ABSTRACT
There are three main channels for ethnic groups to bring their influence to bear on US politics – voting, financial contributions, and legislative action. In terms of demographics one could question the voting power of the ethnic lobbies. The Jews are about 3 percent of the population, Greeks barely 1 percent, Cubans and Armenians less than half a percent. However all have real clout in Washington. Part of the reason is that the ethnic groups are concentrated in a small number of states, and in the case of the Jews in New York, exercise their voting power mainly through the selection of candidates in the primary system. In 2000 Hillary Clinton had to court the Jewish lobby assiduously to receive its endorsement first for the Democratic nomination for the Senate, and then for their financial and organizational support in the main election. Bill Clinton also benefited hugely from ethnic electoral votes in both his presidential victories. In 1996 Clinton received only 43 percent of the white vote, compared to 46 percent for Robert Dole. But Clinton won handsomely due to chalking up 84 percent of the black vote and 72 percent of the Hispanic vote. Ethnic groups have also learned that money buys influence. Although a mild campaign finance reform bill was passed by Congress in spring 2002, it remains to be seen how effective it will be in practice. The 2000 presidential race cost the candidates close to $1 billion. Senate and House races may cost several hundred million dollars. In these circumstances candidates are loath to turn down money from any source.
