The South Carolina-based energy corporation SCANA sent multiple teams of lobbyists to Capitol Hill last year: Michael Tongour and Carl Gist of the lobbying firm THC Group (paid $160,000 for a full year of lobbying in 2009), Patrick Raffaniello of Raffaniello and Associates (paid $130,000 for three quarters of lobbying in 2009), five associates of Ryan, MacKinnon, Vasapoli and Berzok LLP (paid $120,000 for a full year of lobbying in 2009) and the SCANA corporation itself (deploying lobbyist James Burwell to Capitol Hill for an undisclosed amount).
What for? The lobbying disclosure forms list a variety of issues, including a pending federal loan guarantee worth billions of dollars. All of the issues listed below are related to the passage of policies favorable to energy utilities like SCANA.
“HR 890, S 433… H 3183, S 1436. FY 10 Energy and Water Appropriations bills. Specifically, funding for the nuclear energy programs, DOE, Loan Guarantees and nuclear waste disposal.”
… “HR 2454, Climate Change Legislation… S 1462… Proposed EPA regulations pertaining to Ozone and Coal Ash.”
… “Nuclear production tax credit… Tariffs on imported nuclear production components”
… “Climate Change Legislation (HR 1862)”
Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina has a seat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The following is a list of campaign contributors to Richard Burr who are employees of SCANA or its subsidiaries. The list is organized by date for the first nine months of 2009 (contributions for the last three months of 2009 will not been reported to the Federal Election Commission until the end of January). To give you an idea of the pattern of campaign contributions by these SCANA employees, I’ve gone back in time and listed the other federal campaign contributions by each 2009 SCANA contributor.
On 4/22/2009, SCANA Director of Telecommunications Oscie Brown gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Brown has also contributed to the Senatorial campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008), Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998).
On 4/22/2009, SCANA Vice President Robert Edwards gave Richard Burr a $1000 campaign contribution. Edwards has also contributed to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004, September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/22/2009, SCANA Engineer Charles Lewis gave Richard Burr a $200 campaign contribution. Lewis also contributed to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham in May 2001.
On 4/22/2009, SCANA General Manager for Electrical Transmission Jerry Lindler gave Richard Burr a $300 campaign contribution. Lindler also gave to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008), Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998).
On 4/22/2009, professional lobbyist and SCANA Government Relations executive William McAulay gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. McAulay also gave before that to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/22/2009, SCANA Vice President Charles McFadden gave Richard Burr a $1600 campaign contribution. McFadden had also given to past campaigns for Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004, October 2008), Lindsey Graham (June 2001, March 2007), and Ernest Holings (May 1998), along with a contribution to the presidential campaign of John McCain (May 2008).
On 4/22/2009, SCANA Chairman and CEO William Timmerman gave Richard Burr a $2400 campaign contribution. Timmerman also gave to the Democratic campaigns of Erskine Bowles (October 2004), John Spratt (April 1998, November 2005), Inez Tenenbaum (October 2004), Tommy Moore (September 1997) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998) and to the Republican campaigns of Floyd Spence (November 1999, February 2000), Jim DeMint (October 2004, August 2005, October 2008), and George W. Bush (October 2008).
On 4/26/2009, SCANA Finance Director Elizabeth Best gave Richard Burr a $750 campaign contribution. According to FEC records, Best has given to the South Carolina Senate campaigns of Ernest Hollings (1998), Inez Tenenbaum (2003) and Lindsey Graham (2002, 2005 and 2006)
On 4/27/2009, SCANA CFO Jimmy Addison gave Richard Burr a $2,400 campaign contribution. Addison also gave to Burr on March 17, 2004, and has given to the Senate campaign of Jim Demint in 2004 and 2008
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Manager James Bryan gave Richard Burr a $200 campaign contribution. Bryan has also given to the South Carolina Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (May 2001, March 2007).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Finance Director Barry Burnette gave Richard Burr a $750 campaign contribution. Burnette has also given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008 and December 2008) and Lindsey Graham (May 2001 and March 2007).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Director of Federal Affairs James Burwell gave Richard Burr a $750 campaign contribution. Burwell has also given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (June 2001).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Manager of Development William Busbee gave Richard Burr a $400 campaign contribution. Busbee has also given to the Senate campaign of Jim DeMint (September 2008).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Vice President Stephen Byrne gave Richard Burr a $2400 campaign contribution. Byrne has also given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2004, August 2005, October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (May 2001, March 2007), and the Presidential campaign of John McCain (May 2008).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Vice President George Devlin gave Richard Burr a $1000 campaign contribution. Devlin has also given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008), Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998).
