Analysis & Commentary
Campaign Finance Reform
On ‘Moneyball’ and Super PACs
Just like the executives and big-league scouts in “Moneyball” who misread the baseball market by focusing on outdated statistics, political pundits breaking down the latest presidential fundraising figures are looking at the wrong numbers.
Authored by: Adam Skaggs
– 10/14/11
N.C. Should Fight to Keep Publicly Funded Judicial Campaigns
Judicial elections are different than legislative races, which is why North Carolina should maintain and strengthen its judicial public financing program as a vital bulwark against improper influence.
Authored by: David Earley
– 10/12/11
More than Combating Corruption: The Other Benefits of Public Financing
This report summarizes some of the reasons beyond the anti-corruption interest that public financing is worth instituting.
Authored by: Mimi Marziani, Laura Moy, Adam Skaggs, and Marcus Williams
– 10/07/11
The Governmental Interests that Support Public Financing
This memo summarizes the governmental interests that justify public financing programs in the aftermath of Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett, which overturned the "trigger fund" provisions of Arizona's public financing program.
Authored by: Mimi Marziani and Adam Skaggs
– 09/14/11
Super Stardom Calling
By committing to transparency and accountability for the Super Committee, Senator John Kerry has a chance to be a Super hero.
Authored by: Elizabeth Kennedy
– 08/22/11
Sen. Toomey, be a Super (Committee) Hero
With great power comes great responsibility, and now Super Committee member Senator Pat Toomey has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability as the committee's work advances.
Authored by: Elizabeth Kennedy
– 08/21/11
The Need for Super Accountability
Given the stakes, the debt reduction super committee’s dealings must be as transparent as possible. All potentially corrupting outside influences — campaign contributors, ties to business corporations, relationships with political groups — must be made public.
Authored by: Mimi Marziani
– 08/10/11
The Importance of Super Committee Transparency
The Brennan Center calls on Congress to support disclosure measures for the new "Super Committee," including disclosure of campaign contributions, solicitation, and lobbying contacts.
– 08/05/11
A Loss for ‘We the People’
The high court's ruling in the Arizona public financing case is no win for free speech. It actually stifles speech by creating a new right to speak without response.
Authored by: Mimi Marziani
– 07/18/11
Arizona Free Enterprise and the Future of Public Financing
Last month, a bitterly divided Supreme Court issued the latest in a string of ideologically-driven decisions that have struck down a series of legislative attempts to reduce the influence of money and special interests in our elections.
Authored by: Adam Skaggs and Mark Ladov
– 07/11/11