Campaign Financing in Michigan

Analysis:

This was a brief article that made its way onto the front page of the Grand Rapids Press. It is a report on a study released on May 26th by the Center for Public Integrity, a non-profit, nonpartisan watchdog group in Washington, D.C. In it, they named the top individual campaign contributors for both parties during the 2004 elections.

The article was taken from the Associated Press edited to about half its original size. Though it is news worthy of its front page slot, the edits subtly changed the tone of the story. Off the wire it read as an investigation into campaign finance reform. After edits it read more like “cheers” to the DeVos family for giving more money than anyone else. It even left out quotes from state Democratic and GOP party spokespersons, plus no where not in the original AP version or the GR Press version do they provide voices other than Democrat or Republican. Ask yourself if an independent, non-partisan voice from Michigan would be useful to voters.

Readers could also ask themselves is why is a story about campaign contributions from 2004 running midway through 2005? Could information like this have made an impact on elections locally and nationally? The data is required by candidates, most of which is part of the public record prior to Election Day. Late donations can be submitted after the Election, but the majority of the data is available to the public and journalists prior to the Election.

Story:

DeVos name tops political donors
By KEN THOMAS
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans Dick and Betsy DeVos of Michigan were the nation’s largest individual campaign donors during the 2004 election cycle, according to a study released Thursday.

A report by the Center for Public Integrity said the couple, of Ada, contributed more than $2.3 million in 2003 and 2004, including more than $1.8 million to party committees registered in Michigan.

Jay Van Andel, who died in December 2004, was ranked third overall in individual contributions, giving $2 million of his personal fortune, including $1 million to Michigan GOP groups.

Second nationally was Arizona real-estate developer James Pederson, with $2.2 million to the Arizona GOP.
The DeVos and Van Andel families, who founded Amway Corp. in 1959, have been leading financial supporters of the Republican party. Alticor Inc., one of the world’s largest direct marketing companies, is Amway’s parent company and is privately held by the two families.

Dick DeVos is considering a campaign to seek the GOP nomination to face Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Betsy DeVos recently stepped down as chairwoman of the state Republican party.

• Dick DeVos’ parents, Richard and Helen DeVos, of Ada, donated $185,000 to Michigan political committees during the period.

The study puts Alticor, Amway and DeVos family interests among the nation’s top-five organizational donors, contributing more than $4.7 million in 2003 and 2004.

The donations ranked them just behind two major unions — the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

By comparison, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America gave $2.6 million, the AFL-CIO contributed $2.35 million, and the United Auto Workers provided $1.66 million.

Text from the original article ommitted from the Grand Rapids Press version:

The Washington-based watchdog group’s study shows the DeVos family’s considerable political clout.
DeVos Sr. is the owner of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.

Other top donors include:
• C. Michael Kojaian, a Bloomfield Hills businessman, who gave $120,000 to Republicans during the cycle. He has been a leading financial contributor to President Bush’s campaigns.

The study also showcases the highly competitive environment between the state Democratic and Republican parties in a state with divided government: a Democratic governor, Republican control of the Legislature and a significant GOP edge in Michigan’s congressional delegation.

The Michigan Republican State Committee raised $14.3 million during the period, compared to $13.5 million by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. The Democratic organization outspent its GOP counterpart by more than $780,000.

Nate Bailey, a state GOP spokesman, said the report showed “how effectively using and spending money can really make the difference between winning and losing.”

Jason Moon, a state Democratic party spokesman, said it provided evidence that the DeVos’ are “kings of corporate and special interests. They spend their money to promote their right-wing ideals.”

Messages were left Wednesday for Dick and Betsy DeVos.

Nationally, the study found overall fund-raising for state political parties in the 2004 election cycle declined to $735 million, a decrease of $65 million compared to the 2000 election cycle and $85 million less raised in the 2002 midterm elections.

The nonpartisan organization attributed the drop to the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reforms, which barred unlimited “soft money” contributions to federal candidates or federal party organizations.