Topic: Center for Responsive Politics

Featured

Election 101: Five basics about 'super PACs' and 2012 campaign money

The 'super PAC' promises to shake up the 2012 election. This new fundraising heavyweight – which Stephen Colbert famously brought attention to with his own Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow – heralds a new era of 'superspending' in politics. Here are the basics about super PACs and how their emergence may influence elections.
10/07/2011 10:51 am

All Content

Pressure builds on Sen. Robert Menendez: Is it enough to topple him?

The New Jersey senator is accused of political favors, bribery, and prostitution. But those charges are difficult to prove, and experts say Menendez has the popularity to ride out the political storm.
Decoder Wire Is Sarah Palin's political career really over?

Lest anyone forget, Sarah Palin has a PAC with almost $1.2 million cash on hand. She may be out at Fox News, but she's got a lot of money to invest in GOP candidates or, if she opts to run for office again, herself.
In Mass. Senate race could Scott Brown win again?

Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown lost the general election to Elizabeth Warren, but could make a run for Sen. John Kerry's seat. But has Brown, once a tea party favorite, alienated national conservative groups?
Susan Rice's 'worst week' could derail Secretary of State bid

As critics go after her comments on the Benghazi terrorist attack, Susan Rice's race, gender, and personality have become part of the debate over whether she should be the next Secretary of State. Even those who might have supported her are floating other names.
Decoder Wire Black Friday politics: Do some stores lean Democratic or Republican?

Black Friday is upon us, which means a break from politics, right? Nope. DC Decoder offers you a by-the-numbers look at how some top holiday retailers spend their money politically.
Saving Money The election is over. What happens to all that campaign cash?

An estimated 5.8 billion was spent on the 2012 election. Where can candidates spend their leftover money? What is off limits?
Monitor Breakfast Senator Schumer tweaks Karl Rove: If he were a CEO, 'he would be fired'

Sen. Charles Schumer, who has been a key figure in coordinating Democratic campaigns for Senate, said strategist Karl Rove got a 'poor return' for all the money he spent on GOP candidates.
In Mass. Senate race Elizabeth Warren outspends rest of the country (+video)

Democrat Elizabeth Warren, who is running for Senate in Massachusetts against Rep. Scott Brown, had raised $12.1 million as of Sept. 30. Warren has outspent all other candidates for the US Senate in the nation.
Energy Voices Money in politics: Big oil's ties to Washington

A report from the National Wildlife Federation highlights the role it says oil companies play in U.S. politics, stating energy companies are influencing legislation in favour of oil, natural gas and coal policies, according to OilPrice.com
Tommy Thompson in Wisconsin lifts GOP hopes for US Senate takeover

Before he won Wisconsin's Senate primary Tuesday, Tommy Thompson led Democrat Tammy Baldwin in a hypothetical matchup by 5 points, a poll showed. This marks the former governor's reentry into politics.
Will Ryan's fundraising boost Romney's campaign? (+video)

Before joining Mitt Romney's ticket, Paul Ryan's congressional campaign had brought in more funds than many of its counterparts. Ryan's biggest donors are in the financial sector. It remains to be seen whether he can attract grassroots support.
GOP moderate from Ohio quitting his seat. Is he punishing his party?

The announcement by Steven LaTourette, just three months before November elections, that he is retiring, could cost Republicans a House seat they had expected to win.
Focus In Midwest, fight over labor unions to be at heart of 2012 election

Although labor unions have had some reservations about President Obama, they're still looking to him as their best ally in the 2012 election. Meanwhile, Republicans who are hoping to further curb unions are putting stock in Mitt Romney.
Barack Obama: First president who fails to raise as much money as opponent?

'I will be the first president in modern history to be outspent in his re-election campaign," Obama wrote to supporters recently. How did Obama go from fundraising king to money chaser runner-up in just four years?
Decoder Wire Is Mitt Romney really ahead in the money race? (+video)

Mitt Romney has raised more millions in May and June than has Obama. But Obama, who did not have to spend big to win the nomination, has a lot more cash on hand for the fight ahead.
Romney's June fundraising outpaces Obama's

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney appears to be collecting more money from big donors than President Obama. June fundraising figures will be available later this month.
Decoder Wire Romney raised $100 million in June. Will that quiet conservative critics? (+video)

Mitt Romney's haul in June was a monthly record for a GOP candidate. He'll need that money in the Battle of the Ads, which will only escalate. But conservative critics are clamoring for more from their party's standard-bearer.
Is Obama really losing the money battle? A fundraising Q&A.

President Obama is claiming that Mitt Romney and his allies could outspend him, but the truth (not surprisingly) is a little more complicated. Here is what's known about the money race.
Decoder Wire Is Ron Paul's campaign better with money than Mitt Romney's?

Six percent of Ron Paul’s campaign spending goes to fundraising, mainly via Internet 'money bombs.' Mitt Romney's campaign spends 23 percent of what he raises to do the same thing.
Robert Reich Just like us: Why Republicans worry about corporate feelings

In the upside-down world of regressive Republicanism, Senator Mitch McConnell thinks proposed legislation requiring companies to disclose their campaign spending would stifle their free speech, a concept Robert Reich finds "bonkers."
Focus Next week's Wisconsin recall: a test drive of themes for Election 2012

Wisconsin recall election between Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Tom Barrett (D) enters its last furious week. It is a proving ground for the themes and players of the national election in November, analysts say.
Gay marriage: Clooney fundraiser a hint of coming Obama money boom (+video)

President Obama's support for gay marriage is energizing gay and lesbian activists, whose support could help offset Wall Street's support for Mitt Romney. The Clooney fundraiser was just a taste.
The Vote Is Ron Paul running into money problems?

Ron Paul has about $1.6 million in the bank, according to the FEC, whereas he spent $5 million in January. It’s easy to think that this month he has to raise more, spend less, or dive into the red.
Decoder Wire So much money, so few lobbyists in D.C. How does that math work?

Spending to lobby the US government has almost tripled since 1998, but numbers of registered lobbyists have barely budged. How the work gets done without the scarlet 'L' of lobbyist registration.
How super PACs are changing the GOP presidential race

The $41 million that 'super PACs' have spent so far leaves 2008 in the dust and is changing campaign dynamics. Notable effects: many more negative ads and an ability to keep faltering campaigns alive.