‘Dark money’ helped Joe Biden reach the White House?

Agencies
January 24, 2021

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President Joe Biden benefited from a record-breaking amount of donations from anonymous donors to outside groups backing him, meaning the public will never have a full accounting of who helped him win the White House.

Biden’s winning campaign was backed by $145 million in so-called dark money donations, a type of fundraising Democrats have decried for years. Those fundraising streams augmented Biden’s $1.5 billion haul, in itself a record for a challenger to an incumbent president.

That amount of dark money dwarfs the $28.4 million spent on behalf of his rival, former President Donald Trump. And it tops the previous record of $113 million in anonymous donations backing Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2012.

Democrats have said they want to ban dark money as uniquely corrupting, since it allows supporters to quietly back a candidate without scrutiny. Yet in their effort to defeat Trump in 2020, they embraced it.

For example, Priorities USA Action Fund, the super political action committee that Biden designated as his preferred vehicle for outside spending, used $26 million in funds originally donated to its nonprofit arm, called Priorities USA, to back Biden. The donors of that money do not have to be disclosed.

Guy Cecil, the chairman of Priorities USA, was unapologetic. “We weren’t going to unilaterally disarm against Trump and the right- wing forces that enabled him,” he said in a statement.

Campaign finance laws, in theory, are supposed to limit the influence big money has over politicians. But the system has gaping loopholes, which groups backing Biden and other candidates, have exploited.

“He benefited from it,” said Larry Noble, a former general counsel at the Federal Election Commission.

A Biden spokesman didn’t respond to attempts to seek comment.

His campaign called for banning some types of nonprofits from spending money to influence elections and requiring that any organization spending more than $10,000 to influence elections to register with the FEC and disclose its donors.

Deep Pockets

Biden raised more than $1 billion for his campaign, which can accept donations of up to $2,800 per election from individuals. That included $318.6 million from donors who gave less than $200 each. The rest of the money Biden raised came from donors with pockets deep enough to give as much as $825,000, with that money being divided among the Democratic National Committee and 47 state parties.

Dark money is not the biggest source of cash to campaigns. Wealthy donors can write eight-figure checks to super-PACs, Noble pointed out. Joint fundraising committees that raise money for campaigns and parties can bring in chunks of $830,500.

In September, Michael Bloomberg said he would spend $100 million to help Biden in Florida, allowing Democrats to divert money to other must-win states. Biden lost Florida but flipped five states that Trump won in 2016.

Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.

Donors who want to avoid disclosure can give to political nonprofits, like Defending Democracy Together, which spent $15.6 million backing Biden, and aren’t required to disclose their contributors to the FEC. Donors can also give money to a nonprofit that in turn gives the money to a super-PAC, like Priorities USA did. Candidates and their campaigns can’t coordinate spending with such groups under federal law.

And that lack of disclosure worries reform groups.

Big donors -- individuals or corporations -- who contributed anonymously will have the same access to decision makers as those whose names were disclosed, but without public awareness of who they are or what influence they might wield.

“The whole point of dark money is to avoid public disclosure while getting private credit,” said Meredith McGehee, executive director of Issue One, which advocates for reducing the influence of money on politics. “It’s only dark money to the public.”

Battleground Attack Ads

Overall, Democrats in this election cycle benefited from $326 million in dark money, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That was more than twice the $148 million that supported Republican groups. Some of the Democratic groups that relied on dark money in whole or in part spent heavily on early ads attacking Trump in critical battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The groups started spending while Biden’s relatively cash-poor campaign was struggling to raise money for the primaries.

Future Forward PAC, a super-PAC that spent $104 million backing Biden, got $46.9 million from Facebook Inc. co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, $3 million from Twilio Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Lawson and $2.6 million from Eric Schmidt of Alphabet Inc, the parent company of Google. But its biggest source of funds was its sister nonprofit, Future Forward USA Action, which contributed $61 million. The names of those who put up the $61 million don’t have to be disclosed.

