Wellstone and Drug Industry
We are deeply grieved at the tragic death of Sen. Paul Wellstone, his wife, daughter, and members of his staff in a plane crash in Minnesota. Sen. Wellstone was a longtime champion of single payer national health insurance in the Senate, and the lead sponsor of the Senate single payer bill, S. 491. He will be sorely missed.
ELECTION 2002
Drug Industry Spending for Congressional Races Outpaces That of Liberal Groups
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The number of “independent” political advertisements in support of Republicans has “overwhelm[ed]” ads from traditionally “big-spending” liberal groups in part because of increased campaign spending by the pharmaceutical industry, the Washington Post reports. Ads sponsored by interest groups are not necessarily sanctioned by individual candidates or political parties, but analysts say the spots can “prove decisive in tight races,” the Post reports. According to a study of political ads in 100 markets by the Campaign Media Analysis Group, pro-Republican, business-financed groups, such as the United Seniors Association, have outspent liberal groups by nearly three to one in House races, or $9.1 million compared with $3.3 million, respectively. The United Seniors Association is running a $17 million ad campaign that praises House Republicans in close races for their stances on prescription drugs (Edsall, Washington Post, 10/23). Democrats have alleged that the group is part of a “stealth campaign” by the drug industry to help Republicans win races. They add that the campaign is “clearly misleading” because it does not mention that the group receives funding from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America or that the legislation referred to in the ads refer is the House-passed Medicare reform bill (HR 4954), which is supported by Republicans (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 10/21). The group’s officials say they have received funding from the pharmaceutical industry, but have declined to disclose the amount, the Post reports. PhRMA said it has provided the group with “unrestricted educational grants” (Washington Post, 10/23).
Declining Ad Spending by Liberal Groups
In comparison to the senior group’s $17 million ad campaign, Planned Parenthood is spending about $2 million this election cycle on political advertisements, compared with $10 million during the last congressional election cycle, and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League is spending $3 million this cycle. The Post reports the “pro-Republican trend” is a switch from 2000, when spending on independent advertising was about equal. Part of the decline in support for Democratic groups is linked to the declining stock market, which has impacted the ability of “wealthy liberals with large portfolios” to support the political left, the Post reports (Edsall, Washington Post, 10/23).