Business journalists who make campaign contributions

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.