CCP
Super PACs Have Options
By Sarah LeeNow that everyone’s favorite “Americeptional” individual has shut down his super PAC (not, obviously, because super PACs failed to morph transformer-style into the behemoths of corruption campaign finance reformers were simply CERTAIN they would become), people are beginning to wonder: what’s next for super PACs?
Independent groups
Washington Examiner: Citizens United: The dog that never barked
By Sean HigginsThe howls of outrage began almost immediately after the Supreme Court ruled on Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission in January 2010. It continued for months afterward.
Roll Call: Bipartisan Group Pitches Overhaul of Political Money System
By Eliza Newlin CarneyThe board of advisers includes former Federal Election Commission Chairman Trevor Potter; convicted former lobbyist Jack Abramoff; Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, founder of an anti-corruption group known as Rootstrikers; Richard Painter, a former ethics adviser to President George W. Bush; and GOP strategist Mark McKinnon.The article continues:“It takes SpeechNow head on,” Potter said. He added that the Supreme Court never endorsed SpeechNow.org v. FEC, which he said was wrongly decided. The recent election showed that super PAC donations are “effectively corrupting contributions,” given the close ties between those organizations and the candidates they back, he said.
Huffington Post: Newt Gingrich: Citizens United Super PACs ‘Fundamentally, Profoundly Wrong’ (VIDEO)
By Nick WingGingrich hasn’t always felt this way. At the time of the court’s decision in early 2010, he argued that it had granted “the right of every citizen, whether you agree or disagree, to get up and be heard, to speak, to have space in politics.” And the former speaker himself was a heavy beneficiary of super PAC spending during his failed campaign for president earlier this year. Winning Our Future, a super PAC supporting his candidacy, received at least $15 million in donations from casino mogul Sheldon Adelson alone.
Corporate Governance
NY Times: Letting Shareholders Know How Their Money Is Spent
BY LUCIAN A. BEBCHUKThe most expensive presidential election in history may be over, and shareholders of public companies are still in the dark about whether and how their money was spent on politics. But the Securities and Exchange Commission is beginning a process that may bring this lack of transparency to an end.
Disclosure
Columbus Dispatch: Sen. Brown wants corporate campaign donors to disclose
By Joe HallettIn a conference call with reporters, Brown called for passage of the DISCLOSE Act (Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections) to mitigate the effects of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United case, which permited unlimited political contributions by corporations and unions. The past election, Brown said, proved reform is needed now more than ever.
Candidates and parties
The Hill: Paul rips big government in farewell
By Pete KasperowiczRep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) delivered a blistering farewell speech on the House floor on Wednesday in which he ripped the drastic tilt of the U.S. toward expanded government, a devalued currency, persistent wars and the constant erosion of personal freedoms.
The Hill: Pelosi to stay on as House Dem leader
By Mike LillisRep. Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday that she will stay on as House Democratic leader in the next Congress.
Lobbying and ethics
Roll Call: Lobbyists Woo New Lawmakers in D.C. Mating Dance
By Kate Ackley
The way lobbyists woo the incoming freshman class of lawmakers is a lot like dating. They’re seeking out people with common interests. They’re hoping to cultivate a long-term relationship. And they’re looking for that know-it-when-you-see-it spark.
State and Local
DC –– Washington Post: Kwame Brown sentenced but justice hasn’t been served
EditorialNonetheless, the outcome of Mr. Brown’s case is unsatisfying. The probe started with a complaint to D.C. campaign finance officials about suspect fundraising and expenditures in his 2008 race for reelection as an at-large council member. A subsequent audit found that his campaign did not report the raising and spending of more than $270,000 or the fact that $239,000 in campaign funds had been passed along to a now-defunct consulting firm run by Mr. Brown’s brother. The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics concluded that there was evidence of an apparent violation and referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to get the answers.
Florida –– Gainesville Sun: Cretul, Cannon are lobbyists; former speakers start new firm
By Bill ThompsonFormer Florida House speakers apparently don’t just fade away.
