Category Archives: political parties

“Partyism”

December 17, 2014, 8:55 ampolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Cass Sunstein has posted this provocative draft on SSRN (forthcoming, University of Chicago Legal Forum). Here is the abstract: “Partyism” is a form of hostility and prejudice that operates across political lines. For example, some Republicans have an immediate aversive… Continue reading

“Senate abruptly wraps up, capping least productive Congress in modern history”

December 16, 2014, 8:20 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

WaPo: The least-productive Congress in modern history drew to an abrupt close late Tuesday as the U.S. Senate extended dozens of expired tax breaks but failed to renew a federally backed terrorism insurance program supported by big businesses and… Continue reading

“In Washington, political dysfunction and grim outlooks are the new normal”

December 13, 2014, 4:16 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Dan Balz’s take.

The Unsurpri$ing Connection Between the Two Odious Parts of the #Cromnibus

December 11, 2014, 9:31 pmcampaign finance, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Progressive revolted over two provisions in the massive compromise spending bill about to become law. One provision rolls back banking regulation of derivatives under the Dodd-Frank Act passed during the financial crisis. The other provision will vastly increase the… Continue reading

Utah Republican Party’s Federal Lawsuit against Utah’s Republican Governor

December 10, 2014, 7:57 ampolitical partiesDan Tokaji

The complaint in Utah Republican Party v. Herbert alleges that SB 54, which changed the process for nominating candidates — ostensibly to “open” the electoral system — violates the party’s associational rights. In addition to its constitutional claim, the party… Continue reading

“In Spending Bill, A Gift For Political Party Fundraising”

December 9, 2014, 7:45 pmcampaign finance, political partiesDan Tokaji

Peter Overby reports: “Capitol Hill lawmakers agreed Tuesday afternoon on a small provision to be added to the omnibus spending bill, allowing the two party committees to raise money for their presidential nominating conventions. The limit per donor would… Continue reading

“The Kochs Eclipse the RNC: Meet the Guys Behind the Right’s Best Data Shop”

December 8, 2014, 3:57 amcampaign finance, political partiesDan Tokaji

From Politico: The Koch brothers and their allies are pumping tens of millions of dollars into a data company that’s developing detailed, state-of-the-art profiles of 250 million Americans, giving the brothers’ political operation all the earmarks of a national… Continue reading

“Is Eight Enough?”

November 25, 2014, 12:50 pmballot access, political parties, third partiesRick Hasen

Jerry Goldfeder: Thirty years ago there was a TV program called Eight Is Enough. It comes to mind because now that the gubernatorial candidates of the Stop Common Core Party (Rob Astorino) and the Women’s Equality Party (Andrew Cuomo)… Continue reading

“Decision Upholds Candidate’s Free Speech Rights”

November 21, 2014, 2:18 pmcampaigns, political partiesRick Hasen

ACLU of Indiana press release: “Political parties in Marion County cannot prevent the free speech activities of candidates they do not back for election, and county officials cannot enforce an unconstitutional law used to impede such speech, a federal judge… Continue reading

RNC Surprisingly Drops Challenge to Federal Soft Money Limits

November 21, 2014, 2:00 pmcampaign finance, political partiesRick Hasen

Huh. Bloomberg BNA says the RNC won’t comment and the FEC will only say the voluntary dismissal was sought by the RNC. I thought this challenge had a reasonably good chance of success, not in the DC Court of Appeal… Continue reading

“Things Aren’t Going That Well Over There Either: Party Polarization and Election Law in Comparative Perspective”

November 19, 2014, 1:14 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

David Schleicher has posted this draft of SSRN (forthcoming, University of Chicago Legal Forum). Here is the abstract: One of, if not the, most important change in American political life over the last 30 or so years has been the… Continue reading

“A handful of bills could bridge the partisan divide. But will they start a trend?”

November 18, 2014, 9:00 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

“California GOP victory: Democrats denied supermajority”

November 5, 2014, 9:01 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

LAT reports.

“Roberts Survives Re-Election Battle But May Opt Out of Rules Panel Chair”

November 5, 2014, 8:50 pmelection administration, Election Assistance Commission, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA: Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee survived a tough re-election battle Nov. 4 and may now be in line to take the chairmanship of the Rules panel, with the Republican takeover… Continue reading