Washington Post 10/07/2008
Kaine's PAC Still Gets Big Donations
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100603160.html
By Tim Craig - Washington Post Staff Writer
RICHMOND, Oct. 6 -- A significant portion of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's political financing is coming from a small number of wealthy donors who continue to make contributions, even though he cannot seek a second consecutive term, according to a review of campaign finance reports.
Since he took office in 2006, Kaine has raised about $6.5 million for his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward. Of that money, nearly half of it came from about 75 people or corporations that have given at least $20,000 each.
One man, billionaire Randal J. Kirk, accounts for nearly one-tenth of the money Kaine has raised since 2006. Kirk has given the PAC $650,000, including a $100,000 check last month.
"It's a good societal investment, and it is not a large amount for me, so I invest it in a place that can be good for society," said Kirk, an investment and pharmaceutical mogul in Radford, Va.
The large donations demonstrate how Kaine is making use of Virginia's campaign finance laws to keep his PAC operational so he can travel and give contributions to Democratic candidates.
But advocates of campaign finance restrictions say it's alarming that so few people play such a large part in Kaine's fundraising.
"If that person ever had a big favor to ask the governor, it would be very hard for the governor to not look at the request differently," said Nick Nyhart, president of Public Campaign, which advocates campaign finance reform.
Kaine's big donors, however, appear drawn to his personality and policies. Most do not have any business before the state, and there are no indications that they receive special treatment for their contributions. Kaine has appointed or reappointed several, including Kirk, to state boards.
"We are not a quid pro quo or a favor-for-a-favor shop," said Charlie Kelly, executive director of Moving Virginia Forward. "That is just not how it works here."
Virginia is one of five states with no limit on how much an individual or a corporation can contribute to a candidate or state political committee, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.
In Maryland, which has some of the nation's toughest restrictions, a candidate cannot accept more than $4,000 over four years from an individual.
Four individuals and the Service Employees International Union have given Kaine's PAC at least $100,000 each since it was formed in 2006. Sheila Johnson, a real estate developer and a founder of Black Entertainment Television, has given Kaine $185,000.
Suzanne W. Matthews, a financier and community activist from McLean, has donated $118,000. Christopher Mark Little, a retired business executive from McDowell, Va., has contributed $125,000. And John O. Wynne, retired president and chief executive of Landmark Communications in Norfolk, has contributed $125,000, according to the State Board of Elections and Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks money in state politics.
"People from around Virginia, from all walks of life and across the political spectrum, support Gov. Kaine, and they support him because of his commitment to delivering results for Virginia's families," Kelly said.
Last year, most of Kaine's fundraising helped Democrats pick up four seats in the state House of Delegates and take back control of the state Senate. The PAC gave more than $100,000 each to several candidates, and it transferred $1.7 million to the Virginia Democratic Party, according to VPAP.
But this year, paying staff and keeping the PAC open appear to be the major aims of Kaine's fundraising. From April to June 30, the last full reporting period, Kaine collected $352,000. All but about $40,000 of that amount came from 13 individuals who gave $10,000 or more, including Kirk, who donated $100,000 in April.
Kaine's reliance on big donors is similar to the fundraising strategies of other Virginia governors, of both parties.
About half of the donations to Democrat Mark R. Warner's PAC when he was governor came from individuals or organizations that gave at least $20,000.
Warner's predecessor, James S. Gilmore III (R), received about a third of his PAC money from people and organizations that gave at least $20,000, according to VPAP. Warner and Gilmore are running against each other for a U.S. Senate seat this year.
Craig Holman, campaign finance lobbyist for the Washington-based Public Citizen organization, said Virginia's lack of contribution limits "should alienate voters" because they "create suspicions as to the real motivations of government decisions."
Kirk, who Forbes magazine says is worth $1.6 billion, said giving money to Kaine is no different from making a donation to a foundation or charity. Kirk used to be a big contributor to Virginia Republicans, including former attorney general Jerry W. Kilgore. But he became a supporter of Kaine's during his 2005 campaign for governor against Kilgore.
"I have spent a lot of time with him, and he is extremely intelligent, studious, and when he is confronted with a new issue, he really dives in and does his homework," Kirk said. "Here is an opportunity to enable those who really have the right message, right heart and right intellect."
