Mereja

Author: Dave Levinthal

  • Barack Obama Plays Prime Minister, Campaign Report Deadline Passes and More in Capital Eye Opener: February 1

    barackobamasmiling.jpgYour daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics:

    BARACK OBAMA PLAYS PRIME MINISTER: In a scene more reminiscent of the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister’s Questions session, the Right Honourable President Barack Obama traveled to Baltimore to — wait for it — serve as the featured speaker at a retreat for Republican House of Representative members.
    The event, notable for its direct and public interaction between Obama and Republican lawmakers, provided rich political theater, if nothing else. Obama, for example, lambasted Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) for structuring his question about fiscal responsibility as “a talking point for … running a campaign.” An added insult? Obama repeatedly referred to Hensarling as “Jim.” Chided Hensarling: “Jeb, Mr. President.” Obama continued calling him “Jim” nonetheless. That’s when Obama wasn’t denying he’s an “ideologue.” Or when Republicans weren’t denying that they’re “obstructionists.”
    These flare-ups aside, both Republicans and Democrats hailed the affair for its frank discussion of key issues facing the nation. And given Obama’s previous reluctance to engage his political opponents in such a high-profile manner, some political observers speculate that this engagement foreshadows (slightly) warmer relationships between the White House and its loyal opposition. Or not.
    Watch the full shebang below, and decide for yourself:   



    CAMPAIGN FINANCE DEADLINE COMETH: Sunday stood as the deadline for federal political candidates to file their year-end campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission. A cursory look at filings Sunday night indicated some high-profile House candidates continued to raise funds at an aggressive clip. This proved particularly true in South Carolina’s District 2 race, where Republican Rep. Joe Wilson — he of the “you lie” outburst — reported raising more than $3.4 million through Dec. 31. Wilson’s Democratic opponent, Rob Miller, himself has generated more than $2 million through the end of last year in what’s shaping up to be one of the more expensive House races in U.S. history. The Center for Responsive Politics has already begun analyzing these new reports, and within days, we’ll fully incorporate their raw data into our campaign finance database and industry profiles here at OpenSecrets.org. Continue to check the Capital Eye blog this week and next for analysis and updates.
    SPEAKING OF THE FEC: The body’s chairman, Matthew S. Petersen, says the commission is closely studying the Supreme Court’s recent campaign finance law ruling stemming from the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case. The commission “is moving quickly to provide further information and guidance to the public with regard to Citizens United, and we will provide that as soon as possible,” Petersen said, as quoted in an FEC release. 

    CRP, IN THE NEWS: From California to Great Britain and back, we’ve been around the world the past few days … 
    Philip Aldrick of the London Telegraph cites our research and quotes us in this piece about the U.S. banking industry … Back in the colonies, Katharine Q. Seelye of the New York Times interviews us and highlights our numbers on federal health care lobbying as she writes Sunday about how special interests are spending record amounts of money on lobbying despite President Barack Obama wanting to further restrict and regulate them … the San Jose Mercury News‘ Chris O’Brien uses our data in explaining how Google has grown from a political nobody to one of the most powerful forces in the Silicon Valley … We talk to Fox News‘ Bill Hemmer and William La Jeunesse about how some local governments and public universities are using taxpayer dollars to lobby the federal government for taxpayer dollars … On Thursday, we traveled to Kansas City and chatted with KCUR-FM 89.3’s Steve Kraske, a Kansas City Star political reporter and host of the public radio station’s “Up to Date” program, about the potential ramifications of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision. 
    Have a news tip or link to pass along? We want to hear from you! E-mail us at [email protected].
    And are you a fan of OpenSecrets.org on Facebook? If not, become one today by clicking below!
       

  • Tell Us: How Effective Will Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address Be for Advancing His Political Agenda?

    How effective will Barack Obama’s State of the Union address be for advancing his agenda?

    A great deal. It will help advance issues such as health care reform and gov’t transparency
    Some amount. Lots of good ideas. But will action follow?
    A little. There’s too much partisanship for his agenda to advance much.
    None. Obama is in for a tough 2010
    Other. (Leave your thoughts in the comments section of this blog item.)

