Laurie Bennett, co-creator of the influence-tracking website Muckety, has written a piece featuring a handy chart showing some of CCP’s connections to various individuals and foundations.
Although she disagrees with our position on further limiting disclosure, we thank Ms. Bennett for demonstrating that current disclosure practices leave little to the imagination in terms of connections between people and organizations. Without a doubt, Ms. Bennett’s commendable drive to uncover hidden connections resulted from her need to inform the public of what really goes on in DC, and not from the fact that her organization derives revenue from selling information to clients that include defense contractors, energy companies, and the government.
Despite Ms. Bennett’s thorough investigation and resulting highly-educational post revealing CCP’s shockingly bipartisan connections ranging from the Cato Institute to the DNC, Ms. Bennet’s reporting failed to yield two damning connections. Our Chairman, Brad Smith, also throws his money and support toward two shadowy organizations that aren’t required to disclose their donors: Granville Historical Society and the Good Dog Foundation.
