PACs
Jon Powers sure has his talking points down pat:
“Under Tom Reynolds, New York’s 26th Congressional office was owned and operated by big-money special interests. Under my leadership, the office will be owned and operated by the people of Western New York.”
As with much of what Mr. Powers said then . . . his actions and the facts do not conform now. Even though Mr. Powers claims he wants to get the special interests out of politics, he has taken more money from lobbyists and PACs than all of the other candidates combined.
A full 40 percent of the reported funds in his latest campaign finance filing come from lobbyists and PACs (and yes, a strip club owner).
Jack Davis believes Senator Obama is right – special interest money buys too much influence in Washington, and Jack is the only candidate to join Senator Obama in rejecting special interest cash.
Mr. Davis challenged Mr. Powers to do the same, but Jon Powers refused. Instead, Mr. Powers has collected $187,115.18 (22% of his total funds raised) from Beltway PACs. Conversely, less than 8 percent of reported funds have come from individuals living in the 26th Congressional District.
Of course, in the world of politics as usual, this is all perfectly normal and acceptable candidate behavior. Which is why voters should not expect anything different from Mr. Powers, who is funding his campaign Just Like Tom Reynolds.
Although, Jon Powers sure is different when it comes to campaign expenditures . . .