Endorsement of Kerry not linked to donations

[question everything]

Joseph Perkins' May 28 column, "Skirting campaign finance law," regarding the League of Conservation Voters' endorsement of Sen. John Kerry for president, was fundamentally inaccurate.

First, the League of Conservation Voters never contributed $18,528 to Kerry's campaign, and any of your readers could substantiate this by checking with the Federal Election Commission.

Second, despite Perkins' claim, drawn from an incorrect article in the conservative magazine Human Events that, "through the Heinz Foundations, helps to bankroll organizations like the League of Conservation Voters, a political advocacy group." The Heinz Foundation has never contributed to the League of Conservation Voters. Over the past 10 years, the Heinz Foundation has given a total of $55,000 to the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity, and a nonpartisan entity that does not and cannot engage in political activity.

The League of Conservation Voters endorsed John Kerry because throughout his career he has been an unparalleled leader on the environment, fighting to make polluters pay, keep our air and water clean, reduce our dependence on foreign oil through the use of alternative energy sources, opposes expanded drilling off California's coast, and wants to reduce global warming. Kerry carries a lifetime LCV score of 92 percent.

MARK LONGABAUGH
Senior Vice President for Political Affairs
League of Conservation Voters
Washington, D.C.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040628/news_mz1e28lets1.html