Megan Wilson of the Center for Reponsive Politics reports Tuesday on journalists, including some business journalists, who have made campaign contributions in the current election year.
Wilson writes, “Paul Tharp, a business reporter for the New York Post, last year donated $750 to Rep. Michael McMahon (D-N.Y.), the Center’s analysis of Federal Election Commission records show. Tharp said his two donations represent a ‘satisfaction with [McMahon’s] public service’ and his work with the arts.
“‘Just because I am a reporter doesn’t mean I give up my rights,’ Tharp said. ‘I have an interest in public service, but not politics. I cover business.'”
Later, Wilson reports, “Bethany McLean, a contributing editor for Vanity Fair and co-author of The Smartest Guys in the Room, a book about the Enron scandal — donated $2,000 to U.S. Senate candidate David Hoffman (D-Ill.), who this year lost in a primary to Alexi Giannoulias.
“Hoffman, she said, is a ‘close personal friend’ of her husband. Her donation to Hoffman is a direct result of knowing him personally.
“Because of ethics concerns, the political contribution to Hoffman represents the first time McLean has given money to a candidate or party, she said. But McLean says her donation to Hoffman isn’t a conflict of interest because it would not affect her coverage.”
Read more here.
