Can a Campaign Go Bankrupt? May 8, 2008
Explainer thanks Jan Baran of Wiley Rein; Joseph Birkenstock of Caplin & Drysdale; and Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center. Related in SlateDuring the 2004 election, Brendan Koerner explained what happens when a candidate ends a campaign with. (Slate)
9 Will Hear Campaign-Finance Case Apr 22, 2008
"This wasn't a big goal of campaign finance reformers, the millionaire's amendment," of the Campaign Legal Center said. Continued 1. (New York Sun)
Phoenix Taxpayers' Gift to a Big Corporation Mar 16, 2008
CLARIFICATION -- In my column for Feb. 28, I said that Trevor Potter is president of the Campaign Legal Center. Actually, he is currently on leave from that position. (Townhall.com)
McCain's Good Times Feb 28, 2008
McCain, although rarely reticent about matters concerning campaign regulations, has said nothing in defense of von Spakovsky, the campaign against whom has been led by the Campaign Legal Center, whose chairman is Trevor Potter, general counsel of the McCain campaign. In 2001, McCain, a situational ethicist regarding "big money" in politics, founded the Reform Institute to lobby for his agenda of campaign restrictions. (Townhall.com)
McCain chides Obama on campaign spending Feb 21, 2008
"The whole point of the system is to ensure that the most powerful position in the world is not decided by who has the most money," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the Campaign Legal Center. "It should be a competition of character and ideas.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Reform Groups Urge Senator Obama to Reaffirm Commitment He Made Last Year to Use Public Financing System if His Opponent Also Agrees to Use System in General Election Feb 16, 2008
The reform groups include the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG. A copy of the letter is available at. According to the letter: Our organizations are deeply concerned about recent statements by your campaign spokesperson, Bill Burton, regarding the commitment you made last year to participate in the public financing system in the presidential general election if nominated by your party and if your major party opponent also... (PR Newswire)
Lobbyists find more ways to bond with lawmakers Jan 31, 2008
"These houses are tangible proof of how big a business the pay-to-play system has become," said Meredith McGehee of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center. When lawmakers pay to rent the houses for fundraisers, records show, they often get cut-rate deals, despite FEC rules that say campaigns must pay fair-market value for goods and services. (USA Today)
Rep. Wynn Accuses Opponent of Improper Fundraising Jan 30, 2008
An attorney with the independent Campaign Legal Center in Washington, asked by The Sun to review the complaint, says the facts don't seem to constitute illegal collaboration. -- Information from: The (Baltimore) Sun, http://www. (ABC 7 News, DC)
U.S. Elections Regulator Can't Regulate Amid History's Most Expensive Race Jan 16, 2008
Von Spakovsky, 48, has a ``demonstrated record of suppressing the right to vote,'' said Gerry Hebert, executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington-based group that opposes the nomination. In 2006, Bush, 61, put von Spakovsky on the FEC while Congress was out of session and that appointment has expired. (Bloomberg -- US)
Firefighters go after Giuliani's image Dec 19, 2007
"To the extent that new 527 groups would like to do what the Swift Boat group did in 2004 may be subject down the road to much stiffer penalties than the Swift Boat people got," said Paul S. Ryan, associate legal counsel with the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog group. According to several participants at Tuesday's discussions between Riches and his supporters from the International Assn. of Fire Fighters union, the 9/11 group is leaning toward using a 527... (Los Angeles Times)
Political Speech Is Not Free Speech Dec 11, 2007
Hebert now works for the Campaign Legal Center promoting campaign "reforms.". The Post wants von Spakovsky confirmed only to keep the FEC functioning. (Townhall.com)
Kerik 'Poster Child to Why Giuliani Shouldn't Be President' Nov 13, 2007
MEREDITH MCGEHEE, CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER: Because some of these people appear to be of modest means, it raises questions about whether or not this money has been underwritten by someone else, by Mr. Hsu or really if the people who gave this money could really afford it. HUGHES: So far, there is no evidence that Norman Hsu reimbursed the Paw family for their donations. (MediaResearch.org)
Watergate Campaign Financing Makes Comeback With Clinton, Obama, Giuliani Nov 5, 2007
