- Archives

Division is growing between Democratic-leaning 527 groups and black civic advocacy groups over funding and control of the issues and messages targeted toward the black community in the November presidential election. The 527 groups -- tax-exempt, private political groups named for their Internal Revenue Service filing code -- have positioned themselves as powerful players and are siphoning contributions from black voter mobilization organizations that historically have enjoyed a boost during presidential elections. The coalition includes more than 80 black civic organizations dedicated to enfranchising and protecting the right to vote. Earlier this month, coalition board member Ronald Walters, in a letter to Mr. Ickes, said the competition and lack of coordination have bruised some egos in black organizations. He said the 527 groups are collecting contributions in the name of delivering the black vote, something Mr. Walters said they have no business doing and no knowledge of how to do. "They have not done what I thought they should be doing, which is release resources to black voter mobilization organizations," Mr. Walters said. "They have husbanded the money and are managing and controlling themselves." [more

]