An obscure nonprofit has flooded campaign battleground states with an inflammatory DVD on radical Islam. Critics say the charity is trying to influence the presidential race.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and running mate John McCain have trumpeted her opposition to earmarks like the infamous “bridge to nowhere,” but Palin’s record is more complicated.
The community organization ACORN is under fire for alleged voter registration fraud, and has been a longtime target for conservatives. Republicans are tying Barack Obama to ACORN, but John McCain also spoke to an ACORN rally in 2006. NPR and CIR look at the organization’s background and the controversy.
Who's paying to influence voters in your state? Independent groups are pouring millions of dollars into election ad campaigns nationwide. Roll over each state to view a recent ad, and click the link in the pop-up box to see all ads tracked for that state.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and running mate John McCain have trumpeted her opposition to earmarks like the infamous “bridge to nowhere,” but Palin’s record is more complicated. As mayor, she hired a lobbyist to get federal money and, when running for governor, said she supported earmarks like the infamous bridge.
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When Barack Obama explained his decision to opt out of public financing for the general election, he said he needed to defend against attacks by stealth conservative groups.
He pointed to one ad in particular, which showed an edited clip of him: "We are no longer a Christian nation … We are also a Muslim nation," spliced with a photo of Obama wearing a turban.
It could be the Swift Boat ad of 2008. A conservative group pops out of nowhere with a hard-hitting TV ad against Obama. A billionaire foots the bill. Obama’s campaign reacts fast. CIR and NPR look into the wrangling over the ad.
The Service Employees International Union, besides representing 2 million workers, is one of the most active and powerful political organizations in the nation.
Election season is heating up, as independent groups from across the political spectrum launch new ad campaigns targeting candidates for president and Congress. CIR and NPR look at dueling ads featuring veterans and two competing campaigns reaching out to Christians.
Two politically opposed veterans' advocacy groups—Vets for Freedom and Vote Vets—are battling for voters. NPR and CIR look beyond the political rhetoric to examine the organizations' financing, and how they might affect this election.
The 2008 presidential campaign began with predictions that outside groups would play influential roles. Now nonprofits are quietly mobilizing, especially on the Left. One network of liberal activist groups, started by Progress Now, is trying to shape the debate with a streamlined operation of small staff, low budgets and the Internet—and is backed by powerful connections from the Left.
Now that the presidential primaries are finished, independent political groups are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads to influence the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. NPR takes a look at one day of independent advertising, with reporting by CIR.
