Politics

‘Real News From The Blaze’ Discusses the Debate Around the Disclose Act

The effect of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling on general election and primary campaign fundraising has been one the year’s biggest stories. While many conservatives have backed the Supreme Courts decision, some who break in ranks with the Republican Party on the issue have become more active in their opposition.

Sen. John McCain, once the great champion of campaign finance reform, has confirmed to The Hill that he is discussing with Democrats a new effort that would seek to disclose high end donors to Super PACS and various campaigns. The bill now being proposed by Democrats in the Senate would need McCain’s backing and bi-partisan support in order to reach the floor. The Hill reports:

The Disclose Act introduced by  Whitehouse in March would require any group that spends $10,000 or more on election ads or other political activity to file a disclosure report with the Federal Election Commission within 24 hours. Reports would detail the nature of expenditures over $1,000 and reveal the names of donors who give $10,000 or more.

The legislation would also require that outside group advertisements include “stand-by-your-ad” disclaimers listing the biggest donors.

McCain said that the corporate and union money unleashed by Citizens United would undoubtedly one day lead to a “major scandal”. But even without the act, is there not still some disclosure or mystery behind major campaign donors? Remember the Obama campaign site “Keeping GOP Honest,” which profiles several large Romney donors/SuperPAC?

On “Real News” Wednesday the panel discussed The Disclose Act, the legal challenges to disclosure laws, and the consequences of taking away the veil of anonymity in political speech; which Citizen United supporters consider donations.

Comments (8)

  • lukerw
    Posted on May 17, 2012 at 12:38am

    Whatever McCain promotes… I am against!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • JRook
      Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:03am

      “Sen. John McCain, once the great champion of campaign finance reform, has confirmed to The Hill that he is discussing with Democrats a new effort that would seek to disclose high end donors to Super PACS and various campaigns.” One of the few sincere gentlemen and true Americans in the Senate. It is beyond belief that anyone would support the wealthy and large corporations influencing elections with unsubstantiated claims and accusations with no visibility or accountability. The bill should be extended to allow candidates to seek civil penalties and monetary damages from misrepresented or distorted facts and assertions It’s we the people, not we the ruling class.

      Report Post »  
  • Max jones
    Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:33pm

    my vote is for sale…Since I don’t think that all the politics in the world can slow the march to globalism…..I will sell my vote….I want 28,000 grams of gold, and I will vote for anyone.
    I think that amount will allow me to build a hidey hole, big enough to store all the contraband I can buy. If the vote the buyer wants is distasteful to me, I will require an incentive of 12,000 gallons of high octane gasoline. The choices are all distasteful to me, anyway.
    Of course, I jest, (wink wink). I realize that this seems cheap in todays’ politics, but I don’t have the overhead that congressmen and senators have. And I’m just not that particular about character

    Report Post » Max jones  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:05pm

    If this is what “democracy” means then why not stop pretending we care about “one man, one vote”–why not just establish a plutocracy outright, and make it “one dollar one vote”? That’s what this “money = speech” nonsense amounts to–those with more money, according to the Supreme Court’s current interpretation of the Constitution, have the RIGHT to “buy” more “speech” and have their voice heard louder.

    I can hardly think of a more fitting or deserving government for conservatives.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
  • bowcrafter
    Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:30pm

    it does look to me like big money buys the advertisements and promotions of the politician that they choose. I would propose a new type of campaign finance reform that would possibly work for the voters. Each person should only be able to accept funds from the district they are running for office in. no outside money should be able to be spent for said candidate. but then i also believe each elected person should only be paid from the district they represent also. something like an average of the pay in their district. with any bonuses voted on again by the people in their district. each politician should give up control of their assets into a trust to be administered by someone in their district but openly reported to the peoples in the district. then the people in their district should provide lodging, ,meals and transportation to the representative, once again public knowledge for those people in the district.

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:22pm

    John McCain ONCE again proves his RINO stripes are still there and in full display!! Can Arizona get their damn act together and boot this SOB to the curb???

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:00pm

    whats unfair is the big corporations and banks can donate as much as they want and normal folks are capped at 2,500. we should be able to donate as much as we want but not the cockroaches won’t allow that until we force our way through. i guess we need to start our super pacs to avoid the law on that.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • cemerius
      Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:21pm

      Good idea make elections even MORE expensive? If, someone wishes to drain their bank accounts for a losing individual more power to them……

      Report Post » cemerius  

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