Individuals who list their employers as one of the two entities, plus political action committees formed by the government-sponsored firms that own or guarantee half the nation's mortgages, have donated $4.3 million to federal elected officials and their various campaign committees since 2005.

The money has gone to both Republicans and Democrats.

But Obama is the recipient of the largest individual money, at $111,849, according to federal campaign finance reports compiled by Times researcher Maloy Moore.</blockquote>

How is this a scandal?  Correct me if I'm wrong, but how is this "Fannie, Freddie money" at all?  Don't individuals have the right to contribute up to $2000 or so of their own money to any candidate, regardless of who their employer is?

Maybe there's something going on here I don't understand.  Or is it just the "appearance of a conflict of interest"?