  • Barack Obama Versus Samuel Alito, a Federal Judge Judged and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 28


    obamastateoftheunion.jpg    SUPREME COURT’S SAMUEL ALITO THE NEW JOE WILSON? President Barack Obama, standing before a full session of Congress within the U.S. Capitol, accused the U.S. Supreme Court of opening “the floodgates for special interests — including foreign corporations” through its 5-4 ruling last week in the case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. A visibly agitated Justice Samuel Alito, sitting just feet away from Obama as he delivered the presidential State of the Union address, shook his head, made a face and appeared to mouth “simply not true.” 

    Said Obama, in triggering Alito’s reaction: “With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests –- including foreign corporations –- to spend without limit in our elections. I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people. And I’d urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems.”

    This wasn’t exactly a repeat of last year, when Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) blurted “you lie!” at Obama as he spoke before congressional members. But Supreme Court justices typically rival Vulcans and poker champions when it comes to displaying emotion, at least during presidential speeches.

    His wide-ranging address, Obama focused heavily on topics such as health care reform, financial reform and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also called for allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. military.

    Obama also addressed expanding lobbying transparency — an issue central to our mission — while putting influence peddlers on serious notice.  

    “It’s time to require lobbyists to disclose each contact they make on behalf of a client with my administration or with Congress,” Obama said. “It’s time to put strict limits on the contributions that lobbyists give to candidates for federal office.”

    Below, watch Obama’s address in its entirely — as well as a response speech from newly elected Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican:

     

     

    FEDERAL JUDGE FACES IMPEACHMENT: U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr. himself may soon become the defendant in an impeachment trial conducted by the U.S. Senate, as the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday unanimously voted to approve four articles of impeachment over alleged misconduct. The articles of impeachment now go to the full House for a vote. If approved there, a two-thirds vote in the Senate would be required to remove the 63-year-old federal judge. Porteous is in part accused of lying to Congress and corruption. 

    CRP, IN THE NEWS: Columnist George Will, writing today in the Washington Post, defends the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling in his latest dispatch. In doing so, Will cites our research showing that during the 2008 election cycle, lawyers proved to be more active campaign contributors than even bankers or energy industry workers … The National Football League a major player in politics? Absolutely, writes Scripps Howard News Service Sports Editor John Lindsay, who uses our research and quotes us in his report Wednesday about the league’s newfound political interest, particularly in light of the labor and communications issues it now faces. (Read our September report on the issue here) … WHYY-FM in Philadelphia interviews us about how federal lobbying in 2009, particularly in the health care sector, will likely reach record levels … Other news articles citing the Center for Responsive Politics and OpenSecrets.org in the past day include: the Los Angeles Times, the Detroit News, the Washington Examiner, Bloomberg and the Center for Public Integrity. 

    Have a news tip or link to pass along? We want to hear from you! E-mail us at [email protected].

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  • Track How Political Candidates Raise Money with New Feature from ‘Party Time’

    letsparty.jpgSen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) does hers dog sledding style.

    Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) prefers his with candles.

    And Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) simply lets the booze flow.

    As politicians crank their fund-raising machines ahead of 2010 midterm elections, OpenSecrets.org is now tracking the often lavish gatherings through which they raise their dough.

    The information, provided by the Sunlight Foundation‘s Party Time project, appears within OpenSecrets.org’s hundreds of congressional member candidate profiles. This allows OpenSecrets.org readers to not only follow who’s spending and receiving political cash, but how — and in real time.

    You’ll learn, for example, that Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) is ringing in his 50th birthday tonight with a swank party in downtown Washington, D.C., at the Associated General Contractors of America’s townhome. Tickets cost $1,050 (political action committee) or $550 (individual), with the money benefitting Lucas’ reelection committee.

    And the Associated General Contractors? The party hosts aren’t exactly small fry in the world of federal lobbying.

    Neither is Cornerstone Government Affairs, one of the more notable lobbying firms in the nation’s capital.

