2010 Elections, Political News

White House senior adviser David Axelrod tried Sunday to redirect Democratic criticism away from fears of foreign influence in campaign spending and toward the unsavoriness of mystery donors in general. Outside groups favoring GOP candidates and causes are pummeling Democratic-leaning outside groups in spending. The administration has argued that because the groups are not required to disclose their donors, foreign money could be playing an illegal role in U.S. politics, but it has not been able to show evidence to back up the accusation. Axelrod sought to make the broader point during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” that voters do not know the source of the money behind the campaign ads of groups known as 501(c)s. The nonprofit organizations are not obligated to disclose donors if their primary mission is not political.

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Axelrod Calls for End to Mystery Donors

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit told a pro-life group Tuesday that it has to disclose the names of its donors in accordance with Washington state laws. While the case dealt with issues on the state level, the decision has national implications as the campaign finance community is haggling over transparency rules. The federal court ruled that all groups that try to influence ballot measures must register as political committees with the state and disclose their contributors and expenditures. Attorney James Bopp, Jr., who worked on the winning side of the Citizen’s United Supreme Court case, represented the plaintiff Human Life of Washington in the case. Bopp argued that the nonprofit did not have to register and disclose its donors as a political action committee to run ads against the practice of assisted suicide. “Today’s ruling was a victory for citizens over special interests,” said Paul Ryan, Associate Legal Counsel for the Campaign Legal Center, which filed a brief in the case in favor of transparency. “As more and more anonymous special interest money is flooding into the 2010 election cycle, the Ninth Circuit ruling is particularly important in light of the fact that disclosure laws are facing challenges from coast-to-coast.” — Alex Knott

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Federal Court Upholds Disclosure Law

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called on the IRS on Tuesday to quickly investigate the tax status of Crossroads GPS and other organizations that are spending tens of millions of dollars on campaign ads without disclosing the sources of the money. Crossroads GPS is one of several nonprofit groups set up this year under a section of the tax code that is reserved for nonprofits whose primary purpose is not political. The groups have primarily benefited Republicans. “I write to urge the Internal Revenue Service to examine the purpose and primary activities of several 501 (c)(4) organizations that appear to be in violation of the law,” Durbin wrote in a letter to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman. Crossroads “has spent nearly $20 million on television advertising specific to Senate campaigns this year,” he added. But unlike 527s, the donors to 501(c)(4) groups can be kept secret. Several watchdog groups and other Senators, including Finance Chairman Max Baucus, had previously asked the IRS to look into spending by these groups this election cycle. — Steven T. Dennis

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Durbin Wants IRS Investigation of Crossroads GPS

After 63 days, two lengthy meetings and at least five draft opinions, the Federal Election Commission could only agree to disagree Thursday on why Google should be exempt from some political ad disclaimers. On August 5, Google asked the agency whether lengthy legal disclaimers are necessary for extremely short campaign ads that contain a maximum of 95 characters. Commissioners verbally agreed that the disclaimer requirements did not apply to Google’s small items, but they could not agree on the exact wording that explained why. “The commission could not reach a response to the questions presented by the required four votes,” said Republican Chairman Matthew Petersen, following an hour-long recess where commissioners huddled in two separate groups going over language. “The commission concludes that under the conditions described in the request the conduct is not in violation of the act or commission regulations.”

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FEC Permits Short Google Ads Without Disclaimers

Four consecutive polls, including a survey released recently by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, have shown Washington Sen. Patty Murray ahead of Republican Dino Rossi. All four also found the Washington Democrat taking at least 50 percent of the vote, a key metric for incumbents. The latest poll came from Rasmussen Reports , which found Murray ahead 51 percent to 46 percent. The survey of 750 likely voters was taken on Sept. 14 and had a 4-point margin of error. Previously, Elway Research, a Seattle-based firm, had Murray up 9 points. So did a recent CNN/Time poll. The poll done for the DSCC found Murray up 50 percent to 45 percent. While Murray is ahead, Rossi is certainly within striking distance with 46 days left in the campaign. Both national party committees have reserved at least $2 million in TV time in the state, signaling the competitiveness of the race. However, either could pull their money at any time if the race appears to be tilting heavily in one direction.

