Interest groups spend money to support allies rather than woo opponents, Rick Hall tells The New York Times

The New York Times cited Rick Hall's research on interest groups in its article, "Unleashing the Campaign Contributions of Corporations."

The article inspected the real and perceived effects corporate contributions could have on the 2012 presidential election cycle, the first since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down barriers to corporate giving in campaigns.

According to the author, "Richard Hall of the University of Michigan notes that interest groups dedicate most of their campaign contributions and lobbying efforts to legislators they already agree with, helping them make their case, and spend little time trying to persuade opponents. And big donors don't have exclusive access to legislators, Mr. Hall found. Legislators also grant access to like-minded interest groups with little money to give."

• campaign finance
• Rick Hall