The amount of money that's being raised this cycle raises the specter of the presidency going back on the auction block,'' says Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington group that favors curbs on political donations. The current system dates back to 1974, when reports of secret slush funds and illegal activities paid for by the Nixon re-election committee led a Democratic Congress to rewrite the rules for paying for presidential races. (Bloomberg -- US)
Sen. Craig uses campaign funds to pay legal bills Oct 24, 2007
While Craig's actions may be legal, "it certainly raises questions about his defense that this is somehow not related to his official duties," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. "It's kind of interesting that he would use his campaign funds but at the same argue he shouldn't be punished (by the Senate) because this has nothing to do with his officials acts," she said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Rules don't slow Congress' trips Oct 24, 2007
"There's a realization that these trips and meals are getting extra scrutiny," says Meredith McGehee of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center, which supported the reforms. "That will last for a while, but we know it won't last forever. The ethos of politics is, 'What can we get away with?' ". (USA Today)
Single-member district idea to be presented Oct 23, 2007
J. Gerald Hebert, executive director for the Campaign Legal Center in Washington D.C., will provide sample six-member, eight-member, and ten-member plans to the city's charter revision committee for review. The sample plans will illustrate how various single-member districts would operate in Austin. (Austin Business Journal, TX)
Romney Dominates Republican Cash Race by Tapping His Bain Capital Fortune Oct 5, 2007
People are aware he can put in his personal money,'' said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington-based watchdog group. If you took that out, I don't think he would be considered quite the top-tier candidate that he currently is. (Bloomberg -- US)
Gingrich isn't running, but ... Oct 3, 2007
Under federal rules, a potential candidate may not benefit from such donations once he or she begins "testing the waters" for a campaign, said Paul Ryan, an attorney at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. "What is a little more difficult to flesh out," Ryan said, "is when a candidate enters the 'testing the waters' phase.". (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Georgia lawyer moves closer to federal elections post Sep 27, 2007
J. Gerald Hebert, executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, which opposes von Spakovsky, said the Senate Rules vote showed "that no nominee's partisan record of misdeeds is enough to derail their nomination to the FEC" and restated charges that von Spakovsky had served partisan goals by pursuing policies that suppressed minority voting during his tenure at the Justice Department. "We remain hopeful that the Senate leadership will . . . insist on a separate vote on von Spakovsky's... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Lobby and Ethics Reform Bill Becomes Law Sep 26, 2007
The Campaign Legal Center. A recent (CRS) report analyzes the new changes made into law. (OMB Watch)
'08 candidates rake in kids' cash Sep 12, 2007
"Chances are slim that a 6- or 7-year-old would knowingly give their money to a candidate. They would prefer to spend their money on G.I. Joes or Barbie dolls," said Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center. Aris Mardirossian said his children's donations came from their trust fund, controlled by lawyers and accountants. (USA Today)
Three Cable News Nets Highlight Study Sep 7, 2007
ABC Recycles Story Blaming Global Warming for Hurricane Intensity --9/4/2007-- Media Research Center. The 2,480th CyberAlert. (MediaResearch.org)
President Bush to Sign Lobbying, Earmarks Disclosure Bill Sep 5, 2007
"Our organizations strongly urge President Bush to sign the landmark lobbying and ethics reform legislation," said an August letter from groups including the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG.. Democrats, who gained control of the House and Senate this year, vowed to clean up lobbying practices following scandals that landed two GOP House members and prominent lobbyist Jack Abramoff in prison. (Fox News -- Politics)
Democratic-Linked Group Fined for Violations in 2004... Aug 30, 2007
"This is a clear warning to everyone that the FEC must take steps to prevent these kinds of massive violations from occurring in the future or we will face them in the 2008 congressional and presidential elections," said Fred Wertheimer, president of Democracy 21, which filed the complaint against several independent groups along with the Campaign Legal Center and the Center for Responsive Politics. ACT was formed in 2003 by liberal and union-related activists as a response to the voter... (Fox News)
Soros-linked group slapped with huge fine... Aug 30, 2007
