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Mike Castle Needs to Check His Campaign Contributions
September 30, 2008 · Wilmington, DE · Democratic candidate for Congress Karen Hartley-Nagle is surprised that Mike Castle does not seem to know who contributes to his campaigns. During a candidate's forum sponsored by the Medical Society of Delaware, Castle was asked about corporate financing of political campaigns. "I was surprised by his answer," Hartley-Nagle said. "The first part of his response was the fact that corporations do not finance federal campaigns. That's true but it's a half truth. He did not admit to the fact that the corporate sector, along with other broad interests in American politics, contribute to political candidates through Political Action Committees (PACs). Our research on his PAC contributions show that at least 44% of the more than $1.5 million he has received for this cycle come from PACs related to the financial services industry. Corporate members supplement their PAC contributions with individual contributions, which is also perfectly legal. As we identify individuals from the industry who contribute to him, the amount rises to more than 60%. Mike is a key member of Congress' Financial Services Committee. He answered the question in a way to disguise from Delawareans the main sources of campaign money."
"I was also surprised that Mike Castle created the impression that he is distanced from his fundraising because he has someone perform the task for him. He did not tell the members of the Medical Society of Delaware that his fundraiser is the former chairman of the Republican Party of Delaware who uses his vast connections to keep Mike's campaigns funded. He did not reveal that his fundraiser works for a percent of the take. If Mike is so distant from his fundraising operation, does he know what is being promised in his name?"
"Mike Castle's votes on financial services issues that affect all Americans have been too much in favor of the industry. He backed the banks against consumers on the 'Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights' (H.R. 5244), a bill designed to contain the abusive practices of credit card billing and passed with a veto proof majority, with a 'no' vote. He supported the deregulation that allowed Wall Street brokers to act like casino gamblers rather than responsible investors. On these issues he votes against the interests of Delawareans. Mike Castle needs to tell the people of Delaware that the interests of the financial services industry he is charged with regulating contribute heavily to his campaigns. As Delaware's Congresswoman, I will not take contributions from industries I am charged with regulating."
Contact:
Karen Hartley-Nagle
Democratic Candidate for Congress
(302) 465-1365
