We periodically receive newsletters from a wide variety of government reform news sources; the organizations focus on only the major events within their respective areas of expertise. Here is a selection from a recent email newsletter:
From Campaign Finance Institute
http://bit.ly/15seWP
Obama’s Small Contributions Surged in June, but McCain's Party-Based Strategy Gave the GOP Side a Combined Cash Advantage on June 30
[...] The combined June 30 cash on hand surplus for the Republican party and its presumptive nominee came to $95.5 million, compared to $62.0 million for the Democrats. In addition, McCain related joint fundraising committees had $9.7 million cash on hand destined to be split between McCain’s accounts, the RNC, and various state party committees. Obama related joint fundraising committees had $15.8 million cash on hand to be split between Obama’s campaign and the DNC. Obama’s new joint fundraising committee with state parties was formed after June 30th.
. --- > All Things Reform Mobile: allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi > Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (not toll-free) > US House/ US Senate Mobile: bit.ly/members > Contact your representative tips: bit.ly/dear --- .
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Saturday, July 26, 2008
McCain ahead of Obama in campaign cash
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Reform groups call on candidates to avoid lobbyist fundraisers at upcoming party conventions
We periodically receive newsletters from a wide variety of government reform news sources. These focus on only the major events within their respective areas of expertise. Here is a selection from a recent email newsletter:
From Campaign Legal Center
http://bit.ly/4bb0er
The Star Ledger: It's Party Time in DC
Jul 19, 2008
[...] Under the ethics code adopted in January 2007, House members could no longer attend parties thrown in their honor by lobbyists during the national party conventions. Such lavish parties were supposedly intended to recognize a member for his or her accomplishments. The honorees undoubtedly thought they were worth it.
In reality, the parties were lucrative fundraisers. And, of course, the House member would always remember who had been so thoughtful - and generous.
The we-won't-do-that-anymore policy was clearly enunciated 18 months ago and repeated a year ago when Democrats were proudly wearing the white hats belonging to ethics reformers. But as this summer's political conventions approach, those hats have gotten a lot grayer.
The House ethics police say the ban applies to parties thrown for individual members. It doesn't extend to parties for a group of House members. That's quite a loophole.
A bunch of good government groups - Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Public Citizen, U.S. PIRG and Campaign Legal Center - are urging politicians to do the right thing. We wish them good luck with that one. [...]
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> All Things Reform Mobile: allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi
> Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (not toll-free)
> US House/ US Senate Mobile: bit.ly/members
> Contact your representative tips: bit.ly/dear
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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may receive from Congress more than financial help
We periodically receive newsletters from a wide variety of government reform news sources. These focus on only the major events within their respective areas of expertise. Here is a selection from a recent email newsletter:
From Taxpayers for Common Sense
http://bit.ly/Pohc4
Fannie and Freddie should downsize and be overseen by the Federal Reserve
[...] No matter what happens [to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac financial troubles] – even if a bailout is avoided – strong strings must be attached [by Congress]. Fannie and Freddie are going to have to shrink and they are going to have to be overseen by the Federal Reserve. In writing the bailout package, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee said that he was “determined to do this early but more determined to go it right.” We sure hope so.
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---
> All Things Reform Mobile: allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi
> Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 (not toll-free)
> US House/ US Senate Mobile: bit.ly/members
> Contact your representative tips: bit.ly/dear
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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Sign an e-card to Senator Warren Rudman for his work for public financing of elections
Just $6 from Americans for Campaign Reform is asking us to sign an e-card, to thank former Senator Warren Rudman for his work for public financing of elections. Senator Rudman has tirelessly advocated for better elections and better government. He has written an Op-Ed on the subject. He has also testified to the Senate Rules Committee on behalf of the Fair Elections Now Act.
Please go to Just $6 and sign their card. Then, if you're in the Bedford, New Hampshire area on Tuesday, May 13th, you can attend a benefit dinner in his honor; all proceeds will go to Just $6's efforts to realize publicly funded elections. Thank you
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sign the Voters First Pledge at Public Campaign Action Fund, for volunteer public financing of federal elections
Public Campaign Action Fund is running a Voter Pledge drive for clean elections for federal candidates. Clean elections is another term for volunteer public financing of candidate campaigns. It can save the candidates from "dialing for dollars" every day in order to keep their campaign money flowing; this allows them to focus their time and energy on their important issues they want to share with the voters.
