CCP
Public Perception of Citizens United
By Sarah LeeToday, we offer Brad Smith’s op-ed in yesterday’s Washington Examiner explaining the results of two polls conducted by CCP on the same subject. Smith offers his own analysis of just how informed the public is about what the Citizens United decision actually means and its long-term effects. In short: as is so often the case with polls, our house results show that the public, when actually made aware of the merits of the decision without media-driven “pump-priming”, has little aversion to the decision.
Independent groups
Wall Street Journal: GOP Senators Press IRS on Rule Changes
By Siobhan HughesThe letter from Sen. Orrin Hatch (R., Utah), the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, and nine other Republican Senators is the latest in a battle that involves tax-exempt groups like Crossroads GPS, which has been trying to boost Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The group, known as a 501c(4) after the section of the tax code under which it operates, has spent more than $50 million on television ads in the last three months alone, either to attack U.S. President Barack Obama or promote Mr. Romney.
NY Times: Outside Cash in Missouri Race Could Be a National Model
By JONATHAN WEISMANAs the three Republican candidates have battled it out, Ms. McCaskill has had to buckle down as well. Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS, David and Charles Koch’s Americans For Prosperity, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the 60 Plus Association have dumped as much as $15 million into the state since July 2011 to keep her on her heels.
Roll Call: Stein: We All Need Roll Call to Defend Free Speech and Free Ideas
By Dan SteinA few days after the Federation for American Immigration Reform distributed an educational report at a Senate news conference, an article in Roll Call (“Did FAIR Action Violate Law?”, July 31) suggested — despite the report’s nearly 100 endnotes and a purely educational purpose — the organization might have violated a criminal statute that prevents soliciting for funds or subscriptions on Senate property.
The Hill:Crossroads launching $7.2 million Senate ad blitz
By Cameron JosepThe big-spending GOP outside group Crossroads GPS has bought $7.2 million in airtime in five key Senate states, an ad tracking source has told The Hill.
Bloomberg: Republicans Press IRS: Don’t Relent
By JONATHAN SALANTAnd the Internal Revenue Service has announced that it would look at its rules governing such nonprofits, which are supposed to be “social welfare” organizations.
Candidates and parties
Wall Street Journal: Romney Easily Outpaces Obama in Fundraising
By Danny YadronRepublican Mitt Romney’s campaign effort outraised President Barack Obama’s team for the third consecutive month, taking in $101.3 million in July compared with $75 million for Mr. Obama and his party.
Roll Call: Mitt Romney, RNC Raise $101 Million in July
By David M. DruckerMitt Romney’s presidential campaign announced this morning that it raised $101.3 million in July and closed the month with $185.9 million in cash on hand.
The Hill: Obama campaign downplays gap, but some donors are nervous
By Amie Parnes and Justin SinThe Obama campaign sought to downplay fundraising expectations on Monday as some top donors expressed exasperation that the president had been outraised for the third month in a row by Mitt Romney’s campaign.
Lobbying and ethics
Roll Call: K Street Files: Google, GM Up Spending to Honor Members
By Kate AckleyMembers of Congress and administration officials got a little less love from K Street in 2011. Lobbyists spent $19 million to honor or fete top policymakers last year, down from $23.2 million the previous year, according to a new report by the Sunlight Foundation.
