CCP
James v. FEC Named “Petition of the Day”
By Sarah LeeALEXANDRIA, Va. – SCOTUSblog on Wednesday named James v. FEC as the petition of the day, which is given to cases that raise “one or more questions that have a reasonable chance of being granted.” The Center for Competitive Politics (CCP) represents the plaintiff, Virginia James, who is challenging the aggregate limit on candidate contributions.
Independent Groups
Politico: The Scrum podcast: Political cash and 2013
On this week’s episode of POLITICO’s podcast “The Scrum,” our reporters talk cash and its impact on 2013’s biggest battles. Outside spending has shaped political fights ranging from gun control and immigration reform to Senate confirmations. Former Sen. Chuck Hagel made it to the Pentagon despite an outside spending push, while an NRA-friendly candidate in Illinois fell because of one.
Virginia Law Weekly: Birkenstock, Gilbert, Colbert, and Super PACs
By Aurora HellerFriday marked the last day of the Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law’s triennial symposium. The title of this symposium was “Theory and Practice.” The five-day event sought to bridge the gap between the academic and the real world, the theoretical and the practical. Michael Gilbert, an associate professor at the Law School who teaches courses in Election Law amongst other subjects, and Joseph Birkenstock, currently of Caplin & Drysdale and former chief counsel of the Democratic National Committee, concluded the week’s events with a talk entitled “Fact and Fiction: The Role of Super PACs in the 2012 Elections?”
Politico: Restore Our Future finds $700,000 payment to fundraiser
By Kenneth P. VogelThe pro-Mitt Romney super PAC Restore Our Future failed to disclose $700,000 it paid to a fundraiser who had drawn criticism during the 2012 presidential campaign for charging excessive fees.
The Hill: McConnell slams liberal super-PAC for tweet about wife’s ethnicity
By Meghashyam Mali“They will not get away with attacking my wife in this campaign,” said McConnell during a speech to Republican supporters in Winchester, Ky., according to reports.
Politico: Anti-McConnell group that sent racist tweets has little cash
By Tarini PariThe super PAC opposing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell that drew attention earlier this week for posting racist tweets raised only $1,000 in its first month, new campaign finance reports show.
Candidates, Politicians and Parties
Louisville Courier-Journal: Ashley Judd’s D.C. events add to speculation
By James R. CarrollSuch high-profile events are keeping the media spotlight on Judd, who is considering a bid against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. And that spotlight has elevated the race — which is more than 20 months away — to marquee status.
State and Local
California –– Wall Street Journal: A Republican Tries to Break the Union Lock on Los Angeles
By MATTHEW KAMINSKI
His emergence has given members of an endangered species—the California Republican—faint hope about one day again winning a prominent race in the state. Fred Davis, a Hollywood-based ad man who worked for the George W. Bush and John McCain presidential campaigns, opened a Super PAC in November called Better Way L.A. to support the James campaign. Texas billionaires Harold Simmons and John Arnold sent large checks. Former Mayor Richard Riordan endorsed Mr. James.
New York –– NY Times: Liu Denounces Inquiry Into His Fund-Raising
By Michael BarbaroHis voice rising in anger, Mr. Liu listed his grievances: “Three years of investigating. They wiretapped my phones for 18 months. They reviewed a million documents and messages. They interrogated thousands of my supporters. And yet, what do they have to show for it? It’s time to put up or shut up already. Because I have an election to win!”
Texas –– Texas Tribune: Different Recipient, but Same Beneficiary
By ROSS RAMSEYIt is legal during legislative sessions for state officeholders to raise money for their favorite charities from the same people who are prohibited from donating to their political campaigns in that same time period.