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Washington: Fourth Poll Shows Murray Ahead

Is anyone else glad that the primaries are over and the healing can begin? Here’s the shooting-star-the-more-you-know bit: it’s healthy and encouraged for conservatives to fight over candidates and vet folks to find the best solution. After the boiling process, however, everyone needs to mop up the mess and hug it out. Hopefully that can now happen. Delaware was the most contentious of the night’s primaries. Mike Castle is taking his ball and heading home : A Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) campaign source confirmed to The Hill late Tuesday that the longtime congressman will not be endorsing Christine O’Donnell. [..] As to whether the national party would back O’Donnell, a Castle campaign source said the campaign has no knowledge of their thinking but said “they should save their money.” And the spin : Rep. Mike Castle acknowledged Tuesday the results of the Republican Senate primary here would serve as a national test case of whether a moderate can survive in a party increasingly dominated by the tea party movement. Insert dramatic lispy falsetto here: OMG! Those tea partiers are sooo extreme! Those extreme extremists! Here I am, just a simple moderate who, according to my voting record, is to the left of the actual moderates out there who are now polling closer to center right! Castle refused to get back on the party base of limited government so the voters revolted. Voters , he’s just not that into you . The point has been made that the NRSC, who dropped trou and defecated all over Christine O’Donnell’s win by immediately announcing that they will not support her general campaign . That’s fine. The NRSC can do what it wants and forget the “R” in its name. Some folks have aimed to defend it by pointing out a tiny handful of grassroots-supported candidates like Rand Paul whom the NRSC endorsed – but it doesn’t change that fact that their record isn’t solid, it’s barely an even break. It doesn’t change that the NRSC’s decisions can have a negative or positive effect on voters. It doesn’t change the fact that we’re all supposed to be on the same team and regardless who makes it out of the primary, everyone should suck it up and unite. It also doesn’t change that this behavior by the NRSC is a vestige of conservative apathy which, until recently, plagued the right. It’s a ripple, a consequence still being reaped from lack of action, lack of checks and balances. I said this on Twitter, it’s time for the tea party to put its money where its mouth is. When you take on the beltway and win, you better help your candidate accumulate some cash. I hope everyone who opened their mouth about O’Donnell and pushed her as a candidate now unites and donates money and/or time to help her take the general. She needs cash on hand, not promises on Twitter. Any less from her webernetz supporters is posturing and poseuriffic. People also complain about the process. Don’t like it, change it. It’s that simple. We’re not going to have perfection in one election, maybe not even two, and as I said last Sunday, you’re not going to change a generation of government dissolution in one election cycle. It’s a hard task and if you care enough about your convictions to stand on the street corner with a placard, you better care enough to put some muscle behind them. Standing and holding signs is the easy part. You wanted a grassroots candidate, you got it, and now it’s up to YOU to make her win in the general a reality. Malkin notes a 26 – 9% difference in Delaware voter turnout, favoring GOP. Other races I’ve watched: Grassroots’ Lamontagne – Ayotte in NH, Ayotte leads, barely. NY’s Paladino takes Lazio (anyone could take Lazio, really. Chairy from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse could take Lazio, IMO). Paladino coasted on grassroots support. I’ll be on Fox and Friends tomorrow a.m. to discuss. Filed under: Election 2010

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Primary Super Slapfight!

Like bats out of hell . A handful of House Democrats are making health care reform an election year issue — by running against it. At least five of the 34 House Democrats who voted against their party’s health care reform bill are highlighting their “no” votes in ads back home. By contrast, party officials in Washington can’t identify a single House member who’s running an ad boasting of a “yes” vote — despite the fact that 219 House Democrats voted in favor of final passage in March. Well duh. Here’s a year’s worth of collected reading and reasons why: It’s Official: 51% Won’t Be Able to Stay in Their Employer Health Plan | Health and Education Insurers Pin Rate Hikes on Health Law – WSJ.com Six Months to Go Until The Largest Tax Hikes in History US breast cancer drug decision ‘marks start of death panels’ – Telegraph Berwick’s First Strike: Susan G. Komen Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Alliance Decry First-Ever Medicare Denials of FDA-Approved Cancer Drugs Missouri pops the ObamaCare-media bubble Firms cancel health coverage – The Boston Globe White House and Allies Set to Build Up Health Law – NYTimes.com Canada reconsidering health-care model in face of soaring costs IRS can deduct from your account Government Releases New Numbers on Obamacare Showing Costs Will Skyrocket 20 Ways ObamaCare Will Take Away Our Freedoms JCT: Healthcare law to sock middle class with a $3.9 billion tax increase in 2019 – The Hill’s On The Money U.S. Faces Shortage of Doctors – WSJ.com More in U.S. Say Health Coverage Is Not Gov’t. Responsibility Gallup: 80% satisfied with health care, 61% with insurance Democrats threaten companies hit hard by health care bill | Washington Examiner Health premiums could rise 17 pct for young adults Insurers Might Delay Covering Pre-Existing Conditions – NYTimes.com AP: Say, guess what we just found in ObamaCare! Dems mad at insurers for pointing out that they forgot to cover kids with preexisting conditions Rasmussen: ObamaCare hits highest disapproval rate yet CMS suspends doctor-reimbursement cuts used to calculate ObamaCare CBS poll: Obama hits another new low on health care WSJ/NBC: Obamacare Support Fading Rasmussen: 54% would prefer no bill to current ObamaCare proposals Support Slips for Health Plan – WSJ.com More Disapprove Than Approve of Obama on Healthcare Filed under: Democrats , FAIL , Healthcare , Obamanation , Socialists

