Source:Orange County Registernews,page,17
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Headline:Tobacco money flows to parties
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POLITICS:Cigarette makers gave $2 million to Republican and Democratic
committees in the first half of 1997.

By KAREN GULLOThe Associated Press

WASHINGTONThe nations beleaguered tobacco companies gave $2 million to
political parties in the first half of this yearnearly five times what
they gave in the same period of 1993,after the previous presidential election.

The lion's share went to the GOP.

"The increase is astounding,"said Ann McBride,president of the private
group Common Cause,which compiled the figures from Federal Election
Commission reports.

The flood of "soft money"donations comes at a sensitive time for the
tobacco companies.They have faced accusations that they hid smoking's
dangers,and they are hoping for congressional approval of a settlement that
could shield them from smokers'lawsuits.

Seven tobacco companies and two tobacco groups gave nearly $1.6 million to
Republican committees and $324,461 to Democrats in the first half of this
year,according to Common Cause's analysis.

That compares with $413,865 in soft money to both parties for the same
period four years ago.Such donations can be used only for general party
activities,not for specific candidates.

The two major parties received $4 million from tobacco interests during the
1996 election year when political fund raising was at a peck. The first six
months after a presidential election normally are slow for fund raising.

Common Cause,which advocates tighter control over political money,said
cigarette giant Phillip Morris led the pack in the first half of the
year,giving $673,715 to Republican committees and $120,823 to Democrats.
R.J.Reynolds tobacco Co. and its parent RJR Nabisco gave $340,000 to the
GOP and $90,573 to Democrats.

Philip Morris and RJR gave a total of just $111,000 to the two parties
after the 1992 election,according to Common Cause.

The surge in donations this year is not surprising,say campaignfinance
experts,who noted the tobacco industry's image problems.