Dubya sets a new (and dubious) record for raising midterm campaign cash. “There’s some senators up there who would rather listen to special interests in Washington, D.C., than listen to the voice of the people,” Bush told Republicans in Little Rock. “There are senators who would rather give us a rule book this thick about how we have to behave, and what we must do to protect the homeland than to trust any administration for protecting America.” THAT‘s his speel? I’ve heard better, more plausible stuff on late-night infomercials. I guess if you’re a GOP bigshot and you’ve already thrown lots of money Dubya’s way, all you can really do at this point is protect your investment.
Tag: Campaign Finance Reform
One Last Binge?
Despite the recent economic travails and the passage of McCain-Feingold (which takes effect after this election cycle), both the GOP and the Dems are awash in campaign cash for 2002. I’m curious to see what kind of dent McCain-Feingold puts in this sort of behavior, if only for a while.
The Dubya Motel.
Surprise, surprise. Apparently the Bushes have been having tons of big donors over for sleepovers at the White House. (Dubya’s defense is they’re not sleeping in the Lincoln Bedroom, as if that makes a difference.) Let’s prep those congressional investigations, people! C’mon, Dan Burton, get a move on. Why do I have a feeling hypocrisy will remain the order of the day here?
What it Might Mean.
Congressional Quarterly analyzes the possible impact of McCain-Feingold.
Returning Fire.
Frustrated by the FEC gutting of campaign finance reform last week, John McCain promises to hold up FEC appointments in the Senate until a more reform-sympathetic panel is appointed. Turns out Dubya’s kept a ringer on the panel a year beyond his term, Democrat Karl Sandstrom, expressly for the purpose of stifling reform. (He appointed a new Republican to the FEC in March.) Hmmm…why am I picturing Karl Rove and Mitch McConnell in a smoke-filled room?
Trickle to a Flood.
“You have so tortured this law, it’s beyond silly,” Let the gutting commence. By a vote of 5-to-1, the FEC approves exemptions in McCain-Feingold that already have the interest groups smiling. This is not good.
Conspiracy theories.
A study by Public Citizen finds that McCain-Feingold will benefit liberals in the short-term more than anyone else. I’m sure the GOP will have something to say about that.
Liberals v. Progressives.
McCain-Feingold draws fire from liberal interest groups for choking off their money supply. Well, that was kinda the point, wasn’t it?
Follow the money 2003.
Speaking of the man in question, special-interest PACS look to carve their niche after McCain-Feingold. Alas, according to this report, they’ll still do quite swimmingly.
Civil War?
The Democratic Party prepares for the McCain-Feingold era.