On 4/27/2009, South Carolina Pipeline Vice President Samuel Dozier gave Richard Burr a $400 campaign contribution. Dozier has also given to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Jim DeMint (October 2004). South Carolina Pipeline is a subsidiary of SCANA.
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Senior Manager Maureen Elmore gave Richard Burr a $200 campaign contribution. The FEC reports that Elmore has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/27/2009, Carolina Gas Transmission President and CEO Paul Fant gave Richard Burr a $1600 campaign contribution. Carolina Gas Transmission is a subsidiary of SCANA. Fant has also given to the Senate campaign of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004, October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (June 2001, March 2007), and the Presidential campaign of John McCain (May 2008).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Senior Vice President and Treasurer George Fasano gave Richard Burr a $400 campaign contribution. Fasano also has given to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004, September 2008) Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998)
On 4/27/2009, SCANA subsidiary SC Gas & Electric General Manager Charles Forsberg gave Richard Burr a $300 campaign contribution. According to the FEC, Forsberg has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/27/2009, SCANA manager Jay Hammond gave Richard Burr a $225 campaign contribution. According to the FEC, Hammond has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/27/2009, SC Gas & Electric Director of Wholesale Power Marcus Harris made a $500 contriubtion to Richard Burr. According to the FEC, Harris has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/27/2009, SCANA General Manager Rose Jackson gave Richard Burr $400. According to the FEC, Jackson has also given money to the campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007)
On 4/27/2009, SCANA manager Daniel Kassis gave Richard Burr $300. Kassis also has given money to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (May 2001, March 2007)
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Vice President Keller Kissam gave Richard Burr $750. Kissam has also given money to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004) and Lindsey Graham (May 2001, March 2007)
On 4/27/2009, SCANA General Manager Marla Morris contributed $300 to Senator Richard Burr. According to the FEC, Morris has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Manager Barney Murphy contributed $200 to Senator Richard Burr. Murphy also gave to the Senate campaign for Lindsey Graham in March 2007.
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Director of Sales & Regional Operations Kim Phinazee gave a $500 campaign contribution to Senator Richard Burr. According to the FEC, Phinazee has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/27/2009, SCANA District Manager Clayton Quattlebaum donated $225 to Richard Burr’s senatorial campaign. Quattlebaum’s only other campaign contribution for federal office has been to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA subsidiary PSNC Manager Floyd “Bill” Rayner gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Rayner also contributed to the Senate campaign of Jim DeMint (September 2008).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA General Manager Randal Senn gave Richard Burr a $1000 campaign contribution. Senn has donated money to Senate campaigns before — $500 to Richard Burr in March 2004, $1000 to Lindsey Graham in March 2007, $1250 to Jim DeMint in October 2004 and September 2008.
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Director Deborah Shurr gave a $350 campaign contribution to Senator Richard Burr. Shurr has also given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Engineering Manager William Turner III gave Richard Burr a $300 campaign contribution. Turner also has contributed money to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (May 2001 and March 2007), and the Presidential campaign of John McCain (January 2008).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Communications Manager Larry Vincent gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Vincent also gave Senate campaign contributions to Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (May 2001 and March 2007).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA subsidiary Carolina Gas General Manager Mike Wingo gave Richard Burr a $300 campaign contribution. Wingo also gave contributions to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA District Manager Clarence Wright gave Richard Burr a $225 campaign contribution. Wright also has contributed to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008), Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998).