Please sign the 2008 Voters First Pledge right now, at Public Campaign-- you can help increase the pressure on lawmakers and candidates to back this needed reform. Thank you
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Announcing the Congress Reform team lineup!
Well, today is the big day, when All Things Reform's Facebook has determined the current lineup for our Congressional Reform team.
We have two "starting" levels: the All-Stars, and the practice squad. Here are the lineups:
Congress Reform All-Stars
- US Rep. Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi
- US Sen. Russ Feingold
- US Sen. Majority Whip Dick Durbin
- US Rep. Jeff Flake
- US Sen. Jim DeMint
- US Rep. Dennis Kucinich
- US Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
- US Sen. Ted Stevens
- US Rep. Jack Murtha
- US Sen. Larry Craig
- US Rep. William Jefferson
- US Sen. John Ensign
Call your two US Senators and ask them to support the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act
Public Citizen is asking us to call our two US Senators, and ask them to support the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act (S.223). It would require all senate candidates, both challengers and incumbents if office, to file their campaign finance reports electronically (as opposed to paper). Just as important, they need to support the bill without the Ensign Amendment, which is unconstitutional.
In addition to bringing technology up-to-date, it would save the American taxpayer $250,000. per year! Call both of your senators right now; you can reach them at the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Then, if you can, please leave word with Public Citizen on whether they do already support the bill without the amendment. Thank you
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
"The Buying of the President 2008", a new serial report by The Center for Public Integrity
The Center for Public Integrity has released a report titled "The Buying of the President 2008". They will release a new chapter every month in five parts over the course of a week. The first month's chapter is now coming online.
Every four years, the Center’s The Buying of the President investigates how money shapes presidential campaigns. The 2008 edition explores the roles that money and special interests play in presidential politics — a behind-the-scenes examination of everything from how the major candidates and their parties raise money to the ins and outs of opposition research and the spoils that go with a term in the Oval Office.
The web site, http://buyingofthepresident.org/, is just one of many reports published and online at CPI. Check them out, for in-depth research on critical government reform issues.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Tell your two US Senators to vote YES on Fair Elections
It's now time again to contact your two US Senators and ask them to vote YES for public financing of congressional campaigns. A bill addresses this, called The Fair Elections Now Act (S.1285). Fair Elections is a major campaign finance reform issue, and passing it would undercut alot of questions relating to legislators' possible favoring of their private campaign contributors.
You can reach your senators through Yahoo! CapWiz, or, you can call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Thank you!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Take this short survey on public financing of elections
Public Campaign Action Fund is running this short survey about public financing of elections and the Presidential race and would appreciate your filling it out. Information about the survey is here.
Sphere: Related ContentTuesday, March 11, 2008
Can PigFoot present US Rep. Murtha the 2007 Porker of the Year award? Video
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has the latest video on the legendary "PigFoot", their mascot. Here, he tries to give their 2007 Porker of the Year award to US Rep. John Murtha (Dem-PA) during his annual dinner with defense contractors, many of which he gives earmarks to in exchange for campaign contributions!
Here is that video...
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Presidential candidate Clinton phone conversation with questionable fundraiser on video
I just stumbled upon a video clip on Silobreaker of a telephone conversation Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had with a fundraiser. The caption below the video player states "Hiliary Clinton Caught violating Campaign finance laws". Frankly, I can't catch the law-breaking activity mentioned in the conversation; it apparently is a gala near Hollywood to honor her husband and previous president Bill Clinton that would benefit Hillary's campaign; she says on the phone that she as a candidate was briefed on the gala's details, and that her future thoughts will be conveyed to the fundraisers through her campaign helper.
The YouTube video is here; it is several minutes long.
Monday, March 03, 2008
A look at clean elections in action
Candidates, and ultimately voters, are already enjoying clean elections in Maine. The first state in the nation to bring this campaign finance reform to state offices, it has been successfully administered since 1996. This local newspaper story is about a current state representative candidate- what qualifies him for the program, and how he is free from big money from special interests as reflected by his campaign issues and work.
