By BYRON TAU | 3/19/14 12:15 AM EDT
The Koch brothers are the Democrats’ public enemy No. 1. But there was a time not too long ago that billionaires Charles and David Koch were modest Democratic Party donors.
Though the Kochs have poured untold millions into conservative and libertarian causes over the years, the political action committee for their privately held Koch Industries also has given money through the years to Democratic causes and candidates — including Mark Pryor, Mary Landrieu and Chuck Schumer — as part of the influence-peddling game that many corporations and wealthy donors play.
Those donations from Koch Industries Inc. Political Action Committee, or KochPAC, include nearly $200,000 to Democratic candidates and committees as recently as 2010 — including a $30,000 donation to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other top Democrats have made vilifying the Kochs part of a deliberate political strategy to rile up the party’s base and drive the party’s small-dollar fundraising efforts. Last week, Reid blasted the two brothers in a blistering Senate floor speech, accusing them of trying to hijack the political process with their donations and of meddling in the country’s foreign policy to protect their own interests.
But Reid’s fellow Democrats collected KochPAC money as recently as 2012.
Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas took $10,000 from KochPAC in 2012. Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana has taken $55,000 in Koch money since the 2000 cycle. Former Senate Democrats Max Baucus, Blanche Lincoln and Ben Nelson took Koch cash in 2010. And Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York got $1,000 in the same year.
Big business interests have always donated to both sides, this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Let me know when the conservatives figure this out about Soros.
Big business interests have always donated to both sides, this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Let me know when the conservatives figure this out about Soros.
Why not investigate that idea for yourself?
Anyone bitching about Soros from the Senate floor?
Nope.. Most Libs fake that they dont even know who George Soros is even...
It's wrong no matter who's doing it and who's taking it.
America has turned into a plutocracy and there's this almost anarchistic sentiment from many on the right that corporations and wealthy individuals should be given even more ability to buy out the government in their favor.
Both parties are guilty and both parties should have their strangehold over power removed permanently.
Yes, Koch Industries (a BUSINESS) donates a small sum, comparatively speaking, to the Democrats. And ... ?
Also, that 411K is only disclosed donations. Lord only knows how much they've shoveled into Americans for Prosperity.
What? Mother Jones says not true in 2011? Too bad we are talking about 2010 and earlier....From the OP at the top of this page!
"Those donations from Koch Industries Inc. Political Action Committee, or KochPAC, include nearly $200,000 to Democratic candidates and committees as recently as 2010 — including a $30,000 donation to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee."
You are dismissed! :mrgreen:
But Reid’s fellow Democrats collected KochPAC money as recently as 2012.
Yes, Koch Industries (a BUSINESS) donates a small sum, comparatively speaking, to the Democrats. And ... ?
Also, that 411K is only disclosed donations. Lord only knows how much they've shoveled into Americans for Prosperity.
Big business interests have always donated to both sides, this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Let me know when the conservatives figure this out about Soros.
Can you read? This is a line in the quoted text that American posted.
Irrelevant comparison, because everyone knows it. Point is your guys are hypocrites.
And why hasn't Reid drummed them out of the Senate yet?
And why hasn't Reid drummed them out of the Senate yet?
Maybe they aren't "unAmerican" enough to gain his interest?
Maybe they aren't "unAmerican" enough to gain his interest?
How exactly is Harry Reid supposed to drum anybody out of the Senate? You tell me, since you guys are so smart.
He needs every dirty rotten Dem Senator to help him continue to run interference for Obama. Or maybe he's afraid if he loses the Senate big, there's any opening for Impeachment. Either way we need to get Reid out of there in a big way, he's a rotten PoS.
He hates the Koch Brothers so much he's willing to stand on the floor of the US Senate and call them out by name as unAmerican. If he's that passionate then he should make sure they get zero campaign funding next time around, and take them off any committees they're on.
He is indeed. It shocks me that this maniac is Senate Majority Leader. He's the best they have?
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