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Senate ethics panel cites Cranston in Keating Five case -- chicagotribune.com
There is "substantial credible evidence" that Sen. Alan Cranston violated Senate rules by intervening with federal savings and loan regulators for campaign contributor Charles Keating, the Senate ethics committee decided Wednesday.
In the largest group disciplinary action ever taken in the Senate, the committee also publicly scolded four other senators, who along with Cranston have become known as the Keating Five.
The case of Cranston (D-Calif.) will proceed into a final stage that probably will conclude with full Senate action, which could mean expulsion but will more likely be censure or reprimand. No further action will be taken against the four others.
The ruling could have an impact on the conduct of U.S. senators for years to come as they evaluate whether their service on behalf of constituents and campaign contributors oversteps Senate rules. The ethics committee said it hoped the rulings would lead to campaign finance reform.
The four who escaped full Senate review of their cases -- Sens. Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.), Donald Riegle (D-Mich.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Glenn (D- Ohio) -- nevertheless "exercised poor judgment" in intervening on behalf of Keating, a savings and loan owner, the committee said. The committee was particularly critical of Riegle and DeConcini, saying their conduct "gave the appearance of being improper," though they violated no rule.
In a unanimous opinion, the six-member bipartisan committee said there is "substantial credible evidence" that "Cranston engaged in an impermissible pattern of conduct in which fundraising and official activities were substantially linked." There is "substantial credible evidence" that Sen. Alan Cranston violated Senate rules by intervening with federal savings a... more -
For Sale: McCain
The Los Angeles Times notes today that “the practice of corporations and unions making big convention donations has a long tradition and is criticized by groups that want to limit the role of money in politics.” While both the Democratic and Republican party conventions feature lavish corporate-sponsored receptions, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) — the host of the Republican convention — is making an explicit pitch to corporate CEOs that he’s willing to sell access:
On the GOP side, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s written “talking points” at a fundraising luncheon for corporate CEOs promised “contact with influential government officials (Cabinet, President, next President)” during the convention in St. Paul.
“This is a real problem,” said Mr. [Stephen] Weissman [of the Campaign Finance Institute]. “It’s access, with gratitude.”
Many corporations are willing to buy the access to John McCain, in exchange for the “gratitude” McCain is promising them in the future. McCain’s tax plan gives America’s 200 largest corporations $45 billion in tax breaks, including $4 billion to the top five oil companies and $2 billion to the top 10 health insurance companies.
The Dallas Morning News reports that the GOP convention is offering “golfing with the Republican leadership.” Roll Call reports that Democratic and Republican lobbyists are taking a turn “at the time-honored tradition of volunteering at the national conventions.” For John McCain, who frequently complains that “there are too many lobbyists,” his convention is creating awkward challenges:
One Republican lobbyist, who is headed to Minneapolis/St. Paul to volunteer, would speak about his role only under the condition of anonymity. “I’ve heard that McCain doesn’t like reading in print about lobbyists who are helping,” said this K Streeter, who plans to help with advance work in the Twin Cities.
The anonymous GOP official shouldn’t be so sensitive. After all, there are at least 159 lobbyists running the McCain campaign, fundraising, and shaping his policies. And at least 20 McCain staffers came “from a lobby shop or joined one after leaving the congressional payroll.”
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originally posted on thinkprogress The Los Angeles Times notes today that “the practice of corporations and unions making big convention donations has a long tradition a... more -
Obama Puts Faith in Army of Individual Donors
We all know the system of campaign financing in this country is broken. Barack Obama is the first candidate of either party ever to turn down public money for the fall campaign.
Obama has created by far the largest system of small, voluntary donors that American politics has ever seen. It's changing the landscape for 2008 and beyond. We all know the system of campaign financing in this country is broken. Barack Obama is the first candidate of either party ever to tu... more -
McCain Frequently Used Wife’s Jet for Little Cost
Given Senator John McCain’s signature stance on campaign finance reform, it was not surprising that he backed legislation last year requiring presidential candidates to pay the actual cost of flying on corporate jets. The law, which requires campaigns to pay charter rates when using such jets rather than cheaper first-class fares, was intended to reduce the influence of lobbyists and create a level financial playing field.
But over a seven-month period beginning last summer, Mr. McCain’s cash-short campaign gave itself an advantage by using a corporate jet owned by a company headed by his wife, Cindy McCain, according to public records. For five of those months, the plane was used almost exclusively for campaign-related purposes, those records show.
Mr. McCain’s campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of that plane from last August through February, records show. That amount is approximately the cost of chartering a similar jet for a month or two, according to industry estimates.
