Who pays the piper...

... calls the tune... USUALLY.

I sit through meetings now with Republican lobbyists and it’s grim...they made this investment in the Republicans in the House, and this is what they have to show for it.
- Frank Keating, President, American Bankers Association, while watching House Republicans implode during the debt funding crisis. Keating is disturbed, for the moment, by what his money can't buy.

---

Raising hard money is hard -

Local organizations that raise their own money through dues and other local contributions are free to act independently of need to pander to outside interests.  This is an IAF trademark.

-- but soft money has a price.

Organizations that become dependent on outside money like national foundations, super wealthy donors and politically connected networks may raise lots of money but lose independence.

---

The Imperial Vision of Franchise Organizing

Franchise organizing and its close cousin tag-along organizing usually assumes a national posture.  Claims are made for national impact that require local organizations to operate within an established messaging framework. Whether conceived by one of the political parties or a "network" that funds the locals the outcome is much the same.  A sacrifice of the integrity of local initiative often flows from top down financial incentives and controls.

---