In the News
Huffington Post Live: Election Law Revolution
From ending contribution limits to striking down a central part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Supreme Court is poised to continue its election law revolution.
Bloomberg: Republicans Join Democrats to Back Ending Donor Anonymity
By Jonathan D. SalantAnonymity “is an important part of our ability to take unpopular causes,” said former FEC Chairman Bradley Smith, chairman of the Alexandria, Virginia-based Center for Competitive Politics, which opposes campaign spending limits.“This is a hard-won civil right,” he said, expressing concern that contributors could face threats or harm if their names were publicly disclosed.
CCP
CCP and David Axlerod: A Meeting of Minds
By Sarah LeeIt’s a bit premature to start thinking Axlerod, after helping President Obama rail against this side of the campaign finance debate for the last five years or so — has developed a more politically libertarian view of campaign contributions. But it does appear that even he’s beginning to understand that cutting out the middleman (the PACs and super PACs) means that direct contributions to candidates will likely go much further toward actually benefitting that candidate — something the donor ostensibly wants when they give their money to a super PAC.
Independent Groups
NY Times: Anatomy of a PAC Attack
After Jesse Jackson Jr. announced his resignation from the House, Independence USA, the “super PAC” created by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York, has tried to seize a “distinct window of opportunity” by making gun control an issue in the special election to pick Mr. Jackson’s successor. The group has run television ads in the Chicago market every day since Jan. 30 and spent over $2.1 million on the campaign so far. The following is a breakdown of how that money has been spent.
Politico: Michael Bloomberg PAC continues to spend big
By Tarini PartiNew York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave his super PAC another $100,000 in January for a barrage of attack ads against Democrat Deborah Halvorson in the House special election to replace former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., in Illinois, according to new reports filed Wednesday.
Washington Times: Ben and Jerry’s new flavor: Campaign finance reform
By Jennifer HarperNow they want to stamp paper money with political phrases of their choice, preferably in red ink.
SCOTUS
Huffington Post: Supreme Court Could Create System of Legalized Bribery in Washington Depending on Its Decision in McCutcheon Case
By Fred WertheimerThere are enormous stakes for the country in the campaign finance case the Supreme Court agreed to review this week.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
Washington Post: Rep. Ed Markey compares Citizens United to Dred Scott case
By Aaron BlakeRep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the frontrunner to become the next senator from Massachusetts, this week compared the Citizens United Supreme Court case to the Dred Scott decision that upheld slavery.
Politico: Elizabeth Colbert Busch: No PAC help from brother
By KEVIN CIRILLIIn her first national interview, Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch said that she won’t be getting any money from her comedian brother Stephen Colbert’s super PAC.
Washington Post: Jesse Jackson Jr. admits misusing campaign money
By Ann E. MarimowWith his father watching from the front row of a federal courtroom in Washington on Wednesday, Jesse L. Jackson Jr. ticked off his many accomplishments, demonstrating not only his successes but how far he has fallen as he pleaded guilty to using approximately $750,000 in campaign money to enrich himself and his wife.
The Hill: Ashley Judd meets with DSCC and Kentucky donors on potential Senate bid
By Alexandra JaffeActress Ashley Judd is moving closer to a challenge to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), meeting in recent days with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic donors and strategists in Kentucky to discuss a potential run.
Huffington Post: David Axelrod: Remove Campaign Contribution Limits To End Super PACs’ Game
By Paul BlumenthalDavid Axelrod, the former top political adviser to President Barack Obama, called for the end of candidate contribution limits as a way to wrest control of elections from the less accountable super PACs and other groups that have proliferated since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling.
Roll Call: DSCC Raised Millions More Than NRSC in January
By Joshua Miller and Kyle TrygstadThe DSCC reported it had $3 million in the bank at the end of January, while the NRSC reported slightly more — $3.3 million — cash on hand at the same time.
