CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM MOVES. Roll Call. “House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi defended President Barack Obama’s move to embrace his super PAC today, even as she trumpeted new legislation aimed at increasing disclosure of corporate spending in campaigns.”
MORE ON DISCLOSE 2012. Rep. Van Hollen’s Office. There’s a link to draft legislation there.
PELOSI SOLICITATION? The Hill. “House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) might have briefly run afoul of congressional ethics rules at a Capitol press conference on Thursday when she made a statement that could be construed as a solicitation for campaign contributions.”
FCC TERRY DECISION. The decision is here. “Terry requested time on a highly rated program that occurs only once annually—in this case typically the highest rated program of the year—and it may well be impossible, given the station’s limited spot inventory for that broadcast, including the pre-game and post-game shows, to provide reasonable access to all eligible federal candidates who request time during that broadcast. Furthermore, given the lack of equivalent broadcasts, it would be reasonable for the station to conclude that it would be impossible to provide equal opportunities after the fact to opponents of candidates whose spots aired during the program. Given these factors, we do not find WMAQ’s refusal to sell time to Terry specifically during the Super Bowl broadcast to be unreasonable.” More here.
CREW FEC PETITION UPDATE. Politico.
OCE AND “INSIDER TRADING.” The Post. “The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee over possible violations of insider-trading laws, according to individuals familiar with the case.”
SUPER PACS AND NEW MEDIA. Story here. “Campaign teams, political insiders and journalists have focused on Citizens United-fueled super PACs as the compelling new dynamic of 2012. But as we move into the general election, social media may prove to be a powerful counterweight to these super PACs.”
ANTI-COLBERT AD. The Post. “House Democrats plan to introduce a new version of the DISCLOSE Act that would affect super PACs – and they’re debuting a new tongue-in-cheek Web video taking aim at Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert in an effort to get their message across.”
SUPER PAC PACT VIEWS. The Times. “Under the terms of the Massachusetts pact, first proposed by Ms. Warren, all independent groups are publicly told not to run broadcast and online ads in support of either candidate. (The candidates’ campaigns are, in theory, not allowed to have contact with independent groups.) If any group runs such an ad, the candidate has to donate half the cost of the ad to a charity of the opponent’s choice.”
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.