Tobacco Money Shifts To Republicans

By Brooks Jackson/CNN

WASHINGTON (Sep. 17) -- Tobacco, money and politicians have been a partnership for generations. But lately there's been a change.

"One of the surest ways of reducing youth smoking is to increase the price of cigarettes," President Bill Clinton said today while encouraging Congress to pass legislation that strengthens the proposed national tobacco settlement.

As a Democratic president turned against the industry, tobacco money has flowed to Republicans.

In 1979 and 1980, tobacco industry political action committees gave more to the Democrats: $131,000 to Democratic House and Senate candidates, less than $94,000 to Republicans.

But now, tobacco PAC giving has multiplied and changed sides: $667,000 to Democrats in the last election, $2.8 million to Republicans.

Larry Makinson of the Center For Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks money in politics, said, "After the Republicans took control of Congress in '94 and Newt Gingrich and company came to town, the money moved from being roughly equal between Democrats and Republicans to very heavily Republican."

And it's not just PAC donations to candidates. Tobacco's corporate donations to political parties are even more lopsided.

In the last election, $1,064,680 was donated to the Democratic party committees while $5,768,591 went to Republicans.

Tobacco critics say that money buys something.

William Novelli, president of Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids, said, "In effect they purchase influence through these contributions. And while most industries give money in one way, shape or form, tobacco is very good at it and they're very good in cashing in on it."

With its huge profits the industry can well afford to give. And with the future of the industry at risk, it can hardly afford not to.

Tobacco's opponents have money too, from the heart, lung and cancer societies, mainly. But their money goes mostly to mobilize volunteers and public opinion. It's a case of people power versus tobacco's money power.

In Other News:

Wednesday Sept. 17, 1997

• It's Tamraz' Turn
• Tobacco Money Shifts To Republicans
• Clinton Proposes Change To Tobacco Pact
• Senior FBI Official To Head Justice Probe

E-mail From Washington:
• House Fund-raising Delayed Again
• Jones' Deposition Set For Nov. 12