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Election 2012: top seven super PACs

Decoder profiles the seven top super PACs, the organizations that have spent the most trying to influence the elections – and still have the most money in the bank.

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Tax VOX Free the IRS from regulating political speech

The Supreme Court pushed the IRS into the morass of regulating political speech with its Citizens United decision. Congress needs to pull the IRS out of the political swamp.
USA Update IRS apologizes for singling out conservative groups: How did it happen?

The IRS acknowledges it gave additional scrutiny to the tax-exemption applications of conservative groups. Top Republican lawmakers are calling for a White House investigation into the agency.
Colbert Busch trades jabs with Sanford in S.C. debate

During tonight's debate, Stephen Colbert's sister, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, criticized ex-Gov. Mark Sanford's policies as a member of Congress. Mr. Sanford pointed out that she contributed to his post-congressional campaign for governor, so "I don't think it must have bothered her that much."
Max Baucus: Who gets the retiring senator's $4.8 million?

Max Baucus, a retiring US senator from Montana, has $4.8 million in campaign funds. How the funds left in the Max Baucus campaign war chest be spent?
Bob Perry, megadonor behind 'swift boat' ads, dies

Bob Perry donated over $75 million dollars to political causes, including bankrolling the 'swift boat' attack ads against John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race.
Supreme Court to take up case that could overhaul campaign finance

The Supreme Court Tuesday agreed to hear a case that challenges limits on campaign spending, opening the door to a decision that could upend legal precedent on what individuals can contribute to candidates.
Bloomberg vs. NRA: Big spending could swing Illinois race (+video)

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 'super PAC' is spending $2.1 million to defeat a pro-gun candidate in the race to replace Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. It's part of his broader attack on NRA power.
Robert Reich Immigration, corporations, and the real debate over US citizenship

Immigration is just one part of the conversation over US citizenship, Reich writes. The immigration debate is also a question of who we want to join us.
Hillary Clinton: 'I don't see myself getting back into politics' (+video)

Hillary Clinton's reins are about to pass to John Kerry, who the Senate has approved as the new secretary of State. What will Hillary Clinton do now?
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.
Decoder Wire Is Stephen Colbert trying to buy Senate seat in South Carolina?

Stephen Colbert's decision to campaign for the seat being vacated by GOP Sen. Jim DeMint gives the famous funnyman yet another chance to educate Americans on how to game the US campaign finance system.
Robert Reich BP oil spill settlement: why BP is not a criminal

The Justice Department’s criminal settlement with BP gives their top executives a free pass — allowing the public to believe justice has been done, Reich writes.
Decoder Wire Stephen Colbert shuts super PAC. Where did the money go?

Stephen Colbert could essentially just pocket the money his super PAC didn't spend – a point he made in his further attempts to show the underside of campaign finance.
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?
Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin helps Democrats retain US Senate seat (+video)

Former US Rep. Tammy Baldwin becomes the first openly gay member of the US Senate after defeating former Gov. Tommy Thompson.
Rand Paul as kingmaker in US Senate race in Montana?

Sen. Rand Paul (R) – heir to his father's libertarian political dynasty – on Sunday endorsed Republican Denny Rehberg, who is running in a tight three-man race. A GOP concern is that the Constitution Party candidate could siphon votes from Rehberg.
Billionaires and shadowy groups fund record-breaking election

This election cycle super PACs and billionaires who have been able to donate anonymously, have funded the most expensive election in the nation's history.
Why has the Wisconsin Senate race tightened?

A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday shows former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) leading US Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) 46 to 45 percent among likely voters in Wisconsin.
Election 2012: top seven super PACs

Decoder profiles the seven top super PACs, the organizations that have spent the most trying to influence the elections – and still have the most money in the bank.
Florida investigates GOP-backed voter registration consulting firm

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced it has opened a criminal probe to investigate Strategic Allied Consulting. The Republican-hired firm has been registering new voters in Florida, but some of its voter registrations forms have been called 'suspicious.'
In Massachusetts Brown, Warren release competing heritage ads (+videos)

The Senate race in Massachusetts has returned to an old theme, the question of challenger Elizabeth Warren's claim to Native American ancestry. Warren and Senator Scott Brown both released competing ads on the issue.
Why Obama beat Romney in fundraising for first time since April (+video)

Both campaigns raised record sums in August, but Team Obama came out on top. The secret weapon: lots and lots of small donations.
Romney uses secret data mining to unearth new donors, report says

An Associated Press story Friday says a Texas company is assisting the presumptive GOP presidential nominee in finding new campaign money. The company did work for a colleague of the GOP candidate with ties to Bain & Co., the Boston management consulting firm Romney used to run.
Texting Obama? Campaign now accepting donations via text message

Both Obama and rival Mitt Romney as are accepting text contributions as a way to tap small-dollar donors. The Federal Election Commission has given the practice a green light.
Texas runoffs see tea party, mainline GOP clash

Both candidates blitzed Texas airwaves with ads and interviews on Monday, hoping to get supporters to the polls in the heat of the summer.