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The campaign cash behind the Afghanistan escalation
In the debate surrounding Barack Obama's decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, one detail has slipped through without much attention: According to Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org database, Barack Obama was the top recipient of military industry money in the 2008 election cycle. His haul of over a million dollars far surpassed that of Republican contender Sen. John McCain's, which was just under $700,000.
During the 2008 cycle, the industry contributed a total of $23.7 million to federal candidates -- far more than the $17.4 million it invested during the 2006 cycle or the $18.1 million in the 2004 cycle.
The top five military industry contributors during the 2008 elections were Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and General Dynamics.
While Obama's decision was unpopular with his support base, it was a faithful nod to the defense industry interests that funded his campaign.
It appears their investment are paying off: The Associated Press reports that analyst Howard A. Rubel of the global investment bank Jefferies & Co. sent out a client note last week stating that the fiscal 2010 US Defense Department Budget will likely boost demand for precision munitions, communications gear, helicopters, armor and surveillance systems. Rubel recommended buying stock in both General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.