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1105 Redmond Media Group Redmond Magazine Tracks Microsoft Political Contributions Changes to campaign finance laws mean a larger percentage of Microsoft political contributions now go to Democrats says Redmond Magazine. CHATSWORTH, CA – October 6, 2004 – Microsoft and its employees had a change of political heart when it comes to federal campaign contributions, marking a big swing from largely Republican giving to heavily Democratic giving in this election year, according to an investigative feature article published this month in Redmond magazine. The article, "Following Microsoft's Money," appears in the inaugural issue of Redmond magazine. Redmond serves the Microsoft IT community, including IT Managers, Network Managers, Network Administrators and C-level IT Pros with strategic and tactical information about Microsoft technologies. In 2002, Republicans got 60 percent of Microsoft's soft money, Microsoft Political Action Committee contributions and individual employee contributions. For the 2004 election cycle, at least through late August, the figures are reversed. Democrats got 61 percent of all forms of Microsoft political contributions and Republicans got 39 percent. "Every contribution comes down to the company's interest and a candidate's positions, but three issues are coming into play in 2004: soft money, political action committees and employee contributions," says Redmond magazine news editor Scott Bekker, who wrote the article. The elimination of the soft-money loophole closed off an avenue that Microsoft used in 2002 to channel $2.7 million into the political process, and which went to Republicans by a two-to-one margin. Microsoft has picked up some of that gap by pouring more money into Washington through its political action committee, but the PAC has distributed money more evenly among the two parties in this election cycle than in previous cycles when Republicans got a larger share. One of the most striking changes has been among employees. Even in 2000, with a Democratic-led U.S. Department of Justice antitrust case raging, individual Microsoft employees gave more to Democrats (53 percent) than Republicans. In this election cycle, employees have ratcheted up their giving to Democrats to 73 percent of a $1.13 million total. The article is available on the Redmond Web site at: http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?EditorialsID=440 About Redmond Magazine Redmond magazine (formerly Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine) and its related properties including CertCities.com, CertCities.com e-newsletter, ENTmag.com, ENT In-Depth Edition e-newsletter, ENT Newsline e-newsletter, MCPmag.com, MCPmag.com e-newsletter, Redmondmag.com, Security Watch e-newsletter, TCPmag.com, TCPmag.com e-newsletter, and TechMentor Events are a division of 101communications, whose portfolio includes eight magazines, more than 40 conferences, trade shows and seminars, and extensive digital offerings. To learn more visit MCPmag.com or www.101com.com. Contact: Scott Bekker [email protected] (410) 569-8530 |