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Monday, March 3, 2008 12:00 AM

Who is, or was, Big Oil's candidate?

Clinton beats Obama and McCain. But nobody currently running for president comes close to the real winner.
Andrew Leonard

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  • Monday, March 3, 2008 11:30 AM

    I don't get it...someone help me out here.

    Am I missing something? Sure, the numbers that appear here are not insignificant, but when you dig deeper the totals are really "just" the sum of smaller contributions from individuals who happen to work for the companies. Is it right to assume that these sums reflect the influence of big oil?

    If I were to make a contribution to a campaign I would need to disclose the name of my employer. Would this increase the political influence/weight my employer has over a particular politician?

    I just don't get it. I understand that corporate interests have huge influence in politics but I can't imagine that it's the result of some of their employees making individual contributions of up to $2,300. And I'm sure this influence is wielded in ways that make these contributions seem pretty benign.

    —sethgoldman Read sethgoldman's other letters

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