The community organization ACORN is under fire for alleged voter registration fraud, and has been a longtime target for conservatives. Republicans are tying Barack Obama to ACORN, but John McCain also spoke to an ACORN rally in 2006. NPR and CIR look at the organization’s background and the controversy. >> Listen to the story on […]

An obscure nonprofit has flooded campaign battleground states with an inflammatory DVD on radical Islam. Critics say the charity is trying to influence the presidential race. NPR and CIR investigate who is behind it. >> Listen to the story on NPR.org.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and running mate John McCain have trumpeted her opposition to earmarks like the infamous “bridge to nowhere,” but Palin’s record is more complicated. As mayor, she hired a lobbyist to get federal money and, when running for governor, said she supported earmarks like the infamous bridge. >> Listen to the story […]

It could be the Swift Boat ad of 2008. A conservative group pops out of nowhere with a hard-hitting TV ad against Obama. A billionaire foots the bill. Obama’s campaign reacts fast. CIR and NPR look into the wrangling over the ad. >> Listen to the full story on NPR.org. >> Read the corporate history […]

The Service Employees International Union, besides representing 2 million workers, is one of the most active and powerful political organizations in the nation. Beyond its own direct efforts, which are vast, the union also helps create, lead, and fund dozens of other organizations and coalitions that are influential in public policy debates and elections. NPR […]

Election season is heating up, as independent groups from across the political spectrum launch new ad campaigns targeting candidates for president and Congress. CIR and NPR look at dueling ads featuring veterans and two competing campaigns reaching out to Christians. >> Listen to the story on NPR.

Two politically opposed veterans’ advocacy groups—Vets for Freedom and Vote Vets—are battling for voters. NPR and CIR look beyond the political rhetoric to examine the organizations’ financing, and how they might affect this election. >> Listen to the story on National Public Radio.

The 2008 presidential campaign began with predictions that outside groups would play influential roles. Now nonprofits are quietly mobilizing, especially on the Left. One network of liberal activist groups, started by Progress Now, is trying to shape the debate with a streamlined operation of small staff, low budgets and the Internet—and is backed by powerful […]

Now that the presidential primaries are finished, independent political groups are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads to influence the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. NPR takes a look at one day of independent advertising, with reporting by CIR. >> Listen to the story on NPR.

Independent political groups are already trying to influence the presidential campaign with TV ads and automated phone calls. Candidates John McCain and Barack Obama say they don’t want any more Swift Boat-like attacks. CIR and NPR investigate. >> Visit the NPR website to hear the complete story.