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....
