Monday August 14 4:51 PM ET
Unlikely Sponsors Surface at DNC
By JONATHAN D. SALANT, Associated Press Writer
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - The 30 sponsors of a bash in this
oceanside city thrown by the conservative House Democrats known as the
Blue Dogs included a few unlikely names: the National Rifle Association,
Philip Morris, U.S. Tobacco and the Cigar Association of America.
Even as Al Gore (news - web sites) calls for federal regulation of tobacco
and congressional Democratic leaders push for new gun laws, even as a
full-page NRA newspaper ad asks, ``Do Democrats want to destroy the
Second Amendment,'' the tobacco and gun lobbies are helping finance parties
during the Democratic National Convention.
NRA lobbyist James Jay Baker said Blue Dogs were among the 45 to 55
congressional Democrats who supported gun owners' rights.
``We support those folks who support us,'' Baker said. ``Without those 45 to 55 Democrats that vote pro-gun
in the United States Congress, we wouldn't have had the good legislative results that we've had so far.''
While the NRA's sponsorship was limited to the Blue Dog Bash, Philip Morris was sponsoring several other
parties, including helping to fund the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee activities.
In addition, the law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand, which lobbies on behalf of Philip
Morris, R.J. Reynolds and U.S. Tobacco, is helping to finance the Democratic National Committee events for
its biggest donors.
``In order to best represent our 55,000 employees in the United states and millions of shareholders, we really
want to participate in the political process in a bipartisan fashion,'' Philip Morris spokeswoman Peggy Roberts
said. ``We are willing and eager to share ideas and to have a dialogue, even with public officials who may not
see things our way.''
At the same time, the Los Angeles host committee for the Democratic convention refused to accept funding
from tobacco companies, as did Gore's presidential campaign.
``This is the issue of hypocrisy,'' said Common Cause President Scott Harshbarger, whose advocacy group
favors overhauling campaign finance laws. ``This is a party that says, 'We're going to fight these interests,' but in
the dark of night, who's paying for these receptions?''
One of the Blue Dogs, Rep. Max Sandlin of Texas, said the companies weren't getting anything special for their
donations.
``It's just an opportunity to participate in the system,'' Sandlin said. ``It's an opportunity for people to get
together and talk.''
On a pier jutting into the Pacific Ocean, thousands of delegates and other invitees made their way past
protesters to the party. They dined on blue corn dogs, fish tacos, onion rings and brownies; listened to singer
Patty Loveless; picked up bags of popcorn or servings of cotton candy from old-fashioned push carts; and
drank Pepsi (another corporate sponsor) and Miller Lite, a Philip Morris product.
They could ride the roller coaster or the bumper cars, win a stuffed blue dog by sinking baskets or knocking
over bottles and go home with boxes of donkey-shaped Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (another Philip Morris
product).
And just in case the partygoers weren't sure who their hosts were, they were greeted by six giant signs thanking
the corporate sponsors.
Roberts, the Philip Morris spokeswoman, emphasized that her company, which also owns Kraft and Miller
Brewing and is buying Nabisco, was much more than just a tobacco concern.
``We have many, many issues that we feel need to be addressed in the political process,'' Roberts said.
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Unlikely Sponsors Surface at DNC
By JONATHAN D. SALANT, Associated Press Writer
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - The 30 sponsors of a bash in this
oceanside city thrown by the conservative House Democrats known as the
Blue Dogs included a few unlikely names: the National Rifle Association,
Philip Morris, U.S. Tobacco and the Cigar Association of America.
Even as Al Gore (news - web sites) calls for federal regulation of tobacco
and congressional Democratic leaders push for new gun laws, even as a
full-page NRA newspaper ad asks, ``Do Democrats want to destroy the
Second Amendment,'' the tobacco and gun lobbies are helping finance parties
during the Democratic National Convention.
NRA lobbyist James Jay Baker said Blue Dogs were among the 45 to 55
congressional Democrats who supported gun owners' rights.
``We support those folks who support us,'' Baker said. ``Without those 45 to 55 Democrats that vote pro-gun
in the United States Congress, we wouldn't have had the good legislative results that we've had so far.''
While the NRA's sponsorship was limited to the Blue Dog Bash, Philip Morris was sponsoring several other
parties, including helping to fund the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee activities.
In addition, the law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand, which lobbies on behalf of Philip
Morris, R.J. Reynolds and U.S. Tobacco, is helping to finance the Democratic National Committee events for
its biggest donors.
``In order to best represent our 55,000 employees in the United states and millions of shareholders, we really
want to participate in the political process in a bipartisan fashion,'' Philip Morris spokeswoman Peggy Roberts
said. ``We are willing and eager to share ideas and to have a dialogue, even with public officials who may not
see things our way.''
At the same time, the Los Angeles host committee for the Democratic convention refused to accept funding
from tobacco companies, as did Gore's presidential campaign.
``This is the issue of hypocrisy,'' said Common Cause President Scott Harshbarger, whose advocacy group
favors overhauling campaign finance laws. ``This is a party that says, 'We're going to fight these interests,' but in
the dark of night, who's paying for these receptions?''
One of the Blue Dogs, Rep. Max Sandlin of Texas, said the companies weren't getting anything special for their
donations.
``It's just an opportunity to participate in the system,'' Sandlin said. ``It's an opportunity for people to get
together and talk.''
On a pier jutting into the Pacific Ocean, thousands of delegates and other invitees made their way past
protesters to the party. They dined on blue corn dogs, fish tacos, onion rings and brownies; listened to singer
Patty Loveless; picked up bags of popcorn or servings of cotton candy from old-fashioned push carts; and
drank Pepsi (another corporate sponsor) and Miller Lite, a Philip Morris product.
They could ride the roller coaster or the bumper cars, win a stuffed blue dog by sinking baskets or knocking
over bottles and go home with boxes of donkey-shaped Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (another Philip Morris
product).
And just in case the partygoers weren't sure who their hosts were, they were greeted by six giant signs thanking
the corporate sponsors.
Roberts, the Philip Morris spokeswoman, emphasized that her company, which also owns Kraft and Miller
Brewing and is buying Nabisco, was much more than just a tobacco concern.
``We have many, many issues that we feel need to be addressed in the political process,'' Roberts said.
Email this story - (View most popular) | Printer-friendly format
Archived Stories by Date:
Search News
Advanced
Search: Stories Photos Full Coverage
Home
Top Stories
Business
Tech
Politics
World
Local
Entertainment
Sports
Science
Health
Full Coverage
Copyright © 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the
prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Questions or Comments