As we continue our effort to keep you up-to-date on how money corrupts American government and politics, BillMoyers.com is pleased to publish this daily digest of money and politics news compiled and edited by Adam Smith of the non-partisan campaign finance reform group, Every Voice.
From the Center for Public Integrity’s Michael Beckel: “The 2016 presidential election has already unleashed more than $1 million in negative ads, according to a Center for Public Integrity review of federal campaign finance filings.” Only 500 or so days left!
Yesterday, we highlighted a story about the battle between the Kochs and the RNC over data. In it, an RNC spokesman said they were worried about unaccountable “well-financed individuals” having too much control in elections. So I made some suggestions for what they can do about it.
With the defense authorization debate in Congress, here’s Maplight with some numbers on defense contractor donations: “Joining Honeywell ($553,999) on the list are defense contractors Northrop Grumman ($416,900), and Boeing ($304,500), which spent millions on lobbying earlier this year as they competed for the new stealth bomber contract in the NDAA. Fellow defense contractor Raytheon also contributed $238,500.”
Campaign Finance/Elections
Public Citizen: Pro-Democracy Groups Celebrate Attorney General Approval of Ballot Initiative to Clean Up Elections –> Nice: “A coalition of public interest groups today celebrated State Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s approval of language for a ballot measure that would allow Arkansas voters to limit the influence of money in state elections.” You may remember that last November, voters in Arkansas approved a pretty good campaign finance initiative.
Sen. Udall’s Office: Udall Champions Bill To Empower Small Donors In Elections –> Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) on his support for the Fair Elections Now Act: “The Fair Elections Now Act would elevate the role of small donors, amplifying New Mexicans’ voices and ensuring that congressional candidates are listening to their concerns on the campaign trail — rather than catering to billionaires with huge checkbooks.”
NPR: Political Consultant To Be Sentenced For Violating Campaign Finance Law –> “A political consultant is to be sentenced Friday for the arcane felony of coordinating activities between a congressional campaign and a super PAC. He could get four to 10 years in prison.”
The Intercept: Tea Party oddsmaker has best campaign finance reform idea yet (really) –> On Take Back Our Republic’s John Pudner and wanting to give “average citizens a $200 tax credit for their small campaign contribution to the candidate of their choice.”
Congress/Admin/2016
In his announcement speech on Monday, Jeb Bush “plans to say that people inside DC can’t fix DC,” before hosting a fundraiser in Washington on Friday at Union Station.
OpenSecrets: Donor demographics: old white guys edition, part I –> The mega donors in 2014: “Only 10 were born in 1975 or later, and none after 1985. Among these mega-donors the average age was 65.6, while the most common age was 70.”
Washington Post: Wall Street lining up for Jeb Bush campaign fundraiser in New York –> “Wealthy hedge fund managers, bankers and private equity investors have signed on to host one of the first official fundraisers for Jeb Bush’s soon-to-be-announced presidential campaign, a June 24 breakfast reception in New York that is on track to bring in at least $1 million.”
Variety: Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett to Perform at Hillary Clinton Fundraiser –> Lady Gaga doesn’t have a Poker Face about who she’ll be supporting in 2016: “Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga will perform at a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in New York on June 24.”
Wall Street Journal: Anti-Hillary Clinton Group Refuses to Change Name, Defying FEC Order –> “An anti-Hillary Clinton group is refusing to change its name in an escalating dispute with the country’s election watchdog agency.”
CNN: Bill Clinton brushes aside foundation criticism –> Bill Clinton, in an interview with Jake Tapper: “I never saw her study a list of my contributors, and I had no idea who was doing business before the State Department.”
New York Times: Hillary Clinton Will Evoke Roosevelt and Try to Ease Fears on Trust in New York Speech –> Hillary Clinton will do her big announcement at Four Freedoms Park on New York’s Roosevelt Island. “She has defined her campaign as taking on ‘four fights,’ including strengthening the economy, helping families and communities, getting unaccountable money out of politics and protecting the country from foreign threats.” Will she hit that third item? It’s worth watching.
MSNBC: As Jeb Bush stumbles, Marco Rubio rises –> And missing every vote in the Senate this week: “While Jeb Bush answers questions about his campaign shakeup overseas, Marco Rubio will be playing flag football with dozens of the wealthy donors who backed Mitt Romney in 2012 – just the latest chance for Rubio to encroach on territory once thought locked down by his friend and mentor.”
Mother Jones: Ted Cruz Complains That Running for President Sucks –> This email from Ted Cruz about how hard it is to run for president is kind of funny, but also calling campaign donations “sacrificial gifts” seems a little weird to me.
New York Times: Top Chris Christie Aide Goes to His Political Action Committee –> “Maria Comella, the long-serving communications director to Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, will move over to the governor’s political action committee in a senior role, the latest move that indicates he will run for president.”
USA Today: Credit card debt a regular feature on Sanders’ finance reports –> “Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has at least one thing in common with many Americans: credit card debt. The Vermont independent, who’s running for the Democratic presidential nomination, had a total of $25,002 to $65,000 in revolving debt on his Visa cards last year, according to his latest financial disclosure report.”
Huffington Post: Lobby Firm Worked To Sully Shinzo Abe’s US Visit While Representing Japanese Business –> “Ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state visit to Washington this spring, the government of South Korea hired a lobbying firm to try to sully his trip with some bad PR.”
New York Mag: A Conversation With Senator Kirsten Gillibrand –> Sen. Gillibrand is asked about fundraising in this interview. She says, “Women can be just as good as men at fundraising — and they’ve shown that. You just need to encourage them to run. Once you get them in the door, you can teach them how to raise money.”
The Hill: Duckworth fundraises off Kirk’s ‘ho’ remark –> It’s getting weird: “Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is fundraising off Sen. Mark Kirk’s (R-IL) ‘bro with no ho’ remark Thursday, using the hot-mic comment to fuel her campaign to oust Kirk.”
The Hill: Top Dems to fundraise for ex-rep’s Indiana Senate bid –> “Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) will host a Washington, DC, fundraiser for former Rep. Baron Hill’s (D-IN) Senate bid later this month, according to an invitation obtained by The Hill.” Evan Bayh won’t run for the seat, choosing instead to hold onto his $10 million war chest.
Washington Post: This Web site allows political donors to give money based on how lawmakers vote. Just don’t call it bribery. –> “Jonathan Zucker and Joshua Tauberer have developed a website where political donors can give money to the campaigns of sitting lawmakers or their future re-election challengers based solely on how those lawmakers vote on legislation.”
AP: Obama Attends Fundraiser at Donor’s Washington Home –> Yesterday: “President Barack Obama is attending a fundraiser at the Washington home of a Democratic donor.” Dale LeFebvre, “founder and chairman of a holding investment company called 3.5.7.11.” All prime numbers, hmmm…
Miami Herald: Court record shows ex-Rep. Joe Garcia may have known about “shadow” candidate –> “… a federal court document disclosed Thursday suggests that Garcia’s former campaign manager, Jeffrey Garcia, communicated with him by email in February 2010 about his illicit campaign strategy.”
The Hill: Ex-Rep. Gerlach ditches K St. in return to campaign world –> Business-Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC): “Former Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) will take the helm of an organization aimed at getting more businesses and their employees involved in elections later this year.”
Other/States
The Nation: A Voter Fraud Witch Hunt in Kansas –> Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has wasted a lot of money to not really find any voter fraud but gosh darnit, he’ll keep trying.
To read more go to everyvoice.org.
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