Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds North Carolina Ban on Contributions from Lobbyists in Breakthrough Victory for Supporters of Strong Campaign Finance Laws

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In a landmark decision, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld North Carolina’s ban on campaign contributions from lobbyists to candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly or the Council of State. The contribution ban, upheld in Preston v. Leake, appears to be the toughest restriction on campaign giving by lobbyists in the country. […]

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Statement of Democracy 21 President on Public Funds Accepted by Republican Party to Finance their National Nominating Convention

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According to the BNA Money and Politics Report, “the Democratic and Republican parties have received $35.4 million—about $17.7 million each—in public funding to pay for next year’s presidential nominating conventions, the Federal Election Commission announced Nov. 8.” It is more than ironic that at the same time Republican leaders in Congress are trying to kill […]

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ProPublica: As Political Groups Push Envelope, FEC Gridlock Gives ‘De Facto Green Light’

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By Marian Wang As the presidential campaign swings into high gear, rivers of cash are flowing in to support the candidates, and experts are predicting billions will be raised by next fall. The likely record-breaking donations are thanks in large part to new groups that are taking in unlimited dollars and exploring the outer limits of […]

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New York Times Editorial: Having the Watchdogs to Tea

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Congress rarely remembers that it is responsible for overseeing the Federal Election Commission — the party-hack-ridden agency that enables campaign abuses. The House elections subcommittee has now summoned commission members to a rare hearing on Thursday about its work. Rather than a severe grilling, it’s more likely to be a meet-and-greet smile among professional backslappers. The need for a vigilant F.E.C. […]

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Reform Groups Call on President Obama to Address Dysfunctional FEC

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Reform groups held a press conference today to highlight the repeated failure of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to properly interpret and enforce the campaign finance laws and to call on President Barack Obama to nominate five new commissioners to fill the vacancies on the six-member FEC. Enclosed below is a letter from the groups sent to […]

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Statement by Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer on the Dysfunctional Federal Election Commission and the Failure of President Obama to Nominate New Commissioners at Press Conference Held by Reform Groups

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The Federal Election Commission is itself a national campaign finance scandal.     It is widely recognized that the FEC is a dysfunctional agency that consistently refuses to enforce the federal campaign finance laws – laws enacted to prevent the corruption of federal officeholders and government decisions. A New York Times editorial this year (April 18, […]

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FEC Urged to Reject Senator Lee’s Attempt to Create a “Super Leadership PAC” in Comments Filed by Campaign Legal Center & Democracy 21

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Today the Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21, filed comments with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), urging the Commission to reject an advisory opinion request  submitted by the Constitutional Conservatives Fund PAC (“CCF”), Senator Michael Shumway Lee’s (R-UT) Leadership PAC seeking to fundraise in a manner clearly prohibited by existing law. Senator Lee’s Leadership PAC asks the Commission […]

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Center for Public Integrity: Koch-related group is reviewing financial transactions with Cain aide’s charity

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By Peter H. Stone Questions about Herman Cain’s financial support from a tax-exempt charity Herman Cain’s campaign faces questions about tens of thousands of dollars in expenses that were paid by Prosperity USA, an organization claiming 501(c)(3) charity status with the IRS that is barred by law from political activities. The conservative grassroots goliath, Americans […]

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Americans Elect Press Conference Today: Democracy 21 President Challenges Americans Elect to Comply with Tax Laws and Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws

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Statement of Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer Americans Elect – holding a press conference today at the National Press Club – is an organization whose stated goal is “to nominate a presidential ticket that answers directly to voters—not the political system.” To accomplish this goal, Americans Elect already has qualified on a number of state […]

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POLITICO Interview with Democracy 21 President: Outside Cash in 2012

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Arena ChatOctober 30, 2011 David Mark: POLITICO over the past week examined the role of money in politics. Video series guests included former DCCC Chairman Martin Frost, former FEC Chairmen Michael Toner and Brad Smith, and Trevor Potter, lead lawyer for the McCain ’08 campaign. To round out the discussion I chatted with Democracy 21 President and […]

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