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Kim Barker

Kim Barker was a reporter at ProPublica covering "dark money" and campaign finance, as well as the aftermath of the BP oil spill.

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Kim Barker was a reporter covering campaign finance and the aftermath of the BP oil spill; her stories have run in outlets such as The Washington Post, The Atlantic and Salon. She specialized in "dark money," or social welfare nonprofits that do not report their donors for election ads. In late 2009 and early 2010, Barker was the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where she studied, wrote and lectured on Pakistan and Afghanistan and U.S. policy. She was the South Asia bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune from 2004 to 2009 and was based in New Delhi and Islamabad. At the Tribune, Barker covered major stories such as the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and rising militancy in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Her book about those years, "The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan," was published by Doubleday in March 2011.

Buying Your Vote

Ron Paul Is Really Serious About Transparency

Unlike other candidates, Paul’s campaign reports the smallest expenses, even the 12 cents at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

by Kim Barker,

Two Year Sentence for Man Accused in Pakistan Spy Plot

Kashmiri-American Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai allegedly used at least $3.5 million from the ISI to try to influence U.S. policy on Kashmir.

by Kim Barker,

Buying Your Vote

Campaign Spending Shows Political Ties, Self-Dealing

So far, top super PACs and presidential candidates have spent more than $306 million in ways that hint at potential coordination. In some cases, this could violate FEC rules. 

by Kim Barker and Al Shaw,

A Tangled Web: Who’s Making Money From All This Campaign Spending?

Many have been detailing the vast sums being raised by the presidential candidates and the super PACs supporting them. But where are all those millions being spent?

by Al Shaw, Justin Elliott and Kim Barker,

Buying Your Vote

A Tangled Web: Who's Making Money From All This Campaign Spending?

by Al Shaw, Justin Elliott and Kim Barker,

Buying Your Vote

CPAC Tips: How to Win Friends and Influence

Panels and parties at last week's Conservative Political Action Conference provided a window into how the pros are raising unlimited, undisclosed money this election cycle.

by Kim Barker,

Buying Your Vote

With Spotlight on Super PAC Dollars, Nonprofits Escape Scrutiny

Super PAC filings for 2011 reveal few surprises in identifying contributors: Unions give to Democrats, while businesses back Republicans. Much less is known about the social-welfare nonprofits that might play a big role in the election.

by Kim Barker, Al Shaw and Ariel Wittenberg,

PAC Track: Now Includes Contributions

What and where are the super PACs spending?

by Al Shaw and Kim Barker,

Buying Your Vote

In the Gusher of Super PACs, Even One Named ‘The Internet’

Super PACs with similar-sounding names, satirical motives or undeclared aims are setting the stage for voter confusion in the months ahead. A super PAC called “a SuperPAC”? No kidding.

by Kim Barker,

Kashmiri-American Pleads Guilty in Pakistan Spy Plot

Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, the head of the Kashmiri American Council, admitted making false statements to U.S. officials about $3.5 million in payments he received from Pakistan and its Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, or ISI. The money was allegedly used to try to influence U.S. policy on the disputed territory of Kashmir.

by Kim Barker and Habiba Nosheen,