This action comes more than three years after our FEC complaints were filed and nearly three years after the 2004 presidential election was held, read a statement from Fred Wertheimer, president of Democracy 21, and Gerry Hebert, executive director of the Campaign Legal Center. Plus, they argued, the fine represents only a tiny fraction of the amount ACT spent illegally on the 2004 elections. (The Drudge Report)
Statement of Reform Groups Urging President Bush to Sign Lobbying and Ethics Reform Bill Passed in Congress by Overwhelming Bipartisan Vote Aug 4, 2007
The organizations include the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG. This fundamental reform legislation, which responds to the corruption scandals that have plagued Washington in recent years, received 411 votes in the House and 83 votes in the Senate. The vote for the legislation in the House included 221 Democrats and 190 Republicans and the vote in the Senate included 47 Democrats, 34 Republicans and 2 Independents. (PR Newswire)
House votes to embrace ethics overhaul Aug 1, 2007
"There is no credible excuse to oppose this legislation," said Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center. The legislation marks Congress' most far-reaching reaction to scandals involving former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former Rep. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Ethics bill passes House; Senate OK expected Aug 1, 2007
Meredith McGehee, the policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, called it "historic" and "long overdue.". "None of these bills are perfect," McGehee said. (Centre Daily Times)
House votes for stricter ethics standards Aug 1, 2007
"This bill goes a long way toward connecting the dots and removing the veil of secrecy that too many members have been all too happy to hide behind for far too long," said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, a non-partisan watchdog group. Two Republican senators, Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, say they will try to defeat the bill because they believe the earmark language doesn't go far enough. (USA Today)
Bill would expose lawmakers' pet projects Jul 31, 2007
" The proposal, hailed by several open-government advocates, would require senators seeking so-called "earmarks" in spending bills to identify themselves and their proposed projects in publicly available data bases at least 48 hours before the Senate votes on them. They also would have to certify that they and their immediate family members have no financial interest in the proposed earmark. In January the House made similar changes to its rules governing earmarks. The legislation, if approved,... (CNN)
Stalled Lobby Reform Bills to be Resolved Before August Recess Jul 11, 2007
The Campaign Legal Center's of Lobbying Reform Measures Passed by the House and Senate ... For a more in-depth breakdown of the differences between the chambers' bills, prepared by the Campaign Legal Center ... The Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and U.S. PIRG sent a letter to (D-CA) and calling on them to keep the strong provisions in each of the bills intact. (OMB Watch)
Thompson Can Keep Money Secret _ for Now Jul 7, 2007
"As long as you are coy enough not to say 'I'm running,' you can stay out of the system," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. "The advantage is that you are not subject to the same disclosures. You can be a private citizen. You can get gifts, you can get speaking fees.". (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Changes in ethics laws stall in House Jul 3, 2007
"They have problems inside and outside," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. Representative Michael Capuano, Democrat of Massachusetts and the chairman of the House task force, said its tentative recommendation to consider ethics complaints from outside groups remains a sticking point. (Boston Globe)
Capitol Hill Unsure About Outside Ethics Complaints Jul 3, 2007
"They have problems inside and outside," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center ... The panel "would have a free hand to recommend the dismissal of a complaint and would be greatly restricted in recommending anything else," lawmakers were told in a letter last week from groups including Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen and the Campaign Legal Center. (Fox News)
Push for ethics changes slows down in Congress Jul 3, 2007
"They have problems inside and outside," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. MOST READ STORIES. (AZCentral -- News)
Experts Question Whether Clinton Campaign Finance Case Will Impact '08 Race Jul 2, 2007
But according to Paul Ryan, associate legal counsel for the Campaign Legal Center, the tape is not necessarily a slam dunk against Clinton or her 2000 Senate campaign. In-kind contributions can be especially difficult, said Ryan, who when he spoke to Cybercast News Service had not yet seen the video. (CNSnews.com)
FEC ponders court's decision on political ads Jun 29, 2007
