As we continue our effort to keep you up-to-date with all the news on how money continues to corrupt American government and politics, BillMoyers.com is pleased to be publishing this daily digest of money and politics news compiled and edited by Adam Smith, communications director of the non-partisan campaign finance reform group, Every Voice.
Are you looking for an explainer on super PACs? Well, The Onion has put one together that’s pretty spot on.
Q: What is the purpose of super PACs?
A: To counteract the excessive influence ordinary voters exert on US elections.
Campaign Finance/Elections
Politico: The FEC’s ‘non-partisan’ whistleblower
People like the status quo in Washington and that’s probably why some people are angry at FEC Chair Ann Ravel, but others find her honesty “incredibly refreshing.” And Commissioner Ellen Weintraub was on Maddow last night.
NYT: Dissension at the Federal Election Commission
The FEC’s Republican commissioners respond to Ravel with, basically, forms. What about forms?
The Intercept: Congress tells court that Congress can’t be investigated for insider trading
“In a little-noticed brief filed last summer, lawyers for the House of Representatives claimed that an SEC investigation of congressional insider trading should be blocked on principle, because lawmakers and their staff are constitutionally protected from such inquiries given the nature of their work.”
Journal-News: Council passes resolution against Citizens United
In the town of Oxford, Ohio this week: “Two Oxford council members, including the vice mayor, took a stand against corporate constitutional rights this week, passing a resolution supporting ‘a truly representative democracy.'”
David Price: Price, Van Hollen, Udall Introduce Bill to Modernize Presidential Campaign Public Financing
“Today, Congressman David Price (D-NC),Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) announced that they have introduced legislation to reduce the influence of money in presidential elections by empowering candidates who decline support from wealthy special interests.”
Doug Hughes, the man who flew a gyrocopter onto the Capitol lawn to protest money in politics, will appear in court today.
Brookings: Why Bridgegate proves we need fewer hacks, machines, and back room deals, not more
Former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen writes for Brookings: “We vote in our democracy to make government work, not break. We expect that officials will serve the public, not their personal interests. This conduct weakens our democracy, not strengthens it.”
Congress/Admin/2016
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza wrote a blog post yesterday about Hillary Clinton, her position on money in politics and the decision to raise super PAC money. Every Voice doesn’t agree with it.
Politico: Jeb Bush’s big-money juggernaut
Non-candidate Jeb Bush’s super PAC “is said to be on track for raising an historic $100 million by the end of May, and its budget is expected to dwarf that of Bush’s official campaign many times over.” Also, because I know a lot of you have been holding back, they’re lifting the $1M cap on donations. T. Boone Pickens is in for $100,000, which seems like a lot to give a guy who hasn’t decided whether to run.
NPR: New Public-Corruption Chief Vows To Not Shy Away
The new head of the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Division, the one that “goes after corrupt public officials,” tells NPR: “What you can see from that case and some of the others we’ve brought over the last several months is that this section is not going to be shy about bringing important and tough cases and we’re going to try those cases.”
Mediaite: Stewart Rips Fox, Megyn Kelly for Hypocrisy on Clinton Money Corruption
Jon Stewart did a segment last night on Fox News criticism of Clinton Foundation money versus channel personalities’ unfettered support for super PACs. It’s pretty good.
Bloomberg: Hillary Clinton’s Big Donor Paradox
Hillary Clinton is raising money from really rich people while courting “everyday Americans.”
CNN: Clinton invites donors to New York, but only if they’ve hit their goals
“Hillary Clinton is inviting her most loyal fundraisers to New York next week for the campaign’s first Finance Leadership Summit, but there’s a catch: The welcome mat is extended only to donors who have already met their goal of finding 10 people to write $2,700 checks.”
National Journal: Why Jeb Bush Can’t Spend His Way to the Win
It’s going to be a crazy Republican primary but: “At some point – after the candidates make an initial investment of tens of millions of dollars for voter outreach in paid media and the ground game – the money available to spend simply can’t buy the advantage it once did.”
Deadline: Hillary Clinton Huddles With Haim Saban & Hollywood Heavyweights In Third LA Fundraising Stop
Stevie Wonder, Norman Lear and others helped raise a lot of money for Hillary Clinton in LA this week.
WSJ: RNC, GOP Candidates, Super PACs to Share Voter Data
“The Republican National Committee announced an agreement Thursday that allows the party access to data that a set of GOP presidential candidates and super PACs gather about voters.”
Politico: Lindsey Graham looking at June 1 to announce White House run, sources say
“Lindsey Graham is telling donors that June 1 is the likely date for his presidential announcement, according to several sources familiar with the conversations.”
Bloomberg: Mike Huckabee Will Raise Money with ‘Willie Horton’ Ad Producer
“On May 14, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will head to Phoenix to raise money for his 2016 presidential bid. The visit, which was announced by Huckabee’s campaign today, will be co-hosted by political strategist Floyd Brown, the producer of the 1988 ‘Willie Horton ad’ that Republicans have spent decades distancing themselves from.”
New York Times: Rand Paul Shores Up ‘Super PACs’ and Ad Producers
“Rand Paul’s nascent campaign is coming into focus, and so is the shape of the ‘super PAC’ supporting the Kentucky senator and 2016 presidential hopeful.”
I guess there’s an app for Hill aides to talk to each other anonymously and the folks at Stamp Stampede caught a funny exchange about dating lobbyists.
Roll Call: Not Your District PAC Increases Outreach, Efforts
Not Your District PAC: “So Robinson, a fifth generation Washingtonian and self-described ‘political junkie,’ started researching what it would take to start a political action committee to target members of Congress who interfere with DC affairs.”
Politico: GOP consultant on hot seat over Rand Paul attack
Haha: “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and senior Republican officials are calling out a GOP firm that worked on a seven-figure ad campaign lashing Rand Paul over his foreign policy views. The problem? The firm’s co-founder is also working for a McConnell-backed super PAC that’s defending the GOP Senate majority in 2016, when Paul is also on the Senate ballot in Kentucky.”
The Hill: Sen. Warren seeks to give government more power
Some big money here: “Sen. Elizabeth Warren is drafting legislation that would give regulators more authority to go after auto dealers, picking a fight with the powerful industry, congressional Republicans and even some within her own party.”
KGW: Pres. Obama in Portland for fundraiser, Nike visit
Obama is in Portland and “[d]uring this trip he is raising money for Democrats while also highlighting trade.
WSJ: The ‘Conservative’ PACs Trolling for Your Money
Matt Lewis on small donor scam PACs.
The Hill: Netflix flexes its muscle on mergers
“Netflix’s power in Washington is growing as it becomes a bigger threat to traditional television.”
This is a shortened version of Every Voice’s morning email; to read more go to everyvoice.org.
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