New Mexico Independent: Stories by J.C. O’Connell

Corporations buy influence and civic pride with DNC cash

Naomi Zeveloff, J.C. O’Connell — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:34:35 GMT

More than 100 sponsors, many of them corporations, are footing the bill for this summer’s Democratic National Convention in Denver Aug. 25-28. Of the 112 sponsors listed on the DNC host committee Web site, only 23 (a mere 20 percent) would reveal how much they had donated. Those who did disclose gave almost $14.8 million, or half of the current money haul. The "silent majority" that make up the remaining 89 convention donors contributed $14.2 million.

Richardson in Denver: Hispanics will decide next president

J.C. O’Connell — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:46:09 GMT

From the Colorado Independent

On the heels of John McCain’s visit, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson swept into Denver Friday to stump for Barack Obama at the 60th annual American GI Forum’s National Conference at the Grand Hyatt downtown.

Richardson told the enthusiastic crowd that Obama understands the importance of diversity and, as president, will look out for the country’s veterans.

Coors, Denver-based firms give just 40 percent of Dem convention dollars

J.C. O’Connell — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:46:59 GMT

Coors, the Colorado-based conservative brewer, donated more money this year to the Democratic National Convention host committee than to its Republican counterpart in Minnesota. What's up with that? The beer maker says it's not changing its stripes under new ownership. Like many other local corporate donors, Coors attributes its $1 million donation to one thing: hometown pride.