Independent groups
Politico: Citizens United: Democracy for sale
By TOM PERRIELLO and AMY ROSENBAUMWhen the Supreme Court struck down the core of our country’s campaign finance laws in 2010, in the landmark Citizens United case, most of America didn’t take notice. After all, politicians already looked too cozy with the wealthy donors who bankrolled their elections. How much worse could it get?
The Hill: Super-PAC blasts Obama’s ‘public equity’ career
By Geneva SandsThe Republican super-PAC American Crossroads is trying to flip the script on the Obama campaign’s repeated attacks on Mitt Romney’s private-equity past.
Politico: Super PAC timing raises questions
By Dave LevinthalMitt Romney’s presidential campaign and conservative mega-super PAC American Crossroads each went up Tuesday with attack videos accusing President Barack Obama of wasting billions of dollars in stimulus money, highlighted by now-bankrupt solar company Solyndra.
NY Times, Campaign Stop: Our Imbecilic Constitution
By SANFORD LEVINSONAdvocating the adoption of the new Constitution drafted in Philadelphia, the authors of “The Federalist Papers” mocked the “imbecility” of the weak central government created by the Articles of Confederation.
Disclosure
NY Times: End of the Charade
EditorialSo will the Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors more political advertising than any other group, follow the clear language of the court order and begin revealing the names of its donors? Of course not.
Contribution Limits
Chicago Tribune: Tinkering with campaign caps
EditorialWe’re not here to defend the party leaders, who are interested only in protecting their grip on power. But tinkering with the caps will not level the playing field. The way to do that is to get rid of the caps entirely.
Candidates and parties
TPM Livewire: Dem: Obama Will Not Appear With Bill Maher
By Evan McMorris-SantoroA leader of a super PAC supporting President Obama told MSNBC Tuesday that President Obama will not make any public appearances with comedian Bill Maher, who very publicly donated $1 million to support the president’s relection and whose incendiary comments over the past couple years have made him the focus of intense criticism from the right.
National Journal: Romney Campaign Hits Obama on Solyndra
By Matt VasilogambrosAfter weeks of getting hit on his business record at Bain Capital, Mitt Romney is flipping the script and attacking President Obama on his administration’s performance helping green energy companies.
FEC
Politico: Mark Kirk hit with FEC complaint by ex-wife
By JOHN BRESNAHANThe former wife of Illinois GOP Sen. Mark Kirk has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Kirk’s campaign hid tens of thousands of dollars in payments to his ex-girlfriend.
