US politicians complaining about EU decision collected $25,000 from Microsoft

A SEARCH ON the US opensecrets.org web site has revealed that half of the 10 politicians complaining about the EU ruling on Microsoft earlier this week have received substantial contributions from the Vole.

See US politicos tell European Union to get off Microsoft's back

Oddly, Verizon is a favourite contributor to the 10's funds, as you'll see below.

The information on contributions was released by the FEC on 1st March 2004.

Robert Wexler, for example, received $16,500 in PAC contributions from Microsoft for the current cycle. Gregory Meeks picked up $2,000. Joseph Crowley picked up $4,000, while Adam Schiff picked up $2,000 in contributions.

Here's a list with some extracts from the PAC contributions. The letter D means Democrat, the letter R Republican, while the state comes after that designation. µ

Vole Hunting
Robert Wexler D-FL: $2,500 from Verizon, $16,000 from Microsoft
Peter King , R-NY: nothing from Microsoft, $2,000 from Verizon
Dan Burton, R-IN: nothing from Microsoft, $1,000 from Verizon
Gregory Meeks, D-NY: $2,000 from Microsoft, $4,500 from Verizon
Steve Chabot, R-OH: nothing from Microsoft, nothing from Verizon, $2,000 from AT&T
Joseph Crowley, D-NY: $4,000 from Microsoft, $2,500 from Verizon
Jo Ann Davis, R-VA: $1,000 from EDS, $2,000 from Verizon
Adam Schiff, D-CA: $2,000 from Microsoft, $4,000 from Verizon
Mark Green, R-WI: $1,000 from Microsoft, $2,000 from Verizon
Chris Bell, D-TX: $1,000 from HP, $1,000 from Verizon