The Progressive Change Campaign Committee was out yesterday with a TV spot in Kentucky featuring a Kentucky veteran criticizing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for opposing gun reform, while taking nearly $200,000 in campaign contributions from gun interests.
 
The McConnell camp fired back crowing that only one Kentuckian gave PCCC over $200, apparently forgetting that unitemized, small donors count. PCCC says 2,000 Kentuckians contributed under $200. Kentucky’s LEO Weekly reports that McConnell might have forgotten that donors at this size exist after spending the past three months criss-crossing the country for big money fundraisers from Beverly Hills and Chicago to the December 17 D.C. fundraiser for Amgen just days before McConnell negotiated the fiscal cliff deal that included a $500 million giveaway to the company. Only one percent of McConnell’s contributions were under $200 in the past three months.

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
CPI: Barack Obama accused of 'dark money' hypocrisy by non-disclosing nonprofit
After drawing harsh words from reformers, now the creation of Organizing for Action as a 501(c)4 group is being blasted by… another 501(c)4 groups, saying it is “deep hypocrisy” after Obama criticized them for dark money. The new OFA has stated it will voluntarily disclose donors.
 
Roll Call: Rules of the Game: Democrats' Super PAC Promotion Signals Shift
Look Ma, no coordination! “A recent video starring seven House Democrats promoting the super PAC that helped elect them speaks volumes about how few rules constrain such political action committees — and how wholeheartedly Congress has embraced them.”
 
Bloomberg BNA ($$): House Administration Committee Votes To Eliminate Subcommittee on Elections
Well this raises hopes for reform, doesn’t it? New Chair Candice Miller announced that the House Elections Subcommittee, which handled campaign finance issues, will be disbanded for the upcoming Congress.

Congress/Administration
Politico: Karl Rove defends super PAC, cites Todd Akin
Rove, justifying American Crossroads’ focus on undermining insurgent candidates in primaries: “Some people think the best we can do is Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock – they’re wrong. We need to do better if we hope to take over the United States Senate. We need to get better conservative candidates and win.”
 
Tucson Citizen: The Best Political App of 2013. (So Far)
This new app, BizVizz, is legitimately cool. Snap a picture of a corporate logo to get back information like corporate tax rate, local subsidies received, and our favorite, campaign contributions. You can download the app for iPhone and iPad.
 
CPI: Chris Christie on hunt for D.C. campaign cash
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie will be at the 15,000 square foot home of mega-lobbyist Ed Rogers of BGR Group on February 28 for a $3,800 and up fundraiser for his re-election campaign. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will be ceremonial host.
 
National Journal: Bob Menendez Spent Up to 87 Percent of Wealth Paying Back Donor
Sen. Menendez, who came to the Senate, a.k.a. the millionaire’s club, ranking 97^th out of 100 in wealth, just took a big hit when he reimbursed a political donor $58,500 for two flights to the Caribbean. “The repayment amounts to between 32 percent and 87 percent of the assets Menendez reported holding in bank accounts and stock.”

Other/States
NYT: Lost Votes, Problem Ballots, Long Waits? Flaws Are Widespread, Study Finds
The result here is not too surprising. The stated rationale for the study may be more so: “Peer pressure produces horrible things like Britney Spears and Justin Bieber and tongue rings,” Professor Gerken said. “But it also produces professional peer pressure.”  
 
Quad-City Times (Iowa): Publicly financed campaign option floated
“A Senate subcommittee began work Tuesday on a voluntary campaign finance system modeled after Maine’s approach that would allow candidates to receive public funds if they agree not to accept private contributions, a move backers hope will slow the “tidal wave” of private money flowing into election races at all levels.”
 
WaPo: Va. House speaker is expected to kill GOP Senate redistricting plan
Well this is strange: something moderately sane coming out of the Virginia legislature.
 
Politico: Embattled Scott plans $100M campaign vs. Crist
Fla. Gov. Rick Scott is planning the most expensive campaign in state history to fend off the possible campaign of Charlie Crist.