The Sixteen Thirty Fund, a nonprofit that sponsors progressive advocacy, donated a total of $55 million in the 2020 election cycle to Democratic super-PACs, including Priorities USA Action Fund and Future Forward PAC, FEC records show. That total was much more than the $3 million it gave in 2018.

Amy Kurtz, executive director of the Sixteen Thirty Fund, said the surge of money to the group, which doesn’t disclose the names of its donors, included people who previously gave to Republicans or had not been engaged in politics.

The flood of dark money to Democrats and progressive groups has complicated their effort to reform the system.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, has blamed dark money for persuading Republicans to block legislation to address climate change and assuring judges who share their views are appointed to the courts.

“Dark money is toxic to democracy -- period,” Whitehouse said in a statement. “The fact that progressive groups have learned to fight back using similar tactics is no excuse for continuing the plague of dark money in America.”

Kurtz says her group would prefer rules that eliminated dark money.

“We have lobbied in favor of reform to the current campaign finance system,” she said, referring to H.R. 1, an election reform measure Democrats have proposed that includes more rigorous disclosure of donors to political nonprofits, “but we remain equally committed to following the current laws to level the playing field for progressives.”

Even Cecil, who runs the super-PAC supporting Biden, said the group supports reform.

“We still look forward to the day when unlimited money and super-PACs are a thing of the past,” he said.

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News Network
January 17,2025

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Mangaluru: In a brazen daylight robbery, a group of five to six armed individuals stormed into the Kotekar Vyavasaya Sahakara Seva Sangha branch at KC Road, Ullal taluk, and escaped with valuables estimated at ₹10-12 crore.

The incident occurred between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, according to Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal. The masked robbers, aged between 25-35, were armed with a pistol, talwar, and knife. They threatened the four to five employees present, forcing them to open the vault containing jewellery and other valuables.

The suspects spoke in Hindi and Kannada and fled the scene in a black Fiat car. Commissioner Agrawal confirmed that multiple police teams have been formed, and efforts are underway to track the culprits using technical surveillance and other leads.

CM Siddaramaiah Holds Emergency Meeting

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convened a high-level meeting with senior police officials, including IGP Amit Singh, Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, SP Yathish N, and DySP, following the robbery.

Expressing dissatisfaction over security lapses, Siddaramaiah questioned, "How did this happen despite officials being present? Why were toll gates not secured?"

Officials reported that the bank had no security personnel and only five to six staff members on duty during the heist. The Chief Minister has directed authorities to enhance security across four districts, intensify checks at toll gates, and arrest the accused swiftly to ensure stringent legal action.

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News Network
January 18,2025

Sullia, Jan 18: In a shocking incident, a man shot his wife dead during a fit of rage over a minor argument and later took his own life by consuming poison. The heartbreaking event unfolded late Friday night in Kodimajalu in Sullia taluk of Dakshina Kannada.

The accused, identified as Ramachandra Gowda alias Chandra (53), used his licensed firearm to commit the crime. His wife, Vinoda (43), tragically lost her life in the incident.

On the fateful night, Ramachandra reportedly started an argument with his family after dinner over a trivial matter. The heated exchange escalated, and in a fit of uncontrollable anger, he allegedly aimed his firearm at his elder son, Prashanth. Vinoda intervened to prevent the attack, attempting to wrest the gun from Ramachandra.

However, enraged by her intervention, Ramachandra turned the gun on Vinoda and shot her, leaving her dead on the spot. Overwhelmed by the gravity of his actions, he consumed acid, commonly used for rubber processing, to end his own life.

Based on Prashanth’s statement, a case has been registered at the Sullia police station. The tragic sequence of events has left the village in shock and mourning, raising concerns about the unchecked escalation of domestic disputes.

This devastating incident underscores the importance of addressing domestic tensions before they spiral into irreversible tragedies.

