In the News
Human Events: FORMER FEC CHIEF’S HARMFUL VIEWS ON FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOM
By Hans von SpakovskyCitizens United simply held that the government cannot ban the speech of corporations and unions when it contains political advocacy. As Brad Smith, another former FEC chairman points out, “Corporations are not people. And nobody thinks they are… but corporations have been recognized as persons for purposes of the law for centuries…corporations have all the rights that we as people have when we assemble.” That is why the corporate speech of the New York Times Company was protected in New York Times v. Sullivan, a case that liberals have never criticized.
CCP
CCP Files Brief in Colorado Supreme Court Free Speech Case
By Sarah LeeALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) today announced that it filed its opening brief in the Colorado Supreme Court, which earlier agreed to answer four questions presented by a federal judge hearing the case of Coalition for a Secular Government (CSG) v. Gessler.
Independent Groups
Roll Call: Crossroads Launches $500,000 Fiscal Cliff Ad Buy
By Eliza Newlin CarneyIn the latest sign that outside groups that spent record sums on the recent election are shifting their unrestricted money to lobbying, Crossroads GPS has launched a $500,000 TV ad buy assailing President Barack Obama’s tax plan.
Disclosure
Wall Street Journal: Adelson to Keep Betting on the GOP
By Alicia MundyLAS VEGAS—After spending more than $100 million mostly on losing Republican election campaigns this year, casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson said he planned to stay in the game and double down on his political donations.
The Morning Call: Robert K. Young: Full disclosure of super PAC donations needed
By Robert YoungSince the January 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the political landscape has been radically changed and the voice of the citizen has been diluted. It has been reported that more than $1.1 billion has been spent by super PACs, political parties, corporations (including foreign-controlled companies), unions, wealthy individuals and other groups, all of which attempted to influence voters and candidates in the 2012 presidential and congressional elections.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
Politico: Democrats to Obamaland: Share your data
By Lois RomanoIt is something far more valuable that’s being guarded as zealously as the Pentagon: Obama’s unprecedented database of an estimated 16 million voters, volunteers and donors, which gave the Democrat an indisputable edge in November.
Lobbying and Ethics
Roll Call: Lobbyists Could See More Curbs Arising From Campaign Finance Movement
By Eliza Newlin CarneySpearheaded by a coalition of campaign finance experts and activists called Represent.Us, the campaign is working to build grass-roots support for a measure that would drastically limit lobbyist fundraising, among other provisions. Dubbed the American Anti-Corruption Act, the plan would also curb unrestricted super PACs and make it harder for such groups to coordinate with candidates.
Washington Examiner: Why lobbyists dislike Citizens United
By Timothy CarneyThe 2001 McCain-Feingold campaign-finance regulations severely clamped down on the public route (1), which involved democracy-type stuff. It didn’t touch the behind-closed-door route (2). The 2009 Citizens United Supreme Court decision didn’t affect the ability of companies to petition Congress — it only liberalized laws on companies petitioning the public. And Democratic responses to Citizens United wouldn’t regulate the lobbying that goes on behind closed doors. The DISCLOSE Act and its ilk would, in fact, enhance the importance of K Street by curbing companies’ ability to work the “outside-in” game of speaking to the public.
State and Local
California –– LA Times: California ethics agency slaps fines on lobbyists and clients
By Patrick McGreevyThe state Fair PolitiCal Practices Commission is cracking down on state lobbyists and their clients for failing to disclose their activity or otherwise crossing ethical lines, handing out $53,000 in fines to seven firms and organizations.
