About Express Advocacy
Welcome to Express Advocacy, a political law blog by William J. McGinley. This website is dedicated to a discussion of campaign finance, election, and political law topics of interest to corporations, trade associations, political party committees, candidates and other participants in the political process.
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Tag Archives: Campaigns
Internet – Blogosphere’s Rise As A Force In Political Communications
Politico published a must-read story this morning discussing the blogosphere’s significant impact on political media relations. Campaigns are realizing the need for better relations with bloggers who post on a variety of subjects that may impact the dynamics of their … Continue reading
Posted in Campaigns, Elections, Internet, Party Committees, Politics
Tagged Campaigns, Elections, Internet, Party Committees, Politics
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DISCLOSE Act Update – Senator Susan Collins Skeptical
The Hill reports that Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) is skeptical of the DISCLOSE Act and expressed concerns with the legislation’s partisan purposes and special interest carve outs. Senator Collins is a moderate Republican and supported campaign finance reform legislation in the past. According … Continue reading
Posted in Campaign Finance, Campaigns, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Campaign Finance, Campaigns, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
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DISCLOSE Act Misses The Mark – Study Finds Labor Unions Dominate Independent Campaign Spending
The Washington Post just published an article discussing a study of campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) thus far in the 2010 election cycle. The conclusion - the anticipated wave of corporate spending in federal elections predicted after the Supreme … Continue reading
Posted in Campaign Finance, Campaigns, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Internet, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics, Trade Associations
Tagged Campaign Finance, Campaigns, Congress, Corporations, Disclosure, Elections, Internet, Labor Unions, Legislation, Outside Groups, Politics
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DISCLOSE Act – Senate Democrats Will Force Floor Vote On DISCLOSE Act
Roll Call ($) reports that Senate Democrats are confident they have the votes to pass the House version of the DISCLOSE Act. Most commentators, however, believe that the DISCLOSE Act will face a tougher test in the Senate than it did … Continue reading
DISCLOSE Act Update – Special Interests To Remain UnDISCLOSEd
It appears that Congressional Democrats have been negotiating with a few soft money, special interest groups who believe that the DISCLOSE Act’s draconian reporting regime will chill political speech. The result? A special reporting exemption for large, soft money groups such as the … Continue reading
Campaign Finance Reform Groups Announce Fundraising Event Protests
Roll Call ($) reports that Common Cause and Public Campaign announced plans to hold protests at congressional fundraisers beginning this Thursday. These groups will ”hold signs and videotape people going into the fundraisers” – tactics designed to deter people from attending … Continue reading
FEC Travel Rules
Aviation Week published an article discussing the Federal Election Commission’s (“FEC”) revisions to the travel rules for federal candidates. The FEC revised the travel rules a while back after Congress passed the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act. It’s interesting to … Continue reading
Political Party And Candidate Fundraising Update
The Washington Post published an article discussing the latest fundraising data from the political parties and candidates for U.S. House and Senate. Democratic candidates and national political party committees are enjoying the fundraising benefits of incumbency. According to the article: … Continue reading
House and Senate Candidate Fundraising Totals For 2009
The Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) disclosed that House and Senate candidates raised approximately $600 million in 2009. According to the press release: Congressional campaign receipts totaled $597.5 million from January 1 through December 31, 2009, the first calendar year of the … Continue reading
FEC Independent Expenditure Reports
In the wake of the Citizens United v. FEC decision, pundits and political practitioners have predicted that there will be an increase in political spending by corporations and others. Perhaps it is time to review the independent expenditure reports filed during the … Continue reading
Posted in Campaigns, Congress, Elections, FEC, Outside Groups
Tagged Campaigns, Congress, Elections, FEC, Outside Groups
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iPhone Application For Contributors
The Hill published a story highlighting an iPhone application designed to permit individuals to make contributions to campaigns through their iPhone. Contrary to the statement contained in the article, corporate contributions to federal candidates are still prohibited.
Unions Announce 2010 Independent Expenditure Plans
The Democratic Party’s largest soft money support network, the unions, announced their plans to spend more than $53 million in the 2010 midterm elections. According to the Wall Street Journal article disclosing the union strategy: The AFL-CIO is planning its … Continue reading
Posted in Campaigns, Express Advocacy, FEC, Outside Groups
Tagged Campaigns, Express Advocacy, FEC, Outside Groups
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Joint Fundraising Committees In The News
Politico recently published an article discussing the use of joint fundraising committees by federal candidates and political party committees to increase fundraising totals.
Politics & The Internet – Profile Of A Disillusioned Obama Organizer
Another fascinating TechPresident post profiles a disillusioned Obama campaign organizer and, until recently, an organizer for Organizing for America – the successor organization housed at the Democratic National Committee that promotes the President’s policies and priorities. If this Obama organizer’s … Continue reading
Politics & The Internet – Meet Bob McDonnell’s eCampaign Operatives
TechPresident published a fascinating post discussing a conference call with Mindy Finn and Patrick Ruffini, the consultants responsible for Bob McDonnell’s successful on-line programs. Bob McDonnell won the 2009 gubernatorial election in Virginia. The post is filled with statics and … Continue reading