Dollar Politics

NPR is running a series called Dollar Politics. I’n not sure I could make it through the entire series without losing it completely if the following quote from the staff of my favorite senator is an example:

As for Dodd, his spokesman wrote an e-mail: “Campaign contributions do not and never have influenced Senator Dodd’s agenda and priorities. His work is always and has always been about representing the interest of the people of Connecticut.”

Campaign contributions have never influenced Senator Dodd? No wonder it was said in an email, it’s not something that can be said with a straight face. There can’t be a senator or congressman would can make that claim. A statement like that shows a complete lack of respect for the people of Connecticut and continues the Dodd tradition of crafting answers to pretend a problem doesn’t exist rather than address the actual problem. Is there anyone out there that doesn’t think money influences politics and politicians?  Hell, the New York state legislature was thrown into chaos because a campaign contributor felt he was dissed. Maybe some newly elected politians haven’t yet been tainted, but that will only last until the re-election campaign starts.

NPR was also the only news organization (at least that I’ve seen) that turned the camera away from the Senators working on a health care bill to the crowds that were watching. They posted the picture and have started to identify lobbyists in the crowd. Only 7 so far, but I suspect it’s not senators who are identifying the people in the crowd. How many lobbyists do you know?

Tags: buying the vote, chris dodd, politicians