I Was Over At The Dairy Queen This Morning And ….
… Alfredo says this is a Big Stinkin’ Deal. I believe him.
This might not be the end of dark money in politics but it’s a damn outstanding start.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) won a stunning court decision.
In a major defeat for secret money in politics, a judge ruled that dark money groups that spend at least $250 in independent expenditures—a key type of political ad—must report every contributor who gave at least $200 in the past year as well as those who give to finance independent expenditures generally, throwing out an illegal three decades old regulation that was used to avoid disclosure and changing the legal landscape for political spending.
The fun part of this is that the decision stems from a court case in 2012 against Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS over its failure to disclose donors.
So if you have some wine left over from last night, now’s the time to give a toast to the good guys!
Thanks to Alfredo for the coffee and chat this morning.
What court? I’m on tenterhooks!
1UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
https://s3.amazonaws.com/storage.citizensforethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/04161001/Crossroads-opinion.pdf
Mr. Phillips, that’s the entire pdf. 113 pages, but it is nicely indexed with footnotes. 😀
“The FEC’s dismissal of the plaintiffs’ amended administrative
complaint is declared “contrary to law” and remanded to the FEC for reconsideration, consistent
with this Memorandum Opinion. The FEC is directed to reconsider the administrative
complaint, in conformity with this Memorandum Opinion, within 30 days, “failing which the
complainant[s] may bring . . . a civil action to remedy the violation involved in the original
complaint.” 52 U.S.C. § 30109(a)(8)(C). ”
That part is sweet. The FEC either acts within 30 days or CREW can take their action to civil court. Hopefully hose Rove, et al for every dirty dollar they have ever collected.
2I haven’t read the PDF yet.
What is likely to be the long term consequence of this decision?
3This is wonderful! I’m going to revel in a win for good government for a moment. Ahhhhh.
Okay. Taking a breath.
I do see appeals in the future, but it would be great if this ruling became IMMEDIATELY effective and RETROACTIVE to 1/1/2018 with all documentation due by 10/1/2018 for a candidate to maintain eligibility. Talk about an October Surprise!!
I know, I know. But a girl can dream.
4Okay, how long before the dark money boys get this reversed? Since they have deep pockets and a fair number of bought judges on their side, including on SCOTUS.
I’m hoping someone will give me an authoritative reply that that can’t happen, but I’m not holding my breath.
5By the way, JJ, do you often start your day by hitting the Dairy Queen in the morning? I didn’t know they were open then. Sounds like you might have a serious habit there, just saying.
6jWow! I should get a manipedi and full facial more often! Look what happens when I do!
7Talk about being hoisted on your own petard, the “strict constructionists” oppose any regulation not derived of the statutory language itself. The 501c4 statute requires that the purpose of Crossroads be “exclusively”charitable. The regulation behind which Rove parks his fat little hiney says “dominant”, as in over 50%. The problem is that CREW may not have standing to raise that issue. The Justice Department plainly does. There is more at work here than meets the eye. A Democratic House could really make some folks sweat.
8You gotta love those hard working people at CREW. They are on my donation list for sure.
9Debbo, mind if I dream along with you?
10Well and good.
When do I get to see some nacilbupeR sumbitches in handcuffs headed to a Federal Prison???? I’m not getting any younger.
LOCK THEM UP. LOCK THEM UP. LOCK THEM UP.
11You can get the NRA will love this one.
12Your Dairy Queen is a lot more interesting the one here.
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