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Dr P A Hameed Padubidri
January 16,2025

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The depth of tie between India and Saudi Arabia dates back to the time immemorial. Both nations share a robust and long-standing partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests, and cultural ties. This partnership has been further strengthened by bilateral engagements aimed at fostering cooperation in diverse areas like Hajj pilgrimage management, trade, business, education, human resources, technology, interfaith dialogue etc. 

Given the circumstances, the Indian Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs & Minority Affairs, Mr. Kiren Rijiju, embarked on a significant official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the Hajj and Umrah Conference and sign the bilateral Hajj agreement for 2025. During this visit, the minister achieved various remarkable milestones that cherished a lasting reminiscence in the minds of the authorities, citizens & Indian diaspora. 

Hon. Minister, Kiren Rijiju, arrived in Riyadh King Khalid Intl. Airport on Jan 11, 2025 afternoon and was warmly welcomed by the Indian Ambassador, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan and others with a floral boutique as a plaque of respect & dignity. He has been on 4-days official tour in the KSA that ended on Tuesday. The minister’s visit recapped and highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between India and Saudi Arabia. The visit commenced with a focus on enhancing Hajj arrangements and strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. 

Engagement with the Indian Diaspora 

His overwhelmed zeal to engage with the Indian diaspora became evident as he attended the Indian Diaspora Interaction Program at once. The program was organized in the same evening by the Embassy of India at its auditorium in Riyadh. 

After receiving the grand felicitation from the Indian diaspora, he addressed the audience applauding their contribution to the growth & development of the Kingdom, and also emphasized the strong ties & strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. 

He said-“Saudi Arabia is not merely a habitat to 2.6 million Indian diaspora, but also a key partner in augmenting global stability & prosperity”. 

“As a close ally of Saudi Arabia, it’s proud to say that India stood out as a center point of global power connected with almost every nation; unlike earlier, a sense of pride arose amongst the Indians as a positive paradigm is shown globally towards the Indians”, he added. 

The event featured cultural performances by community children and coincided with the celebrations of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and World Hindi Diwas. He praised the students stage performance & talents. He distributed prizes to the best achievers of various talent programs held in the international schools in Riyadh. 

Jeddah Visit & Participation at Hajj Conference & Exhibition 

Main Event: 

Mr. Rijiju participated in the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of Hajj Conference and Exhibition held on 13 Jan, 2025 in Jeddah. Prof. Abdulaziz Al-Wazzan, Deputy Minister for Umrah Affairs, along with other dignitaries received the minister and greeted with a warm reception upon his arrival in Jeddah 

Key Highlight: 

The exhibition focused on logistics, safety and enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience. The initiative was lauded for its comprehensive approach to enriching this sacred journey for millions of pilgrims worldwide. 

It’s a great privilege and honor that the Indian minister took part as one of the key stakeholders in the Conference-held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman that took place in Jeddah from 13–16 January, 2025. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah hosted the event emphasizing collaboration to enhance pilgrim services, improve more transparency and introduce innovative solutions. 

The event gathered prominent participants from 87 countries including India, comprising government ministers, diplomats, academics, scholars and others fostering a global dialogue on enhancing Hajj and Umrah services. It reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to modernizing Hajj operations while preserving its spiritual significance. 

Signing the Bilateral Hajj Agreement 2025 

Main Event: 

Mr. Rijiju met with Dr. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, to finalize and sign the Hajj Agreement for 2025. The event served as a remarkable platform to sign the bilateral Hajj agreements. Both leaders emphasized their commitments to improving the services and facilities provided to pilgrims, ensuring a smooth and fulfilling Hajj experience. 

Key Highlight: 

India’s Hajj quota for 2025 has been set at 175,025 pilgrims by Saudi Arabia, and the Indian Minister sought an additional allocation of 10,000 slots for this year’s pilgrimage. It’s likely to be a fabulous milestone in the bilateral dialogue held with the Saudi Arabian government. 

