Independent groups
CBS News: Film spotlights voters who have turned on Obama
By Scott ConroyTitled “The Hope and the Change,” the anti-Obama film was jointly financed by Citizens United and Victory Film Group — the production company helmed by conservative filmmaker Stephen K. Bannon.
Huffington Post: Super PAC Contributions Top $300 Million, Most Goes To GOP Groups
By Paul BlumenthalWASHINGTON — The Republican presidential campaign of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan got another boost from big donors in July. Republican super PACs, particularly the pro-Mitt Romney Restore Our Future and the Karl Rove-founded American Crossroads, both of which are spending big to help the Romney-Ryan ticket, continued to dominate in fundraising after raising $19.4 million in July, compared to $9.73 million raised by their Democratic counterparts.
Disclosure
Washington Post: Democrats won’t disclose donors to Charlotte convention until after the event
By TW FarnamIn its marketing materials, the party promises that the “people’s convention,” set to begin Sept. 3 in Charlotte, will be the “most open and accessible ever.” But the names of donors, some of whom are giving up to $100,000, will remain secret until federal disclosure documents are filed Oct. 15, six weeks after the festivities have ended, when public attention will have shifted to Election Day.
Tax financing
SCPR: Committee debates campaign finance reforms for City of LA elections
By Alice WaltonShould L.A. City Council candidates receive matching funds only for donations made by city residents, or should they apply to gifts from anyone who lives in the county?
CBS Connecticut: DNC Refuses To Reimburse Conn. Town For Overtime Costs During Obama Visit
First Selectman Gordon Joseloff says the Democratic National Committee notified the town it will not pay police and fire overtime costs totaling $14,812.
Candidates and parties
Wall Street Journal: Paul Ryan Discloses $1 Million to $5 Million Family Trust
By Alicia MundyRep. Paul Ryan changed his financial disclosure documents this spring to show the addition of a trust valued between $1 million and $5 million, while Mitt Romney’s campaign was vetting him for the Republican presidential ticket.
Miami Herald: Campaign vendors say Republican Congressman David Rivera funded Democrat’s failed primary bid
By MANNY GARCIA AND MARC CAPUTORivera and Sternad have denied working together in his campaign, which ended Aug. 14. But Hugh Cochran, president of Campaign Data, told The Herald this week that Rivera contacted him in July and requested he create a list of voters who were ultimately targeted in the 11 mailers sent by Sternad’s campaign. “David hired me to run the data,” said Cochran, who is a retired FBI agent.
Wall Street Journal: Crossroads: Akin Should Drop Senate Bid
By Alicia MundyCrossroads had said on Monday that it would stop all advertising in Missouri attacking Mr. Akin’s opponent, incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. Asked to explain its move, Crossroads issued five words: “The act speaks for itself.”
Lobbying and ethics
WRAL: Despite laws, NC legislators still ask lobbyists for money
By Laura LeslieAt least one lobbyist recently got this email from House Speaker Thom Tillis’ campaign, asking for $4,000 contributions by Sept. 14. At the bottom, a disclaimer says the campaign can’t take money from lobbyists, but it asks them to “pass the information along to any interested parties and recommend support where appropriate.”
