A source confirms the report in the Oklahoma Political News Service that the Ethics Commission had started looking into alleged campaign donation irregularities.

KTOK has learned the irregularities might have involved tens of thousands of dollars in contributions that had been sought by two highly placed Republicans in the State House in 2004. The money, according to the contact, eventually ended up in the hands of the Oklahoma County Republican party which at the time was chaired by Oklahoma City private investment consultant Al Mertens who has yet to return an inquiry from KTOK News.

At the heart of the controversy, said the source, is whether the money ended up being used as a "directed campaign contribution." Such "directed campaign contributions," under State Ethics rules, are considered to be a violation.

When asked about the investigation, Gary Jones, Oklahoma Republican party chairman, told KTOK's Reid Mullins on First News today that he knew nothing of the probe.

By law, Ethics Commission officials cannot confirm the existence of any such investigation. And in early stages of the Ethics investigations, only those who were allegedly and directly involved in the matter being questioned would get official notifications.

Since the investigation reportedly centers around the Oklahoma County GOP party and the two Republicans in the State House, Jones would not be alerted to the investigation.

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Henry Sets New Record At $4.8 Million

Governor Brad Henry raised $4,826,577 for his 2006 reelection bid, his final report with the Ethics Commission shows. That's about $1.2 million more than the $3.6 million he raised in 2002 and set a new fundraising record for a gubernatorial campaign.

The governor spent $3,992,558 in defeating Republican Ernest Istook. Henry ended the election with $755,659 on hand, his filing shows.

Henry's report shows he spent $535,504 on advertising in the final two week of the campaign.

Istook raised about $1.6 million and apparently ended the campaign with a debt.

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Anthony, Edmondson, Reneau File Finance Reports

Among the first 2006 statewide candidates filing their final campaign finance reports with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission are Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony, Attorney General Drew Edmondson and former Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau.

Reports on file with the Ethics Commission today show that Anthony, who defeated Democrat Cody Graves, raised $428,343, spent $351,333 and has $76,109 on hand.

Edmondson, who easily defeated his Republican opponent James Dunn, raised $902,582, spent about $841,000 and has $52,218 on hand.

Reneau, defeated by Democrat Lloyd Fields, raised just $165,591, spent $162,431 and has $3,063 on hand. Fields' report is not yet on file.

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McDaniel Wants Light On Tax Dollars

Legislation to shine a light on how tax dollars are used by state agencies was filed this week by State Rep. Randy McDaniel.

McDaniel authored House Bill 1073, the Oklahoma Public Finance Openness and Accountability Act, which would require all state agencies to publish on their website their financial expenditures throughout the year. While some state agencies already report their expenses, the Oklahoma County Republican said it should be a requirement for all to ensure tax dollars are spent efficiently.

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Boren Raised $1,065,099, Report Shows

Congressman Dan Boren, D-2nd District, raised $1,065,099 in the 2005-06 election cycle, his new report with the Federal Election Commission shows.

The report shows Boren spent $675,004 and had $338,194 cash on hand.

The sum raised put Boren in second place among congressional candidates in the state this year. Lt. Governor Mary Fallin was first, raising $1.7 million in her successful race for the 5th District seat. Congressman Tom Cole was third, raising just over a million dollars.

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Cole Tops Million; Lucas, Sullivan Also File Reports

Congressman Tom Cole, R-4th District, raised and spent more than a million dollars this year, his new Federal Election Commission report, filed this afternoon, shows.

Congressman John Sullivan, R-1st District, raised $875,011, spent $732,164 and had $160,680 cash on hand.

Congressman Frank Lucas, R-3rd District, raised $555,784, spent $509,118 and had $312,068 cash on hand; he entered the election year with a substantial sum on hand.

Cole's report shows he raised $1,014,947, spent $1,029,516 and had $358,377 on hand. Cole also entered the election year with a substantial sum on hand. Cole made numerous contributions to other GOP candidates.

The report of Congressman Dan Boren, D-2nd District, is not yet on file with the FEC.

We've previously reported that Lt. Governor Mary Fallin raised $1.7 million in her successful race for the 5th District seat.

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Money Talks In Campaigns

While voters in some states are still waiting to see who will represent them in Congress, one thing is certain: Money was a clear winner in the 2006 elections. Equally clear was voters' concern about corruption in Washington; officeholders tied to scandal lost in disproportionate numbers.

In 93 percent of House of Representatives races and 67 percent of Senate races that had been decided by mid-day Nov. 9, the candidate who spent the most money won, according to a post-election analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The findings are based on candidates' spending through Oct. 18, as reported to the Federal Election Commission.

