By G. Jeffrey MacDonaldSecondary boycotts “make it harder for people to make a living and lead to a coarsening of civil life,” says David Keating, president of the center, which opposes efforts to limit campaign contributions. “It discourages people from getting involved in politics at all.”
By Conn CarrollThere is no doubt that conservatives’ money advantage played a big part in Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s victory last night. As someone who has walked precincts in a House race where we were outspent three-to-one, I am well aware of how a bombardment of television ads can change an election. But liberals are just dead wrong when they blame Walker’s victory on the Supreme Court’s Citizen United decision.
By John HaywardAnd even that tally doesn’t count the gigantic advantage of union organization, which they are not at all shy about using for political purposes. Public employee unions build their ground game upon a fertile garden of taxpayer dollars. If a reasonable dollar value for this advantage was added to the $25 million in cash spent by Barrett and the unions, it would be hard to argue that Walker retained any real monetary advantage.
By JONATHAN SALANTKarl Rove’s American Crossroads, which discloses its donors, and Crossroads GPS, which keeps them hidden, were among the biggest spenders in the 2010 congressional races, pumping $22 million into efforts to elect Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
By Paul WhitefieldIt’s not that the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision was a good one. And it’s not as if we don’t have a money problem in politics.But that problem isn’t the undue influence of money on voters.
By Jackie KucinichWomen’s groups on both sides of the political spectrum are reaping the benefit of the campaign-season focus on women’s issues, and say they have the opposing side to thank for the windfall.
Disclosure
By Eliza Newlin CarneyWhen a House Appropriations subcommittee voted this week to block funding for a new Federal Communications Commission program that would require broadcasters to post campaign ad data online, watchdogs quickly blamed the National Association of Broadcasters.
By Rose Gordon SalaRep. Steve Israel of New York and chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) called for the passage of the Disclose Act as a way to eliminate a wealthy few wielding excessive influence over elections.
Candidates and parties
By Justin SinkMitt Romney and the Republican National Committee raised $76.8 million in May, outpacing President Obama in the first full head-to-head month of the campaign.
By Jennifer RubinThe president does not have a record to run on. He does not have a second-term agenda. He does not have a big lead in likability. And now he probably won’t have a fundraising advantage.
By BENJY SARLIN“Is our emphasis going to be on raising money and doing ads? No, ” he said. “Our emphasis is going to be on educating and mobilizing workers, both union and non-union workers, at the grassroots level.”
By Bill PlanteHis trip underlines the importance of money in the 2012 campaign.
By Amy SchatzGiving money to political candidates could soon be just a few taps away, thanks to federal campaign-finance officials who are close to approving a plan to allow political donations via text message.