In the News
Washington Post: Influence Industry: In Wisconsin recall effort, the side with most money won big
By Dan EggenBradley A. Smith, a former FEC chairman who heads the Center for Competitive Politics, which generally opposes contribution restrictions, said in a statement that unlimited fundraising by outside groups actually helped Barrett by allowing his side to narrow the spending gap. The fact that Walker could raise unlimited contributions suggests that other politicians should have the same freedom, he said.Finally, Smith said, “the high turnout in yesterday’s election suggests that, contrary to what some try to claim, high spending did not discourage people from voting, but perhaps encouraged turnout.”
CCP
All Over but The Shouting
By Sarah LeeLet the spin begin. As the Wisconsin recall results rolled in just after 9 pm last night, media outlets such as MSNBC began talking about how the deciding factor in Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s recall survival was money, money, money. To be specific: Walker outspent his opponent and was therefore successful. Again.
Independent groups
National Journal: Report: After Citizens United, States Struck I.E. Bans
By Andrew JosephFollowing the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision 22 states examined their laws prohibiting independent expenditures by corporations and only one, Montana, maintained its ban, according to a new report by the Corporate Reform Coalition, a pro-campaign finance reform umbrella group.
New Yorker: HOW WALKER WON
By William FinneganSo Scott Walker, the Republican Governor of Wisconsin, has survived a determined attempt to recall him from office. It was a heady win for the G.O.P. and a bitter defeat for the Democrats, organized labor, and Wisconsin’s liberal activists, who mobilized to remove Walker after he successfully attacked public-sector unions last year. The national implications of yesterday’s election result were being widely parsed before the polls had even closed. Was this a harbinger of a Republican victory in November? Is union power finished in the states? Was this another preview of the new world being brought to us by Citizens United?
NY Times: North Carolina, Meet Citizens United
EditorialThe North Carolina Judicial Coalition is a new tax-exempt organization, known as a super PAC, supported by wealthy conservative Republicans who are determined to make this year’s race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court ideological and expensive.
Politico: The return of Sheldon Adelson
By Kenneth VogelSheldon Adelson is back on the market with talk of giving at least $1 million – and possibly much more – to the Mitt Romney-affiliated super PAC Restore Our Future, POLITICO has learned.
Disclosure
Institutional Investor: Institutional Investors Demand Disclosure on Companies’ Political Spending
By Katie GilbertOn January 21, 2010, the day the Supreme Court delivered its landmark decision on Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission that it would overturn most of a century’s worth of regulations on corporate political spending, the $140 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund corporate governance department happened to be meeting to discuss the problem of untraceable political spending by companies in its portfolio. Patrick Doherty, the fund’s director of corporate governance, was making the pitch to New York State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli that the political spending issue should be a central focus of New York Common’s corporate governance campaign for the coming year.
Candidates and parties
Bloomberg: Obama Taps Hollywood To Keep Campaign Treasury Full
By Margaret TalevPresident Barack Obama returned to California today for the third time in a month, his push for campaign cash and Democratic seats in the House of Representatives overriding concerns he may turn off swing voters with a focus on gay rights advocates and celebrities.
National Journal: California’s Family Feuds
By Shane Goldmacher and Scott BlandIt’s not just about the money, either. When it comes to party volunteers, it’s a zero-sum game: Every Democratic activist campaigning against a fellow Democrat this fall is one fewer wooing voters to dislodge a Republican.
