Bob Bauer reflects on our recent panel and my modest proposal on disclosure of micro-donors to the FEC (though not to the public).
At the panel, I noted that while illegal conduit contributions through sham micro-donors likely is not a problem on the presidential level, it is a potential problem in smaller races, such as House races and certain state and local races. Bob seemed to concede the point at the panel, but now looks to back away from it.
Perhaps most striking about the panel was the audience’s reaction. Audience members included regulators, and many regulators, including FEC commissioner Ellen Weintraub, said they believed that if the information came into the agency, it could not be kept secret.
Aside from what that says about our enforcement agencies, it suggests some alternative mechanisms, such as not keeping the information on file at the agency. Someone with better knowledge of the nuts and bolts of audits than I have would know if this is possible.