WASHINGTON — Today, both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are scheduled to speak to the Hispanic Leadership Network in Miami. HLN is funded by a number of corporate interests, and serves as a sister organization to the American Action Network and American Crossroads, election-funding organs known as super PACs, created by Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie.
“Just a few days before the most important election of their careers, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich feel compelled to spend time with corporate lobbyists instead of ordinary Floridians,” said Josh Silver, CEO of United Republic. “These PACs and corporations are hosting the event for the candidates in order to advance their own interests at the direct expense of the American people, who are suffering economically. Pfizer is there to build cozy relationships that keep drug prices higher than any other country in the world, while some 50 million Americans lack health care coverage. Other companies are there to protect their myriad interests in countless other sectors. One thing is certain: these companies are getting a great return on investment in buying Washington.
“It’s a sad commentary on the backward priorities of candidates held captive by big money special interests,” continued Silver. “It is why public approval of our politicians is stunningly low, and most Americans are completely disgusted with our political system.”
According to the HLN schedule, Romney and Gingrich will appear during the same day as presentations from lobbyists from Pfizer, Google, and other K Street groups. The event is being held at a resort that boasts about its five golf courses.
Rove, former advisor to President Bush, and Gillespie, former Republican Party chairman, launched the American Action Network and American Crossroads as closely aligned organizations. The American Action Network then helped launch HLN in 2010.
About United Republic
United Republic is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to ending the corrupting influence of money in politics. United Republic has over 300,000 supporters. For more information: www.unitedrepublic.org.
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