Independent groups
The Hill: Anti-incumbency group to target Rangel
By Josh LedermanThe Campaign for Primary Accountability, a super-PAC spending big to oust long-serving incumbents, will target Rep. Charles Rangel (D) in New York, the group announced Tuesday.
The Hill: Report: Romney super-PAC receives big money from federal contractors
By Rachel LevenA pro-Mitt Romney super-PAC has received more than $1.2 million from federal contractors, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report. Restore Our Future accepted the donations from contractors employed by companies accounting for more than $244 million in federal business, the Inquirer states. Federal contractors are not allowed to contribute in federal elections to limit the appearance of or actual non-merit-based awarding of contracts.
Trial
Politico: Aide: Edwards falsely claimed ignorance of cash
By Josh GersteinGREENSBORO, N.C. — Former Sen. John Edwards prepared a statement claiming ignorance of money paid to support his mistress despite having privately acknowledged some knowledge about the payments, former Edwards speechwriter Wendy Button testified here Tuesday at his federal trial on campaign finance charges.
Candidates and parties
Roll Call: Democrats Far Behind in Super PAC Money
By Eliza Newlin CarneyFor Democratic super PACs struggling to catch up with their cash-flush GOP counterparts, the news that financier George Soros will soon give $2 million to a couple of progressive groups comes as small consolation.
NY Times: Liberal Donors’ Plan Worries Top Democrats,
By JEFF ZELENYSenior leaders of the Democratic Party expressed alarm on Tuesday that a $100 million plan by liberal donors to increase voter turnout would duplicate a similar effort by President Obama’s campaign and squander a chance to fend off an advertising onslaught from Republican groups.
Huffington Post: Democratic Donors’ 2012 Campaign Strategy Is Heavy On Ground, Light On Air
By Sam SteinWASHINGTON — Key players in the progressive universe have reached the conclusion that the 2012 elections can be won only with a gamble. Rather than match conservative groups dollar-for-dollar in television ad campaigns, they will invest their more limited resources in building up a grassroots infrastructure designed to get out the vote.
Politico: Cantor distances himself from super PACs
By JAKE SHERMANHouse Majority Leader Eric Cantor sought to distance himself Tuesday from the YG Action Fund, a super PAC run by two of his former top aides, another example of the discomfort elected lawmakers have with the big money groups.
Lobbying and ethics
The Hill: Sen. Bingaman ‘consultant’ was lobbyist
By Alexander BoltonA lobbyist for a generic drug company was introduced as a special consultant to Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) during negotiations on patent law, according to others who attended the meeting.
FEC
Politico: FEC leans toward helping Feinstein
By Robin BravenderSen. Dianne Feinstein may soon be able to ask top donors for more cash to make up for the millions allegedly embezzled from her campaign.
