Independent groups
TPM Muckraker: Karl Rove: They’re Trying To Intimidate Us, Just Like They Did With The NAACP (VIDEO)
by Ryan J. ReillyIn the 1940s and 50s, a number of states attorneys general attempted to force a particular 501(c)4 to disclose its donors, the purpose was to intimidate people into not giving to that organization,” Rove said on Fox News.“The group was the NAACP, which is a 501(c)4, has a 501(c)4 and does not disclose donors. That effort failed, in fact a Supreme Court in a 1954 case general held the right of organizations like that not to make their donors’ names public,” Rove said.
Wall Street Journal, Blog: Super PAC Takes Aim at Three NYC Incumbents
by Andrew GrossmanThree long-serving members of New York City’s congressional delegation have caught the attention of the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a new political-action committee trying to oust incumbents on both sides of the aisle during primaries.
SCOTUS/Judiciary
National Journal: Judge: Reveal Donors Behind Electioneering Ads
by Shane GoldmacherA federal judge has struck down a Federal Election Commission ruling that allowed groups to pay for advertising in the run-up to elections while keeping their donors anonymous.
Colorado Independent Judge: Groups can’t shield campaign donors
by Troy Hooper“This is good news for our democracy and for voters,” plaintiff U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, said in a prepared statement. Van Hollen filed the lawsuit in April 2011. “This victory will compel the FEC to require enhanced disclosures of the funders of campaign-related advertisements.”
Disclosure
NY Times: A Judge Turns on the Light
EditorialA federal judge took an important step toward ending secret donations to big-spending political groups, striking down regulations that permitted some groups to hide their donors. Unfortunately, the ruling probably came too late to flush this corrupting practice from this year’s elections — though there is still time for Congress to do so.
Candidates and parties
NY Times: As Viewing Habits Change, Political Ads Switch Screens
by Jeremy W. PetersJust because you own a D.V.R. or watch television online does not mean political commercials are not coming soon to a screen near you.
Washington Post: Obama campaign reviewing background of volunteer fundraiser accused of fraud
by Carol D. LeonnigBut she is also trailed by some controversy, accused in court of defrauding a businessman out of $657,000, impersonating a bank official and dodging creditors.
Politico: Parties keep hyping cheapo ad campaigns
by Alexander BurnsThe total cost of the campaign, according to a GOP media-tracking source, is about $1,000. That’s not missing a zero – it’s a thousand bucks across eight districts, with ads appearing in inexpensive traffic-and-weather radio segments.
Roll Call: Durkee Case Jolts Elections
by Amanda BeckerVictims of the California campaign treasurer who embezzled more than $7 million from dozens, if not hundreds, of clients’ accounts may have to hire private attorneys and scramble to replenish re-election funds even as the government’s case ended in a guilty plea Friday.
Lobbying and ethics
Roll Call: Street Talk: Special Interests Descend on the Hill
by Kate AckleyLook who’s coming to the Hill: beer distributors, medical professionals in white coats, restaurant owners, music makers and court reporters.
FEC
NPR: Partisan Divide May Keep FEC From Heeding Judge’s Order On Ad Loophole
by Peter OverbyThe FEC is in a bind. It can’t appeal the decision or take steps to comply with it unless four of the six commissioners agree. But the six member commission has a partisan split right down the middle. Controversial votes often end in a 3-to-3 deadlock.
STATE and LOCAL
District of Columbia –– Sleaze City: Citizens’ Revolt Launched to Ban Corporate Control of DC Elections
by Art LevineThe growing movement to undo the nefarious impact of the Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate campaign spending finds its counterpart in a citizens’ revolt against corporate control of local Washington, D.C. elections.