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Run Forest, Run! Dems Sprint From Health Care

Former Rep. Chris Bell (D) was awarded a $2 million settlement from the Republican Governors Association in the resolution of a campaign finance issue from the 2006 Texas gubernatorial race, the Houston Chronicle reported on Wednesday. A judge ruled that the RGA violated state law when it gave $1 million to Gov. Rick Perry (R) late in the race. Bell charged that the group broke state law when it didn’t reveal who donated the money. Since the group is not involved in federal races, it’s not subject to the same limits other party campaign committees are. The RGA plans to appeal spokesman Mike Schrimpf said Wednesday. “Today’s ruling is just one step in a four-year political lawsuit brought by Democrat trial lawyer and failed gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell,” Schrimpf said, according to the Chronicle. “We believe the judge ruled incorrectly and are confident we will win on appeal, which we will file immediately. Unfortunately, this junk lawsuit has gone on for four years, and to the Democratic trial lawyers’ dreams, will likely go on two or three more. The good news is that it won’t divert from our efforts to win in Texas or any other state this cycle.” Perry was originally included in the lawsuit but chose to settle with Bell for $426,000 earlier this year. Bell now works as a lawyer in Houston. He was first elected to the House in 2002 but lost his seat after a mid-decade redistricting in 2004.

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Texas: Bell Gets $2 Million in Lawsuit Against RGA

Former Rep. Chris Bell (D) was awarded a $2 million settlement from the Republican Governors Association in the resolution of a campaign finance issue from the 2006 Texas gubernatorial race, the Houston Chronicle reported on Wednesday. A judge ruled that the RGA violated state law when it gave $1 million to Gov. Rick Perry (R) late in the race. Bell charged that the group broke state law when it didn’t reveal who donated the money. Since the group is not involved in federal races, it’s not subject to the same limits other party campaign committees are. The RGA plans to appeal spokesman Mike Schrimpf said Wednesday. “Today’s ruling is just one step in a four-year political lawsuit brought by Democrat trial lawyer and failed gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell,” Schrimpf said, according to the Chronicle. “We believe the judge ruled incorrectly and are confident we will win on appeal, which we will file immediately. Unfortunately, this junk lawsuit has gone on for four years, and to the Democratic trial lawyers’ dreams, will likely go on two or three more. The good news is that it won’t divert from our efforts to win in Texas or any other state this cycle.” Perry was originally included in the lawsuit but chose to settle with Bell for $426,000 earlier this year. Bell now works as a lawyer in Houston. He was first elected to the House in 2002 but lost his seat after a mid-decade redistricting in 2004.

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Texas: Bell Gets $2 Million in Lawsuit Against RGA

As Republicans continue to hold out hope that North Carolina’s 11th district will develop into a sleeper race this fall, Rep. Heath Shuler (D) is set to go up with his first major ad buy of the election on Tuesday. The district wide cable and broadcast buy is estimated to be in the high five figures, according to a Democratic source, which goes a long way in the relatively cheap Asheville media market. Now that Shuler is going up on the air the source said he’s expected to stay up through Election Day. Shuler certainly has the money to fund it. He had over $1.4 million in his campaign account as of his latest Federal Election Commission report. Meanwhile, Republican Jeff Miller has yet to prove himself a strong fundraiser. Although he won the primary in May, Miller had less than $70,000 on hand at the end of June, which may be one reason the National Republican Congressional Committee has yet to commit to spending money on ads in the district this fall.

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Shuler to Begin Airing First TV Ads Tuesday