CCP
Brad Smith in WSJ on Cases to Watch
By Sarah LeeSmith was recently published in a Wall Street Journal op-ed detailing three significant campaign finance cases currently up for review by the Supreme Court, which may loosen restrictive campaign contribution regulations.
Independent Groups
AL.com: Super PAC will target Rep. Spencer Bachus for defeat, again
By Charles J. DeanThe Campaign for Primary Accountability announced today it will target Bachus, along with New York Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel, for defeat in their party primaries in 2014 should the two veteran lawmakers seek re-election.
Washington Times: Chicago police chief: Second Amendment supporters guilty of corruption
By Cheryl K. ChumleyOn a Sunday talk show, as reported by the Illinois State Rifle Association, police Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy said that firearm owners who lobby their representatives, or who donate money to political campaigns, for pro-Second Amendment issues are guilty of corruption and of endangering public safety.
Politico: Marco Rubio PAC gives donors water bottles
By KATIE GLUECKAs POLITICO Playbook reported on Monday, the group has sold upwards of 4,000 water bottles, raking in more than $100,000 through the promotion, which launched last Wednesday.
Election Law Blog: 10 Years of the Election Law Blog
By Rick HasenIt is hard for me to believe, but Monday marks the tenth anniversary of the Election Law Blog.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
Sunlight Foundation: Obama Versus Campaign Finance Laws
By John WonderlichSince then, Obama embraced superPACs and C4, the vehicles of newly deregulated influence-buying, suggesting that they were a necessary evil, and suggesting that the only alternative would be unilateral disarmament. A reluctant participant in a rigged game. The rationale didn’t ring true even then — the weak disclosure for these groups was justified by appeals to the same broken laws Obama spent 2010 railing against.Then came the inauguration.Obama reversed his policy of limiting donors for the inauguration celebration, and failed to post donation amounts online. (George W Bush had amounts and ranges online for his inauguration donors). He sold access to the inauguration, and to the presidency, to corporate donors, wheedling their way into the privileged positions that move their policy agendas forward. Obama did this for a series of parties, with no public interest justification whatsoever, and didn’t disclose donor amounts. The transparency president couldn’t publish donor amounts on the internet — of corporate donors. Private citizens can make hundreds of GIFs of a comical Rubio water swilling incident within three minutes, but the President of the United States can’t post corporate donation amounts online.
Lobbying and Ethics
NY Times: Lavish Lifestyle of a Lawmaker Yields Federal Charges
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDTMr. Jackson’s desire for such objects, however, prompted him to take about $750,000 directly from his campaign funds in violation of campaign finance laws, according to government documents, unraveling the career of one of the country’s best-known black politicians and the son of a famous civil rights activist.
State and Local
Illinois –– The Hill: Illinois Gov. criticizes outside money in race to replace Jackson, Jr.
By Alexandra JaffeBloomberg’s PAC, Independence USA, has targeted former Rep. Debbie Halvorson and state Sen. Toi Hutchinson for their support from the National Rifle Association and their positions on gun control.
Iowa –– AP: Iowa Governor Blasts Rove Super PAC As Meddling
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Turmoil deepened among leading Republicans over efforts to ward off controversial candidates in the next election, as Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad blasted a new candidate-steering plan by Karl Rove and warned him to stay out of state and congressional races.
Montana –– Helena Independent Record: Bullock, GOP senator roll out fix to stamp out campaign ‘dark money’
By Mike Dennison“It is one thing to lie and distort the records of positions of those seeking office,” Bullock said at a Capitol news conference. “It takes it to a whole different level when those trying to corrupt our elections aren’t even courageous enough to stand behind their statements by disclosing who is writing the check.”
Virginia –– Huffington Post: In Virginia Governor’s Race, Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Can Occur Legally
Beware, Virginia. While federal limits restrict these groups in federal elections, they don’t apply to the state’s marquee gubernatorial contest this year.
