Political Donations by Tobacco Firms Exceed $2 Million
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WASHINGTON — Tobacco companies have donated more than $2 million in so-called “soft money” to the Democratic and Republican parties so far in this election campaign, up from $486,000 during the entire 1988 campaign, according to a report released Wednesday.
Two consumer groups, Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen and the Advocacy Institute, condemned the Bush Administration and both political parties for accepting “blood money” from tobacco interests and for employing those with ties to the industry.
Based on information gathered by the National Library on Money and Politics, the groups found that the Democratic Party received $731,000 from January, 1991, to mid-1992, up from $38,000 during the 1988 presidential campaign period. Republicans have received $1.34 million during the current campaign, compared to $448,000 during the 1988 election.
The contributions are called soft money because they do not fall under federal election regulations.
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