Monthly Archives: November 2011

“O’Donnell headed to trial after judge rebuffs government on plea deal”

November 15, 2011, 9:09 amcampaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

National Law Journal: “A federal judge in Los Angeles has abruptly rejected Pierce O’Donnell’s plea agreement, meaning that the prominent litigator will go to trial on felony charges of making illegal campaign contributions.”

“Facts in Exile: Corruption and Abstraction in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission”

November 15, 2011, 9:01 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

Zephyr Teachout has posted this draft on SSRN (Loyola University Chicago Law Journal). Here is the (short) abstract: This paper criticizes the abstraction of Citizens United v. FEC, and examines the ideology underpinning a fact-free understanding of politics.

“FEC Urged to Reject Super PAC American Crossroads’ Request for Permission to Coordinate Ads with Candidates”

November 15, 2011, 8:59 amcampaign financeRick Hasen

See this press release.

“Reform Groups Urge Ethics Office to Strengthen and Adopt Restrictions on Special Interest Gift-Giving to Executive Branch”

November 15, 2011, 8:58 amcampaign finance, lobbyingRick Hasen

See this press release.

“Wisconsin Gubernatorial Recall — thoughts on timing and signature requirement”

November 15, 2011, 8:56 amrecall electionsRick Hasen

This item appears at the Recall Elections Blog. More from TPM.

Eric Cantor “Very Supportive” of “Full Disclosure” of Campaign Finance

November 14, 2011, 12:06 pmcampaign financeRick Hasen

Coming in a different context but good to hear.

Doonesbury on Voter Fraud and the GOP

November 14, 2011, 9:50 amThe Voting WarsRick Hasen

He enters the voting wars.

Quote of the Day, Americans Elect Edition

November 14, 2011, 9:44 amballot access, third partiesRick Hasen

“Professor Hasen is just wrong and doesn’t understand Americans Elect… [The group] is purely a nominating process that is putting the power directly into the hands of every registered voter.’’ –Kahlil Bird of Americans Elect, emailing with the Boston Globe. … Continue reading

I Have More in Common with Jack Abramoff than I Thought

November 14, 2011, 9:41 amcampaign finance, legislation and legislatures, lobbyingRick Hasen

Abramoff in the NYT: “In his book, he lays out proposals for banning political contributions from anyone doing business with the government and for closing the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms.” While I do not believe in a… Continue reading

“Are we better off redistricting by citizen panel?”

November 14, 2011, 9:38 amcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

Morgan Kousser has written this oped for the SF Chronicle. It concludes: “If seeing neater lines that split somewhat fewer cities on a flat, featureless map and knowing that incumbents are busier than ever raising money are more important to… Continue reading