IN-KIND VINO VERITAS. Roll Call reports. “Since 2001, donors attending [Mike Thompson’s] parties and other contributors have given the California Democrat more than 800 gifts of wine worth about $340,000, according to a CQ MoneyLine study of campaign finance reports.” EARMARK REQUESTS. Mike Thompson is also noted in this story about earmark requests. LAWSUIT OVERRead… Read more »
THE POLITICAL LAW EXPLOSION. Has there been a post-CU political law practice explosion? Left and right it seems the political law landscape is changing. In the last few weeks, we’ve had news that Wiley Rein expanded its practice with the addition of Former FEC Chairman Michael Toner. Last month, McGuireWoods announced its new political group.Read… Read more »
STATE POLITICS AND SOCIAL MEDIA. Thanks to e.politics for the link to Digital America. The project collects social media information for state officeholders. OVERHAUL URGED. The LA Times reports on calls for FEC appointments here. “The groups, which include the nonpartisan Democracy 21 and the Campaign Legal Center, have been urging Obama to choose replacementsRead… Read more »
HOLMAN ON THE FEC. In Roll Call. “After April, all but one of the six commissioners on the Federal Election Commission will be sitting with expired terms. Half the commission had their terms expire two years ago.” SUNLIGHT FOUNDATION EVENT ON LOBBYING REFORMS. I enjoyed listening to yesterday’s lobbying reform event on the Hill withRead… Read more »
PAY TO PLAY DAY. I’m declaring Monday National Pay to Play Day in light of the March 14th initial compliance date for the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new rules involving investment advisers and political contributions. LOBBYIST DONATION BAN. Politico looks at where lobbyists are giving here. “The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional CampaignRead… Read more »
WHAT’S UP WITH ETHICS? Roll Call reports. “Following a year in which it conducted more than 100 inquiries and a rare public trial, the House Ethics Committee has had a glacial start in the 112th Congress.” HATCH AND… ZUCK. The Hill. “Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a Tea Party target who’s expected to face a toughRead… Read more »
HOW SHOULD POLITICIANS USE TWITTER? That’s the topic of this e.politics collaborative effort between Sandi Fox and Sean Hurley. (I follow back almost everyone who follows me on Twitter.) In other Twitter news, a tweet sparked a controversy involving a lobbyist and lawmakers in Missouri and you can read more about that here. And inRead… Read more »
ISSA WEBSITES IN THE NEWS. Roll Call reports. “In mid-February, videos posted by the California Republican’s staff on the YouTube page of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee contained a production credit for ‘DEI Productions’ instead of the ‘Oversight Productions’ moniker his office had used on other committee videos.” LOBBYIST WINS. Roll Call reports onRead… Read more »
HUNTSMAN’S RISKS. Politico covers Ambassador Jon Huntsman’s alleged involvement with a new PAC and a potential White House run here. “Federal law is relatively strict in barring employees from political activity while on duty, and special rules for ambassadors indicate that they are considered ‘on post’ — or on duty — at all times whenRead… Read more »
NOW YOU KNOW. Ever want to find out what happens at a Public Affairs Council National PAC Conference? Artistotle’s In the Know Blog provides a rare window into some of the proceedings here (discussing PACs run by Bridgepoint Education, LPL Financial, and Sanofi-Aventis) and here (discussing prior approval and the National Association of Mutual InsuranceRead… Read more »