Obama: Special interests greatest impediment to Democratic candidates in November

Obama: Interest groups holding back Democrats

PHILADELPHIA — President Barack Obama says the greatest impediment to Democrats’ election prospects in November are special interests that can spend unlimited amounts of money on campaign advertising.

Obama told supporters at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser Monday that the party has great candidates but their voices are being drowned out by groups that are pouring money into competitive races.

Last year the Supreme Court reversed a centurylong trend of limiting the power of big money in politics by saying corporations and unions may spend heavily to influence presidential and congressional elections. Obama is asking Congress to pass legislation that would limit how much those groups could spend.

Monday’s fundraiser is expected to raise $1 million for the DNC.