Independent Groups Fuel Presidential Campaigns with Record Spending in Iowa

Strategic Insights -

As the Iowa caucuses draw near, independent political groups are pouring significant resources into the state, with reports indicating that they have spent at least $5 million in the final two weeks before the contest. These groups, often supporting specific candidates, are taking advantage of a recent Supreme Court decision that lifted a ban on broadcast messages from independent groups within 30 days of a primary or caucus. The shift in campaign finance regulations has led to a surge in spending, with many of these groups acting as a vehicle for negative advertising that campaigns are reluctant to engage in.

Key Takeaways:

  • Independent groups have spent at least $5 million in Iowa in the final two weeks before the caucuses, with much of the money benefiting the campaigns of John Edwards and Hillary Clinton.
  • The groups are taking advantage of a recent Supreme Court decision that lifted a ban on broadcast messages from independent groups within 30 days of a primary or caucus.
  • The Club for Growth has spent $700,000 so far, largely on broadcast spots that criticize Mike Huckabee's record on taxes while he was Arkansas governor.
  • The Republican Majority for Choice has also spent on negative advertisements, focusing on Mitt Romney's shifting stance on abortion.
  • The Swfit Boat Veterans for Truth and MoveOn.org played a major role in the 2004 general election, and their influence is being felt in this year's campaign.
  • Many of these interest groups face no limits on how much they can take in from their contributors and often do not have to disclose their donors' names until after an election.
  • Direct-mail brochures, bus tours, pep rallies, telephone calls, educational efforts, and traditional get-out-the-vote efforts are all being paid for by these independent groups.
  • Senator Barack Obama of Illinois is the only leading Democrat who has not attracted support from any of these groups in Iowa.

Statistics:

  • At least $5 million has been spent by independent groups in Iowa in the final two weeks before the caucuses.
  • The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has spent $770,000 on a television advertising campaign supporting Hillary Clinton.
  • The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners has formed a group, Working for Working Americans, that has paid around $500,000 for television spots supporting John Edwards.
  • The Alliance for a New America has primarily been running a radio campaign in Iowa, with over $1.5 million spent on behalf of John Edwards.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, December 28, 2007
  • Kenneth Gross, veteran campaign finance lawyer