March 2012
24 posts
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“Unlike President Barack Obama, Romney’s campaign will not identify his...”
– Romney’s fundraisers are quietly amassing millions, AP.
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“Think about that: we seem to be turning into a country where crony capitalism...”
– Paul Krugman, “Lobbyists, guns and money.”
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On Trayvon Martin
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“And why do rich corporations and individuals seek to influence elections? To buy...”
– From the editorial, “Campaign Sleaze,” in the Salt Lake Tribune.
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“The money Rep. John Mica has raised from his constituents wouldn’t even cover...”
– Politico on John Mica’s fundraising. Just seven donors in his district. Wow.
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What Goldman Teaches Us About Washington
Yesterday, the New York Times published an op-ed by a (former) Goldman Sachs employee about how the company had lost its way. PCAF’s David Donnelly says that it can teach us a lot about Washington:
“More than anything else, Smith’s unflinching take-down of the unethical turn at Goldman to serve themselves rather than their clients was what struck me.
“Our political...
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“A government that undermines the very foundation of its existence - the...”
– From the decision By Dane County Judge Richard Neiss ruling Wisconsin’s voter ID law unconstitutional. Journal-Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI.
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"Stunning Display of Wealth"
“Two Bentleys, an Aston Martin and a Maserati sat parked under the palms at Villa Solstice, a private home on Sarasota Bay where friends and supporters of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., were hosting a fundraiser earlier this month for House Speaker John Boehner.” - Bradenton Herald.
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“Nearly 390 registered lobbyists and lobbying political action committees (PACs)...”
– Reuters, on Romney’s lobbyist ties.
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“Instead, corporate lobbyists and others say companies have preferred to give to...”
– Politico, on the lack of publicly traded companies on super PAC donor lists.
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Congress Has Lost That Loving Feeling
Politico reports today that members of Congress are finding their jobs less thrilling these days. One reason why? Fundraising:
Fundraising is a much bigger hassle these days, as it costs more and more to run an effective race against the new soft money pouring into congressional contests.
Of course, electeds could work to change this by passing legislation like the Fair Elections Now Act that...
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Clay clerk accuses U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns of... →
“Clay Clerk of Courts James Jett told a group of Republicans today the FBI is looking into Rep. Cliff Stearns for what Jett said is a plot to buy him out of this fall’s congressional primary.
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“Offerings included a job on Stearns’ campaign staff or cash to cover the approximately $25,000 Jett has personally spent on his congressional run, Jett said. He also said he...
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A Business Expense?
“For instance, individual donations to groups like American Crossroads are not tax deductible as charitable contributions, and most tax lawyers would say company donations should not be deducted either. But in some circumstances, companies could try to justify donations to political nonprofits as a “necessary” business expense, said Frances R. Hill, a tax law professor at the University of...
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