In the News
USA Today: Opposing view: Redirect the outrage on convention spending
By Brad SmithIt is hard not to be outraged by national political convention spending — until one puts it into perspective. For example, the FFA (that’s the organization formerly known as the Future Farmers of America) annual convention, which rotates between Louisville and Indianapolis, is a $30 million dollar affair. Major sporting events such as a BCS Bowl game or NCAA Final Four see far higher spending. Someone’s got to pay for it.
Independent groups
Washington Post: Citizens United chief watches as other groups reap windfall from landmark case
By Jason HorowitzTAMPA — Dave Bossie has no regrets. He just wishes he were getting a little more love.
Bloomberg: Smackdown Over Super-PAC Integrity
By AL HUNTAli versus Frazier, it wasn’t. But the co-founders of the super-political action committees supporting President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney attacked each other over the honesty of their ads, which have come to dominate presidential campaign advertising.
Huffington Post: Obama Super PAC Plots Massive Ad Campaign Against Romney
By Sam SteinThe spot, featuring a testimonial from Olive Chase, a well-regarded chef on Cape Cod, is a new twist for Priorities USA Action. While previous ads from the group have focused on Romney’s tenure in private equity, this one accuses the presumptive Republican nominee of failing to live up to his promises of turning around the Bay State’s economic malaise during the early-2000s.
SCOTUS/Judiciary
Washington Post: Making the case that the filibuster is unconstitutional
By Suzy KhimmAs proof of injury, Common Cause cites the intended beneficiaries of the DREAM Act, which provides a legal pathway to permanent residency to young illegal immigrant students, and the DISCLOSE Act, a legislative response to the Citizens United ruling that would require greater transparency for campaign spending by interest groups.
Candidates and parties
ABC News: Deal Will Likely Prevent Floor Fight at Republican National Convention
By Chris GoodRepublican National Committeeman James Bopp, who had led a movement to oppose a new delegate rule on the convention floor, confirms to ABC News that he has agreed to a deal on compromise language.
Washington Post: Nancy Pelosi, master of donor maintenance, is on the road again
By Melinda HennebergerPORTLAND, Ore. — Even as the last of the light drained out of the day during a seated dinner in an honest-to-God forest glade, Nancy Pelosi kept doling out anecdotes and answers a la tartare to donors who weren’t ready for the evening to end.
Lobbying and ethics
NBC: ‘Pop-up lobbying’ a new trend in convention influence peddling
By Michael IsikoffThe political conventions have always been open season for big money influence peddling. But this year, ever-creative Washington lobbyists have devised a nifty new technique to bypass pesky ethics rules that were supposed to bar them from throwing lavish convention parties for lawmakers.
Associated Press: Top donors, lobbyists to schmooze with RNC guests
By JACK GILLUM, STEPHEN BRAUN and BRIAN BAKSTTAMPA, Fla.—Away from the televised political speeches and Mitt Romney’s nomination at the Republican National Convention, energy, technology, transportation companies and others are hosting lavish parties for Republican leaders, politicians and Romney’s top donors.
