In the News
NY Post: Dirty political money
by Brad SmithWhat is surprising is that they’re holding up the New York City campaign-finance model as an example of a successful system.
CCP
Congratulations Chip Mellor, 2012 Bradley Prize Winner
CCP congratulates William H. “Chip” Mellor, President of the Institute for Justice, on being named a recipient of the 2013 Bradley Prize from the Bradley Foundation of Milwaukee.
Independent groups
Politico: CAPE PAC: Shady super PAC riles GOP
by Alex IsenstadtCapitol Hill Republicans have a brand new super PAC in their corner.
Wall Street Journal: Anti-Incumbent Super PAC Drops Challenge to GOP Rep. Murphy
by Alicia MundyThe anti-incumbent super PAC that has become an irritant to some Republicans has withdrawn from a GOP primary fight in Pennsylvania because the incumbent has raised so much money.
Judiciary
National Review: The Questionable Prosecution of John Edwards
EditorialIf being a louse were a crime, John Edwards would hang for it. But he is instead facing prison for alleged campaign-finance violations, and it is our obligation to come unenthusiastically to his defense. He may be guilty of bribery, and if he were a sitting senator he would likely be guilty of gross ethics violations, but the facts do not support prosecuting Edwards under campaign-finance laws.
Disclosure
Washington Post: WellPoint is focus of aggressive effort to force political spending disclosures
by Tom HamburgerHealth insurance giant WellPoint is the latest target of an increasingly aggressive campaign to force disclosure of corporate political and lobbying expenditures, including payments to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has become more active in elections over the past decade.
Candidates and parties
NY Times: Money Rules
EditorialAnd, despite decades of money abuses and scandal, neither presidential candidate has shown any interest in reforming the system.
Bloomberg: The Business of Ending a Presidential Campaign
by Julie BykowiczHours after dropping out of the presidential race this month, Rick Santorum fired off an e-mail to supporters asking for “one more” contribution: “I am planning to do everything in my power to bring a change about in the White House,” he wrote. “But our campaign has debt, and I cannot be free to focus on helping defeat [Barack Obama] with this burden.” Santorum maintains his campaign is less than $1 million in debt, and his adviser John Brabender says, “We feel good that in short order we’ll be able to wrap things up.” Yet if history is any indication, the candidate may be living with the financial legacy of his failed candidacy for a long time.
National Journal: DSCC Outraises NRSC
by Sean SullivanThe Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee outraised the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the first quarter of 2012 and has more money in the bank. The NRSC will report bringing in $15 million for the quarter and ending with $19.6 million in the bank and no debt.
Lobbying and ethics
NPR: Why Lobbyists Dodge Calls From Congressmen
by Andrea Seabrook and Alex BlumbergWe imagine the lobbyist stalking the halls of Congress trying to use cash to influence important people. But it doesn’t always work that way. Often, the Congressman is stalking the lobbyist, asking for money.
Politico: Ex-members really do get special access
by Dave LevinthalThey’re hardly alone: 188 different corporations, organizations and other special interest groups employed at least two former members of Congress to lobby the federal government last year, according to disclosure records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Roll Call: K Streeters Adjusting to Loss of Earmarks
by Kate AckleyWinning Congressional earmarks wasn’t just big business on K Street. It was the business, and most everyone downtown had a piece of it.
Roll Call: Elite Lobbyists Donate to Connect With Members
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.
FEC
Washington Post: Obama ’08 campaign failed to disclose $2 million in contributions, FEC audit finds
by T.W. FarnamThe Obama campaign did not disclose nearly $2 million in donations ahead of the 2008 elections, according to an audit by the Federal Election Commission released Thursday.
Politico: FEC audits Obama ‘08 camp
by Robin Bravender and Dave LevinthalPresident Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign failed to properly report about $2 million worth of last-minute campaign contributions, according to a new Federal Election Commission audit.
STATE and LOCAL
California –– LA Times: State ethics czar wants disclosure when campaigns pay bloggers
by Patrick McGreevy“I think we have to examine disclosure for bloggers and other Internet pundits who receive funding for their endorsements,” Ravel said during a conference on campaign funding co-sponsored by USC. “If we made a connection between a funder and somebody’s opinion so that opinion isn’t really that of the blogger, or the perception is that it might not be, people should be able to know about it.”
