Independent groups
Bloomberg: One Donor Gave One-Third of Pro-Republican Group’s Funds
by Heidi Przybyla and Jonathan D. SalantCrossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, a nonprofit group affiliated with Republican adviser Karl Rove, got more than one-third of its revenue in the last seven months of 2011 from a single, unidentified donor, according to documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
Associated Press: Pro-Obama super PAC runs ad bashing Mitt Romney
An independent group supporting President Barack Obama’s re-election is spending $660, 000 to run a TV ad in four states bashing Mitt Romney
LA Times: Secret donors pour millions of dollars into Crossroads GPS
by Matea GoldCrossroads GPS, a conservative nonprofit group that is one of the most prominent critics of President Obama, raised nearly $77 million in its first 19 months from a small cadre of secret donors, including two dozen who wrote checks of $1 million and more.
Candidates and parties
Roll Call: Fundraising Numbers Tip Scales of Power
by Joshua MillerIn the first quarter of an election year, sitting Members of Congress can use the power of incumbency to post big fundraising numbers and send a message to challengers that they have the resources to make sure they return to Capitol Hill for another term.
Politico: DNC: Wal-Mart gift cards not cash
by Anna Palmer and John BresnahanThe official explained that the gift cards are considered an in-kind contribution, so they do not violate the strict Democratic National Committee rules which bar corporate cash donations.
Wall Street Journal: GOP House Candidates Have Edge in Finances
by Brody Mullins and Danny YadronRepublicans running for the U.S. House have built a financial advantage over their Democratic opponents in many of the races that will determine which party holds a majority after the election.
Washington Post: Time for Democratic donors to wake up
by Greg SargentWhich raises a question: Why is Dem outside-group fundraising failing to keep pace?
The American Prospect: Obamaites Charge Romney with Inveterate Richness
by Paul WaldmanBut let’s be honest: What they really want is to make sure people associate today’s Romney with everything the photo shows and symbolizes, from the vulturine grins to the sharp suits to the general sense that just off camera there might be a laid-off factory worker whom they’ve tied to a chair so they can whip him with their Hermes ties after they go over the latest BMW catalog.
DCCC to spend $32M on TV against 26 GOP incumbents
by Alex IsenstadtPOLITICO has learned that the House Democratic campaign arm is reserving more than $32 million in broadcast TV advertising after Labor Day, the first real signal of the party’s strategy for winning back control of the House.
Lobbying and ethics
Roll Call: Elite Lobbyists Donate to Connect With Members
by Kate AckleyMoney may not buy happiness or love, but it sure comes in handy for lobbyists who thrive on access to Members of Congress.
STATE and LOCAL
Arizona –– The Hill: Flake, Cardon trade barbs over super-PAC pledge
by Josh LedermanRep. Jeff Flake’s (R-Ariz.) opponent in the primary for Arizona’s open Senate seat says Flake is refusing to take a stand against super-PAC spending. But Flake says he’s ready to go — as soon as his opponent stop trying to buy his way into the Senate.
