In the News
BuzzFeed: Ricketts’ Lesson In The Cost Of Politics
By Ben Smith and Rebecca Elliott“I think for a lot of companies that have broad consumer bases and that have spent billions on a brand that people really like, to then go and throw a couple thousand dollars at a political issue is, well, stupid. And so not surprisingly you don’t see many of them doing it, ” said Allison Hayward, the vice president of policy at the Center for Competitive Politics, a conservative group that opposes campaign finance regulations. “Big companies that we all think about, that have big consumer bases, and that have spent tons of money trying to create public good will [would risk] throw[ing] that under the bus by trying to get involved in a political campaign.”
Washington Free Beacon: Who Funds the Watchers?
By CJ CiaramellaThe Center for Competitive Politics (CCP), which opposes restrictions on political speech, said United Republic should be more open if it wants to fulfill its stated purpose.“It’s a bit ironic, ” said CCP president David Keating in an interview with the Free Beacon. “If they’re doing that, then they should be willing to disclose their donors.”
Independent groups
Washington Post: ‘Super PACs’ Let Strategists Off the Leash
By NICHOLAS CONFESSOREThe intensifying flood of uncapped donations to outside political groups is transforming not just campaigns but the entire business of politics.
Bloomberg: Senator McCain Criticizes Campaign Spending After Blocking Efforts to Curb It,
By JONATHAN SALANTSenator John McCain, an Arizona Republican who voted twice to block proposals to require outside groups to disclose their donors, told the U.S. Supreme Court that “Americans believe that the current system of campaign finance is corrupt, and that Citizens United, thanks to the anonymous spending it unleashed, has made the problem worse.”
Reuters: Pro-Romney Super PAC sees fundraising dip in April
By Alina Selyukh and Alexander CohenBut the “super” political action committee still emerged with $8.2 million in cash on hand at the end of last month – more than it did in March – after spending $2.9 million, according to the filing with the Federal Election Commission.
APNewsBreak: 22 states join campaign finance fight
By MATT GOURASTwenty-two states and the District of Columbia are backing Montana in its fight to prevent the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision from being used to strike down state laws restricting corporate campaign spending.
Politico: McCain and Whitehouse take on Citizens United
By SEUNG MIN KIMSens. John McCain and Sheldon Whitehouse are teaming up to take on Citizens United.
SCOTUS/Judiciary
Washington Post: Supreme Court faces pressure to reconsider Citizens United ruling
By Robert BarnesHas anything changed in the world of campaign finance that might give pause to the five members of the Supreme Court who decided Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission exactly 28 months ago Monday?
Trial
The Atlantic: The Edwards’ Defense: He’s a Sinner, But Not a Criminal
By Jen DollYou might be tempted, knowing what you know about John Edwards, to think that he’s simply been acting penitent, his head bowed and face drawn in so many of those photos of him heading into or out of the courtroom where he’s been on trial for the alleged violation of campaign finance laws. Perhaps he is; we can’t really know. But a final, if expected, blow to the reputation of the guy who was once headed for big things—if not president, Supreme Court justice, or maybe attorney general?—comes from his own defense team, who definitely want him to look like he feels sorry.
Candidates and parties
LA Times: Romney chipping away at Obama fundraising lead
By Melanie Mason and Joseph TanfaniWASHINGTON – By effectively clinching the Republican nomination last month, Mitt Romney’s campaign was able to marshal larger checks and chip into President Obama’s huge head start in the money chase heading into the general election.
Lobbying and ethics
Washington Post: White House visitor logs provide window into lobbying industry
By T.W. FarnamBefore 9 a.m., a group of lobbyists began showing up at the White House security gates with the chief executives of their companies, all of whom serve on President Obama’s jobs council, to be checked in for a roundtable with the president.
