Posts tagged 2012
Holding Politicians Accountable
New analysis from the Center for Public Integrity on lobbyist fundraising in the 2012 election:
“In all, a dozen candidates and political committees raised at least $100,000 from lobbyist-bundlers ahead of the 2012 election, including the leadership PAC of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.”
New report from Demos and US PIRG:
In addition, the analysis found that just 132 donors giving at least $1 million were responsible for 60.4% of all the money Super PACs raised in the 2012 cycle. $71.8 million of Super PAC money came from for-profit businesses.
This evidence shows that the first post-Citizens United election afforded corporations and large donors the opportunity to use their wealth to amplify their voices far beyond the volume of the average member of the general public - threatening the basic American principle of political equality - and they took full advantage.
Slate: Citizens United Is Still Worth Hating
“The super PACs spent much of the total$1 billion in outside expenditures raised in the 2012 campaign—a vast increase relative to 2008. And yet Democrats prevailed in many major races, retaining the presidency and a majority in the Senate. Does that mean that Citizens United doesn’t actually matter?
“No. Some Democrats did lose, and super PAC money may have made a difference. More insidiously, if Republicans have wealthier backers than Democrats (as they do), and spending for candidates improves their chances of winning (as it does), then the influx of money will shift Democrats to the right, so they can reduce the incentive of wealthy donors to give to Republicans or get some of the money for themselves. If you think President Obama went easy on the banks in the last couple of years, you might point to Citizens United as the explanation.”
Its lasting impact will be that it fueled the public’s disgust about politics.
Los Angeles Times: 2012 campaign set to cost a record $6 billion
“Accelerating spending by outside groups in the final weeks of the 2012 campaign will drive total spending on federal elections this cycle to a record $6 billion, according to a new analysis by the nonpartisan research group Center for Responsive Politics.
“That tops the record set in 2008 by $700 million, making this campaign the most expensive in U.S history.”
Sheldon Adelson Throws in More Cash
In reports filed today with the Federal Election Commission, it looks like casino mogul Sheldon Adelson is further extending his influence in Republican politics.
Adelson donated $1.5 million to Independence Virginia PAC, a super PAC created to help elect former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.)
He also donated $190,000 to Hispanic Leadership Fund Action, a super PAC created to help elect Gov. Mitt Romney.
The Hill: House, Senate campaigns welcome lobbyists shunned by Team Obama
Democratic lobbyists shunned by President Obama’s campaign are turning their attention to Senate and House races in a bid for relevance as the fall’s action shifts to battleground states.
Lobbyists and other senior K Street denizens who want to help the Obama campaign are being offered routine jobs working phone banks and canvassing precincts, unusual fare for seasoned political hands used to making big strategic decisions.
Ruben Bolling, for the New Yorker (Click the picture to enlarge)
The Real Shame
Here’s how the New York Times ends its editorial on Mitt Romney’s remarks on that leaked recording of a big money fundraiser:
The shame is how many poor people there are when the top 1 percent can amass uncountable fortunes fed by tax breaks and can donate tens of millions of dollars to political candidates to keep it that way.
Washington Post: Paul Ryan donations from a now-convicted Wis. businessman could draw fire
“Democrats have wasted little time blasting Republican vice presidential pick Paul Ryan over his federal budget plan, but a more obscure part of his record could also draw attention: his relationship with a convicted Wisconsin businessman.
“Ryan accepted nearly $60,000 in contributions from businessman Dennis Troha and his family, records show. Troha was later indicted on campaign finance charges over an Indian casino he sought to open. During the casino application process, Troha said, the Republican congressman called federal regulators at his request.
“Ryan (Wis.) also supported a bill in Congress that benefited Troha and his trucking company, legislation that drew the interest of federal prosecutors because of the contributions Ryan and other congressmen had accepted from Troha and his family.”