On 4/27/2009, SCANA Engineering Manager Jana Xanthakos gave Richard Burr a $225 campaign contribution. According to FEC documents, Xanthakos has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Spokesman Eric Boomhower gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. According to the FEC, Boomhower has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Director of Corporate Credit Dan Brown gave Richard Burr a $250 campaign contribution. According to FEC records, Dan Brown has also contributed to the Presidential campaigns of Barack Obama (July 2007) and John Edwards (September 2007) as well as the Senatorial campaigns of Inez Tenenbaum (February 2004) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Senior Vice President Sarena Burch gave Richard Burr a $1,600 campaign contribution. Burch has also previously given to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004 and October 2008), and Lindsey Graham (June 2001 and March 2007), as well as the Presidential campaign of John McCain (May 2008).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Risk Management Office Mark Cannon gave Richard Burr a $1,000 campaign contribution. Cannon has also given to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA General Manager Ron Clary gave Richard Burr a $400 campaign contribution. Clary has also given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Accountant Keith Coffer gave Richard Burr a $250 campaign contribution. Coffer has also given to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Engineering Manager Michael Greene gave Richard Burr a $300 campaign contribution. Greene previously gave $250 to the Senate re-election campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Corporate Communications Manager Therese Griffin gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Griffin previously gave a campaign contribution to Stephanie Tubbs Jones for her House re-election campaign. In the 110th Congress, Stephanie Tubbs Jones had a progressive action rating of 62/100 and right-wing index score of 0; in the 110th Congress, Senator Burr had a progressive action rating of 0 and a right-wing index score of 75/100.
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Vice President of Communications and Planning Catherine Love gave Richard Burr a $1000 campaign contribution. Love also contributed to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (May 2001 and March 2007).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Director of Pricing and Regulatory Affairs “JB” Brett Newsom gave a $500 campaign contribution to Senator Richard Burr. Newsom also gave to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA General Manager of Engineering Scott Swindler gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Swindler also gave to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007)
On 4/30/2009, SCANA Director of Human Relations Barry Taylor gave Richard Burr a $350 campaign contribution. Taylor also gave to the Senate campaign of Jim DeMint (September 2008).
On 4/30/2009, SCANA District Manager David Tempel gave Richard Burr a $225 campaign contribution. Tempel also gave to the Senate campaign of Jim DeMint (October 2008).
On 5/4/2009, SCANA President and CEO gave a $2400 campaign contribution to Richard Burr. Bullwinkel has given before to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004 and October 2008), Lindsey Graham (June 2001 and March 2007), Inez Tenenbaun (October 2004) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998), the Congressional campaign of Sanford Marshall (July 1999), and the Presidential campaign of John McCain (June 2007, May 2008).
On 5/4/2009, SCANA General Manager Steven Bowen gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. The FEC reports that Bowen has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 5/4/2009, SCANA Director of Marketing Information Mary Lou Clyde gave a $200 campaign contribution to Richard Burr. Clyde has also given to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (May 2001 and March 2007).
On 5/4/2009, SCANA Operations Manager Richard Klaus gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Klaus also gave to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/4/2009, SCANA General Manager Robert Long gave Richard Burr a $425 campaign contribution. Long also gave to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/4/2009, SCANA Manager of Communications Operations Timothy Ritter gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. According to FEC documents, Ritter has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 5/4/2009, SCANA Controller James Swan the Fourth gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Swan also gave Richard Burr a $500 contribution in March 2004.
On 5/4/2009, SCANA Manager Brent Wininger gave Richard Burr a $300 campaign contribution. According to FEC reports, Wininger has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Director of Legislative and Regulatory Relations Henry Barton gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Barton previously gave to the campaigns of Senator Jim DeMint in October of 2008 and Senator Lindsey Graham in March of 2007.
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Project Manager Rae Davis gave Richard Burr a $250 campaign contribution. Davis has also given to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Administrative Assistant Carol Haimberger gave Richard Burr a $200 campaign contribution. According to FEC records, Haimberger has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Attorney James Hudson gave Richard Burr a $250 campaign contribution. Hudson has also given to the Senate campaigns of Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Ernest Hollings (May 1998), and to the Presidential campaign of Barack Obama (December 2007, February 2008, September 2008).
On 5/6/2009, SCANA subsidiary SC Electric & Gas Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Kenneth Jackson gave Richard Burr a $1000 campaign contribution. Jackson has also given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Human Resources Director Caryl Kuchman gave Richard Burr a $375 contribution. Kuchman also gave to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007)
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Manager Joseph Lynch gave Richard Burr a $300 contribution. Lynch also gave to the campaign of Lindsey Graham for Senate (March 2007).
