One big reason is that Sen. Barack Obama has broken all fund-raising and spending records by getting small donation for millions of Americans.
But in Tennessee, Political Action Committees are propelling GOP Senate candidates with the biggest contributions to secure a firmer grip on that house, shows a review of campaign contributions as of Oct. 1 by the Knoxville News-Sentinel -- the best newspaper in Tennessee.
The dean of Capitol Hill reporters, Tom Humphrey, compiled an impressive examination of the influence in $5 million in PAC money so far in Tennessee legislative races. And the biggest winners have Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, Sen. Diane Black and Sen. Jim Tracy -- all Republicans.
I know Sen. Black. She deserves the money for support. And she has defended TennCare against cuts as a former nurse when others in both parties balked. The other two GOP lawmakers are not so deserving.
Ramsey is a cheerleader for supposed Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen in making hatchet cuts to the budget. Tracy has been an obstacle on various reforms concerning the business of the people. He has been showing up on TV in ads in the Midstate market, so he has to be a bit worried about losing his office.
The financing system in Tennessee politics is a nightmare and another way to get around the will of the people by the special interests. PAC contributions are expected to accelerate as we approach Nov. 4. Ramsey as Senate leader and Jimmy Naifeh as House Speaker are allowed to even run their own PACs and dole out hundreds of thousands of dollars to incumbents and candidates who will keep them in power.
It's sickening.
The Tennessee Association of Realtors has contributed the most to legislative races at $238,900. That's about $2,000 per legislative race, Humphrey wrote. And of course, each of these special interests say they expect nothing in return for their contributions. Can you believe they're just being philanthropic? Me neither.
Humphrey provides a great analysis and read on the bidding war for your government and your say in it. Go to this Internet address and learn more about your declining democracy: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oct/19/pacs-portion-out-5m/
His story on the biggest special interests buying your influence appears Monday at this address: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oct/20/realtors-pac-lead-donor/
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