The senator was able to fly so inexpensively because the law specifically exempts aircraft owned by a candidate or his family or by a privately held company they control. The Federal Election Commission adopted rules in December to close the loophole — rules that would have required substantial payments by candidates using family-owned planes — but the agency soon lost the requisite number of commissioners needed to complete the rule making.
Because that exemption remains, Mr. McCain’s campaign was able to use his wife’s corporate plane like a charter jet while paying first-class rates, several campaign finance experts said. Several of those experts, however, added that his campaign’s actions, while keeping with the letter of law, did not reflect its spirit.
“This amounts to a subsidy for his campaign, which is notable given how badly they were struggling last year,” said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that collects and analyzes campaign data.
Mr. McCain was not available to be interviewed, a campaign spokeswoman said. In response to written questions, the spokeswoman, Jill Hazelbaker, said his campaign had acted legally and ethically in paying first-class airfares for Mrs. McCain’s corporate aircraft.
“The campaign carefully followed all the relevant laws and F.E.C. regulations on air travel at all times, and paid for travel exactly as required by those rules,” Ms. Hazelbaker said.
Last summer, just before starting to use his wife’s plane, Mr. McCain was quoted in a newspaper report as saying that he did not plan to tap her substantial wealth to keep his bid for the Republican presidential nomination going.
“I have never thought about it,” Mr. McCain was quoted by The Arizona Republic as saying at a July appearance. “I would never do such a thing, so I wouldn’t know what the legalities are.”
The McCain campaign turned to using the jet last August, a time when it faced mounting debts and the possibility of financial collapse. It stopped doing so in March, those records indicate.
During the first half of 2007, a time when Mr. McCain’s campaign did not use his wife’s jet, it paid out over $1.04 million for travel on noncommercial planes, F.E.C. records indicate. Over the second half of the year, when that jet was used almost constantly for campaign-related purposes, his campaign’s total spending for noncommercial flying was about one-half that much, or $542,160, those records suggest Given Senator John McCain’s signature stance on campaign finance reform, it was not surprising that he backed legislation last year re... more -
Campaign Finance Reform
Only 1/4 of 1% of Americans contribute money to local campaigns.
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Reclaim the Democracy Vote
A little song about the things which are important to me.
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Follow the cash money...
"MAPLight.org brings together campaign contributions and how legislators vote, providing an unprecedented window into the connections between money and politics. We currently cover the California Legislature and U.S. Congress."
Pretty interesting. "MAPLight.org brings together campaign contributions and how legislators vote, providing an unprecedented window into the connect... more -
Campaign Financing and Lobbyists (PACs0 - The ROOT of ALL Evil
Campaign financing - elected officials accepting money from corporations and special interest groups has COMPLETELY broken our system of government. It is the root of all evil in our political system. It makes our representatives answerable to someone other than their constituents. It unduly influences crucial votes (like funding research for alternatives to fossil fuels) and corrupts the system of Checks & Balances incorporated into our constitution by the founding fathers. Without the checks & balances - nothing else works!!! If the founding fathers could have imagined a "career politician", they would have certainly prohibited this kind of influence directly in the constitution. But back then, we were a fledgling nation with an agrarian economy. Who would have thought that we would one day become a huge industrial superpower, with giant conglomerates and special interest groups creating career politicians?
All campaign donations should be limited to $1,000 and must come only from individuals. After a candidate is elected, whatever they have left over goes into the "pot". Next election, whoever wants to run for office, gets their share of the "pot" - for each seat, however many people want to run for that seat, from whatever party gets an equal share. This way no candidate builds up huge war-chests that make them undefeatable in future elections and no corporation or special interest group has any influence in congress. Congress answers to the people and are free to do what is best for the NATION. Campaign financing - elected officials accepting money from corporations and special interest groups has COMPLETELY broken our system ... more -
Campaign Finance Reform and Public Financing
Dear Al,
We have a great interest in all your listed subjects with an especially strong thrust regarding Global Warming. We built a geothermal house some five years ago and have been driving a Prius for nearly six years.
With three other senior friends two years were dedicated to Campaign Finance Reform and Public Financing here in Connecticut. We were advised by all our friends that ours was a fools effort as the legislators would never give up the money. They did and we were honored by the General Assembly for having been a part of the fight. We established www.cfer.us
I was surprised to see this most important subject missing from your list. We believe that until we get the money out of politics there will be little chance of reversing the undemocratic trend that is currently destroying our great country.
Best,
Marv Beloff
24 B Rosemary Lane
Middlefield, CT 06455
860-349-9328
www.woodbowties.com Dear Al, ... more
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Campaign Finance Reform
