You have to pay to play in Washington, and perhaps it's no surprise to find that most corporations would rather play with the GOP. Corporate lobbyists are celebrating the election of George W. Bush and a Republican Congress because that's where they put their money.
Using the Center for Responsive Politics' database (opensecrets.org), Hightower Lowdown in its January issue compiled a list of big-time corporate funders of Bush and the Republican Congress. "None of this is charitable giving," Hightower wrote. The corporate executives define "good government" as the corporate agenda: "turn America's Social Security fund over to the stock brokers; let oil, mining and timber giants plunder our natural resources; protect drug companies from consumers seeking cheaper prescription medicines from abroad; hold down the minimum wage; promote more job-busting trade scams and do all possible to break the backs of unions; allow the media giants to get tighter control of our public airwaves, etc."
Many corporations did attempt to be even-handed in their donations, but the Republican leadership has been increasingly demanding that corporate lobbyists stop funding Democratic candidates or lose access to GOP officials. Hightower's list included those corporations and their executives that put up at least $75,000 in the '04 presidential and congressional elections, and were among the top 20 donors in their category, with at least two-thirds of their money going to the GOP. TPP expanded the list of corporations to include the relatively few major Democratic funders, with their total '04 contributions and percent to the favored party. (Hightower plans a follow-up list in his February newsletter.)
Food and beverage companies -- GOP: Coca-Cola, with $510,164 in '04 contributions, 71% to GOP; Pepsico Inc, $392,949, 68%; Pilgrim's Pride Poultry, $303,826, 97%; Dean Foods, $276,500, 69%; Cargill, $232,682, 87%; Coors, $227,175, 82%; ConAgra, $197,252, 82%; General Mills, $185,640, 72%; Chiquita Brands, $175,402, 98%; Smithfield Foods, $130,920, 85%; Nestle, $99,500, 75%, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, $97,641, 75%; Russell Stover Candies, $96,800, 100%.
Dems: Connell Co., $334,500, 98%; Purity Wholesale Grocers, $158,050, 94%.
Computer/telecom -- GOP: SBC Communications, $2,028,031, 67%; EDS, $407,671, 68%; Dell, $385,393, 77%; Motorola, $315,497, 69%; EMC, $291,536, 86%; IDT, $226,850, 93%; Collazo Enterprises, $216,550, 100%; Alltel, $197,150, 74%; Western Wireless, $166,625, 85%; Activision, $138,341, 86%; Vignette Corp., $130,300, 83%; Edge Wireless, $128,389, 100%; American Software, $95,800, 100%; LaCerte Technologies, $90,000, 100%; IDX Systems, $78,149, 91%.
Democrats: IBM, $585,200, 68%; Sun Microsystems, 70%; Achievement Technologies, 208,500, 83%; CNET Networks, $179,450, 97%.
Media -- GOP: Clear Channel Communications, $764,318, 67%; Chartwell Partners, $240,250, 81%; Univision, $223,450, 71%; Salem Communications, $214,067, 100%; Phillips International, $175,000, 100%; Bresnan Communications, $153,500, 98%; Paisano Publications, $145,613, 100%; Hubbard Broadcasting, $125,000, 84%; Cinemark, $121,916, 97%; SBS Broadcasting, $110,000, 98%; Jones Media Networks, $84,000, 100%; Sinclair Broadcast Group, $77,005, 95%.
Democrats: Westwood One, $132,800, 79%; Emmis Communications, $96,500, 90%; Entercom Inc., $82,250.
Restaurants -- GOP: Outback Steakhouse, $501,948, 98%; McDonald's (Boston Market, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Aroma Cafe, Donato's Pizza), $309,918, 80%; Wendy's, 230,600, 91%; Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Gardens, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones), 208,296, 91%; Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Long John Silver's, A&W), 155,907, 83%; Brinker International (Chili's, Corner Bakery Cafe, On the Border, Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill, Big Bowl Asian Kitchen, Rockfish Seafood Grill), $148,500, 92%; Pizza Hut Franchisees Assn., 125,500, 95%; Ilitch Holdings (Little Caesars, Johnny Rockets) $117,900, 79%; Waffle House, $96,400, 99%.
