In the News
iWatch: Nonprofits outspent super PACs in 2010, trend may continue
By Michael BeckelOpposition to the bill has been led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, with other groups, such as the Center for Competitive Politics.Allen Dickerson, the legal director of the Center for Competitive Politics, says that the DISCLOSE Act would impose “burdensome” requirements on political nonprofits and violate the civil rights of donors.“This [bill] is an enormous expansion of the government’s intervention in the internal workings of nonprofit groups,” he said.
CCP
Money, Politics and Democracy at Stake and How Government Stifles Grassroots Political Advocacy
By Joe TrotterThe panel, “Citizens United Two Years Later: Money, Politics and Democracy at Stake, ” featured CCP Chairman Brad Smith, and discussed Citizens United, disclosure, and public financing.
Independent groups
Institute for Justice: Free Speech v. FEC
By Paul ShermanThe Federal Election Commission has been in many fights about free speech. But now it’s in a fight with free speech, or rather with “Free Speech, ” the name taken by a group of three Wyoming residents who, represented by the Wyoming Liberty Group, yesterday filed a federal lawsuit against the FEC. And, for once, a case’s name—Free Speech v. FEC—reveals precisely what’s at stake.
NPR: Sen. McConnell: Political Donations Are Free Speech
By PETER OVERBYSunday was the 40th anniversary of the Watergate break-in — the opening act in a wide-ranging, White House scandal that was fueled by secret campaign money. Last week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said it’s time to roll back the Watergate-era requirement for public disclosure of campaign donors. He accused President Obama and liberals of trying to stifle the First Amendment rights of conservative donors.
SCOTUS/Judiciary
NPR: ‘Citizens United’ Case Gets Renewed Scrutiny
By DAVID WELNAIndeed, much of the mountain of campaign money raised this year would not be allowed had it not been for a series of rulings from the court headed by Roberts. And a huge share of that money is benefiting Republican candidates.
Disclosure
Washington Post: A GOP bait-and-switch on disclosure
By Fred HiattFirst, a confession: Though a longtime member of the Church of Campaign Finance Reform, I have from time to time been tempted by the sect of Unlimited Donations, Unlimited Disclosure.
TPM: Whitehouse: ‘Very Little’ Hope For Bipartisan Push To Roll Back Citizens United
By BENJY SARLINSen. John McCain (R-AZ) has warned that if Republicans don’t join Democrats in reining in the Citizens United decision, Americans should brace for a new wave of corruption in politics. But Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), lead sponsor of the DISCLOSE Act, does not expect Republicans to help stem the tide anytime soon.
Contributions
Roll Call: Rules of the Game: Texts Could Draw Small Donations
By Eliza Newlin CarneyIn an election increasingly defined by big money, the Federal Election Commission’s recent move to permit campaign contributions via text message strikes many as the perfect antidote.
Candidates and parties
NY Times: John McCain’s Three Little Words
By ANDREW ROSENTHALHe called Citizens United: “arrogant, uninformed, naïve.”
FEC
The Hill: White House responds to petition on replacing FEC commissioners
By Rachel LevenThe White House on Friday responded to a petition from watchdog groups calling for the replacement of five Federal Election Commission (FEC) commissioners before the 2012 election, but declined to comment on either a timeline or possible candidates.