Sphere: Related ContentWatch video on public financing of elections
John Rauh, founder of Americans for Campaign Reform (Just $6) interviews best-selling author Frances Moore Lappe in an entertaining video about public financing of elections, or, as some call it, "clean elections".
Presently, this video clip is not picked up by users of the Firefox browser.
UPDATE: A commenter notified us that video works on Firefox. Thanks for letting us know!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Look for possibly big money commercials by nonprofits later this election season
According to a Feb. 25th Mother Jones article, a shift of major campaign funds from candidates and parties to individuals will take place later this election season. And 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations may have a say on what commercials will be aired right before the November general elections.
Even if the two eventual major party presidential candidates accept the public financing system for their general election campaigns this fall, they will have little say or control over people outside their campaigns advertising for or against them costing millions of dollars.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Financial contributions by both Clinton and Obama to Democratic superdelegates have results
The Center for Responsive Politics has published a report entitled "Seeking Superdelegates". It is a powerful analysis of the influence financial contributions to them by Democratic presidential candidates Clinton and Obama is. From Capital Eye, the Center's newsletter:
" Obama, who narrowly leads in the count of pledged, "non-super" delegates, has doled out more than $698,200 to superdelegates from his political action committee, Hope Fund, or campaign committee since 2005. Of the 82 elected officials who had announced as of Feb. 12 that their superdelegate votes would go to the Illinois senator, 35, or 43 percent of this group, have received campaign contributions from him in the 2006 or 2008 election cycles, totaling $232,200. In addition, Obama has been endorsed by 52 superdelegates who haven't held elected office recently and, therefore, didn't receive campaign contributions from him.
Clinton does not appear to have been as openhanded. Her PAC, HILLPAC, and campaign committee appear to have distributed $205,500 to superdelegates. Only 12 percent of her elected superdelegates, or 13 of 109 who have said they will back her, have received campaign contributions, totaling about $95,000 since 2005. An additional 128 unelected superdelegates support Clinton, according to a blog tracking superdelegates and their endorsements, 2008 Democratic Convention Watch. "
A chart of all of the superdelegates who are public officials, both committed and not, and how much if any Obama and Clinton have given them since the 2005 election cycle breaks down the numbers. Sphere: Related Content
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Presidential candidate fundraising in 2007
The Campaign Finance Institute has issued a press release on this election cycle's presidental candidate fundraising, and how it compares with the odd year of previous cycles. The data includes all of 2007, up to the latest from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Sphere: Related ContentSunday, February 17, 2008
Citizen's guide to financial state of U.S. government
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Management Service has released the "Summary Report of the 2007 Financial Report of the United States Government" . This is a citizen's guide to the financial health and prognosis of the federal government. The report is in pdf format (free Adobe Reader required.)
Sphere: Related ContentFriday, February 15, 2008
Will John McCain have a campaign finance conscience this election season?
Public Campaign posted today that, now that Pres. Bush has recognized John McCain as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, he has forwarded his "list" of big money donors he enjoyed when he was a candidate. This is quite disturbing, as we can see the corruption and secrecy from the administration that is inherent in exuberant campaign fundraising. George W. Bush put the F in fundraising by encouraging and rewarding the bundling of contributions from politically active companies.
Where has the R gone in reformer for McCain? The following several months of candidacy shall reveal the truth.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Sound science should overrule high powered lobbying
Our legislators in Washington have increasingly over recent years taken stock on the ill-educated lobby industry over sound scientific advise. Clearly, there is a campaign finance element behind this, as this is a corruption of the decision-making process for our Congress and President. Below is a letter I wrote to my U.S. Representative on the topic and corn ethanol, as an blind alternative energy issue drive in Washington:
Dear Representative Neugebauer,
I understand the federal government is still moving forward on the scientific fallacy that ethanol is an improvement on our environment. Quite the opposite! The subsidies from Congress has encouraged a replacement of the food of corn and raised it's price and the entire food chain corn gives! Also, the subsidies encourage a plowing away of land around the world to land cover that is much worse for the climate than what was already there! Please, let's consider more effective alternative fuels before the high-powered lobbyists once again take the place of sound science.
Thanks in advance, David Weller
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