On 5/6/2009, SCANA subsidiary SC Electric & Gas President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Marsh gave Richard Burr a $2400 contribution. Marsh has also given to the Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004, October 2008), Lindsey Graham (June 2001, March 2007), Ernest Hollings (May 1998), and the Presidential campaign of John McCain (May 2008).
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Attorney Frank Mood gave Richard Burr a $800 campaign contribution. Mood’s history of campaign contributions is schizoid, split between moderate Democrats (Christopher Dodd for President June 2007, Robert Miller against Joe Wilson for Congress June 2008 and June 2009, Joe Biden for Senate April 2005, Alex Sanders for Senate March and September 2002), conservative Democrats (John Spratt for Congress Novemmber 2003 and January 2006 and February 2008) and the conservative Republicans supported by other employees of SCANA at the exact time they supported those conservative Republicans (Richard Burr May 2009, Jim DeMint October 2008, Lindsey Graham March 2007).
On 5/6/2009, SCANA Vice President of Human Resources Martin Phalen gave a $750 contribution to Senator Richard Burr. Phalen has also given to the past Senate campaigns of Richard Burr (March 2004), Jim DeMint (October 2004, October 2008), Lindsey Graham (May 2001, March 2007), and Ernest Hollings (May 1998).
On 5/6/2009, SCANA subsidiary SC Electric & Gas Manager Kelvin Rogers gave $225 to Richard Burr’s Senate campaign. According to FEC documents, Rogers has not given any campaign contributions to federal candidates before or since.
On 5/11/2009, SCANA Director of Information Technology Andrew V. Bowden, Jr. gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. The FEC reports only one other campaign contribution by Andrew Bowden, to South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham in March of 2007.
On 5/11/2009, SCANA Senior Vice President of Human Resources Joseph Bouknight gave $1600 to Richard Burr. Bouknight previously gave to the campaigns of Senator Jim DeMint in October 2004, August 2005 and October 2008 and Senator Lindsey Graham in March 2007.
On 5/11/2009, SCANA employee Brenda Bowen (job title unspecified) gave Richard Burr a $250 campaign contribution. The FEC reports that Bowen has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 5/11/2009, SCANA subsidiary PSNC Energy General Manager Terina Cronin gave Richard Burr a $250 campaign contribution. Cronin also has contributed to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (September 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/11/2009 SC Electric & Gas Manager Lawrence Duffy gave Richard Burr a $225 campaign contribution. SC Electric & Gas is a subsidiary of the SCANA corporation. Archie has previously given to the Senate campaign of Jim DeMint (October 2008).
On 5/11/2009, SCANA subsidiary Carolina Gas Transmission Manager of Engineering Michael Ferguson gave Richard Burr a $200 campaign contribution. The FEC reports that Ferguson has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 5/11/2009 SCANA Corporate Security Director Ronald Goebel gave Richard Burr a $375 campaign contriubtion. Goebel has previously given to the Senate campaigns of Jim DeMint (October 2008) and Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/11/2009 SCANA Manager Robin Peeples gave $225 to Richard Burr. According to FEC reports, Peeples has never before or since made a campaign contribution to any candidate for federal office.
On 5/25/2009, SC Electric & Gas Vice President Jeffrey Archie gave Richard Burr a $2,000 campaign contribution. SC Electric & Gas is a subsidiary of the SCANA corporation. Archie has previously given to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/25/2009, SCANA Attorney Gina Champion gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Champion has previously given to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/25/2009, SCANA IT Manager Edward Greco contributed $250 to Richard Burr’s re-election campaign. Greco previously gave to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
On 5/25/2009, SCANA subsidiary PSNC President Russell “Rusty” Harris gave Richard Burr a $1000 campaign contribution. Harris also contributed to the Richard Burr campaign in March 2004.
