Clips Round-up for 11/9/10

Submitted by Monica Rober on Tue, 11/09/2010 - 15:10

Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Actually, Americans do care about corporate campaign cash Katrina vanden Heuvel responds to Martin Frost’s comment that Congress should leave “campaign finance reform to the wine and cheese crowd.” That’s exactly the folks we should be worried about, she says. New GOP senator could vote with Democrats on campaign finance bill Will Illinois’ newest Senator Mark Kirk be the key to passing DISCLOSE? Seems possible.

Congress Too much money in politics? Ain’t seen nothing yet You thought 2008 and 2010 were bad? Wait until 2012, especially without a reinvigorated presidential public financing system. Highlights from Friday’s “Capital Insider” Common Cause President Bob Edgar talks with TBD about campaign cash and the favors the new majority will owe next year. Sensenbrenner seeks K Street support for global warming panel Sensenbrenner is going to K Street to keep this special committee on global warming in tact—but with their support, it’s likely they’ll switch from battling global warming to denying its existence.

Angle, McMahon led way spending $97 per vote—and lost Sharron Angle spent $97 per voter—and a few other breakdowns. Missing the point—the more time spent fundraising, the less time spent focused on constituents. Seven chairmen back Steny Hoyer Hoyer gets support from Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif), Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.V.), and Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas). Democratic dilemma Heading into 2012, can Democrats keep bashing outside money or fight fire with fire? David Donnelly: “They should have embraced a broad indictment of the current system, not just an indictment of their political opponents.” White House open to Democratic outside groups in 2012 The White House is gearing up its fundraising plans, and David Axelrod won’t foreswear outside spending by Democrat groups. “Our strong preference is for a campaign finance system that is transparent and open and in which the American people can see what's going on. But I am sure the physics of this is that there will be people offended by this and they will be inspired to get involved." You can’t buy love. Usually not elections, either People continue to act like self-funders losing their elections is news—it’s not it happens all the time, but there are lots of other races. Other DeLay trial resumes with business lobbyists The DeLay trial continues. Check out this from his lawyer, “In his cross-examination, DeLay’s lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, made the point that the activities described by the two witnesses was just politics as usual.” It’s what’s legal that’s the problem. A blow to the courts Too much money is being spent on judicial races, seriously putting the impartiality of the court system in doubt. Scrap elected judges, replace with merit screening and appointments.