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posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday January 28 2015, @05:21AM   Printer-friendly
from the mo-money-mo-problems dept.

Nicholas Confessore reports at the New York Times that the Koch Brothers and their political network plan to spend close to $900 million in the 2016 election, an unparalleled effort by coordinated outside groups to shape a presidential election that is already on track to be the most expensive in history. The group’s budget reflects the rising ambition and expanded reach of the Koch operation, which has sought to distinguish itself from other outside groups by emphasizing the role of donors over consultants and political operatives. Hundreds of conservative donors recruited by the Kochs gathered over the weekend for three days of issue seminars, strategy sessions, and mingling with rising elected officials. These donors represent the largest concentration of political money outside the party establishment, one that has achieved enormous power in Republican circles in recent years. “It’s no wonder the candidates show up when the Koch brothers call,” says David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to Mr. Obama. “That’s exponentially more money than any party organization will spend. In many ways, they have superseded the party.”

Espousing a political worldview that protects free speech and individual and property rights with equal protection for everyone under the law Koch says: “It is up to us. Making this vision a reality will require more than a financial commitment. It requires making it a central part of our lives.” Told of the $889 million goal, Mark McKinnon, a veteran GOP operative who has worked to rally Republican support to reduce the role of money in politics, quipped: “For that kind of money, you could buy yourself a president. Oh, right. That’s the point.”

 
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  • (Score: 2) by TheGratefulNet on Wednesday January 28 2015, @01:08PM

    by TheGratefulNet (659) on Wednesday January 28 2015, @01:08PM (#138842)

    wasted? if you owned a tv station or media company (ie, someone who receives money for paid ads) you'd have an entirely different POV.

    of course, those people are SCUM.

    money and politics. we all know its not a good mix. and yet, we don't do a single thing to stop it. in fact, we roll around in it, like pigs in shit.

    there is no hope for us and our greed-based system. it just has to burn itself out. but sadly, I see no way to stop this juggernaut.

    YES, the money was wasted. all the good that could be done with it, and it goes to fat-cats pockets who reap it in every election cycle. parasites!

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