Oct 15, 2009 10:30 am US/Central
Reality Check: Pohlad Family & Political Donations
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
Vice President Joe Biden will be in Minnesota on Thursday, but you probably won't have a chance to see him. He's attending a private fundraiser at the Edina home of one of Minnesota's most well-known families: the Pohlads.
The Pohlad family is emerging as an influential player in national Democratic circles.
Biden last visited Minnesota in March, attending a rally in St. Cloud to promote the stimulus package. But the stimulus this time is a private political fundraiser at the Pohlad home.
According to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, the Pohlads gave almost $700,000 to candidates and state parties in just the last 4 years.
It's TRUE.
The Pohlads gave President Barack Obama $50,931 in contributions; $24,900 to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign; $28,500 to Sen. Amy Klobuchar and $21,700 to Sen.Al Franken.
That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY.
A small number of Republicans also got some Pohlad money: $7500 to former Sen. Norm Coleman; $30,000 to Coleman's
Political Action Committee and $15,500 to former Congressman Jim Ramstad.
The REALITY is...
The Pohlad's influence extends far beyond Minnesota's borders. They've made substantial contributions to 17 different state Democratic Party organizations: a total of $123,390 since 2004 with $246,831 going to the Democratic National Committee.
The vice president's private trip to Minnesota is in recognition of the Pohlad's growing presence on a national political stage.
A spokesman for the Republican National Committee is calling on the vice president to convene a public forum while he is in Minnesota to discuss a medical device tax hike contained in the health care reform bill.
"Rather than holding a closed door fundraiser for the DNC, Vice President Biden should convene a public forum with Minnesota's medical technology companies to explain why the Administration wants to tax them out of existence," said Leroy Coleman, RNC spokesman. "Minnesota's medical device industry develops the newest in innovative medical breakthroughs, and Vice President Biden should explain why he wants to impose a $4 billion tax on them that will kill jobs. Instead, the Vice President will quietly fly in, have a nice dinner, raise cash for the Democrats, all while trying to pay for a government-run health care experiment at the expense of Minnesota jobs."
To check the resources for this Reality Check, click on the links below.
Open Secrets
Political Action Committee
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