"I would say they will want to run ads to influence elections and may be willing to risk being taken to court," said Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center. . (Concord Monitor)
Justices ease limits on campaign ads Jun 26, 2007
Jowers, a founder of Campaign Legal Center based out of Washington, D.C., that filed a brief with the Supreme Court backing the law commonly referred to as McCain-Feingold, said the decision will result in more negative advertising in the 2008 campaign ... Randy Dryer, a Salt Lake City attorney who wrote a brief supporting McCain-Feingold for the Campaign Legal Center in an earlier case, agreed. (Deseret News)
Lawmakers debate earmarks Jun 18, 2007
"For those offices that refuse to disclose, what they're basically saying is that I don't want to be held accountable by my constituents," said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center. Some lawmakers argue there are political reasons for not disclosing their funding requests. (Pensacola News Journal)
Rep. William Jefferson indicted in bribery probe Jun 5, 2007
"With nothing to fear from the ethics committee many members of Congress fly too close to the flame," said Meredith McGehee, Policy Director for the Campaign Legal Center, a watchdog group. Jefferson was removed from the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee after court documents said the FBI found $90,000 in marked bills in his freezer in 2005. (USA Today)
Independent Panel to Review House Ethics Charges Jun 4, 2007
The current plan may not go far enough in doing that, said Meredith McGehee, policy director for Campaign Legal Center. She fears the independent body will act as little more than a screening panel to forward matters on to a committee perceived as having a mutual agreement between Republicans and Democrats to not aggressively investigate matters. (CNSnews.com)
How the Lobby Bill Sailed In May 29, 2007
Shortly after noon Thursday, with the temperature inching closer to 80 degrees, Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center parked herself in a shady spot across the street from the Longworth House Office Building. . (Roll Call)
House approves stricter disclosure rules for lobbyists May 25, 2007
"If they incorporate the best elements of both the House and Senate bills, they'll have something that is worthy of the name reform," said Meredith McGehee, policy director at the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center. "But it's going to be an uphill struggle.". (USA Today)
Ethics Office Wants Candidates' Trusts Opened May 20, 2007
"Particularly for members of Congress, there have been a number of instances where the blind trust had one eye open," said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan group that monitors campaign finance and ethics rules and procedures. "This is welcome news if, in fact, the standards that OGE established are with the eyes wide shut.". (Newsmax)
House panel OKs ethics bill weakened by veteran Democrats May 19, 2007
"A good number of members of Congress and high-ranking staffers see lobbying as their next career move," said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center. "They believe that money is going to pay off their debts and put their kids through college. They don't want to give it up.". (San Francisco Chronicle)
Independent Investigative Body Needed in Congress, Critics Say Apr 23, 2007
"The real question is, are you going to address the fundamental flaws with the ethics problems?" Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, asked while addressing the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement in Washington, D.C.. "The current process has lost credibility; therefore it does not protect the integrity of the institution," she added. (CNSnews.com)
Grassroots Lobbying 'Reforms' (Part 2) Apr 17, 2007
Government watchdogs, such as Public Citizen, Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center and Democracy 21, the principal advocates of the so-called grassroots legislation, share more than an anti-conservative ideology ... Trevor Potter of Campaign Legal Center, who helped make the Federal Election Commission more abusive of First Amendment rights, and Joan Claybrook of Public Citizen are other lawyer/lobbyists who insist on more disclosure, although it s still not clear who s financing their lobbying... (Human Events Online)
'Grassroots' Lobbying Reform: What are Democrats Trying to Hide? Apr 13, 2007
Democracy 21 and Campaign Legal Center, two of the lobbying organizations in the combination advocating for the grassroots legislation, have already begun misleading Congress and the public about the revised legislation. Nancy Pelosi told America that she and her Democratic colleagues were going to clean up the secretive, special interest lobbying shenanigans. (Human Events Online)
House Proposal for Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure Due Soon Mar 21, 2007
