In the News
SF Chronicle: Dems’ Disclose Act would stifle speech
Debra J. SaundersDavid Keating, president for the Center for Competitive Politics, believes that the reporting requirements are onerous. As he sees it, the Whitehouse bill means: “If you want to say anything about the government, you have to register with the Federal Election Commission to do it.”
OpenSecrets.org: Shadow Money Conference 6/20/12: Full conference video
Full video of all three panels and keynote speech at the Center for Responsive Politics’ Shadow Money Conference, held 6/20/12 at the National Press Club. The conference focused on the new world of politically-active non-profits that are not required to disclose their donors.
Independent groups
Wall Street Journal: Group Comes to Romney’s Defense
By DANNY YADRON And COLLEEN MCCAIN NELSONIn the exchange of attack ads that is defining the presidential race, Mitt Romney has been hindered by a feature of campaign-finance law. While Mr. Romney is outraising President Barack Obama, much of his money can’t be used until he formally becomes the GOP nominee.
Bloomberg: Unions Gain Under Citizens United Decision They Seek To Overturn
By William McQuillenThe AFL-CIO, the largest U.S. labor federation, will send more than 400,000 volunteers to campaign for President Barack Obama, aided by a decision known as Citizens United that removed limits on independent spending by corporations and unions.Before the 2010 ruling, labor unions were able to make donations only through regulated political action committees, which collect voluntary donations from employees and have reporting requirements and limits on disbursements. The decision lets unions spend from their treasuries, taking restrictions off using member dues in political campaigns.
Huffington Post: Super PACs Offer NFL Owners Another Way to Score Political Points
By Brian FrederickThe Arizona Cardinals appear to be the first team to make a donation to a federal Super PAC, which can raise unlimited funds from individuals, unions and corporations. There has long been a cozy relationship between sports team owners and politicians and the Cardinals recent donation to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s Super PAC — JAN PAC — is proof that these super PACs offer yet another way for wealthy NFL owners to ensure that the political game is rigged against fans and taxpayers.
Politico: Poll: No unlimited political spending
By Kevin RobillardAlmost two-thirds of Americans believe corporations and unions shouldn’t be allowed to spend unlimited cash backing political candidates, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Disclosure
LA Times: Senate GOP blocks campaign disclosure bill again
By Lisa MascaroAfter keeping the Senate in session past midnight to protest GOP opposition to a campaign disclosure bill, Democrats forced a do-over vote on the legislation – and it failed again.
Huffington Post: Sheldon Adelson’s Lawyer Threatens To Sue Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
By Patrick Svitek
In a 2 1/2-page letter dated Monday to DCCC press secretary Jesse Ferguson, Adelson attorney Lewis J. Clayton condemns the committee for claiming that Adelson benefited from a “Chinese prostitution strategy” and asks for a full retraction of two statements circulated by the DCCC.
Bloomberg: Disclosure Vote Leaves Trail of Broken Republican Vows
EditorialRepublicans in the U.S. Senate voted unanimously Monday and again on Tuesday to block adoption of the Disclose Act, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s legislation to require disclosure of political donations of more than $10,000 within 24 hours of the money being spent. The votes were no less remarkable for having been predictable.
Candidates and parties
Washington Times: Kerrey challenges Fischer to oppose super PACs
Democrat Bob Kerrey has challenged Republican rival Deb Fischer to sign an agreement opposing all super PAC spending in the state, following an example set earlier this year in Massachusetts.
The Hill: Obama warns donors he will be ‘outspent’ by Romney campaign
By Jonathan EasleyThe Obama campaign personalized its plea for donations, having the president write a first-person fundraising letter to supporters late Tuesday warning them that he could be the first sitting president in recent history to be outspent by a challenger.
