Voter Blog
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Sep18
Romney: 'Frankly What I Need You to Do Is to Raise Millions of Dollars'
That’s what Mitt Romney said to the donors gathered at a Florida fundraiser, who had paid $50,000 each to attend. He told them “that’s by far the most important thing you can do,” because in his words, “advertising makes a difference.”
Sep18Clips Round-up for 9/18/12
What interesting things that are said behind closed doors to a candidate's financial backers! The big news yesterday was the release by Mother Jones of leaked videos from a private Romney fundraiser, in which donors—who paid $50,000 to attend—heard him make disparaging comments about the 47 percent of Americans who do not pay a net income tax.
Sep17Public Campaign's Nick Nyhart to Join Rep. John Sarbanes at Money in Politics Forum on 9-20
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md), along with approximately 30 of his House colleagues, introduced the Grassroots Democracy Act (HR 6426) on Friday, September 14. Here is a statement that Public Campaign President and CEO Nick Nyhart released after the bill was introduced: "Public Campaign supports Congressman Sarbanes' exemplary leadership to reduce the oversized role that corporate and special interest money have in our elections. The Grassroots Democracy Act complements the Fair Elections Now Act and elevates t
Sep17Clips Round-up for 9/17/12
Big legislative news in the campaign finance world: Two new bills join the Fair Elections Now Act as options before Congress to boost the power of small donors and reduce the undue influence of money in politics. Rep. Sarbanes (D-Md.) introduced his legislation on Friday, and Reps. Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Price (D- N.C.) will introduce their own variation this week.
Sep14Clips Round-up for 9/14/12
Big story in the Times today on fossil fuel spending on TV ads: "With nearly two months before Election Day on Nov.
Sep13Obama's Big Money Bundlers
While President Obama may preach the importance of grassroots donors, he has become increasingly reliant on big money bundlers. The Obama campaign consistently touts those that chip in $5, $10, even $75 dollars, arguing that they are the ones who "make the difference" in email blasts. But it's Hollywood elites, financial heavyweights, and business associates who give big bucks that are being lavished with attention.
Sep13Clips Round-up for 9/13/12
Great stuff in the NYT today about Obama's bundlers and some of their perks. This stat: "All told, Mr. Obama’s top 'bundlers' — people who gather checks from friends and business associates — raised or gave at least $200 million for Mr.
Sep12Clips round up for 9/12/2012
Sorry, voters, can't talk--we've got fundraising to do. NYT: "Instead, betting that they can raise and spend far more on their own, Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney are committing to ambitious fund-raising schedules that are eating into valuable campaign time, tangling their travel schedules and complicating their efforts to woo voters."
Sep11Clips Round-up for 9/11/12
Common Cause and Demos released an important new report yesterday: Bullies at the Ballot Box: Protecting the Freedom to Vote Against Wrongful Challenges and Intimidation.
Sep10West Virginia Supreme Court Strikes Down Trigger Provisions in Judicial Public Financing Case
Last Friday, the West Virginia State Supreme Court unanimously rejected a judicial candidate's appeal for the release of trigger funds. The state's pilot progam in judicial public financing provides and initial grant allows for additional public funds to be disbursed to a participating candidate if they face a privately financed candidate who spends at a certain level.