Sharron Angle: Let Foreign Interests Buy US Elections
By opposing the DISCLOSE Act, Angle gives the green light to shadowy front groups, major corporations and foreign-controlled corporations to spend millions on US elections
LAS VEGAS –Transparency and accountability in US elections? Sharron Angle can't be bothered. Especially since one of her top supporters is involved.
The January Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission now allows corporations to spend as much money as they want secretly promoting and advertising for a candidate running for federal office. Groups like Karl Rove’s American Crossroads have benefited from this decision and plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to influence elections across the country this year.”
Interestingly, Citizens United is the same right-wing front group that endorsed Angle shortly after the disturbing ruling. That explains why, prior to the makeover by her DC handlers, Angle stated on her web site that “campaign finance limitations must come from candidates themselves.” Why get in the way of a good thing, right?
Sen. Reid believes we must have transparency and accountability in our elections, which is why he is working to pass the DISCLOSE Act in the Senate. While the DISCLOSE Act would not overturn the Supreme Court's decision, it would cast sunlight on corporate front groups and shadowy foreign governments that are planning to spend as much as $300 million dollars to influence US Elections.
"By opposing the DISCLOSE Act, Sharron Angle is sending a clear message that if it's between protecting the democratic process and getting elected, she'll choose the latter no matter what the cost," said Reid campaign communications director Kelly Steele. "If she had her way, BP and Saudi Arabia could spend millions trying to influence our elections without voters even knowing it. Sharron should be more concerned about protecting Nevada voters than her special interest friends."
Original Angle Campaign Website Bragged About An Endorsement From Citizens United. According to the Las Vegas Sun, “Angle brags on the old site about an endorsement from Citizens United, the group that won a Supreme Court case overturning a crucial part of the federal campaign finance law. Instead of laws, Angle believes that campaign finance limitations must come from the candidates themselves. Angle doesnt mention any of that on her new website.” [Las Vegas Sun, 7/12/2010]
Angle Believes Candidates Should Be Left To Limit Themselves. According to Sharron Angle’s old website, “Sharron Angle believes that campaign finance limitations must come from the candidates themselves.” (Previously posted at www.sharronangle.com; now available at www.therealsharronangle.com)
Under this rule, candidates would have their hands tied -- corporations and special interests could spend unlimited amounts, but candidates would have limited resources to tell the public their message.
