CCP
Van Hollen Reversal a Victory for Free Speech
By Sarah LeeThis morning, a unanimous federal appeals court overturned a lower court’s invalidation of an FEC regulation dealing with donor privacy. The lower court had ruled that organizations making electioneering communications – broadcast communications mentioning a candidate’s name within 60 days before a general election – must disclose all of their donors, even those unconnected to the ads in question. The FEC’s regulation had previously required public disclosure only of donors who had paid for particular communications.
Independent groups
National Review: A Sigh of Relief for 501(c)(4)s and Their Contributors
By Stephen M. HoerstingToday, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit handed down an important opinion that will protect political contributors from unnecessary retaliation in the remaining days of the election. The case is Center for Individual Freedom, et al. v. Christopher Van Hollen and Federal Election Commission, No. 12-5117 (September 18, 2012), brought originally by the congressman of the same name, coauthor of the failed DISCLOSE Act, which was designed to put business contributors on the sidelines this campaign season.
Slate: Can Crowdsourcing Its Politics Help Big Labor Keep Its Influence?
By Sasha IssenbergWhere RePurpose really deviates from usual practice, though, is that it allows supporters to effectively cash in their points to sponsor particular Worker’s Voice activities—choosing which states and candidates they want to back and the method or mode of contact. “Different items cost different amounts, depending on a few different factors, such as the amount of staff time needed to create or change something (such as a phonebank script or a canvass turf) or the actual cost of the item (such as an online ad or direct mail piece),” according to an explainer.
Associated Press: Contributions to PACs in Vt. may be known soon
By Dave GramTwo newly created political action committees — or PACS — are trying to perform on the Vermont stage in the manner allowed by Citizens United. The Republican-leaning Vermonters First reported raising $100,000 from just one donor — Lenore Broughton of Burlington — plus $34,500 worth of “research and consulting” by Broughton, the group’s campaign finance report said.
Politico: House Democrats brace for super PAC ad blitz
By ALEX ISENSTADTDemocrats are bracing for an oncoming tsunami of conservative cash to hit House races, and now predict they could be outspent as much as 3-to-1 as Republicans race to defend their majority.
NY Times: ‘Super PAC’ Makes Some Intriguing Bets on Romney
By SARAH WHEATONMitt Romney may have had a bad run in polls in recent weeks, but he still has supporters who are bullish about his chances in some states that President Obama won handily in 2008.
Politico: Joe Ricketts ad blitz has Romney fingerprints
By Kenneth VogelUnlike the controversial aborted pitch for a $10-million attack highlighting Rev. Jeremiah Wright, billionaire investor Joe Ricketts’s new super PAC campaign will use themes and players blessed by Mitt Romney and his allies.
Disclosure
Politico: Court says groups can keep donors secret
By KENNETH P. VOGEL and TARINI PARTIA federal appeals court on Tuesday overturned a lower court decision that could have forced the disclosure of the donors behind some of the secret money groups flooding the airwaves with attack ads.
Politico: Dave Camp, Orrin Hatch tell New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to back off
By Kelsey SnellThe top Republican tax writers are calling on the New York attorney general to cease an investigation into the secret financial records of close to two dozen tax-exempt groups that have been funneling millions of dollars into this year’s election.
Candidates and parties
LA Times: Romney campaign took out $20-million loan, still owes $11 million
By Melanie MasonRomney’s fundraising this summer has been prolific, stringing together three consecutive months of raising more than $100 million for his presidential bid. But there was a catch: Until late August, he couldn’t spend a good portion of that money. The result: the $20-million loan.
Politico: Obama stops at Ohio AFL-CIO convention
By Byron TauOn a campaign swing through Ohio, President Obama made an impromptu stop at the 28th Biennial Constitutional Convention of the Ohio AFL-CIO — a local gathering of affiliated labor councils.
Lobbying and ethics
Niagara Falls Reporter: Government Paying Lobbyists Seems a Little Redundant
By Darryl McPhersonComing off the first leg of the electoral season with Primary Day last week, the citizens of Niagara County (and all of New York State) had their first opportunity to select those individuals who would be their voice in government. The lucky few who would advance to the General Election and beyond would be granted the honor of standing up for the citizens in the halls of power. In many cases, they would be paid for the singular distinction of being their representative.
