Politics
National political money pours into states
Posted: Oct 28, 2010 12:40 PM by Greg Boyce
Updated: Oct 28, 2010 1:06 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) - A deluge of cash from interest groups is pouring into close congressional races coast to coast. And it's flowing to much lower-profile contests far down the ticket as well.
According to a state-by-state review by The Associated Press, interest groups have spent at least $185 million just since Labor Day to influence close congressional races. Non party groups have spent at least $100 million on ads and get-out-the-vote efforts supporting or opposing specific candidates in state and local races.
Interest groups are seeking to influence voters' choices in all 50 states, yet they often reveal little publicly about the money they're spending, including the source. The groups are taking full advantage of the Supreme Court ruling this year that corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money airing ads saying pretty much anything they want about politicians at any time, including right up to Election Day.
Among the issues prompting the outpouring of cash are gay marriage, legal marijuana and gun rights.
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