NASHVILLE — Tennesseans believe people and businesses based in the United States have a right to contribute to political campaigns, but that’s all.
The Vanderbilt poll found state residents don’t care for campaign donations by labor unions, individuals living off U.S. soil or corporations headquartered in other countries.
“I suspect that reflects the conservative nature of the state,” said John Geer, a Vanderbilt University political science professor. “People just don’t like labor unions in this state. “
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that unions and corporations may contribute to political campaigns and spend their general funds on political ads, overruling two legal precedents.
Almost 57 percent of poll respondents said political giving by unions is unacceptable. But Ken Marrero, a tea party activist who writes a blog called Blue Collar Muse, said he believes unions should be allowed to contribute unless they have to borrow money to do it.