THE INDEPENDENT political groups known as 527s were major players in the 2004 presidential election, but they didn't have to play by the same rules as other political organizations -- or so they contended. While ordinary political committees were limited to taking $5,000 contributions from individuals, the 527s, named for the provision of the tax code under which they're organized, accepted unlimited contributions from corporations, labor unions and wealthy donors -- a freedom that allowed them to wield significant influence in the campaign....
Finally, 527s
THE INDEPENDENT political groups known as 527s were major players in the 2004 presidential election, but they didn't have to play by the same rules as other political organizations -- or so they contended. While ordinary political committees were limited to taking $5,000 contributions from individuals, the 527s, named for the provision of the tax code under which they're organized, accepted unlimited contributions from corporations, labor unions and wealthy donors -- a freedom that allowed them to wield significant influence in the campaign....