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CRP: Most Expensive Federal Election Ever

WASHINGTON—This year’s intensely competitive election for control of the House of Representatives and Senate will be the most expensive midterm election ever, the Center for Responsive Politics predicts. Candidates, national political parties and outside issue advocacy groups will spend roughly $2.8 billion by the end of 2006 to influence the 472 federal contests around the United States and pad the war chests of incumbents not running this year.

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Top 2005-2006 Donors: David Chernicky, Larry Nichols, Herman Meinders, George Krumme, Stephen Jones, Ralph Harvey

The Oklahoman has identified the top contributors to Oklahoma politicians this year and reports on them in its Sunday edition in a front page story by reporters Nolan Clay and Ryan McNeill.

They are David Chernicky, Tulsa oilman; Democrat George Krumme, Tulsa oilman; and Republicans Larry Nichols, Oklahoma City energy firm executive; Stephen Jones, Enid attorney; Herman Meinders, Oklahoma City businessman; and Ralph Harvey, Oklahoma City oilman.

Nichols was the most generous donor, giving $131,000 in statewide, legislative and congressional races. He also donated to party committees, the newspaper reported.

Chernicky was next, donating $114,000 to Democrats and Republicans.

Meinders donated $102,000, most of it going to Republicans.

Krumme donated $93,000, all of it to Democrats; he has supported congressional candidates in other states as well. He's been a Democratic Party official for years.

Jones donated more than $98,000 in state races; his total does not include thousands more he's donated to candidates for district attorney and judge. He has given to Democrats as well as Republicans.

Harvey donated more than $99,000 to Republicans.

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Late Donations: $1,271,778

Late donations to candidates total $1,271,778, the Tulsa World reports today.

Republicans have raised almost twice as much as Democrats, $838,603 to $433,175.

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Congressional Spending Tops $1.3 Billion

Spending in congressional races this year is at an all-time high, the total having soared past a billion dollars.

The Center for Responsive Politics says about $1.3 billion has been spent thus far and the total is not yet complete.

Heres the latest from CRP: This year’s intensely competitive election for control of the House of Representatives and Senate will be the most expensive midterm election ever, the Center for Responsive Politics predicts. Candidates, national political parties and outside issue advocacy groups will spend roughly $2.6 billion by the end of 2006 to influence the 472 federal contests around the United States and pad the war chests of incumbents not running this year.

The non-partisan Center, which has been tracking the money in federal politics since the 1980s, based its 2006 prediction on spending to date and the final tally for the 2002 midterm election.

In 2004, which included a presidential contest, the election cost $4.2 billion. About $2.2 billion was spent in 2002, which preceded campaign finance reforms that limited the influence of large corporate and union donors. The estimate for 2006 would represent an 18% increase over ’02.

“The torrid pace of fundraising for this election is a reflection of how competitive November 7th will be,” said Sheila Krumholz, the Center’s acting executive director and longtime research director. “Barring a scandal sinking your opponent—which has happened a number of times this year—you simply cannot win a seat in the House without $1 million or more—or millions more for the Senate. But as Election Day approaches, it’s important for candidates and citizens to remember that you can’t win without votes either.”

All candidates for the House and Senate have raised nearly $1.3 billion, based on data available from the Federal Election Commission on Oct. 23. Candidates still in the running for House have raised, on average, about $760,000, while Senate candidates have raised $5.8 million (which includes money raised since the start of the six-year term in 2001). Incumbent senators have a 4:1 advantage over their current challengers, on average. House incumbents have outraised their current challengers 7:2.

Republicans are expected to retain their edge in fundraising through the election. The Center predicts that Republican interests—candidates, party committees and conservative advocacy groups—will spend $1.4 billion on this election. Democratic interests will spend $1.2 billion, the Center projects.

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Top 5 State Contributors Listed

The top five Oklahoma contributors to state candidates this election cycle have given almost
$275,000, Follow The Money reports.

The Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association Political Action Committee has made 34 donations totaling $67,900, the public interest site reports.

Lobbyist Andrew Skeith has made 32 donations totaling $59,500.

Enid attorney Stephen Jones has made 24 donations totaling $56,500.

Lobbyist and consultant Clayton Taylor has made 79 donations totaling $48,550.

Norman attorney Richard Bell has made 26 donations totaling $42,450.

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Askins In For $880,000 So Far

Democrat Jari Askins has poured $880,000 of her own money into her campaign for lieutenant governor and says she may put more in before it's over.

Askins is locked in a tight race with Republican Todd Hiett, outgoing speaker of the House.

Askins' reports to the Ethics Commission show she has raised a total of $1.5 million, including her loans. Hiett has raised about $2 million, about $671,000 of it transferred from his House campaign committee.

Askins has been successful as an oil and gas investor. She said she saved the money "over the years" that she's using in her campaign.

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