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The Two-Way
Supreme Court Will Not Hear Campaign Finance Case On Corporate Donations
February 25, 2013 The Supreme Court says it won't hear a case that would have let candidates solicit money from corporations. By doing so, the court is reaffirming one strict ban on corporate political money, after easing other limits in its controversial Citizens United ruling three years ago.
It's All Politics
With Millions Spent, GOP 'Investors' Saw Little Return Election Night
November 12, 2012 A "return on investment" is a concept better known to Wall Street than to Washington. But after President Obama and the Democrats won most of the close elections last week, there are questions about the seven- and eight-figure "investments" made by dozens of conservative donors.
It's All Politics
Outside Groups Spend Big On Elections, But Don't Have Much To Show For It
November 7, 2012 This presidential election attracted $1.5 billion in outside spending — TV ads, robocalls and other political activity by groups created to take advantage of the new rules of campaign finance law. But on the day after the voting, their track record is open to question.
It's All Politics
Obama, Romney On Track To Spend $1B By Election Day
October 21, 2012 President Obama and the Democratic Party's grand total is just north of $900 million dollars for the current cycle, while Mitt Romney and the Republicans topped $800 million. The numbers don't include dollars raised and spent by superPACs or from tax-exempt groups.
It's All Politics
Bachmann Faces Competitive Re-Election Bid In Minnesota
October 12, 2012 More than nine months after dropping out of the race for the Republican nomination for president, Rep. Michele Bachmann is back on the campaign trail. But this time it's in her Minnesota congressional district, where she faces an underfunded but tough Democratic opponent.
The Two-Way
Romney Campaign Borrowed $20M, Is $11M In Debt
September 18, 2012 The money was borrowed in August to pay for expenses before the Republican's presidential campaign can tap into general election dollars. The campaign collateralized the debt with $20 million of general election funds already in its bank account.
It's All Politics
'Social Welfare' Organizations Play Big Role In Presidential Politics
July 7, 2012 Some of the heaviest advertisers are groups financed by anonymous donors. They're not organized as political committees, but as "social welfare" organizations. One of those groups, led by GOP strategist Karl Rove, is rivaling the campaigns themselves for ad money spent so far in the election.
The Two-Way
Update: No Health Care Decision From Supreme Court Today
June 18, 2012 Thursday is the next day when we may hear how the justices rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act — better known as the health care overhaul enacted in 2010.
The Two-Way
Romney's $40.1 Million Haul In April Nearly Matches Obama's
May 17, 2012 In the first month since he effectively wrapped up the GOP presidential nomination, Romney and his party raised almost as much money as the president and the Democratic Party.
The Two-Way
Neither John Edwards Nor His Mistress Testify At Corruption Trial
May 16, 2012 His attorneys also will not call Edwards' adult daughter to the stand. He's accused of using campaign funds to try to hide his affair and a daughter Rielle Hunter delivered.
It's All Politics
Campaign Finance Reports Show Ups And Downs For Candidates, SuperPACs
January 31, 2012 A new disclosure report documents how Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry lost his fundraising base. Donors gave up long before Perry dropped out two weeks ago.
Planet Money
A Former Lobbyist Tells All
January 27, 2012 On the podcast today, we get a glimpse from inside the room where money changes hands. Jimmy Williams used to lobby for the National Association of Realtors. He tells us about the ridiculous issues he's lobbied for, the flow of campaign money he supplied, and how he wants to change the system now.
