Lobbying and Ethics
Washington Post: Government is not beholden to the rich
By Robert J. Samuelson
If lobbyists aim to empower the rich, they’re doing a lousy job. Democracy responds more to the mass of voters and to political crusades than to the wealthy or business interests. In the recent government shutdown, corporate America discovered that its influence on congressional Republicans was modest or nonexistent. It’s not that big companies and wealthy individuals are powerless, but their power is vastly exaggerated.
The idea that government is routinely bought and sold by the rich is a source of widespread — but misleading — cynicism. It’s the false premise on which so-called campaign finance “reform” rests. Moneyed interests are allegedly so corrupt that they must be controlled or else they will ruin democracy. The resulting campaign rules have, by inspiring evasions and compromising free speech, fed the cynicism they were supposed to suppress. They have made politics more costly and cumbersome without making it more effective.
Politico: Top lobbyist Gerry Cassidy to step down
By Byron Tau
On Thursday, Cassidy will announce a transition from the day-to-day leadership to become chairman emeritus of Cassidy & Associates, according to a source familiar with the situation. The move will be effective Jan. 1, 2014.
Firm President Barry Rhoads and Chief Strategy Officer Kai Anderson will take over the day-to-day management of the firm. Both will hold the title co-chairman. Anderson is a veteran of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office, while Rhoads is a former Department of Defense official.
Independent Groups
Washington Post: Gansler camp clarifies ‘pledge’ to curb spending after legal questions are raised
By John Wagner
“However noble it may be, it’s not allowed,” said Jared DeMarinis, director of the state election board’s candidacy and campaign finance division.
Gansler spokesman Bob Wheelock responded Wednesday by saying the pledge could still work because state law does allow campaign committees to donate to charities once they have shut down and have paid off all other debts.
So, Wheelock reasoned, the campaigns could agree to set aside funds when violations occur during the campaign and then make the donations to charity later.
FEC
Roll Call: With New Commissioners, FEC Deadlocks on Bitcoins and Tea Party Opinions
By Kent Cooper
The Tea Party Leadership Fund had sought an advisory opinion granting them an exemption from the disclosure requirements based on a list of what it felt were threats, harassment, or reprisals from government officials or private parties. The three Democratic Commissioners had voted against the request, and two Republicans voted to grant the request. Republican Vice Chairman Lee Goodman recused himself. Opinions need four votes for approval.
Roll Call: In Quick Fashion, House Broadens Program for FEC Fines
By Kent Cooper
On Monday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3487, to extend the administrative penalty authority of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) until the end of 2018, and to expand the authority to cover more disclosure requirements. Without Congressional action, the FEC authority for administrative fines would end on December 31st.
Tax Financing
Roll Call: Tax Credit/Deduction for Political Contributions Proposed
By Kent Cooper
In an effort to encourage more small dollar contributions from individuals, Rep. Tom Petri, R-Wis., introduced on Thursday the Citizens Involvement in Campaigns (CIVIC) Act, which would restore the tax credit and deduction for contributions up to $200 and $600, respectively. Those tax credits and deductions were in place from 1972 through 1986.
Candidates, Politicians, Campaigns, and Parties
Politico: Obama ‘12 vets to share some, not all, data
By Maggie Haberman
There is one significant exception to what’s being transferred to the DNC: an email list of small-dollar donors, volunteers and activists cultivated over the last election cycle by the Obama campaign. If that list was moved to the DNC, the operative said, then OFA and other non-political committees wouldn’t be able to access it because of federal regulations governing interactions between groups with different types of tax-exempt status, the operative said.
Roll Call: House Republicans Raise $2 Million Less Than Democrats in October
By Abby Livingston
The National Republican Congressional Committee will report it raised $4.6 million in October and had $18.2 million in cash on hand at the end of the month that included the 16-day government shutdown. Public polling showed House Republican received most of the blame for the event.
State and Local
Ohio –– Columbus Dispatch: Columbus voters likely to see campaign-finance issue on ballot
By Lucas Sullivan
The coalition wants the city charter changed so that council candidates who agree to spend no more than $85,000 and mayoral candidates who agree to spend no more than $350,000 would be eligible for a share of $300,000 in casino-tax revenue to help their campaigns.
