I am no fan of Jim Bopp. We have been on opposite sides of campaign finance and judicial conduct regulation issues for quite some time. Now we are on opposite sides in litigation, in the San Diego campaign finance case, currently pending before the Ninth Circuit. But I have now had a chance to look at the new report about Bopp for Common Cause and Public Campaign, and I have to speak out. Stripping away the hyperbole, here’s what I think the report says: Jim Bopp has long been involved in conservative and Republican causes, beginning with his anti-abortion work. He brings lots of lawsuits challenging campaign finance laws and related laws. His work is supported by the Republican Party and by wealthy conservative individuals and organizations. These entities give money to the James Madison Center, which then pays Bopp’s law firm. Bopp has a long term litigation strategy, like many cause lawyers: he’s working hard for a completely deregulated campaign finance system.
I have a hard time seeing anything remotely scandalous or improper in the report. There are certainly lawyers on the other side of this cause, whose work is financed in part through contributions from like-minded individuals and entities, and who pursue mirror long term goals: ensuring that the courts allow legislative bodies to pass reasonable campaign finance regulations. What was the point of releasing this report?