Independent groups
Politico: GOP groups blanket Tampa airwaves with ads
By TARINI PARTIAmericans for Prosperity, 60 Plus Association, American Crossroads and its nonprofit affiliate Crossroads GPS and Restore Our Future have spent at least a combined $430,000 on ad buys on Tampa’s ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox affiliates for the week of the convention.
Pro Publica: Citizens United and the Rise of Secret Campaign Cash
By Stephen Engelberg and Kim BarkerThe emergence of nonprofits as the leading conduit for anonymous spending in this year’s presidential campaign is often attributed to the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which opened the money spigot, allowing corporations and unions to buy ads urging people to vote for or against specific candidates.
Disclosure
Washington Post: The ‘people’ should know who’s paying for the ‘people’s convention’
EditorialTHE DEMOCRATS are the party of transparency — at least in theory. Their party platform repeatedly mentions “the necessity of transparency” for good government, they’ve pushed for legislation that would require groups to disclose their donors and they’ve continued to hound their Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, for refusing to release more tax returns. President Obama, unlike Mr. Romney so far, has disclosed the names of his big-ticket campaign finance bundlers.
Candidates and parties
Roll Call: Convention Contributions Down and More Discreet
By Janie LorberThis year, the political costs of making a big splash in Tampa seem to outweigh the benefits, according to more than a dozen lobbyists and consultants representing major outfits.
NY Times: First Day Canceled, but Republican Show Goes On
By MICHAEL D. SHEARTAMPA, Fla., — Tropical Storm Isaac began to shift westward early Sunday morning, raising hopes that the city might escape the brunt of the weather that forced the cancellation of the first day of the Republican party’s national convention.
Washington Post: Text ‘GIVE’ to Obama: President’s campaign launches cellphone donation drive
By Dan EggenPresident Obama’s reelection campaign will begin accepting donations sent by text messages this week, marking the first foray into a potentially lucrative new avenue of grass-roots fundraising for federal candidates.
Associated Press: Anti-Obama documentary drawing crowds
The weekend’s new wide releases were eclipsed by “2016: Obama’s America,” which expanded from limited to nationwide release and took in $6.2 million to finish at No. 8.
NY Times (Blog): Making the Election About Race
By THOMAS B. EDSALLThe Republican ticket is flooding the airwaves with commercials that develop two themes designed to turn the presidential contest into a racially freighted resource competition pitting middle class white voters against the minority poor.
Lobbying and ethics
The Hill: Convention is not siren call for K Street firms
By Kevin BogardusLimited access to lawmakers dampened enthusiasm on K Street for this week’s Republican National Convention, leading many lobbyists to keep a low profile or skip the festivities altogether.
