Groups Say Time Is Now for Public Financing Push

[flpoljunkie]

Groups say time is now for public financing push

By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 8, 2010; A13

Two interest groups plan to spend as much as $15 million this year on a nationwide campaign in favor of new public-financing legislation aimed at limiting the influence of wealthy donors and large corporations in congressional races.

Common Cause and Public Campaign are making the push on behalf of the Fair Elections Now Act, which would allow lawmakers to qualify for public matching funds by raising money exclusively from small donors. On Thursday, the two groups plan to unveil details about the campaign, which will include TV ads targeting wavering lawmakers and grass-roots efforts in 24 states.

Former congressman Bob Edgar (D-Pa.), now the chief executive of Common Cause, said public disgust over lobbying and campaign donations from Wall Street financiers, oil barons and other wealthy players provides a clear opportunity for reform.

"This is really a critical moment," Edgar said in an interview. "The general public is well aware of the fact that money influences every aspect of politics, and they want something done about it. . . . If we miss this moment, it may be a while before we get back to it."

The Fair Elections Now Act, sponsored in the House by Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.) and Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.) and in the Senate by Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), would establish a voluntary system in which candidates would agree to accept only donations of $100 or less from contributors in their districts or states. After meeting a minimum amount of qualified contributions, they would get $400 in matching funds for every $100 raised.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/07/AR2010070705101.html

[flpoljunkie]

1. AP: Groups Launch Effort to Change Campaign Money Law

Groups launch effort to change campaign money law

By JIM KUHNHENN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, July 7, 2010; 11:02 PM

WASHINGTON -- Two groups that have long advocated public financing of elections plan to spend at least $8 million this year to prod Congress to vote on proposed legislation aimed at reducing the influence of big donations in politics.

The joint effort by Common Cause and Public Campaign, called the Campaign for Fair Elections, will launch its first wave of advertising this week aimed primarily at Democrats who have yet to sign on in support of the bill.

The legislation would give candidates $4 of public financing for every $1 dollar raised through contributions of $100 or less. Participation would be voluntary, and candidates could opt out from the system.

Advocates hope the matching money would be so attractive that it would discourage politicians from having to chase big financial contributions from special interest donors.

Proponents estimate the public infusion of money would cost up to $1.8 billion for every two-year election cycle. David Donnelly, the campaign manager for the Campaign for Fair Elections, said one way to pay for the cost would be with a tax or fee on large government contractors.

The Common Cause-Public Campaign coalition will air ads in television markets in Seattle, Denver, Tallahassee and Washington D.C. and are intended to win the support of Democrats such as Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen and Brian Baird of Washington, Diana DeGette and Ed Perlmutter of Colorado, and Allen Boyd of Florida. More ads in other markets are planned later, Donnelly said.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/07/AR2010070705641_pf.html

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. Oh shit. Groups say that?

For reals?

[flpoljunkie]

3. Yes, for real. Common Cause and Public Campaign.

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. Effin' groups, son! What!