Bush's second largest contributor is a law firm based in Austin, Vinson & Elkins ( vinson-elkins.com. ) The Houston-based mega-law firm, with offices in Washington, London and Moscow, among other cities, boasts as partners three Bush "pioneers." Known for its energy practice, clients include Enron, a leading firm lobbying for federal electricity deregulation; Enron CEO Kenneth Lay is also a Bush pioneer. Enron is poised to cash in if Congress approves federal electricity deregulation, which has been stalled for years. Bush supported electricity deregulation in Texas.
Their managing partners are long time Bush family supporters. What is striking about a law firm contributing large amounts to a candidate is the way in which they probably convinced the asociated to give, they had to.
It's interesting that Vinson & Elkins is defending Halliburton, Dick Cheney's old employer, for defrauding the federal government of between $5 million and $6 million. (Washington Post, 10/25, A12).
Dubya's appointted at least one of Vinson & Elkin's partners to Texas bench. Justice Al Gonzales was appointed January 1999 by Gov. George W. Bush. On Nov. 7 ballot as unopposed Republican. Expect to see a a one or two of these guys show up as federal bench appointees under a Bush Presidency.
It is often alleged that some corporations offer their employees kickbacks to give to a particular campaign. This is a violation of election laws.
It is interesting to note that both Gore and Bush receive large contributions from many of the same business. Ernst and Young pops out as one glaring example as does Goldman Sachs. Here's the list of the top contributors for each. Have a look:
Gore:
opensecrets.org
Bush:
opensecrets.org |
