National Groups Pay Big Bucks To Sway California Voters Anonymously

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - As the candidates sprint towards Election Day, outside groups have spent more than $50 million trying to influence voters in California, and the unlimited independent spending could swing some of the closest races.

A review of campaign contribution records shows Conservative groups, led by Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS, pumping $5 million more dollars into defeating Senator Barbara Boxer. The national GOP has spent $8 million on behalf of Boxer's opponent, Carly Fiorina. Fiorina's the target of a million-dollar campaign by Liberal groups. And groups on both sides have spent more than $40 million attacking either Meg Whitman or Jerry Brown.

KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:

The problem, said David Donnelly with the Public Campaign Action Fund, is that the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling lets these groups' donors remain anonymous.

"We don't know where this money is coming from in terms of the individuals," said Donnelly. "We certainly know why it's being spent, largely to elect a Republican slate of officers to advance a Conservative agenda."

That strategy is working nationally, and it may make a difference in the attorney general's race, and some Congressional campaigns in California. But it looks like all those millions may not do the trick for Meg Whitman, who's at the top of the ticket.

"Just because you have a lot of money, or a lot of backing, it doesn't make you a good candidate," said Donnelly. "So what we're seeing in California is candidates that are not connecting with regular voters, and it doesn't matter how much money you pour in, if you don't have that connection you're not going to win."

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