Independent Groups
Washington Post: Obama’s cashier’s window?
EditorialWhy, then, is he opening a cashier’s window with his name on it for the same special interests? The president and his team may be wizards at social media and grass-roots organizing, but from an influence-peddling standpoint this organization looks to be fraught with hazard.
The Hill: Clinton backers launch ‘Ready for Hillary’ super-PAC in hopes of 2016 campaign
By Cameron JosephA group of Hillary Clinton supporters is launching a campaign to draft her to run for president — the first major push from an outside group for her to run.
CPI: Nonprofit spends big on politics despite IRS limitation
By Michael BeckelLast fall, a cadre of wealthy business executives and conservative groups tried to sell California voters on new campaign finance reforms.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
Politico: Democrats, tea party unite vs. Mitch McConnell
By Manu RajuTea party activists looking to oust Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in a GOP primary may get some help from an unlikely source: Democrats.
The Hill: Opinion: With State of the Union speech, Obama will take case to the people
By Juan WilliamsIn this year’s State of the Union, scheduled for February 12, the President opens a prime-time window of about 100 days to make significant headway on his second term agenda. At most the President has a year and a half before mid-term elections reduce him to a lame duck with no clout over a Congress defined by first-term GOP efforts to block his agenda.
State and Local
California –– Oakland Tribune: California can shine a light on national ‘dark money’ in campaigns
By Daniel G. NewmanThe disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision three years ago unleashed a flood of political money unprecedented in U.S. history. Organizations can now raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections, without disclosing where that money came from. These “dark money” groups spent hundreds of millions of dollars nationally to influence November’s elections.
Massachusetts –– Lowell Sun: Murray: ‘I’m responsible’ for any campaign-finance violations
By Chris CamireWINCHENDON — Lt. Gov. Tim Murray vowed Friday to take responsibility for any campaign finance law violations he may have committed by accepting contributions raised by disgraced former Chelsea Housing Authority director Michael McLaughlin.
Nebraska –– Omaha World-Herald: Committee hears bill to overhaul campaign finance rules
By Martha StoddardLegislative Bill 79 would lower the threshold for reporting campaign donations and spending to $100, down from $250.
