Fair Elections/Campaign Finance
Where Campaign Finance Needs to Go Now
Public Campaign Action Fund Board Member Zephyr Teachout discusses the implications of the McComish case and the importance of small dollar matching funds going forward.

Supreme Court Wrong in Gutting Clean Elections
The Arizona Daily Star editorializes on the McComish decision arguing that the ruling gives the wealthy more free-speech rights than others.
 
The Supreme Court’s Continuing Defense of the Powerful
E.J. Dionne writes a great piece covering the U.S. Supreme Court, Arizona’s Clean Elections system, and protecting corporate and special interests.

• “Not since the Gilded Age has a Supreme Court been so determined to strengthen the hand of corporations and the wealthy.”

Comedian Stephen Colbert  Raising Some Serious Questions on Campaign Finance Laws
“Colbert wants to launch Colbert Super PAC, a type of political action committee that would allow him to raise unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions and individuals to support or oppose candidates in the 2012 elections through independent expenditures such as TV ads. Colbert is asking the commission on Thursday for a so-called media exemption to allow him to use his show’s airtime, staff and other resources for his political action committee without having to publicly disclose them as in-kind contributions from Comedy Central’s parent company, Viacom Inc.”

• More here from Politico and why this stunt could backfire for campaign finance reformers: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/58073.html

 
FEC Could Let Pols Boost Super PACs
In more Super PAC news, the FEC will consider a request this morning filed by Democratic leaders that asks whether it’s legal “to solicit unlimited contributions from corporations, unions and individuals for a new breed of independent political action committee known as super PACs.”
 
Judge Strikes Down Florida Campaign Finance Matching Law
“A Florida federal judge has struck down a provision of state campaign finance law that attempted to negate an advantage for millionaire candidates like Rick Scott by providing matching tax dollars to their opponents.”
 
Tennant Assessing U.S. Supreme Court Public Financing Ruling
West Virginia’s Secretary of State is now examining their new pilot program to make sure it is in line with the Supreme Court’s McComish decision.

Congress/2012
White House Hopefuls Make Push Ahead of Fundraising Deadline
And the second quarter ends today… “All of the presidential candidates, including President Obama, are putting the squeeze on donors as Thursday’s midnight deadline for second-quarter fundraising looms.”
 
Fundraising Lags in 2012 GOP Presidential Primary
“Regardless of the reason, the pace of Republican fundraising may well be the story when all of the second-quarter reports are filed with the Federal Election Commission on July 15 — particularly given that President Obama’s 2012 campaign has set a goal of $60 million raised in the quarter.”
 
Super-PACs Begin 2012 Ad Blitz in Colorado
And they’re already off to the races with the first attack ads of the 2012 presidential campaign popping up in Colorado.
 
Why is Congress a Millionaire’s Club?
“At the same time that Congress has become more of a millionaires' club, running a congressional campaign has become increasingly costly. There's no empirical evidence to suggest the two are related, but any political operative will tell you that not everyone can afford to run a campaign. As a congressional candidate, "every waking minute of every day is devoted to that campaign," said Doug Heye, a former spokesman for the Republican National Committee. "It requires an extraordinary amount of time, and it becomes difficult for a lot of people if you have a full-time job... When you've got a mortgage to pay and college tuition and braces to pay for, those kinds of day-to-day, real-life expenses come before putting six months into a campaign."

The $20 Million Dollar Mitt?
Mitt Romney may be the frontrunner of the GOP presidential hopefuls, but he’s still raising less than he did the last time around.
 
Other
Chamber Goes to Court More Often – and Wins
“While most Washington influence efforts focus on Congress or the federal agencies, the nation's largest business lobby has been expanding its campaign to influence the Supreme Court. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has for years been one of the biggest players on Capitol Hill, but the group has also been hiring more lawyers for its National Chamber Litigation Center to advocate on behalf of businesses before the court.”

Judicial Conduct
From New York: “New rules from the Administrative Board of the Courts bar nearly 1,000 elected judges across the state from hearing cases involving large campaign donors.”