The six groups are the Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, and U.S. PIRG.. The scaled-back grassroots disclosure proposal from the reform groups would only apply to firms hired to carry out grassroots lobbying campaigns if they collect more than $100,000 for such campaigns in a quarter. (OMB Watch)
Ex-GOP candidates turn attacks back on national panel Mar 4, 2007
While the law prevents party leaders from coordinating messages with their independent arms, they could have refused to pay for ads they disapproved of, said Paul S. Ryan, associate legal counsel at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan group. "The party leadership can close the purse strings when and if they don't like the ad coming out of their independent expenditure arm," Ryan said. (Boston Globe)
Lawmakers find ways to get around new ethics rules Feb 11, 2007
Meredith McGehee, policy director of the Campaign Legal Center, which advocates for tighter campaign finance rules, said organizing a fundraising trip was not the same as accepting a free vacation. But she added: "At the end of the day, it is the same thing. Members of Congress are becoming more and more creative in finding ways to engage lobbyists to help pay for their campaigns.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Lawmakers Get Creative To Work Around New Lobbyist Limits Feb 11, 2007
Members of Congress are becoming more and more creative in finding ways to engage lobbyists to help pay for their campaigns (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- News)
After House's '100-hour' rush, a Senate slowdown Jan 22, 2007
"With more time and education, we are hopeful that both houses of Congress will come to recognize how vital a more independent, professional enforcement entity is to regaining the trust of the American people in their elected officials in Washington," said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, a public-interest group in Washington, in a statement. "We hope all members of Congress who support real reform will remain vigilant against the inevitable attempts to drop key... (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Supreme Court to review campaign-finance reform Jan 20, 2007
"One of the advantages of McCain-Feingold is that it's clear," said Trevor Potter, a McCain adviser and president of the Campaign Legal Center. If the justices uphold the lower court ruling, Potter predicts additional disputes in the courts and at the FEC about when an independent group's commercial would be considered legitimate issue advocacy, and when it would be considered an attempt to influence the outcome of an election. (Kentucky.com)
Supreme Court to revisit 2002 campaign finance law Jan 20, 2007
and president of the Campaign Legal Center. If the justices uphold the lower court ruling, Potter predicts additional disputes in the courts and at the FEC about when an independent group's commercial would be considered legitimate issue advocacy, and when it would be considered an attempt to influence the outcome of an election. (Buffalo News -- National)
Hatch votes against a big ethics reform bill Jan 20, 2007
"Is the Senate process as transparent as we would like? Probably not," said Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center. But she added: "To pick on this bill is really reaching. It didn't provide an excuse for the 96 other senators" who voted for it. (Deseret News)
Washington Post Jan 18, 2007
Under the rule changes, "the importance of creating a new, stronger enforcement entity such as an Office of Public Integrity becomes even greater. Effective enforcement is the linchpin to this entire process," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the Campaign Legal Center. The changes would prohibit House members or employees from knowingly accepting gifts or travel from a registered lobbyist, foreign agent or lobbyist's client. (Harper's Magazine)
Google gives to conservatives Jan 15, 2007
"If you're a good fundraiser Google is going to be at the top of your list," says Meredith McGehee, policy director at the Campaign Legal Center, a non-partisan government watchdog group. Google declined to discuss any changes in future strategy. (USA Today -- Money)
Supreme Court to Hear Major Union Case Jan 10, 2007
Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C. opined that a ruling in favor of the teachers union may prompt future union lawsuits challenging the long-established federal ban on direct contributions from organized labor in national elections. The restriction on direct gifts by unions to campaigns would be "constitutionally vulnerable," Ryan concluded. (Newsmax)
Ethics overhaul tops the agenda in new U.S. congress Jan 4, 2007
"I think this package is more than a good-faith effort," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the Campaign Legal Center, an ethics group. Referring to the incoming House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, McGehee said, "If these rule changes are any indication, she is serious.". (International Herald Tribune)
