In the News
Denver Post: Gessler hit with another campaign finance lawsuit – but this one he may actually like
By SARA BURNETTThe Center for Competitive Politics has filed a federal lawsuit against Secretary of State Scott Gessler, saying Colorado’s campaign finance laws are overly burdensome and violate the First Amendment rights of small educational groups that want to weigh in on a ballot question.
Reuters: Does the public think corporate spending skews campaigns?
By Alison FrankelLast week, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the constitutionality of a federal law making it illegal for corporations to make direct contributions to political candidates. The decision was a rare bit of good news for campaign finance reformers, whose hopes that the Supreme Court would reconsider giving a green light to indirect corporate campaign spending in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission were dashed when the justices struck down a Montana law that restricted corporate political expenditures.Quotes CCP Academic Advisor David Primo: “I think it’s possible that the Supreme Court could use the Danielczyk case as an opportunity to weigh in the legality of that ban,” said Primo. “I think that’s what makes the case so powerful.”
CCP
CCP Files Free Speech Lawsuit in Colorado
By Sarah LeeALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) legal team, led by Legal Director Allen Dickerson, today filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado on behalf of the Coalition for Secular Government (CSG). The question raised by the First Amendment lawsuit is whether Colorado can force small educational groups to register with the state before expressing an opinion on or publishing an analysis of a ballot question.
Independent groups
Politico: Jim DeMint launches super PAC
By JONATHAN ALLENSen. Jim DeMint is cutting formal ties to his wildly successful small-donor fundraising machine, the Senate Conservatives Fund, so that it can form a super PAC, POLITICO has learned.
Washington Times: SEIU boots join Democratic super PAC bucks
By Luke RosiakOne of the nation’s largest unions has teamed with a Democratic super PAC to run $20 million in advertising aimed at keeping House seats out of Republican hands, according to plans announced Monday.
SCOTUS/Judiciary
Washington Post: Roberts protected SCOTUS’s reputation by caving to liberal pressure
By Dan BalzChief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. delivered more than a historic ruling with his opinion upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Deliberately or not, he sent a message to politicians about the importance of protecting the vitality and reputation of public institutions.
Disclosure
Roll Call: Former IRS Official Demands Investigation of ALEC
By Janie Lorber“ALEC has deliberately and repeatedly failed to comply with some of the most fundamental federal tax requirements applicable to public charities,” he wrote. “The information in this submission also suggests, quite strongly, that the conduct of ALEC and certain of its representatives violates other civil and criminal tax laws and may violate other federal and state criminal statutes as well.”
Candidates and parties
Washington Post: Obama campaign call affirms money anxiety
By Emily HeilLeaked details of a plaintive phone call from President Obama to some of his biggest donors this weekend offered a rare and revealing look into the typically private rituals of big-dollar campaign fundraising.
Roll Call: DCCC Fundraising Surges Since Supreme Court Decision on Health Care
By Joshua MillerThe Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $2.3 million since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision Thursday ruling the Affordable Care Act constitutional.
National Journal: Obama Fundraising a Little More Awkward This Time
By Sophie QuintonDemocrats have always had to go to rich people for money, but this year, it’s been a little more awkward. Some wealthy donors have been turned off by President Obama’s anti-Wall Street rhetoric. He’s no longer so exciting. And some wealthy progressives—such as billionaire Warren Buffett—have vowed not to contribute to the super PACs spawned by the Citizens United ruling.
USA Today: Dem group, union spend $20M on ads for House races
By Catalina CamiaA Democratic super PAC and a major labor union are joining forces and reserving nearly $20 million in ad time for the fall in a bid to topple Republicans from power in the U.S. House.
