In the News
American Courthouse: Building “Enemies Lists” Through Phony Disclosure
By Dan PeroA recent letter from the Center for Competitive Politics to Senator Dick Durbin sheds light on the Professional Left’s ongoing phony disclosure campaign. The Center was one of “more than 300” groups to receive a letter from Durbin inquiring about its support for the American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization that promotes free market reforms at the state level.As the Center argues that “the purpose of disclosure is to allow citizens to monitor government, not allow government to monitor citizens.” Demands that independent groups disclose their donor lists is not comparable to requiring elected officials to list campaign contributors because “citizens do not have to report on their beliefs and activities to the government.”
Reuters: Top U.S. political donors in 2012 among country’s richest men
By Gabriel DebenedettiBut former Federal Elections Commission chairman Brad Smith, whose Center for Competitive Politics has filed an amicus brief in the case arguing against the contribution limits, said worries about a small group of people having disproportionate influence are unfounded.“Historically, this is how campaigns have always been funded. A handful of people, from their personal fortunes, kept the revolution going,” he said.
CCP
Dynamic Duo: Self-Righteous Paternalism Edition
By Luke WachobTuesday morning, Trevor Potter of the Campaign Legal Center and Fred Wertheimer of Democracy 21 held an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to discuss the upcoming Supreme Court case, McCutcheon v. FEC, scheduled for oral argument on October 8. As prominent leaders of the movement to further restrict free speech, Potter and Wertheimer’s comments offered a glimpse into the ideology behind self-proclaimed campaign finance “reformers,” which roughly amounts to: be afraid, be very, very, afraid. Also, don’t think too much.
Independent Groups
The Hill: NBC drops plans for Clinton miniseries
By Rebecca ShabadNBC offered little rationale for its decision to drop the Clinton miniseries, which was to have starred Academy Award winner Diane Lane as the former first lady, senator and secretary of state.“After reviewing and prioritizing our slate of movie/mini-series development, we’ve decided that we will no longer continue developing the Hillary Clinton mini-series,” an NBC spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.But the project had been divisive within the network, where stars of its news division strongly criticized the idea of doing a miniseries on Clinton just as she might be preparing to run for the White House for a second time.
Disclosure
Politico: Court dismisses Sheldon Adelson defamation suit
By TAL KOPANA federal judge dismissed billionaire GOP donor Sheldon Adelson’s defamation lawsuit against National Jewish Democratic Council on Monday, ordering him to pay for the group’s legal fees.The dispute stemmed from a post on NJDC’s website during the 2012 election, titled “Tell Romney to Reject Adelson’s Dirty Money.” The post referenced a lawsuit filed against Adelson by a former employee alleging he “personally approved” of prostitution at his Macau resorts and attacked presidential candidate Mitt Romney for taking donations from Adelson.
Candidates, Politicians, Campaigns, and Parties
LA Times: Threat of federal shutdown is windfall for political fundraisers
By Lisa Mascaro“This isn’t the first time the Establishment betrayed you,” read an email fromFreedomWorks, a tea party umbrella organization, shortly after the Senate voted to reject one of Cruz’s procedural moves. “That’s why you and I must replace the Obama-Republicans with real conservatives…. If we’re going to replace them, if we’re going to stop Obama, we need you to donate $50, $35, $15 or more right now!”Democratic groups have launched their own high-decibel appeals.“Don’t let the GOP take us back to the 1950s! Are you with us?” tweeted Emily’s List, the organization that raises money to elect pro-choice female candidates. Their appeal focused on a provision House Republicans put into the latest version of the budget bill. It would enable employers to exclude contraceptive coverage in company insurance plans if they claim they have moral objections to birth control.
Lobbying and Ethics
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Former lobbyist sentenced to 24 months for illegal campaign contributions to Reid
By SEAN WHALEY and JEFF GERMANRENO — One-time high-profile lobbyist Harvey Whittemore was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison on Monday for making illegal campaign contributions to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.Whittemore, 61, his voice cracking with emotion, told Senior U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks he was solely responsible for funneling more than $133,000 in contributions to Reid in 2007.
Politico: Wall Street CEOs to meet with Obama
By MJ LeeGoldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon plan to attend the meeting, several industry sources confirmed. The members of the Financial Services Forum were scheduled to be in Washington on Wednesday for a previously scheduled membership meeting, one source said.The CEOs will also meet with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, sources said, but it was unclear whether the Treasury secretary plans to join the meeting at the White House or meet separately with the CEOs. A Treasury Department spokeswoman declined to comment on Lew’s schedule.
State and Local
New York –– Huffington Post: Heavy-Hitting Republicans Come To NYC To Take Down Bill De Blasio And Campaign Finance Laws
By Michael McLaughlinThe Republicans at the center of New York Progress and Protection PAC wouldn’t say how much money they intend to spend to aid Joe Lhota’s underdog candidacy against the heavily favored Democrat Bill de Blasio. But they say multiple would-be donors are lined up to contribute more than $150,000 — the current annual maximum allowed in New York — if a judge grants them an injunction in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the limit.