Meeting with Muslim World League Secretary-General 

Indian Minister, Kiren Rijiju engaged in meaningful discussions with H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League. The conversation highlighted Dr. Al-Issa’s impactful visit to India, during which he championed the cause of interfaith harmony and global peace. Dr. Al-Issa commended India’s vibrant cultural heritage and its steadfast commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity. Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening ties between nations and promoting understanding and mutual respect among faiths, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to build a more peaceful and unified world. 

Visit to Jeddah Hajj Terminal 

Main Event: 

The visit to the Jeddah Hajj Terminal was conducted to assess the readiness and logistical arrangements for Hajj 2025. This included a review of facilities such as immigration processing, baggage handling systems, and transport coordination for Hajj pilgrims. 

Key Highlight: 

Minister Rijiju examined the logistical arrangements, emphasizing the importance of ensuring comfort and efficiency for the large number of Indian pilgrims expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia. The minister’s inspection also focused on ensuring smooth operations for the nearly 175,025 Indian pilgrims of this year’s Hajj. This visit is a part of broader efforts to streamline operations and address any challenges ahead of the pilgrimage season. 

A Visit to the Holy City of Madinah & meeting with the Governor of the Region 

Key Event: 

Mr. Rijiju traveled to Madinah Al-Munawwarah, one of the holiest places, to inspect the arrangements for Indian pilgrims for Hajj 2025. He also gave visits to Quba Masjid & Qiblatain Masjid in the city. 

Main Highlight: 

The Minister reiterated India’s dedication to ensuring a spiritually fulfilling and seamless pilgrimage experience & maximum comforts for all pilgrims. 

A high-level meeting was held by the minister with HRH. Saud bin Khalid Al Faisal, Deputy Governor of the Al Madinah Region. The discussions revolved around Hajj preparations and enhancing India-Saudi Arabia collaboration to provide a memorable and smooth experience for pilgrims. 

The Indian minister’s meeting with H.H. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, was another milestone achieved during his visit. Both ministers explored ways to strengthen cooperation in the transport sector, ensuring safe and efficient movement for pilgrims during Hajj. 

Strengthening Parliamentary and Cultural Ties 

Another significant event that’s evident during his trip was his meeting with H.H. Maj. Gen. Abdulrahman Snitan A. Al-Harbi, Member of the Shura Council and Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee. Bilateral dialogue was held between the two prominent leaders that focused on enhancing bilateral ties through student exchange programs, cultural exchanges, and tourism. Minister Rijiju extended an invitation to Saudi students to study in India and encouraged Saudis to explore India’s cultural diversity. 

Visit to Diriyah – A UNESCO World Heritage Site 

The Union Minister Kiren Rijiju visited Diriyah-a historical place & UNESCO World Heritage Site-in Riyadh. Diriyah holds immense cultural importance as the birthplace of the Saudi state and the original home of the royal Al Saud family. The At-Turaif District within Diriyah, once the center of power for the Al Saud dynasty, showcases traditional Najdi architecture and is a key attraction. Mr. Rijiju expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Saudi hosts and appreciated the opportunity to witness this remarkable testament to the Kingdom’s heritage. 

In conclusion, the Indian Minister for Parliamentary & Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju’s visit to Saudi Arabia marked a significant step toward deepening the multifaceted relationship between the two nations. From finalizing the Hajj Agreement to exploring avenues for cultural, educational, and economic collaboration, the visit showcased the shared commitment of India and Saudi Arabia to fostering peace, mutual understanding, and progress. 

This visit will undoubtedly pave the way for stronger bilateral ties and a brighter future for both nations. If i say in the minister’s expression, this will certainly strengthen the people-to-people bond between our two great countries. 

This is a special report by Dr P A Hameed Padubidri, a lawyer, freelance writer, social worker, legal advisor based in Riyadh. He may be reached at [email protected] 

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