Politics

Daily Disclosures

By Bill Allison

A roundup of what we’re noticing in the Reporting Group as we dig into government data and disclosures:

Climbing: Outside groups–including party committees, Super PACs, labor unions and non-profits, have disclosed spending more than $388 million to the Federal Election Commission. There are six days to go before Americans head to the polls (or mail in their ballots, as the case may be).

Spending surge: Over the last five days, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reports spending more than $22.2 million on independent expenditures. Next biggest spender was the National Republican Senatorial Committee ($1.7 million).

Dark money: Crossroads GPS, which does not disclose its donors, reported spending nearly $4 million yesterday opposing eight Democrats in House and Senate races, its biggest day of spending so far. All but one of the targeted candidates — Alexander Giannoulias, who’s running for Senate from Illinois — are incumbents. About half the money spent by Crossroads GPS yesterday went toward ads opposing Giannoulias and Patty Murray, running for re-election to the Senate from Washington. Other targets included Harry Reid, Jim Costa and Ciro Rodriguez. Ninety-nine percent of the money spent by Crossroads GPS yesterday went to Crossroads Media.

Nondisclosure? Super PAC American Action Network runs ads in Colorado, but hasn’t disclosed spending to FEC.

Corporation speaks: The biggest expenditure to date by a for-profit company exploiting the Citizens United ruling comes from DGS Construction. They’re running an ad supporting Republican candidate Andy Harris, who’s battling Rep. Frank Kratovil, D-Md. More here.

Be sure to check out our Follow the Unlimited Money tool–updated hourly!–to get all the latest info on outside groups.

Dead end disclosure: Protecting America’s Retirees, which is supporting a half dozen Democratic House incumbents and Pennsylvania Senate candidate Joe Sestak, discloses contributions from Alliance for Retired Americans–a 501(c)4 group that doesn’t disclose its donors (it does list affiliated unions). More dead end disclosure here.

Another Super PAC: RGA Ohio PAC opens for business. Shares an address with the Republican Governors Assocation.

The Daily Poligraft: Lobbyists court potential stars of House panels, the New York Times reports. Original here.

Today’s Politiwidget: NBC Nightly reports on Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., who’s seeking his 28th term and facing sharp opposition from Rob Steele.

Full post as published by Sunlight Foundation on October 27, 2010 (boomark / email).