On 5/25/2009, SCANA subsidiary SC Electric & Gas Director of Demand Side Management Felicia Howard gave Richard Burr a $500 campaign contribution. Howard previously gave to the Senate campaigns of Lindsey Graham (March 2007) and Jim DeMint (October 2008), and to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama (September 2008, October 2008). In the 110th Congress, Senator Barack Obama had a progressive action rating of 75/100 and a right-wing index rating of 0/100. Senator Lindsey Graham had a progressive action rating of 0 and a right-wing index rating of 50/100. Senator Jim DeMint had a progressive action rating of 0 and a right-wing index rating of 75/100.
On 5/25/2009, SCANA manager William Huston gave Richard Burr a $275 campaign contribution. According to FEC records, Huston has neither previously or since donated money to any federal candidate.
On 5/25/2009, SCANA attorney Ron Lindsay gave Richard Burr a $800 campaign contribution. According to FEC records, Lindsay has neither previously or since donated money to any federal candidate.
On 5/25/2009, Patrick Raffaniello, a lobbyist hired by SCANA, gave Richard Burr a $1000 campaign contribution.
On 5/25/2009, SCANA Purchasing Manager Stacy Shuler donated $750 to the Senate campaign of Richard Burr. Shuler had also donated $1000 to the Senate re-election bid of Lindsey Graham in March 2007.
On 5/30/2009, SCANA subsidiary PSNC General Manager George Ratchford gave $400 to the campaign of Senator Richard Burr. According to FEC records, Ratchford has neither previously or since donated money to any federal candidate.
On 5/30/2009, SCANA Junior Manager of Engineering Randy Traylor gave Richard Burr a $200 campaign contribution. Traylor also gave to the Senate campaign of Lindsey Graham (March 2007).
In addition to all of these purportedly individual contributions, the SCANA Political Action Committee (PAC) reports an additional $1,999 contribution to Senator Burr during the month of April 2009.
I know the list is hard to read through, it’s so massive, but that’s my point: scores and scores of people who work for the same energy corporation — an energy corporation affected by legislation before Richard Burr’s committee — ended up giving to Richard Burr many times the $5,000 contribution limit for a corporation through its PAC, and that’s just for the first three-quarters of the year.
Looking through these contributions, you may see a number of patterns, and I’d like to hear your thoughts about them in the comments at the bottom of this post. I see three kinds of contributors:
1. People whose only campaign contributions are these ones to Richard Burr, eerily coordinated by date with other SCANA employees. These are not strongly political people, but nevertheless in April and May of 2009 a mighty spirit (or something else) moved them to write a check, just one check, to just one person, before that spirit (or something else) left them utterly once again. These contributors tend to be on the lower rungs of SCANA corporate leadership.
2. People who have made other campaign contributions in previous election cycles, to Senators Richard Burr, Jim DeMint, Lindsey Graham, John McCain and (going way back) Ernest “Fritz” Hollings. Each of these sets of past contributions is tightly limited to a very small set of dates, creating the appearance of coordination. These contributors tend to be higher up on the rungs of SCANA corporate leadership.
3. People whose campaign contributions are oddly split, between moderate-to-progressive Democrats (contributions to whom are not shared with any other SCANA employees) and the particular conservative Republicans mentioned above (contributions to whom are tightly linked in time to those of other SCANA employees). This pattern indicates a split between personal contributions and corporate contributions, which is a problem, because under the law personal contributions are supposed to be, well, personal.
Coordination within a corporation matters. All contributions to Richard Burr in 2009 were made within a two-month period quickly following a SCANA review of its priorities in energy legislation. Nearly all contributions within those two months were made on just a handful of days: April 22, April 27, April 30, May 4, May 6, May 11, and May 25. These days aren’t all on the same calendar day of the week, nixing a happy-employee payday theory of contributions. These contributions appear to be coordinated. Coordinated by whom? “Facilitated coordinations” by corporations are frowned upon by the FEC and, depending upon how contributions are coordinated, can even be illegal. Regardless of the issue of legality (being a non-lawyer discussing a corporation filled with lawyers, I’m not going to claim a legal breach), there is an ethical breach here: coordinated contributions by corporate employees magnify the influence of corporations and violate the freedom of Americans to participate in politics as themselves, for themselves.
Bidniz as usual . . .The best gubmint money can buy!