In The News
Pro Publica: “Dark Money Rises” Event
By Mike WebbBradley Smith, chairman and co-founder of the Center for Competitive Politics. He is a former FEC commissioner and the author of Unfree Speech: The Folly of Campaign Finance Reform, in which he argues restrictions on campaign donations should be eliminated.
Independent groups
Wyoming Liberty: WyLiberty Attorneys Continue Fight for Free Speech
By Benjamin Barr and Steve KleinCASPER, WY – Federal District Court of Wyoming Judge Scott Skavdahl denied a request today for a preliminary injunction in Free Speech v. Federal Election Commission (FEC), ruling that the FEC’s regulations determining whether grassroots groups must register and report with the government as political committees (PACs) are not unconstitutionally vague or overbroad. This prevents Free Speech from discussing issues during this election cycle unless it registers as a PAC.
Associated Press: Judge tosses Montana campaign finance limits
By Matt GourasHELENA, Mont. (AP) – A federal judge on Wednesday struck down Montana’s campaign contribution limits as unconstitutional, a decision that comes less than a month before Election Day and marks the latest in a string of court rulings against the state’s campaign laws.
Washington Post: The Influence Industry: Obama lead raises questions about super PAC strategy
By Dan EggenBut judging from the latest polls, the effort hasn’t gone very well. Obama is holding a narrow lead over Republican nominee Mitt Romney nationally and appears to be widening his advantage in key swing states such as Ohio and Virginia, according to mainstream pollsters.
Bloomberg: How a Corporation Legally Bought an Election
By Robert E. WrightOf course, directly paying citizens to vote for a certain candidate seems unlikely. Ballots are secret and can’t easily be traded, and voting contracts couldn’t be monitored for compliance, much less enforced in court. Under certain conditions, however, companies can almost buy votes outright — and it has happened before.
Daily Herald: SuperPAC re-cuts ad after Duckworth’s campaign complains
By Kerry LesterA Washington, D.C.-based SuperPAC is making last-minute changes to a TV spot criticizing Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth after she refuted claims in the ad.
Tax
Forbes: No Debate: You Can’t Deduct Political Contributions!
By Robert W. WoodSuppose you’re in business and sending money to a Super PAC for issue advocacy but not for a specific campaign. Take American Crossroads or Priorities USA, for example. Contributions don’t qualify for a charitable contribution deduction.
Candidates and parties
Wall Street Journal: Democratic Backers Steer Cash to Congressional Races
By BRODY MULLINS and MELANIE TROTTMANWASHINGTON—Big Democratic interest groups such as labor unions and environmental organizations are largely bypassing President Barack Obama’s re-election and pouring millions of dollars instead into congressional races.
Wall Street Journal: Obama Sets Monthly Fundraising Record
By Peter NicholasWASHINGTON—The Obama campaign set a new monthly fundraising record for the 2012 election cycle, taking in more than $150 million in September as supporters rallied behind the president in the final phase of the election, according to people familiar with the totals.
Lobbying and ethics
Politico: Jet set grounds Obama
By Kathryn A. Wolfe“The president’s comments completely mischaracterized the businesses and groups that depend on an airplane, the majority of which are small-to-mid-sized businesses, farms, flight schools, medical care providers and emergency responders that use the aircraft to connect communities and grow their businesses,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA’s president, in a statement.
