by Heidi Przybyla and Jonathan D. SalantCrossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, a nonprofit group affiliated with Republican adviser Karl Rove, got more than one-third of its revenue in the last seven months of 2011 from a single, unidentified donor, according to documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
An independent group supporting President Barack Obama’s re-election is spending $660, 000 to run a TV ad in four states bashing Mitt Romney
by Matea GoldCrossroads GPS, a conservative nonprofit group that is one of the most prominent critics of President Obama, raised nearly $77 million in its first 19 months from a small cadre of secret donors, including two dozen who wrote checks of $1 million and more.
Candidates and parties
by Joshua MillerIn the first quarter of an election year, sitting Members of Congress can use the power of incumbency to post big fundraising numbers and send a message to challengers that they have the resources to make sure they return to Capitol Hill for another term.
by Anna Palmer and John BresnahanThe official explained that the gift cards are considered an in-kind contribution, so they do not violate the strict Democratic National Committee rules which bar corporate cash donations.
by Brody Mullins and Danny YadronRepublicans running for the U.S. House have built a financial advantage over their Democratic opponents in many of the races that will determine which party holds a majority after the election.
by Greg SargentWhich raises a question: Why is Dem outside-group fundraising failing to keep pace?
by Paul WaldmanBut let’s be honest: What they really want is to make sure people associate today’s Romney with everything the photo shows and symbolizes, from the vulturine grins to the sharp suits to the general sense that just off camera there might be a laid-off factory worker whom they’ve tied to a chair so they can whip him with their Hermes ties after they go over the latest BMW catalog.
by Alex IsenstadtPOLITICO has learned that the House Democratic campaign arm is reserving more than $32 million in broadcast TV advertising after Labor Day, the first real signal of the party’s strategy for winning back control of the House.
Lobbying and ethics
by Kate AckleyMoney may not buy happiness or love, but it sure comes in handy for lobbyists who thrive on access to Members of Congress.
by Josh LedermanRep. Jeff Flake’s (R-Ariz.) opponent in the primary for Arizona’s open Senate seat says Flake is refusing to take a stand against super-PAC spending. But Flake says he’s ready to go — as soon as his opponent stop trying to buy his way into the Senate.