A quick look at the week that was in the world of political dark money…
the money shot
Sources: Center for Responsive Politics, National Institute for Money in State Politics
quote of the week
“Let’s face it, politics in this country is coin-operated.”
—Gateway computer founder Ted Waitt, who recently launched the centrist super-PAC icPurple.
chart of the week
Victorious Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker outraised Democratic rival Tom Barrett by a nearly 8-to-1 margin in Tuesday’s recall election. Independent expenditure groups helped reduce that gap to about 2-to-1 thanks to Citizens United, which overturned the state’s ban on outside spending by corporations and unions. The election cost a record-setting minimum of $63.5 million (also see our breakdown of the numbers):
stat of the week
66.8 percent: The portion of the conservative dark-money group American Action Network‘s budget spent on political activity from July 2009 through June 2011. By law, 501(c)(4) groups like AAN are prohibited from making campaign activity their primary focus. “Any group spending over 65 percent of its funds on political activities can hardly argue influencing elections is not its primary purpose,” says Melanie Sloan, the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which is calling for an investigation. “Significant financial penalties might prod AAN to learn the math.”
race of the week
As iWatch News’ Michael Beckel reports, California’s first-ever “jungle primaries” (in which the top two primary vote-getters will appear on the November ballot, regardless of party) have led to super-PAC-fueled feuds. In the race for the state’s 26th Congressional district, one of the costliest House races to date, four outside spending groups supporting Democrat Julie Brownley outraised independent challenger Linda Parks by a 20-to-1 margin to secure Brownley a general election race against Republican Tony Strickland. House Majority PAC, which spent more than $700,000 supporting Brownley and attacking Parks, aired this feel-good ad promoting Brownley:
more mojo dark money coverage
• Most of Obama’s 2008 Bundlers Are AWOL: More than 70 percent of the president’s biggest past fundraisers have yet to pitch in. Yet that may not be a problem.
• Four Reasons Why the Left Lost Wisconsin: And one reason why Tuesday wasn’t a total disaster for Democrats.
• “Our Elections Are Being Poisoned”: Have the dark money, front groups, and corporate cash flooding Scott Walker’s recall corrupted Wisconsin?
• Sheldon Adelson Opens Up His Wallet, Vol. MCXVI: The Las Vegas casino owner (and former Newt Gingrich megadonor) cuts his first check to a Romney super-PAC.
more must-reads
• Why Democrats shouldn’t fear Mitt Romney’s money. Salon
• A House subcommittee votes to block funding for a FCC initiative to disclose TV political ad spending. Sunlight Foundation
• As big money pours into elections, states’ campaign finance transparency is lacking. StateIntegrity.org
• Ben & Jerry’s cofounder Ben Cohen and anti-Citizens United activists launch campaign to stamp dollar bills with messages like “money is not speech.” MovetoAmend.org
This post has been revised.
