Category Archives: campaign finance

“Liberals Can Hold Corporations Accountable; Corporate America prefers Republican voters and Democratic consumers.”

December 17, 2018, 8:22 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Frank Wilkinson for Bloomberg View: It’s amazing that corporations have gotten away with it for so long. Cheerios had a social moment back in 2013 with an ad featuring a mixed-race family. Racists didn’t much like the idea of little… Continue reading

Michigan: “You won’t find ‘good government’ in GOP’s campaign finance changes”

December 16, 2018, 5:51 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Daniel Wiener oped in the Detroit Free Press.

“Despite Trump’s claims, campaign finance violations can be very serious”

December 14, 2018, 8:58 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Fredreka Schouten for CNN: President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress this week have repeatedly sought to dismiss as trivial allegations that Trump directed hush money payments to women in potential violation of the nation’s campaign-finance laws. “If… Continue reading

John Edwards, Donald Trump, and the Criminalization of Politics

December 13, 2018, 9:49 pmcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

In thinking about the potential criminal liability of Donald Trump for campaign finance violations, I time and again return to the prosecution of John Edwards for similar criminal behavior involving whether hush money payments to a mistress need to have… Continue reading

“A Guide to Election Year Activities of Section 501(c)(3) Organizations”

December 13, 2018, 11:48 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Steven Sholk’s annual review, now ready for your downloading pleasure.

“Why the National Enquirer’s Admission of Guilt Is Bad News for Trump”

December 13, 2018, 11:46 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy blogs.

Brad Smith and Rick Hasen Join Podcast with Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen to Debate: “Cohen, Trump, and Campaign Finance Law”

December 13, 2018, 11:40 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

This is the podcast you’ve been waiting for: President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to several crimes, including illegally making hush money payments to two women alleging affairs with then-candidate… Continue reading

“Senate votes to overturn Trump administration donor disclosure rule for ‘dark money’ groups”

December 12, 2018, 8:44 pmcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

WaPo: The Senate on Wednesday voted 50 to 49 to overturn a Trump administration policy that allows politically active nonprofits to withhold from the government the identities of their donors, underscoring a growing unease among Democrats over the influence of… Continue reading

“Tabloid Publisher’s Deal in Hush-Money Inquiry Adds to Trump’s Danger”

December 12, 2018, 8:23 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

NYT: Until this week, it was largely Mr. Cohen’s word against the president’s denials. That is why the admission by A.M.I. is “highly significant, because it goes to corroborate” Mr. Cohen’s testimony, said Jeff Tsai, part of the prosecution team… Continue reading

In Cooperation Agreement with Government, National Enquirer Parent Company Admits It Made Payments to Trump’s Mistress to Influence the 2016 Presidential Election

December 12, 2018, 10:49 amcampaign finance, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

From a DOJ release: The Office also announced today that it has previously reached a non-prosecution agreement with AMI, in connection with AMI’s role in making the above-described $150,000 payment before the 2016 presidential election. As a part of the… Continue reading

“Florida Republican Not Even Sworn In, Facing Campaign Finance Questions”

December 12, 2018, 7:23 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Roll Call: The campaign finance issues looming around Rep.-elect Ross Spano, R-Fla., have grown more troublesome in recent days with new questions about the role of a longtime friend in funding his campaigns and hiring his new Congressional staff.… Continue reading

“Democracy by the People: Reforming Campaign Finance in America”

December 12, 2018, 7:13 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

This new book edited by Gene Mazo and Tim Kuhner looks like it will be terrific. Enter the code MAZO2018 at the checkout on Cambridge’s website for a 20 percent discount. Table of Contents Introduction Democracy by the Wealthy: Campaign… Continue reading

“Trump says Cohen’s guilty plea is like the Obama campaign’s civil fine. There’s no comparison, experts say.”

December 11, 2018, 7:32 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Fredreka Schouten for CNN.

“Potent Weapon or Poison Pill? Super PACs Pose Quandary for 2020 Democrats”

December 11, 2018, 7:24 amcampaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Shane Goldmacher for the NYT: It is one of the most potent and feared weapons in the arsenal of modern American politics: the super PAC. But as three dozen Democrats ponder presidential runs in 2020 and begin to design their… Continue reading