The Republican Party convention has a price tag of more than $50 million. The Democratic Party plans to spend about $35 million on its convention. Federal funds will cover $13.3 million for each of those two conventions. Large corporations will cover the rest, many with major issues pending before the government.
Among the GOP’s top donors: Motorola, Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic) and Comcast Corp ($1 million each), Philip Morris ($250,000), Enron ($250,000) and Blue Cross/Blue Shield ($100,000). Among the Democrats’ top donors: SBC Communications ($1 million), United Parcel Service ($1 million) and Boeing ($100,000). Some companies have contributed to both parties, as the Center for Responsive Politics documents:
American International Group: $500,000 to the GOP Conv.; $2 million to the Dem. Conv.: Has lobbied successfully for federal deregulation of the nation’s financial services industry and China PNTR.
AT&T: $1 million to the GOP Conv.; $1 million to the Dem. Conv.: Pending merger with MediaOne; is trying to prevent the government from ensuring that other Internet providers can have open access over its cable lines.
General Motors: $1 million to the GOP Conv.; $1 million to the Dem. Conv.: Trying to prevent fuel economy standards on SUVs.
Microsoft Corp: $1 million to the GOP Conv.; $1 million to the Dem. Conv.: Microsoft is appealing the antitrust ruling that the company be split in two.
Global Crossing: $250,000 to the GOP Conv.; $250,000 to the Dem. Conv.: Pressing for federal approval of construction of a telecom cable underneath the Pacific Ocean.
Hewlett-Packard: $250,000 to the GOP Conv.; $250,000 to the Dem. Conv.: PNTR with China, privacy standards, expansion of immigration visas for foreign workers.
American Water Works Co: $100,000 to the GOP Conv.; $100,000 to the Dem. Conv.: Trying to delay implementation of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act.
Lockheed Martin: $100,000 to the GOP Conv.; $100,000 to the Dem. Conv.: Wants anti-ballistic missile system.
US Airways has contributed $500,000 to the GOP convention, at a time when it is lobbying for support of its merger with United Airlines, which is a $500,000 contributor to the Democratic convention.
The following analysts are available for interviews:
HOLLY BAILEY
Bailey is a researcher with the Center for Responsive Politics.
MATT KELLER
Keller is deputy legislative director for Common Cause.
More Information
For more information, contact at the Institute for Public Accuracy: Sam Husseini, (202) 347-0020 or (202) 332-5055; David Zupan, (541) 484-9167