Would you be surprised to learn that some of the political groups fighting so-called ‘dark money’ in politics have taken cash from donors who can’t be traced?
The Daily Beast reports:
Groups Decrying ‘Dark Money’ Use Shadowy Money Themselves
Groups that complain about “dark money” in politics may need to look into the darkness that shrouds their own pots of money.
A number of groups that advocate against anonymous donations in politics are themselves responsible for putting money into elections that cannot be traced, often hidden under layers of opaque networks.
The Center for Public Integrity found 21 groups, vocal about so-called dark money, that put money into politics but do not fully disclose their donors. The groups either gave to ballot measure campaigns, paid for messages about candidates or gave to political action committees.
“If you’re going to jump into the arena of combating dark money, it’s far better to shed light on your own money,” said Norm Ornstein, a disclosure proponent at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank. “You need a pretty powerful rationale for not doing that.”
But many of the groups identified by the Center for Public Integrity said that they already exceed what the law requires by disclosing at least some of their donors. Some relied on an argument that opponents of disclosure raise regularly: Their donors could face hostility or mistreatment if the public knew the donors’ identities.
Classic.
Do as we say, not as we do.
Hat tip to Instapundit.
(Image:Source)