    The group, which boasts lobbying clients ranging from Wal-Mart to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, on Monday hosted a $1,000-per-ticket luncheon for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

    In no way are politicians required to disclose or publicize their big-dollar bashes. So, in the name of transparency, help us by notifying Party Time of politicians’ fund-raisers by clicking here.

  • Capital Eye’s PolitiQuizz: Where Do Congressmen Invest Their Money?

    stockcertificate.jpgFact is, most members of Congress are rich. But how’d they get that way? We explore the question in this week’s PolitiQuizz.
     
    Your challenge: “I’m not only a large American company, but in 2008, my stock ranked as the favorite investment among members of Congress. I’m partial to planes and trains, but venture into the financial and health care realms, as well. Name me.”
     
    The first person to correctly answer this question by leaving an answer in this blog post’s comments section will win a free copy of The Blue Pages: Second Edition, the new book for which the Center for Responsive Politics provides data and analysis. Answers will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday. Results will be posted as part of next Monday’s PolitiQuizz. (Make sure to provide your e-mail address so we may contact you if you win!)
     

    Now back to last week’s question, when we asked you this: “I’m a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Yes, I’m a Democrat, but I occasionally run afoul of my own party. For example, I generally oppose abortion rights. I once accused the Obama administration of trying to shut me up. And this election cycle, I donated $1,000 from my leadership PAC to now-Republican Rep. Parker Griffith. The top three industries backing me this election cycle, in terms of campaign contributions? Lobbyists, construction services and lawyers/law firms. Who am I?“

    The answer: Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.).

    Congratulations to John Neal, who was the only person to correctly identify Stupak. Neal wins a copy of The Blue Pages: Second Edition. 

  • ‘Citizens United’ Fallout, a Republican Super Bowl and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 25

    Your daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics:
    ALL OVER BUT THE … TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INDEPENDENT POLITICAL EXPENDITURES: In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, about every federal politician with a pulse has commented on the incredibly contentious decision that will assuredly change the way corporations spend political cash — and alter the very nature of how campaigns are waged. Of particular note: President Barack Obama. Even with enough topics of national import to fill an airplane hangar, Obama chose to dedicate his weekly radio/video address to the court decision, declaring in it that “as long as I’m your president, I’ll never stop fighting to make sure that the most powerful voice in Washington belongs to you.” David Bossie, president of Citizens United, called the court decision a “victory” for the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. “I won. I’m happy to have won. I agree with the majority of the Supreme Court,” Bossie told FOX News. Listen to both men, in their own words, below:  

    THE SUPER (REPUBLICAN) BOWL: It might be apropos if the two teams playing in Super Bowl XLIV generally supported Democrats — you know, with Barack Obama being the 44th president and all. Forget that notion. The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, who on Sunday advanced to football’s biggest game, are among the National Football League‘s Republican-leaning teams, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis concludes. Over the past two decades, employees, executives, players and owners associated with the Saints donated 93 percent of their political contributions to Republicans. The Colts, for their part, donated 52 percent to the GOP, with league MVP quarterback Peyton Manning on the record as having helped bankroll the presidential campaigns of Republicans George W. Bush and Fred Thompson. Matters wouldn’t have been any better for Democrats had the New York Jets or Minnesota Vikings (the conference championship also-rans) advanced to the Super Bowl: team associates have respectively directed 90 percent and 89 percent of their campaign contributions to Republicans. Curiously, the NFL itself, through its officials and political action committee, overwhelmingly favors Democrats when it comes to campaign contributions.
     
    CRP, IN THE NEWS: CRP Executive Director Sheila Krumholz offers thoughts on the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision in this piece published by National Journal‘s Under the Influence blog … Andrew Maykuth and Jeff Gelles of the Philadelphia Inquirer quotes CRP Board Chairman Robert A. Weinberger in their article about how the Citizens United decision may affect area companies … the Washington Examiner‘s Mark Tapscott cites our recent report on lobbying activity in arguing that special interest money is already flooding the American political system, regardless of the outcome of Citizens United … Other media outlets this weekend who cited CRP data or quoted our executives include: U.S. News and World Report, the Huffington Post, the (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call and KTRH-AM 740 in Houston.
     
