Da Dims and da money

[SuperScout]

Democrats have taken more money from lobbyists than Republicans during the past 15 years, according to an independent analysis of campaign contributions.

Since the 1990 election cycle, Democrats have accepted more than $53 million from lobbyists while Republicans have taken more than $48 million for their election campaigns, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Data provided by the nonpartisan group also shows that when Democrats controlled Congress in the early 1990s, they consistently hauled in more than 70 percent of the town's lobbyist money. The group is a leading critic of Texas Republican Rep. Tom DeLay's ties to lobbyists.

"When the Democrats were in charge, they were getting an incredibly higher amount of lobbyist money compared to Republicans," said Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "Now that the tables are turned there is parity between the two parties." Last year, for instance, Republicans took in 55 percent of the lobbyist money, which roughly corresponds to their majority share in Congress.

Mr. Nick said the figures "take the wind out of Democrat sails" for their charge that Republicans have ushered in a "culture of
corruption" that breeds extensive ties to lobbyists.

Democrats do not dispute the data, but accuse Republicans of operating at the behest of the lobbyists who fund their campaigns. "Since the Republicans took over Congress in 1994, they have not only taken more money from lobbyists, they have given everything they can give to lobbyists," said Phil Singer, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. [And Da Dims never did anything for the lobbyists from whom THEY took money? And we're supposed to believe this? Is this another "I did not have sexual raltions with that woman" type of statements?]