Even for local politicians, campaign finance goes national
(Read article summary)The Internet has already had a profound effect on national campaign finance. Now, it is beginning to impact local politics, too.
When it comes to issues in this midterm election, in case there was any doubt, CBS senior political analyst Jeff Greenfield noted Sunday, “there is a national tide.” That old cliché from Tip O’Neill, “ 'all politics is local,' – if it was ever really true – is finished once and for all,” he said on the "CBS Evening News."
And it’s not just issues that have gone national – so has fundraising, even for the most local of races. Candidates from the Senate down to the city council level are raising money from far beyond their own geographical backyards.
According to The Center for Responsive Politics (CRP), candidates taking in money from outside their actual constituency this year is more prevalent than ever. Of course, the Internet has made it easier than ever to put your money where your mouse is. And while the national parties as well as corporate interests are taking full advantage of web strategies, increasingly, individuals are heading online to donate to candidates far outside their own local ballots.
