Clips Round-up for 1/24/11

Submitted by Monica Rober on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 16:12

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections Left, right gear up for campaign-finance clash before 2010 elections “Liberals and conservatives are gearing up for battles over campaign financing rules in anticipation of the 2012 election.” “Liberals” want more disclosure and “conservatives” want to get rid of presidential public financing. Democrats struggle with Citizens United ruling The debate over Citizens United continues, but it’s likely nothing will happen to respond, and the Democrats are likely to do the same exact thing Republicans did in 2010. On Republican’s new found dislike for disclosure: “It’s a bold, pro-secrecy position that contradicts Republicans’ erstwhile argument for full disclosure coupled with deregulation.” One thing we know is, there won’t be any talk about it at the SOTU. Citizens United ruling still dividing Press TV covers Friday’s “Movement for the People” rally and summit. Public Citizen President Robert Weissman

Watergate? What’s that? The New York Times is not pleased at efforts to repeal the presidential public financing system. On Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.): “We suspect his real motive is to give an even bigger voice to big-money contributors in presidential campaigns.” I’ve had similar thoughts, NYT. Congress Walberg slams health care reform at town hall meeting Local station in Michigan mentions the Public Campaign Action Fund ad about Rep. Tim Walberg’s health care repeal vote. Corporate contributions have surged for new Republican leaders in House Republicans leaders are racking up campaign cash from the same industries pushing to gut or repeal legislation passed by the last Congress. David Donnelly: “They have to decide whether they are representing their constituents  or the Wall Street donors who expect a return on their investment." - Accompanying chart: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2011/01/21/GR2011012106820.html?sid=ST2010120307148 Tensions rise between Supreme Court, politicians As Congress becomes more polarized and politicized, tensions are also increasing between the U.S. Supreme Court and politicians. Clarence Thomas failed to report wife’s income watchdog says Clarence Thomas failed to include the $686,000 his wife received from the Heritage Foundation on his annual financial disclosure forms, specifically on the line of “spousal noninvestment income.” Interest groups vie for a moment of Obama’s time in State of the Union address “It has been a frenetic few weeks for the country's leading oil industry group: Lobbyists for the American Petroleum Institute have repeatedly phoned the White House, cajoled agency higher-ups, even bought big newspaper ads touting the virtues of oil and natural gas.” Ethics watchdog Sloan decides not to leave Interesting—Melanie Sloan will NOT leave CREW to join Lanny Davis’s law firm. In the States Gov’t groups support Cuomo’s public financing plan On Friday, Public Campaign joined with Common Cause and Brennan Center to release a letter from 13 national organizations pushing Cuomo to pass public financing in New York. Nick: “Passing a fair election system in New York wouldn't just be good for New Yorkers but would create momentum at the state and national level to pass legislation aimed at putting elections back in the hands of voters”

Cash from lobbyists on the rise State lawmakers in Massachusetts saw an increase in campaign cash from lobbyists in 2010. Gas. Lawmaker took lobbyist-funded trip to Europe “Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, his chief of staff and their family members accepted a $17,000 trip to Europe over Thanksgiving week funded by lobbyists interested in building a high-speed train line between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., according to state records.”