Bechtel Group, Inc., an engineering and construction firm just awarded a contract to build in Iraq, gives to both Democrats and Republicans.

This information, and much more, may be found in the excellent cover article by Lisa Davis in the 6/18-24/03 SF Weekly entitled "It's A Bechtel," at:

http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2003-06-18/feature.html/1/index.html

It is generally assumed that Bechtel favors Republicans. The truth is they favor both Democrats and Republicans because both are capitalist parties, and thus they give to both. Since the giving by Bechtel to the Republicans is better-known, this article focuses on the giving by Bechtel to Democrats. Please do not ever vote for any Democrat or any Republican as they are representatives of the war-mongering, twin parties of capitalism. If they are taking money from Bechtel, they certainly cannot represent the workingclass.

Pertinent paragraphs:

"From 1999 to 2002:

Bechtel gave $1.3 million in individual, PAC, and soft money contributions; 59 percent went to Republicans, 41 percent to Democrats."

"From 1994 to 2000:

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi received $22,000 from Bechtel sources. [Democrat Pelosi represents most of San Francisco and is House Minority Leader.]

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer received $26,000 from Bechtel sources.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein received $16,000 from Bechtel sources. "

"Between 1993 and 2002:

Gray Davis, Democratic governor of California, received $32,500 in direct contributions. "

"Between 1999 and 2002:

Willie Brown, mayor of San Francisco, received $1,250 in direct contributions. "

"Between 1999 and 2002, Bechtel gave $1.3 million in individual, PAC, and soft money contributions, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group in Washington, D.C. Bechtel has spread its contributions among both Republicans and Democrats, leaning slightly more to the Republicans. In 2002, for instance, 52 percent of Bechtel's soft money contributions went to Republicans. But in 1998, when Democrats controlled the White House, some 67 percent of Bechtel's contributions went to their party. "

"And, if Republicanism taints Bechtel's money, that same tainted money has landed heavily in the coffers of San Francisco Democrats. During the past three years, Bechtel (the corporation and family members) has given $95,000 to Mayor Willie Brown, a longtime power in the California Democratic Party, and to Brown-supported candidates -- Sophie Maxwell, Mabel Teng, and Mark Leno to name a few -- and political action committees. Congressional Democrats have fared well, too: U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer has received $26,000 in contributions from Bechtel during the past decade, while U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi received $22,000 and Sen. Dianne Feinstein took $16,000. "