CCP
Disclosure for contribution limits: a fair trade?
By Sarah LeeIt’s an interesting idea. Give the Democrats what they seek regarding enhanced disclosure of donors as a trade for what Republicans want, looser restrictions on caps to contributions.
Independent Groups
Washington Post: The Republican ‘reformation’
By George WillBecause of the grotesquely swollen place the presidency now occupies in the nation’s governance and consciousness, we are never not preoccupied with presidential campaigning. The Constitution’s Framers would be appalled.
Roll Call: FEC Terminates ‘Zombie’ Super PACs
By Eliza Newlin CarneyThe Federal Election Commission has pulled the plug on 300 “zombie” super PACs that had registered with the commission but then failed to raise or spend any money.
Washington Post: Obama sharing Twitter account with controversial campaign spin-off
By Aaron BlakeBut in another example of the often-blurry lines between politicians and independent outside groups, Obama has effectively begun sharing his eponymous @BarackObama Twitter account with the group, and he will continue to tweet on it, according to an Organizing for Action spokeswoman.Organizing for Action says it now controls the account, which has nearly 29 million followers and previously served as Obama’s personal and campaign account. The bio for @BarackObama says “This account is run by Organizing for Action staff. Tweets from the President are signed -bo.”
USA Today: Super PAC ads target Dems over Paul Ryan’s budget
By Catalina CamiaThe fight over Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget has led to the first TV ad from a conservative super PAC for the 2014 elections.
Washington Post: Billionaire launches attack on Lynch, despite Markey’s protest
Rachel WeinerLynch and Rep. Ed Markey are competing in the Democratic primary for the seat currently held by Sen. Mo Cowan (D). Tom Steyer, a California mogul and philanthropist, has threatened to run an extensive campaign against Lynch unless the congressman drops his support for the Keystone XL pipeline.
NY Times: Bloomberg’s TV Blitz on Guns Puts Swing Senators on the Spot
By Michael BarbaroDetermined to persuade Congress to act in response to that shooting, Mr. Bloomberg on Monday will begin bankrolling a $12 million national advertising campaign that focuses on senators who he believes might be persuaded to support a pending package of federal regulations to curb gun violence. The ads, in 13 states, will blanket those senators’ districts during an Easter Congressional recess that is to be followed by debate over the legislation.
Disclosure
CPI: Tester offers e-filing amendment to budget bill
By Michael BeckelSen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has this evening introduced an amendment to the Senate budget bill that would require senators to electronically file campaign finance reports, the Center for Public Integrity has learned.
Lobbying and Ethics
Washington Post: What secret e-mails from Enron teach us about influencing politicians
By Dan HopkinsBut are campaign contributions actually central to corporate lobbying efforts? If the now-bankrupt Enron Corporation is any indication, the answer is no.
State and Local
California –– Huffington Post: California Officials Turn Up The Heat On Secretive ‘Dark Money’ Groups
By Peter StoneThe latest round of subpoenas represents a major development in the investigation and comes on top of several subpoenas previously sent to the California PAC that spent the $11 million and three nonprofit groups that are not required to reveal their donors, including one with ties to the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch.
New York –– NY Times: Candidate Ends Effort to Sidestep a City Cap
By MICHAEL BARBAROMr. McDonald, who is running for the Republican nomination, said he soon would seek to receive matching, taxpayer-financed funds from the city’s Campaign Finance Board, something he had not originally planned to do.Instead, he had hoped to quickly win a lawsuit challenging board rules that capped campaign contributions at $4,950 per person. Mr. McDonald argued that the cap was superseded by state law, which allows for far larger donations, of $19,700 for a mayoral primary and $41,000 for a general election.
