Real Estate Investors Are Biggest Campaign Donors

Hillary Clinton
Global Warming: Cut carbon dioxide emissions 80% by 2050 with a cap-and-trade regulation.
Alternative Energy: Start a $50 Billion Strategic Energy Fund to pay for research, development and deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal technology, ethanol and other "homegrown biofuels."
Also Notable: Clinton would develop a "Connie Mae" program to help low-income and middle-income families make investments in energy efficiency at home. She has taken in more money from industries that a green voter might be wary of than any candidate still in the race.

related articles

In the most expensive primary election in U.S. political history, it is individual donors that have dominated the giving, accounting for 99% of Barack Obama's campaign funding, $90% of John McCain's and 87% of Hillary Clinton's, according to the Center for Responsive Politics

But a look behind the numbers shows that industries are still contributing large sums, presumably in an attempt to buy influence and help the candidate that will help them most if he or she occupies the Oval Office.

In nearly every category that might be important to green voters, the Republicans that had topped the list of recipients of industry money have dropped out of the race. Among the remaining candidates, in nearly every category, Hillary Clinton has taken in more money than her rivals.

Of the remaining candidates, Clinton and Barack Obama have, in nearly every category, taken in more than John McCain, a fact that partially reflects the enthusiasm for that historic race between what would be the first woman or first black man to be president, partially reflects prevailing wisdom that a Democrat has the best chance to reach the White House and partially reflects the departure of Republicans that had gathered huge sums from business before dropping out of the race. Republicans overall have taken in more than Democrats in some key categories, and now that the field is winnowed to a few major players, the spending by sector in the coming months may be more revealing.

Here's a look at some of the major categories tracked by the Center for Responsive Politics that might be important to green voters, in order of most donations to least:

1. Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

   Of $83.08 million spent on the campaign, this sector has given 52% to Democrats.

   • Clinton: $16.94 million
   • Obama: $13.40 million
   • McCain: $680,000

   Clinton took in more from the real estate ($5.4 million to Obama's $3 million and McCain's $2.2 million), securities and investment ($6.3 million to Obama's $6.0 million and McCain's $2.6 million) and hedge funds and private equity ($1.4 million to Obama's $1.2 million and McCain's $460,000) sub-categories.

2. Construction

   Of $10.91 million spent on the campaign, this sector has given 59% to Republicans.

   • Clinton: $1.94 million
   • Obama: $1.23 million
   • McCain: $880,000

3. Energy & Natural Resources

   Of $5.54 million spent on the campaign, this sector has given 59% to Republicans.

   • Clinton: $793,000
   • Obama: $728,000
   • McCain: $681,000

   While Clinton has taken in the most overall, McCain has taken in more from oil and gas interests ($284,000 to Clinton's $276,000 and Obama's $157,000).

4. Agribusiness

   Of $4.53 million spent on the campaign, this sector has given 58% to Republicans.

   • Clinton: $664,000
   • Obama: $457,000
   • McCain: $444,000
   COMMENTS ()