Public Campaign Action Fund - Mitch McConnell

McConnell Breaks Record

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:48:23 -0500

Everyone's favorite opponent of Clean Elections just broke a Kentucky fundraising record, reporting $12.2 million in contributions for his Senate re-election bid. And from where is Sen. Mitch McConnell raising such massive sums? Why, from Wall Street, lobbyists, the coal industry and others of course, and most of that money is coming from out of state. It's going to be quite a line outside the Senator's door to get a return on investment for those millions.

What Then?

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:13:49 -0500

Pundits and press folks have been understandably distracted by many other stories surrounding the presidential race, but despite the fact that the debate over public financing in the general election has died down somewhat, the fact remains that the Federal Election Commission is still short the necessary number of commissioners it needs to do its job, and that's just begging for trouble down the line.

About Speech

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:44:36 -0500

Kentucky lawyer Edward Bonnie attacks the "free speech" arguments against public financing of elections in the Courier Journal op-ed. Arguing that Fair and Clean Elections programs promote, rather than limit, speech Bonnie talks up the promise of the Fair Elections Now Act introduced in the Senate while questioning whether we want to continue to have Sen. Mitch McConnell-style elections where money is the yardstick for a candidate's worth.

McConnell Speculation

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:36:48 -0500

Kentucky's Courier-Journal and the AP have picked up on our analysis of Sen. Mitch McConnell's recent fundraising reports, as have bloggers at the Herald Leader and PageOneKentucky. McConnell intended for his big money announcement to dissuade challengers, but it has proved to further speculation about his chances come November.

More Big Money

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:49:56 -0500

Lest the presidential candidates think they are alone in pulling in record sums of money this year, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) -- aka Big Money Mitch -- has announced he's raised $10.89 million towards his re-election campaign. Today's announcement is designed to show McConnell's strength and discourage challengers, but we have a different perspective on what all that money means.

Profit Vs. Planet

Katie Schlieper — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:42:09 -0500

Yesterday the House passed new energy legislation to increase fuel efficiency standards and repeal billions in tax subsidies to the oil and gas industry, but the bill can't even make to a vote in the Senate. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) led the Senate effort against the bill, with $576,900 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry and another $107,00 from auto manufacturers to back him up.

McConnell's Questionable Donor

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:51:38 -0500

Oops, looks like a particularly shady character has shown up on Sen. Mitch McConnell's donor rolls. Bob Asher, a prominent player in the Pennsylvania Republican party who was convicted of bribing public officials, has steered $1,000 McConnell's way -- with McConnell raising money hand over fist in an attempt to thwart anticipated challenges to his seat this year, does he want to take this kind of money?

Revolving Door

Katie Schlieper — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:27:00 -0500

Another former aide to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) rushes into the warm embrace of the lobbying sector. Lesley Elliot, a former legislative aide, will lobby for online travel site Expedia on tax policy -- a favorite subject of McConnell's of late (via PageOne Kentucky). Hey, it's all about who you know.

Does BAE Stand for "Bribery and Earmarks?"

Katie Schlieper — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:17:32 -0500

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is raising eyebrows again for pushing an earmark worth $25 million for a company, BAE Systems, long suspected of bribing public officials. Oh and they've steered $53,000 to McConnell's campaign account since 2002.

SCHIP Sinks

Katie Schlieper — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:02:15 -0500

The House fell nine votes short of overriding President Bush's veto of a bill that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Over the course of the debate on the bill we've looked at the money Sen. Mitch McConnell and President Bush have taken from HMOs and Big Tobacco (the increase in the program would have been funded by an additional tax on tobacco products). Now we see the end result: another example of big money interests dominating over voter concerns.