CCP
Media Watch: Good News for Campaign Finance
By Joe TrotterTitled “Bad News for Campaign Finance,” the post was in many ways a sign of how the First Amendment protections have been prevailing over ridiculous political speech restrictions and citizens have been more involved than ever in our democracy.
Independent Groups
Roll Call: Rules of the Game: Unions Leveraging Election Day Wins
By ElizaNewlin Carney
Leading unions have not paused for breath since Nov. 6, mobilizing virtually the same volunteers around the same message in the budget fight as they did on the campaign trail. Labor leaders and their progressive allies are staging more than 100 candlelight vigils at congressional district offices nationwide on Monday. The actions come on the heels of two rounds of TV ads and a Capitol Hill fly-in.
International Business Times: McConnell Warns House GOP Against Bipartisan Support For Campaign Finance Reform
By Ashley PorteroSenate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is so set on deflecting any new campaign finance reform laws that he is reportedly warning House Republicans against signing on to any bipartisan initiative to reform the system.
Bloomberg News: In Politics, More Can Mean Less
By Albert HuntSupporters of the Citizens United ruling and other campaign-finance cases dismissed the concerns about corruption, contending that more money in elections would increase voter participation and turnout and enhance voters’ knowledge about the candidates and important issues.
Disclosure
AP: Shadowy donor behind record ‘super’ PAC checks
By JACK GILLUM and STEPHEN BRAUNRose said in a statement last month that he formed Specialty Group to buy, sell, develop and invest in a variety of real estate ventures and investments. He declined interview requests from the AP over three weeks and complained in his statement that reporters had contacted his ex-wife and business colleagues. He also disputed any characterization that his company was “shadowy.”
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
NY Times: For Corporate Donors, Inauguration Details
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERGWASHINGTON — President Obama’s finance team is offering corporations and other institutions that contribute $1 million exclusive access to an array of inaugural festivities, including tickets to a “benefactors reception,” a children’s concert, a candlelight celebration at the National Building Museum, two reserved parade bleacher seats and four tickets to the president’s official inaugural ball.
Politico: Obama, Romney campaign officials dissect 2012 election at Dole Institute
By James Hohmann“The bottom line is that the Obama campaign [had] a candidate that was very hard to lay a glove on because he was somebody that the American people, by and large, had decided that they just liked,” said Romney’s deputy campaign manager Katie Packer Gage.
Roll Call: NRCC Weekend Fundraiser Gets Into Holiday Swing
By Jonathan StrongThe trip, which included a private shopping spree at Bloomingdale’s, could fuel further criticism from top Democrats, who last week complained about the few days the House has been in session, even with many important political issues unresolved.
Lobbying and Ethics
NY Times: Beyond the Fiscal Cliff
The four-year-old Office of Congressional Ethics — the quasi-independent watchdog and preliminary investigator of House members’ misbehavior — is one of the rare success stories on Capitol Hill. It needs reauthorization and four new appointees by the end of the month if it is to continue into the next Congress and keep the public better informed. Legislators, of course, loathe being investigated by the office. But it has a solid record of fairness in doing its job, which involves discreetly screening complaints for the House Ethics Committee.
State and Local
California –– KQED: San Jose Council Must Disclose Lobbyists’ Texts
In a nod to the ubiquity of handheld devices at public meetings, City Council members have imposed strict rules on themselves requiring that they disclose communications from lobbyists who email or text them during council meetings.
Texas –– NY Times: Contributions Blackout Serves Many Functions
By Ross RamseyLadies and gentlemen, close your checkbooks. Sunday starts the blackout on campaign contributions to Texas state officeholders, a period of pecuniary protection that will last until after the legislative session that begins in a month.