Retail sales -- GOP: Wal-Mart Stores, $2 million, 80%; Home Depot, $716,270, 94%; Target, $314,588, 73%; Sears, Roebuck & Co., $268,544, 76%; Limited Brands, $263,370, 70%; Amway/Alticor Inc., $238,788, 100%; Saks Inc., $119,700, 95%; Circuit City Stores, $117,300, 96%; JC Penney Co., $105,065, 81% May Department Stores, $103,750; Windquest Group, $84,680, 100%.
Democrats: Costco Wholesale, $207,803, 98%; Barnes & Noble, $103,850, 98%.
Consumer products -- GOP: General Electric, $747,386, 67%; 3M, $350,583, 80%; Timken, $356,709, 97%; Cintas Corp., $340,181, 100%; Proctor & Gamble, $321,069, 79%; Hallmark Cards, $287,379, 81%; Goodyear, $275,000, 89%; Dow, $227,441, 71%; Harbour Group, $203,950, 100%; Illinois Tool Works, $190,400, 96%; Cooper Industries, $174,250, 100%; Schwarz Paper, $171,800, 100%; DuPont, $168,346, 67%; Curves International, $163,894, 100%; Monsanto, $160,825, 76%; CCA Industries, $147,492, 97%; Scotts (lawncare, garden products) $137,835, 99%; SC Johnson, $138,850, 87%; New Breed Inc., $135,745, 100%; Yancey Brothers (Caterpillar dealer), $135,050, 99%; Eastman Kodak, $127,345, 67%; Kohler (plumbing fixtures), $122,829, 96%; Berry Investments, $118,000, 100%; Regal Equipment, $113,000, 99%; Turtle Wax, $88,800, 100%; PPG Industries, $83,521, 87%.
Democrats: Hugo Neu Corp., $200,750, 100%; Macandrews & Forbes, $194,250, 68%; Fisher Scientific International, $147,000, 74%; Mitchell Gold Co., $139,000, 99%; Atlantic Packaging, $126,000, 69%; Estee Lauder Companies, $123,860, 91%.
Timber/Paper -- GOP: International Paper, $453,907, 93%; Georgia-Pacific Corp., $366,174, 73%; Weyerhaeuser, $222,860, 76%.
Dems: Sweetheart Cup Co., $83,975, 99%; Gilman Paper, $77,500, 100%.
Insurance -- GOP: American Financial Group, $643,384, 97%; Cigna Corp., 85%; USAA Group, 520,200, 81%; St. Paul Travelers Companies, $516,028, 69%; Northwestern Mutual, $510,061, 74%; AON, $473,663, 85%; Zurich Financial Services, $459,722, 85%; State Farm Insurance, $374,856, 81%.
Democrats: Torchmark Corp., $357,320, 88%.
Securities and Investment -- GOP: Merrill Lynch, $1.9 million, 72%; FMR Corp., $956,865, 70%; Federated Investors, $704,860, 94%; TCW Group, $620,646, 85%; Bond Market Assn., $428,755, 68%. Democrats: Bain Capital, $516,000, 80%.
Cars -- GOP: GM, $817,140, 64%; Ford Motor Co., 729,084, 72%; DaimlerChrysler, $610,296, 63%.
Democrats: New United Motor Manufacturing (Toyota/GM), $7,550, 74%.
Lodging and Tourism -- GOP: Cendant Corp. (Amerihost, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, Wingate Inn, Avis, Budget car rentals, Century 21, Coldwell Banker), $190,246, 73%; Marriott International, $188,126, 76%;
Democrats: Trans National Group (TNT Vacations, Trans National Communications, Trans National Ventures, Trans National Marketing; B.E. Realty and Charlesgate Management Co.), $151,000, 97%; Hyatt Corp., $141,925, 87%.
Supermarkets -- GOP: Safeway, $146,600, 84%; Publix Super Markets, $129,250, 97%; Schnuck Markets, $113,120, 100%; Albertson's, $111,409, 73%; Fresh Express, $77,585, 97%.
See the OpenSecrets.org campaign finance database. To find out about products made by various corporations, see their websites.
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