Politicians For Sale... On Amazon

aldheorte writes "In either a brilliant move or a sick commentary on politics (or both), Amazon is now selling U.S. Presidential candidates, or at least contributions to such."

Not Compativle with Associate Programs

[inertia187]

It appears that this aspect of Amazon is not offered to it's associates. At least, not that I could tell, and I really looked. ;-) Oh well.

Then again, I don't see how it could be profitable to offer this through their associate program without taking it off the top, which isn't in the best interest of the candidate.

Not quite yet

[Chris_Jefferson]

If you actually look at the candidates, most say that amazon is currently asking for permission to accept donations. Looks like they may have launched this a little too early...

Re:Numbers

[CausticWindow]

Here you go. [opensecrets.org]

Re:check thre ref before you spend

[hendridm]

Heh, I saw that too, but if you click on the "Presidential Candidates" link from the main page, you get the "ref=gw_pres_cand" in the URL too.

Re:Cut out the middleman

[Kr3m3Puff]

Yes, the legally cannot not take money for their services, but they are donating the proceeds to Kid's Vote, so in the end, it is a good thing and an interesting social experiement.

Re:Here's Who's Ahead

[dublisk]

Gee, Bush doesn't have any contributions. Surprise, Surprise!

If you had read the FAQ on amazon you would see:

Why can't I contribute to the Bush or Lieberman campaigns yet?
It's up to each campaign to decide if and when they want to participate. We have invited each of these campaigns to participate and we're hopeful that they'll come on board in the near future. Meanwhile, we have posted information about each candidate and his campaign, and we've provided a link to the candidates' campaign Web sites where you can make a contribution.

More info on info transferred

[Rescate]

From the FAQ [amazon.com]:

Will Amazon.com transfer information about me?
As required by law, Amazon.com will transfer to the campaign(s) to which you contribute your name and address (your credit card billing address) and the date and amount of your contribution.

For campaigns that may accept federal matching funds, Amazon.com will also send the type of credit card you use (e.g., Visa) and the last four digits of your credit card number.

The campaigns then will send a report including this information about you and about other contributors, no matter by what means (e.g., by mail or telephone) they contributed, to the Federal Election Commission ("FEC"). The FEC eventually publishes each contributor's name and address, the campaign supported, and the dates and amounts of the contribution, but not any credit card information.

For further information, see the privacy policies posted on the campaigns' web sites.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

re: Cut out the middleman

[DrinkDr.Pepper]

Is Amazon.com getting paid to do this? [amazon.com]

FAQ: Is Amazon.com getting paid to do this?

[Beolach]

Is Amazon.com getting paid to do this?
U.S. federal law prohibits us from donating services to any or all presidential campaigns, so we are charging the campaigns our usual and normal Amazon.com Payments fee.

On a less capitalistic note, the answer continues:

We've also decided that we'll eventually contribute the aggregate amount we're paid in fees to Kids Voting USA, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, national organization that works with schools and communities to enhance civics education and provide youth an authentic voting experience.

Amazon isn't making money on this...

[Hawkxor]

If you read the FAQ links on the left side of the Amazon website screen, you'll notice that Amazon isn't making money off this - by Federal Law they can't just donate, but have to charge they're normaly money moving fee. But, they're donating to full revenue that they make from this project to charity (a Kids learn about Voting group).

Re:Contibutions

[b-baggins]

Um, the electoral college was put in because STATES elect the President, not the people.

Theoretically, at least, we're a federal republic.

BTW, Jefferson and a number of the other founding fathers were terrified of pure democracy, considering it, rightly so, to be nothing more than mob rule.

Re:Not As Bad As It Seems

[lkaos]

Holy crap. Check out these quotes from him:

"White people are the victims when Affirmative action programs Hire those For race reasons only. White people Have no place to run to when illegals take over USA"

"The Jews promoted the WAR on Iraq. The Jews are the only ones plus Halliburton Dick Cheney's Co that profited from the War in Iraq."

"AIDS has spread because of stupid Catholic and right wing Nuts being allowed to much say about what causes AIDS"

All via Project Vote Smart [vote-smart.org]. While I'm all about supporting the little guy, I'd be careful about what you're saying giving him your money...

Where's the uneducated under-dog who isn't a racist and bigot?

Don't limit your choices so much

[Anonymous Coward]

There are lots of declared candidates [vote-smart.org] to choose from. Don't have a mouthful of coffee when you read their party affiliations. Yes, Michael W. 'Mike' Bay [vote-smart.org] is running under the National Barking Spider Resurgence Party. And it appears that the United Fascist Union (whoever they are) has endorsed Jackson Kirk Grimes [vote-smart.org].

Re:Decisions, decisions...

[Elminst]

Amazon don't state the basis that they used to compile the list of candidates. Each election there are a couple of thousand people who file for president, so there has to be a cut-off at some point. Probably sending reports to the SEC.

RTFWP...
It clearly states in the FAQ's-
How does Amazon select candidates for listing?
Candidates eligible for listing are those that have lawfully established and maintained a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission (candidates can receive contributions only through such committees) and who, according to the FEC's monthly report, have raised/spent in excess of $5,000.

Re:Here's Who's Ahead

[be-fan]

That's not an entirely accurate standing, because Clarck and Kerry have had the pages up since the 16th of January, and Dean and Edwards have had them up since the 22nd.

And Bush isn't accepting donations yet, so it doesn't matter.

Re:Gave $5 to Clark.

[LostCluster]

No need to sell it. Presidential campaign contributors have to be disclosed...

Re:Can't Wait.....

[Jonathan]

Abraham Lincoln educated himself by reading

Yes, but his administration was the one that passed the "land grant university act", which started the public university system, thus making university education cheap and available.

Re:Is it me...

[munch0wnsy0u]

Well, yes it is you. George W. will run unopposed in 2004 because the Republican Party would like to see him re-elected. That is why there are no other Republicans in the race because George W. is the only Republican that needs to be in the race.