CCP
Media check: what is “huge” in campaign spending?
By Brad SmithIn Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn has signed a law which lifts all contribution limits in races in which independent spending by an individual or independent expenditure committee (so-called Super PACs) exceeds certain thresholds. This is smart legislation for many reasons which we cover ad nauseum at this site – more speech, greater voter knowledge, more competition, etc.. The thresholds are $250,000 for a statewide race, and $100,000 for other offices.
Independent groups
Wall Street Journal: Political Spending by Unions Far Exceeds Direct Donations
By TOM MCGINTY and BRODY MULLINSPrevious estimates have focused on labor unions’ filings with federal election officials, which chronicle contributions made directly to federal candidates and union spending in support of candidates for Congress and the White House.
Roll Call: Cabinet Members a Super PAC No-Show
By Steven T. DennisSenior White House adviser David Plouffe is the only member of President Barack Obama’s administration to attend a fundraiser for a pro-Obama super PAC so far, despite an announcement in February that White House officials and Cabinet members would participate.
NY Times: Workers United
By ANDREW ROSENTHALSince the Supreme Court’s damaging ruling in the Citizens United case, a great deal has been written (including by me and the Times editorial board) about the torrent of corporate money the decision dumped into the political system. But that ruling also lifted restrictions on spending by labor unions, and the Journal’s Tom McGinty and Brody Mullins show us the astounding size and scope of that spending.
The Hill: House Majority PAC raises $4.3M in quarter
By Cameron JosephThe House Majority PAC, a Democratic-aligned super-PAC focused on House races, raised $4.3 million in the last three months, it announced Tuesday.
Bloomberg: Adelson Gives $1 Million To PAC For Florida Republicans
By Greg GirouxBillionaire casino executive Sheldon Adelson, who has donated tens of millions of dollars to promote Republican presidential candidates and oppose President Barack Obama, is also using his wealth to elect Republicans in Florida.
SCOTUS/Judiciary
Politico: Has SCOTUS OK’d campaign dirty tricks?
By Richard HasenAn obscure procedural order issued the day after the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Barack Obama’s health care law got lost in the saturated media coverage of the health ruling and the palace intrigue over whether Chief Justice John Roberts switched his vote and alienated his conservative colleagues. Without comment or dissent, the justices declined to hear Minnesota’s appeal of a federal appeals court ruling in 281 Care Committee v. Arneson — holding that Minnesota’s law banning false campaign speech about ballot measures is likely unconstitutional under the First Amendment. The result could be even nastier campaigns and more political dirty tricks.
Disclosure
Wall Street Journal: ‘Disclosure’ Dishonesty
By Collin LevyThe money race was in full swing this week, as Democrats made hay of a recent posh Mitt Romney fundraiser at the home of billionaire businessman Ron Perelman. Behind the headlines is a major fundraising gap—some $35 million—between Mr. Romney and President Obama that Obama spokesman Jim Messina said meant the Democrats “got beat. Handily.” Last month, Mr. Obama and the Democratic National Committee raised $71 million, compared to more than $106 million for Mr. Romney.
Candidates and parties
Washington Post: Obama campaign shrugs off reports of Romney’s fundraising advantage
By Bill Turque“We are sticking to the fundraising course we set from the beginning,” Obama campaign spokeswoman Katie Hogan said. That means, she said, that the team will continue to grow a base of donors — which it currently places at 2.4 million — who are able to contribute small amounts throughout the campaign.
