August 1, 2012

LINKS: Why Didn’t Romney Just Go To Vegas?

Politico: Romney, GOP High-Rollers to Meet in Aspen
Romney plans to join mega-donors in town for a retreat hosted by the RGA’s so-called Executive Roundtable program, which will draw some of the biggest names in GOP politics, including several high-powered governors, a top adviser to Romney, Karl Rove, and other representatives of deep-pocketed political spenders, including a top lieutenant of the Koch brothers.

New York Times: Why Not in Vegas?
While Romney had time for a $50,000-a-plate breakfast with American Jewish donors in Jerusalem, with Adelson at his elbow, he did not have two hours to go to Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, to meet with its president, Mahmoud Abbas, or to share publicly any ideas on how he would advance the peace process.

LA Times: Crossroads GPS Tries to Squeak Past Disclosure Window
A hard-hitting new TV spot by the conservative advocacy group Crossroads GPS is scheduled to air within 30 days before the Democratic National Convention, a buy that should force it to disclose its donors. But the organization is counting on confusing guidance from the Federal Election Commission to get it off the hook.

ProPublica: New Questions About Sheldon Adelson’s Casino Operations in Macau
Questions about Las Vegas Sands’ business practices in Macau have emerged as a political issue in the campaign. Democrats recently seized on an allegation in Jacobs’ legal pleadings — that Adelson tolerated prostitution at the Macau casinos — and issued press releases attacking Republican congressional candidates who accepted contributions from a PAC he supports.

LA Times: Senator Whitehouse Vows to Continue Campaign to Alter Citizens United
“It isn’t going to last very long,” he told Democrats on Tuesday during a conference call to discuss the next step in overturning the controversial Supreme Court decision. “Just because you didn’t win the first time doesn’t mean you can’t win down the road. Persistence matters, public engagement matters.”

New York Times: Partisan Rifts Hinder Efforts to Improve US Voter System
Twelve years after a too-close-to-call presidential contest imploded in a hail of Florida punch card ballots and a bitter 5-to-4 Supreme Court ruling for George W. Bush, the country’s voting systems remain as deeply flawed as ever with any prospect of fixing them mired in increasing levels of partisanship.

American Progress: Standing in the Way of Middle-Class Tax Cuts
The House of Representatives has the opportunity this week to extend tax cuts for all Americans and dramatically reduce the uncertainty surrounding the so-called “fiscal cliff” at the end of the year. If the House approves legislation the Senate passed last week, President Barack Obama stands ready to sign it into law immediately. The only thing stopping that from happening is the House Republicans’ insistence on maintaining additional tax cuts for high-income households.

ABC News: Obama Donates $5,000 to His Own Campaign
“On its own, what I gave won’t be enough to surmount the unprecedented fundraising we’ve seen on the other side, both from our opponent’s campaign and from the outside groups and special interests supporting him. But we have always believed that there’s nothing we can’t do when we all pitch in. That includes me,” he said.