The Secret Money Project: The Organizations http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92458631&ft=1&f=92458631 It's not just the candidates and parties who want to influence your vote. Independent groups have access to big money, and they spend it on everything from below-the-radar phone calls to TV ad blitzes. Read thumbnail sketches of some of the key groups in the 2008 campaign. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:06:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif The Secret Money Project: The Organizations http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92458631&ft=1&f=92458631 Who's Who: Key Leaders Of Independent Groups Browse a directory of influential, behind-the-scenes people that run the independent groups active in the 2008 election cycle. These groups do not have to disclose their donors and spending the same way the candidates do. Some don't have to disclose at all. Many of the leaders are connected to more than one organization. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:06:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93351993&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93351993&ft=1&f=92458631 Browse a directory of influential, behind-the-scenes people that run the independent groups active in the 2008 election cycle. These groups do not have to disclose their donors and spending the same way the candidates do. Some don't have to disclose at all. Many of the leaders are connected to more than one organization.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Health Care for America Now Health Care for America Now is a coalition of labor unions and liberal advocacy groups pushing for affordable health care and stricter regulation of the health insurance industry. It plans to spend $40 million by the end of the year. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94482532&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94482532&ft=1&f=92458631 Health Care for America Now is a coalition of labor unions and liberal advocacy groups pushing for affordable health care and stricter regulation of the health insurance industry. It plans to spend $40 million by the end of the year.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Let Freedom Ring A religious conservative advocacy organization, Let Freedom Ring was a response to the efforts of George Soros and other liberal donors. In 2004, it was credited with helping turn out voters for Bush. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:38:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94474210&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94474210&ft=1&f=92458631 A religious conservative advocacy organization, Let Freedom Ring was a response to the efforts of George Soros and other liberal donors. In 2004, it was credited with helping turn out voters for Bush.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: They Work For Us They Work For Us is a liberal advocacy organization started in 2007 to hold Democratic members of Congress accountable to a "populist economic agenda." The group, run by Democratic operatives, criticizes Democrats it deems too conservative. Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:48:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94471471&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94471471&ft=1&f=92458631 They Work For Us is a liberal advocacy organization started in 2007 to hold Democratic members of Congress accountable to a "populist economic agenda." The group, run by Democratic operatives, criticizes Democrats it deems too conservative.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund This environmental advocacy organization led the charge in defeating former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) in 2006. This year it is focusing on electing a Democrat in a key Senate race in New Mexico. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:22:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94436762&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94436762&ft=1&f=92458631 This environmental advocacy organization led the charge in defeating former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) in 2006. This year it is focusing on electing a Democrat in a key Senate race in New Mexico.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: League of Conservation Voters A national group promoting pro-environment policy and candidates, the League of Conservation Voters tracks the voting record of members of Congress and claims to have helped defeat 23 out of 37 candidates it deemed anti-environment since 1996. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94411562&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94411562&ft=1&f=92458631 A national group promoting pro-environment policy and candidates, the League of Conservation Voters tracks the voting record of members of Congress and claims to have helped defeat 23 out of 37 candidates it deemed anti-environment since 1996.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Coloradans for Economic Growth Coloradans for Economic Growth is a new advocacy organization that supports the Republican Senate candidate in Colorado, Bob Schaffer. Its leadership includes Republican and school reform activists. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94399963&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94399963&ft=1&f=92458631 Coloradans for Economic Growth is a new advocacy organization that supports the Republican Senate candidate in Colorado, Bob Schaffer. Its leadership includes Republican and school reform activists.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Coalition for a Democratic Workplace This is an ad hoc coalition of industry groups opposed to federal legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize. It's running a $20 million campaign targeting Democratic Senate candidates. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94399074&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94399074&ft=1&f=92458631 This is an ad hoc coalition of industry groups opposed to federal legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize. It's running a $20 million campaign targeting Democratic Senate candidates.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Divided We Fail This coalition was started in 2007 by AARP, Service Employees International Union, Business Roundtable and the National Federation of Independent Business. It advocates an end to partisan gridlock in Congress. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94396715&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94396715&ft=1&f=92458631 This coalition was started in 2007 by AARP, Service Employees International Union, Business Roundtable and the National Federation of Independent Business. It advocates an end to partisan gridlock in Congress.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Employee Freedom Action Committee This advocacy organization is run by a former lobbyist who also runs several other industry-funded nonprofits. The group advocates for secret ballots in union elections and uses that issue to criticize Democrats. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:09:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94395162&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94395162&ft=1&f=92458631 This advocacy organization is run by a former lobbyist who also runs several other industry-funded nonprofits. The group advocates for secret ballots in union elections and uses that issue to criticize Democrats.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Patriot Majority Veteran Democratic political consultant Craig Varoga is running a network of 527 organizations, with names like Patriot Majority, aimed at helping Democrats in Senate, House and gubernatorial races this year. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94392710&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94392710&ft=1&f=92458631 Veteran Democratic political consultant Craig Varoga is running a network of 527 organizations, with names like Patriot Majority, aimed at helping Democrats in Senate, House and gubernatorial races this year.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: Freedom's Watch Formed in 2007, Freedom's Watch was seen as the conservative counterpart to Moveon.org and spent $15 million on an ad campaign backing President Bush's troop "surge" strategy in Iraq. Lately, it has shifted its attention toward congressional elections. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93007985&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93007985&ft=1&f=92458631 Formed in 2007, Freedom's Watch was seen as the conservative counterpart to Moveon.org and spent $15 million on an ad campaign backing President Bush's troop "surge" strategy in Iraq. Lately, it has shifted its attention toward congressional elections.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: National Education Association Representing 3.2 million employees of schools and educational institutions, the National Education Association calls itself the largest professional employee organization in the country. It has plans for the biggest political mobilization in its history this year, spending tens of millions of dollars on the presidential and congressional races. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93886491&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93886491&ft=1&f=92458631 Representing 3.2 million employees of schools and educational institutions, the National Education Association calls itself the largest professional employee organization in the country. It has plans for the biggest political mobilization in its history this year, spending tens of millions of dollars on the presidential and congressional races.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: American Future Fund American Future Fund is a 501(c)(4) led by a collection of professionals who worked for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. The fund advocates free-market policies, offshore oil drilling and the development of nuclear energy. It's focusing its efforts on competitive Senate races. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:54:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93790064&ft=1&f=92458631 American Future Fund is a 501(c)(4) led by a collection of professionals who worked for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. The fund advocates free-market policies, offshore oil drilling and the development of nuclear energy. It's focusing its efforts on competitive Senate races.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Profile: AFL-CIO AFL-CIO is a federation of 56 unions, representing 10.5 million members. The federation has dedicated $53 million and 200,000 volunteers for a voter mobilization campaign this election season, its largest effort ever. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93547344&ft=1&f=92458631 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93547344&ft=1&f=92458631 AFL-CIO is a federation of 56 unions, representing 10.5 million members. The federation has dedicated $53 million and 200,000 volunteers for a voter mobilization campaign this election season, its largest effort ever.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]>