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    OpenSecrets.org: Tracking Money In Politics


  • How Will the Supreme Court’s ‘Citizens United’ Ruling Affect U.S. Politics?

    (Read more about the case here.)

    How will the Supreme Court’s ‘Citizens United’ ruling affect U.S. politics?

    A great deal. Corporations and unions will dominate campaigns and discourse
    Somewhat. It will be a new tool for organizations already politically active
    A little. Corporations in particular will be reluctant to publicly support specific politicians
    Not at all. Politics as usual.
    Other. (Leave thoughts in this blog item’s comments section.)

  • Campaign Finance Law to be Overhauled as Supreme Court Rules in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

    The Supreme Court, in session this morning, is releasing its rulings on the landmark campaign finance case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

    Early reports indicate the court’s rulings will indeed rewrite federal campaign finance law, particularly as it applies to corporate and union independent expenditures.

    Capital Eye‘s Michael Beckel is busy preparing an analysis of the decision, so be sure to check back here later today.

    In the meantime, read the excellent live chat being conducted by SCOTUSblog, as it’s providing a play-by-play of the court’s ruling. SCOTUSblog’s Tom Goldstein says this of the decision: “Much will depend on the wording, but today’s decision is a small revolution in campaign finance law.”

    As we write, Supreme Court justices are reading from their opinions within the Supreme Court’s chambers.

    It appears the opinions are gigantic — dozens and dozens of pages worth of majority opinions and partial dessents. Read the written opinion here.

    And read our previous coverage of the issue, which spans the months that the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case has been in play.   

  • Scott Brown a Profilic Campaign Fund-Raiser, But a Stingy Fund-Giver

    scottbrown2.jpgRepublican Scott Brown, elected Tuesday as Massachusetts’ newest U.S. senator, is notable for his prolific political fund-raising, reportedly generating millions upon millions of dollars from supporters during an abbreviated campaign.

    He accomplished this through online channels — something with which the GOP has struggled. Politico‘s Ben Smith reports that Brown adviser Patrick Ruffini today announced his boss hauled in eight figures, proudly tweeting: “$12 million, is I believe, the biggest online fundraising event for any statewide candidate, R or D, ever.”

    We won’t know what the official, final, end-of-story campaign finance numbers are in this race until mid-February, after post-election Federal Election Commission filings are released.

    But we do know this: Brown himself has made just one donation to a federal political candidate in the past 20 years — $250 in 2001 to Republican congressional candidate Jo Ann Sprague, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis indicates.

    That may be because Brown will enter the U.S. Senate as perhaps one of its poorer members — relatively speaking, at least.

    A Massachusetts personal financial disclosure form Brown filed in 2008 indicates his annual income fell between $60,000 and $100,000, and he reported owning interests in time shares and property valued in the low six figures. He also reported owing up to $100,000 on his home mortgage.

    The average net worth of a U.S. senator, meanwhile, is $13.98 million, based on the Center’s analysis of 2008 personal financial disclosures of Senate members. And more than a fifth of U.S. senators in 2008 reported personal wealth of at least $3.5 million. 

  • Massachusetts’ End Game, New York’s Need for Ethics Reform and More in Capital Eye Opener: January 19

    vote.jpgYour daily dose of news and tidbits from the world of money in politics:

    AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME: No need to wait for November for Election Day, as Massachusetts finds itself in the midst of one heckuva U.S. Senate race — a race that concludes today with a special election. Democrat Martha Coakley, once the odds-on front-runner who’s lately witnessed Republican Scott Brown surge in opinion polls, is attempting to carry her party’s mantle in replacing the late Ted Kennedy, who occupied the open Senate seat for 47 years. The outcome of this race has major implications for both parties, as a Republican victory would generally give the GOP enough votes in the Senate to sustain filibusters. Illustrating the seat’s importance: None other than President Barack Obama has campaigned on behalf of Coakley, Massachusetts’ attorney general. Brown, for his part, is predicting an upset — and what an upset it would indeed be, considering the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation is composed of Democrats. Through the end of 2009, Coakley had also enjoyed a significant lead in fund-raising, albeit a lead that doesn’t appear to have paid her nearly the political dividends for which she had hoped.
    ETHICS REFORM IN NEW YORK? HA! That’s the message from the Albany Times-Union, which writes in an editorial that New York’s state politicians must conduct (very) public hearings on improving the quality of governmental ethics. “We mean public hearings or town hall-style meetings around the state — where people can tell you what they think,” the newspaper writes. “Not in voice mails you’ll never listen to or letters and e-mails you won’t read. Not in staged, testimony-by-invitation-only events. Who knows? You might hear some compliments.” Or maybe not, considering New York has jettisoned one philandering governor, Eliot Spitzer, in favor of a highly unpopular one in David Paterson. Meanwhile, former state senate majority leader Joseph Bruno appears primed for hard time, and no one can seem to pass a budget on time.  

    CRP, IN THE NEWS: U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand share more than a state and a political party. They also share a boatload of campaign contributors, reports the New York Post‘s Jennifer Fermino, who bases this report on our research … The New York Times‘ David Kirkpatrick notes our lobbying research in his front-page article about federal lobbyists who aren’t so keen on remaining registered lobbyists — but still lobby. Sort of … Raju Chebium of the Gannett Washington Bureau quotes us and uses our data in explaining how U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone is the New Jersey congressional delegation’s top recipient of health care sector money … Associated Press reporters Rachel Beck and Stevenson Jacobs, in this article about the banking industry, note our research on how the finance, insurance and real estate sector has contributed money to federal politicians.  

    Have a news tip or link to pass along? We want to hear from you! E-mail us at [email protected].

  • Capital Eye’s PolitiQuizz: Who’s That Not-So-Blue Democrat?

    democratdonkey.jpg

    Conservative Democrats? There is such a thing? You betcha! And we’re looking for one in particular for this week’s Capital Eye PolitiQuizz.
    YOUR CHALLENGE: “I’m a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Yes, I’m a Democrat, but I occasionally run afoul of my own party. For example, I generally oppose abortion rights. I once accused the Obama administration of trying to shut me up. And this election cycle, I donated $1,000 from my leadership PAC to now-Republican Rep. Parker Griffith. The top three industries backing me this election cycle, in terms of campaign contributions? Lobbyists, construction services and lawyers/law firms. Who am I?“

    The first person to correctly answer this question by leaving an answer in this blog post’s comments section will win a free copy of The Blue Pages: Second Edition, the new book for which the Center for Responsive Politics provides data and analysis. Answers will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday. Results will be posted as part of next Monday’s PolitiQuizz. (Make sure to provide your e-mail address so we may contact you if you win!)

    Now back to last week’s question, when we asked you this:

    “During this current election cycle, my residents have so far given more than 63 percent of their campaign contributions to Democrats. Among business industries and special interest groups, lawyers and law firms are most likely to make a donation. Although my state capital is my political seat, another metropolitan area within my boundaries accounts for exponentially more political contributions. And among all presidential campaign candidates in 2008, Democrat Barack Obama placed second in contributions from my residents. Incidentally, Republican nominee John McCain was not first. What state am I?”

    The answer: Delaware. (The residents of the First State donated more money to short-lived presidential candidate Joe Biden, who suspended his campaign after a horrendous finish in the 2009 Iowa caucuses.

    Congratulations to Jeff Patch, who was the first (and only) person among our 19 PolitiQuizz takers last week to correctly answer “Delaware.” Jeff will therefore win a free copy of The Blue Pages: Second Edition.

  • Happy MLK Day From the Center for Responsive Politics

    mlkjr.jpgIn observance today of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Center for Responsive Politics is closed. 

    Therefore, the Capital Eye blog‘s morning Capital Eye Opener report will return Tuesday morning after a one-day hiatus.
    But check back later today for a new weekly PolitiQuizz — and the answer to last week’s question, as well. And if you’re not yet a fan of OpenSecrets.org on Facebook, become one here and join what’s become a lively conversation on a variety of money-in-politics issues.