Washington, DC - Shaun Dakin, CEO The National Political Do Not Contact Registry - Sign up for free at StopPoliticalCalls.org

Great story in USA Today about how, despite the hype over internet fund raising by small donors, a wealthy few can change the terms of the debate simply because they can and will.

We've already seen this in action with Freedom's Watch robo calls in the last few weeks, Unions making calls, and several other outside groups.

Unfortunately, there is little can be done about these groups.  They are legal, they can do what they wish because of the first amendment, and no one can stop them.

More details:

A study by the non-profit Campaign Finance Institute says much of that money comes from just a few wealthy people.

"They are wealthy individuals who come from the top positions in our economy or are heirs to those positions, and they are the very same people who are giving major contributions to candidates and parties, and then supplementing them with these unlimited contributions," says the institute's Stephen Weissman.

Susie Tompkins Buell, co-founder of the Esprit clothing line, has given $1.3 million to outside groups since 2003.

Buell said she first got involved in Democratic politics during Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. She stays involved, in part, to help women candidates "who are really committed to supporting women's issues, like child care, health care, the environment and education."

No limits

Independent political groups multiplied after a new campaign-finance law in 2002 banned unlimited donations to political parties for their party-building efforts. Unlimited donations are allowed to two main kinds of non-profit political groups, both named after sections of the tax code governing them:

•527s must report their donors to the IRS but can raise and spend unlimited amounts.

•501(c)4s don't have to report their donors but must spend more than half of their funds for non-political purposes such as educational or social service programs.

Washington, DC - Shaun Dakin, CEO The National Political Do Not Contact Registry - Sign up for free at StopPoliticalCalls.org