Follow the money
In the U.S.’s 2002 Congressional election, the candidate spending the most money won over 75% of the time. That would seem to be a direct correlation between money and political office. Knowing such a thing, finding out where the candidates come up with such funds is of utmost importance to the informed citizen. Or potential contributor. Information about the origins (down to street address and zipcode in many cases) is publicly available, but public availability means nothing without a usable way to sift through the information. Such is one effort of the Center for Responsible Politics.
Founded in 1983, the Center aims to inform the public about its elected officials and their campaign finances. With campaign finance being a hot-button issue, the ability to search the Center’s site for monetary breakdowns of soft and hard money given to individuals, parties and PACs by companies, people and even particular streets is a great feature. Also on the site is a vast array of campaign information, including publications detailing the laws and loopholes and more. It’s not light reading by any stretch, but the site’s too serious not to read.
