In the News
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Free speech can be so annoying
Long story short: Because Corsi spent money, no matter how little (his website cost all of $40), the Ohio Election Commission said Corsi should have incorporated his group and registered with the state as a political action committee — hiring a lawyer to help with the “very complicated” process. As far as Ohio is concerned a political action committee can consist of as few as two people. Besides, Corsi engaged in “express advocacy” about politicians. The horror.Two courts have ruled in the commission’s favor. The Center for Competitive Politics, which is based in Arlington, has asked the Supreme Court to hear Corsi’s case. Let’s hope the justices agree to do so, because the Corsi case epitomizes a growing problem: the censoring of free speech through back-door regulation.
Independent Groups
State and Local
Virginia –– Washington Post: Groups flush with out-of-state cash flock to Virginia governor’s race as testing ground
Politico: Lois Lerner still Hill’s favorite piñata
By Lauren French
She’s still a central figure in three congressional investigations into the political targeting scandal that embroiled the IRS — and the Obama administration — in May. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has an outstanding subpoena to compel her testimony before his panel.And as a 30-year veteran of the civil service, Lerner is still eligible for a pension — something that is sure to further anger critics in Congress.
Breitbart: Lois Lerner Discusses Political Pressure on the IRS in 2010
By John SextonLerner goes on to outline the fact that 501(c)(4) organizations have the right to do “an ad that says vote for Joe Blow” so long as their primary activity is social welfare. However Lerner again emphasizes the political pressure the IRS was under at the time saying, “So everybody is screaming at us right now ‘Fix it now before the election. Can’t you see how much these people are spending?'” Lerner concludes by saying she won’t know if organizations have gone too far in campaigning until she looks at their “990s next year.”
Media Research Center: IRS Documents Reveal Agency Flagged Groups for ‘Anti-Obama Rhetoric,’ Big Three Refuse to Report
By Geoffrey DickensABC, CBS and NBC have so far refused to report the latest bombshell in the IRS scandal – a newly released list from the agency that showed it flagged political groups for “anti-Obama rhetoric.” On September 18 USA Today, in a front page story, reported the following: “Newly uncovered IRS documents show the agency flagged political groups based on the content of their literature, raising concerns specifically about ‘anti-Obama rhetoric,’ inflammatory language and ’emotional’ statements made by non-profits seeking tax-exempt status.”Not only have ABC, CBS and NBC not reported this story they’ve flat out stopped covering the IRS scandal on their evening and morning shows. It’s been 85 days since ABC last touched the story on June 26. NBC hasn’t done a report for 84 days and CBS last mentioned the IRS scandal 56 days ago on July 24.
Politico: Democrats eye super PACs for state races
By Manu Raju and Byron TauShell-shocked by the dominance of Republican-controlled state legislatures, Democrats in Washington are fighting back with something they once deplored: super PACs.
FEC
CPI: Federal Election Commission gets new blood
By Dave LevinthalPresident Barack Obama is no longer the only president who hasn’t successfully appointed someone to the Federal Election Commission.The U.S. Senate today approved two of Obama’s FEC nominees — Republican Lee E. Goodman, an attorney at law firm LeClairRyan, and Democrat Ann Miller Ravel, the head of the California Fair Political Practices Commission — by unanimous consent.
Politico: Senate confirms Obama’s FEC nominees
By Byron TauThe Senate on Monday confirmed President Barack Obama’s two nominees to the Federal Election Commission, giving the panel its first new members since the George W. Bush administration.Democrat Ann Ravel and Republican Lee Goodman were approved by unanimous consent in a brief voice vote on the Senate floor.
State and Local
California –– Press-Telegram: Long Beach campaign finance law limits transfers, attorney says
By Eric BradleyThe opinion, written by attorney Ruben Duran of the Los Angeles firm Burke, Williams and Sorensen LLP, says candidates running in next year’s municipal elections can only accept contributions from their other campaign accounts in a limited amount.
Delaware –– The News Journal: Illegal donations to Jack Markell’s 2008 campaign discovered
Gov. Jack Markell’s 2008 campaign, already the focus of a state criminal investigation that has netted three plea deals with donors, received other illegal contributions through businesses created by supporters, The News Journal has learned.
Virginia –– Washington Post: Groups flush with out-of-state cash flock to Virginia governor’s race as testing ground
By Matea Gold and Ben PershingWealthy donors and advocacy groups are using the Virginia governor’s race as a testing ground for next year’s midterm elections and for the 2016 presidential campaign, flooding the state with unprecedented levels of out-of-state spending.Campaign contributions from Virginia residents and local businesses have been swamped by donations from individuals, corporations and interest groups based elsewhere, who are vying to influence the only competitive gubernatorial contest in the country this year.
