Chamber says it will evade disclosure ruling by tweaking ads
Watchdog groups cheered a federal court ruling earlier this year aimed at revealing the secret donors behind many political interest groups, calling it a bold step in favor of disclosure.
But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which plans to spend more than $50 million during the 2012 election cycle, said this week that it has a simple strategy for getting around the ruling: By changing the focus of its ads to specifically support or oppose candidates, it will not have to disclose any of its donors.
The announcement marks a sharp escalation in the battle between corporate interests and pro-disclosure groups who have been trying with limited success to force corporations and business groups to reveal more details about their political spending.
The move also means that the chamber is poised to become more directly involved in specific congressional races by explicitly telling people how they should vote. It’s a notable shift in strategy for the nation’s largest business lobby, which has long characterized itself as focusing primarily on policy rather than politics.
full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-influence-industry-chamber-says-it-will-evade-disclosure-ruling-by-tweaking-ads/2012/05/30/gJQA8eMk2U_story.html
