The Stakeholder

8 Days & Counting—Chris Van Hollen Renews Challenge to Tom Cole: No Outside Groups in House Races

Posted by Brandon English
Jun 02, 2008

DCCC Press:

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen reiterated his challenge today in a letter to NRCC Chairman Tom Cole asking him to join publicly in calling on soft money outside groups not to run ads in House races and to ask their supporters not to contribute to these groups.

Van Hollen first issued his challenge to Cole during their joint appearance on Fox News Sunday on May 25, 2008. Eight days later, Cole has not yet responded to the challenge.

The text of the letter follows:

Dear Tom,

I am writing to follow-up on the challenge I issued last week during our joint appearance on Fox News Sunday: will you join me in publicly calling on soft money outside groups to not run ads in House races this year and also urge our supporters to not contribute to these groups?

Senator Obama and Senator McCain have already called on these groups to stay out of the Presidential race. Following their lead, by calling on these groups to cease their involvement in House races, our candidates and our committees would have greater control over the message and voters would benefit from a transparent debate.

The non-partisan Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) is predicting that these soft money groups - 527s and 501(c)(4)'s that operate as 527s - will play a major role in the 2008 election. According to their analysis of IRS reports, federal 527 political organizations raised nearly $80 million in 2007.

I hope you will join me in this important reform effort also endorsed by Senator Obama and McCain. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

/s/

Chris Van Hollen
Chairman