This section of DiscoverTheNetworks profiles individuals and organizations whose objective is to advance leftist agendas through the political process. In some cases these are elected officials or political appointees; others are individuals who provide funding, tactical support, and public relations for parties or candidates seeking to win elected office. Organizations affiliated with such activists are also profiled. In addition, this section explores the following vital topics.
The Shadow Party categories refer specifically to individuals and groups affiliated with the "527" political committees organized by billionaire George Soros and others to mobilize resources -- money, get-out-the-vote drives, campaign advertising, and policy initiatives -- for the purpose of electing Democratic candidates and moving the Democratic Party further to the left.
The President Obama category examines Barack Obama's worldview, his political career, his key affiliations, his political allies and appointees, and his actions as U.S. President.
The Campaign Finance Reform category examines the objectives and the consequences of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002 -- better known as the McCain-Feingold bill. Passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush, BCRA stipulated that political candidates and parties could thenceforth accept only “hard money” contributions; i.e., contributions given to a specific candidate or party for a specific political campaign. McCain-Feingold also blocked non-media corporations, labor unions, and non-profit groups from airing “issue ads” in the 30 days just before a primary election or 60 days before a general election. Critics charged that this constituted an infringement on free speech.
The category titled Section 527 Organizations examines private, nonprofit, political activist groups registered under Section 527 of the U.S. tax code; these are less regulated and require less disclosure than other types of nonprofit groups engaged in electioneering. They need not register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as "political organizations." Consequently, they are not compelled to observe the FEC's strict limits on political contributions. The 527 groups may collect as much money as they like, with no limits on how much they may receive from individuals or corporations. Such unlimited donations are commonly referred to as "soft money," which the 527 groups use, in turn, to promote whatever candidates and causes they favor.
The Motor Voter Law category examines the mandates and the consequences of the National Voter Registration Act (popularly known as the "Motor Voter Act") which Congress passed in 1994. This legislation allowed citizens to register to vote while they applied for a driver's license or for any form of social services -- whether by mail or in person. The Act made it more difficult not only to verify the identity of voters seeking to register, but also to keep the registration rolls clean of people who have relocated or are deceased. As a result, the registration rolls in numerous states are rife with inaccuracies.
The category titled Voting Patterns by Demographics looks at trends in the voting habits of various demographic subsections of the American population. These include subsections as defined by such variables as race, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, income, education, marital status, party affiliation, and place of residence.
The Supreme Court category examines the workings, the decisions, and the constituent members of America’s highest court. Heading the judicial branch of the federal government, the Supreme Court hears cases that challenge or require interpretation of legislation that Congress has passed and the President has signed. The Court is entrusted with the duty of deciding whether a policy or law is constitutional or unconstitutional. Its decisions are final, and no other court can overrule it.
The category titled Presidential Election of 2000 focuses on the most controversial presidential election in American history, which pitted Democrat Al Gore against Republican George W. Bush. In a disputed vote, Bush was ultimately declared the victor. But many people refused to accept the legitimacy of Bush’s triumph; they charged that Bush had “stolen” the election and that Gore in fact had won. This animus toward Bush had enormous implications for America's political climate and for the President's perceived authority to fulfill his duties as Commander-in-Chief.
