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.
In his announcement speech yesterday, Jeb Bush continued the trend of 2016 candidates talking about money and influence. He said, “We will also challenge the culture that has made lobbying the premier growth industry in the nation’s capital. The rest of the country struggles under big government, while comfortable, complacent interest groups in Washington have been thriving on it.”
Every Voice President David Donnelly: “Yet, identifying the problem is only step one. In order to grab the attention of voters, presidential contenders need to provide real solutions to address the problem and put the concerns of everyday people back at the center of our political process.”
The Washington Post follows up with this: “Several of Bush’s financial backers and supporters are Washington veterans and his deep ties to K Street will likely boost the former Florida governor’s ability to raise big money and allow him to tap into a well of veteran policy advisers for his campaign.”
And, in the most exciting news of the week, reality show star Donald Trump is expected to announce his presidential bid today. He has some money. Will he use any on the race?
Campaign Finance/Elections
The American Prospect: 2016 Marks a New Era for Dark Money –> “A new report by the Brennan Center for Justice published Friday outlines the ways in which the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling—and thus Super PACs — has reshaped the political landscape.” The report.
Or, as FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub tweeted about the report: RT @EllenLWeintraub: Via @BrennanCenter: lack of #FEC enforcement leads to candidates collaborating with Super PACS and #darkmoney groups.tinyurl.com/pabpe45
Crains: Reformers push Rauner to sign campaign disclosure bill –> In Illinois: “Good-government groups are calling on Gov. Bruce Rauner to a sign a bill designed to require independent expenditure political groups to disclose their spending just as quickly as candidates and political action committees.”
Newsworks: Philly Super PACs to show their cards more often –> “In quick and painless fashion, Philadelphia City Council has voted to impose some pretty demanding reporting requirements on big-money players in future Philadelphia elections.”
Post-Dispatch: Shareholders press for information about political spending –> “In the past five years, dozens of companies have faced shareholder votes urging greater disclosure of their political spending, including contributions made anonymously through trade associations. Some business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, say the proposals are aimed at silencing corporations’ voice in politics, but advocates of disclosure deny that.”
Sen. Dick Durbin released this video on Friday explaining his Fair Elections Now Act.
Congress/Admin/2016
POLITICO: Clintons charge big fees to small groups –> “The Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation, which has come under scrutiny for its fundraising and fiscal management, has taken in as much as $11.7 million in payments from other nonprofit groups.”
Washington Post: What Happens to Surplus Super PAC Money? –> If there’s money left, what’s a super PAC to do? “Much of whatever the group does raise will no doubt be spent on ads and the like. But if a super PAC finds itself with money left over when a campaign is done, what happens to that excess cash? Mostly, it’s up to the super PAC.”
Wall Street Journal: Bernie Sanders’ Longshot Campaign Drawing Big Crowds –> Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign manager takes a dig at Jeb Bush in this story on how the campaign is struggling to keep up with all the enthusiasm around it; “This was not a situation where you had a campaign-in-waiting that was hiding inside a super PAC or a nonprofit or a think tank.”
Concord Monitor: Hillary Clinton on the issues: Six questions on the campaign trail –> In an interview in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton was asked about how she’d make the government more accessible to the public and she said, “That’s a good question because in my four fights, the fourth one is reforming government and the campaign finance system since Citizens United blew it up.”
Texas Tribune: 5 Ways Jeb Bush’s 2016 Campaign Runs Through Texas –> Bush will need Texas: “His fundraising operation has been working here for months, and when it reveals its first haul — rumored to be more than $100 million — expect it to be fueled by a lot of influential Texans, particularly those from the old-guard establishment.”
CNN: Ted Cruz courts Houston business elite at private luncheon –> “Ted Cruz wooed his hometown’s business elite Monday at a closed-door luncheon in Houston, the latest outreach by Cruz to a local community still somewhat uneasy with the tea party firebrand,” specifically, “Chief among his selling points, attendees said, was his early fundraising success.”
Bloomberg: Sheldon Adelson Beats 2016 Drum for Marco Rubio Through Free Israeli Newspaper –> “While billionaire Sheldon Adelson has yet to disclose his Republican presidential pick, the Israeli newspaper he publishes seems to have all but anointed Marco Rubio.”
Washington Post: What indictment? Robert Menendez remains in the thick of Senate’s action. –> “It was the latest demonstration that Menendez, now under criminal indictment, has remained comfortable asking pointed questions even as he faces more than a few himself.”
Madison: Russ Feingold, Ron Johnson clash over PAC spending, campaign pledge –> Russ Feingold’s Progressives United PAC didn’t act exactly as a traditional PAC and people are criticizing that, while Sen. Johnson still hasn’t responded to whether he’ll sign on to an outside spending pledge.
The Hill: K Street cultivator –> A profile of the “right-hand man” to former Ways and Means Chair Dave Camp and his new life on K Street.
Sunlight: California’s drought brings wellspring of lobbying –> “Facing one of the worst droughts in its history, California has imposed water rationing on all citizens — whether they like it or not. On Friday, the state announced that even farmers with senior water rights would face serious cuts in usage. Enter former Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-California, who now works as a lobbyist for Foley & Lardner LLP.”
The Hill: ObamaCare oversight official lands lobby job –> “Squire Patton Boggs is rehabbing its healthcare practice, hiring an official responsible for implementing ObamaCare, the firm announced on Monday.”
In the leaked draft of Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change, this line is interesting: “Enlighten the masters of power and money so that they should not fall prey to the sin of indifference, so that they should love the common good, support the weak, and care about this world that we inhabit.” (You may remember earlier this year he endorsed public financing and disclosure).
To read more go to everyvoice.org.
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