(((Update: The Rotellini campaign on Monday afternoon declined to comment further on this report. However, the Phoenix New Times did get a (surprised) comment from her, posted the ad and discussed its substance.)))
The Democratic Attorney Generals Association is behind a television advertisement attacking Republican candidate for Attorney General Tom Horne. Neither the Washington-based group nor the committee name given at the end of the commercial have registered with the Arizona Secretary of State, making the independent expenditures illegal under Arizona law.
The 30-second attack ad is running on at least one Phoenix-area television station (as of yesterday), and identifies the "Committee For Justice and Fairness" ("CFJF") as paying for the ad. The CFJF has registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 527 organization, and they apparently spent more than one million dollars in the first two weeks of October.
Arizona law requires a political committee to file with the Secretary of State (for statewide races) BEFORE spending any money. It is also required to file its previous finance reports (filed elsewhere) if it uses money raised before filing its statement of organization in Arizona. The Secretary of State's office confirmed to Arizona's Politics this afternoon that it has received no filings from either the CFJF or the Democratic Attorney Generals Association.
An internet search on Google for CFJF reveals little about its Arizona efforts, other than that it has filed something (unavailable) with the Kansas state government. Its website focuses on the Kansas race and does not mention Arizona.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
BREAKING: McCain Files With FEC For McClung, Kelly Ads; Spends More Supporting Schweikert, Too
Previous report noting conflicting responses from McCain camp AND that no FEC filing: http://bit.ly/bHCcKA
Moments ago, Friends of John McCain filed its required independent expenditure filing with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC"). The reports disclose their expenditures supporting GOP congressional challengers Ruth McClung and Jesse Kelly, as well as a new ad supporting David Schweikert.
The ads formed the basis for a complaint filed with the FEC by the DCCC. By law, independent expenditures are supposed to be "independent" - with no coordination between the spender and the candidates' committees. The complaint calls it "utterly implausible" that there is not coordination going on between the candidates and their committees.
Here is the report on the McClung and Kelly ads: http://bit.ly/9MvS1a . It indicates that they spent $11,872.00 producing each (separate) ad, and $80,000.00 buying media time for each.
Yesteday, the McCain committee paid $13,672.00 to produce an ad supporting Schweikert, and $64,000.00 for the media buy. That report also shows that McCain spent $1,386.28 for "message phone calls" on behalf of McClung. ("My friends....")
Perhaps importantly, it is apparent that there is at least a violation in failing to TIMELY REPORT the McClung and Kelly ads. As the McCain committee notes, it filed a "24-hour notice". It reports the expenditures as taking place on Oct. 19, but did not electronically file the report - which is instantly available on the FEC's website - until this evening.
We welcome your comments about this post. If you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
Moments ago, Friends of John McCain filed its required independent expenditure filing with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC"). The reports disclose their expenditures supporting GOP congressional challengers Ruth McClung and Jesse Kelly, as well as a new ad supporting David Schweikert.
The ads formed the basis for a complaint filed with the FEC by the DCCC. By law, independent expenditures are supposed to be "independent" - with no coordination between the spender and the candidates' committees. The complaint calls it "utterly implausible" that there is not coordination going on between the candidates and their committees.
Here is the report on the McClung and Kelly ads: http://bit.ly/9MvS1a . It indicates that they spent $11,872.00 producing each (separate) ad, and $80,000.00 buying media time for each.
Yesteday, the McCain committee paid $13,672.00 to produce an ad supporting Schweikert, and $64,000.00 for the media buy. That report also shows that McCain spent $1,386.28 for "message phone calls" on behalf of McClung. ("My friends....")
Perhaps importantly, it is apparent that there is at least a violation in failing to TIMELY REPORT the McClung and Kelly ads. As the McCain committee notes, it filed a "24-hour notice". It reports the expenditures as taking place on Oct. 19, but did not electronically file the report - which is instantly available on the FEC's website - until this evening.
We welcome your comments about this post. If you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
WATCH: Controversial "McCain Ads" For McClung, Kelly
Sen. John McCain - apparently unconcerned about his own re-election prospects - is spending some of his large warchest to run ads supporting southern Arizona GOP congressional challengers Ruth McClung (CD7) and Jesse Kelly (CD8). These ads are the subject of a formal complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. (Post to follow regarding disclosure issues. Here.)
McClung: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEDoaGQE8_I
Kelly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWYD1JuRYWw
McClung: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEDoaGQE8_I
Kelly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWYD1JuRYWw
FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS: McCain Campaign Claims It Filed Disclosures, None With The FEC
UPDATE: Moments ago, Friends of John McCain filed its required independent expenditure report with the FEC. Details to come.
The "Friends of John McCain" ads featuring Sens. McCain and Kyl touting GOP congressional challengers Ruth McClung (CD7) and Jesse Kelly (CD8) have prompted the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ("DCCC") to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC").
The complaint suggests that the ads violate campaign finance laws because they are either improper coordinated expenditures benefitting the challengers, or are unreported independent expenditures.
The McCain campaign has told reporters that the ads are neither. To the Phoenix New Times, campaign spokesman Brian Rogers detailed how there was not coordination. However, to the Washington Post, they indicate that the campaign did declare them as independent expenditures. According to the Washington Post, the campaign released "documents showing that it reported the ads as "independent expenditures" to the Senate this week." As the Post next noted, the DCCC complaint states otherwise.
Arizona's Politics has not been able to find any evidence that "Friends of John McCain" reported anything to the FEC. As readers of this blog know, Arizona's Politics follows the FEC's database of independent expenditures very closely. Nothing was filed this week - or, in previous weeks. Friends of John McCain did file its quarterly report last week. It covers the period through September 30, 2010, so it is unlikely to include these new ads; however, just to be safe, Arizona's Politics did search the 943-page report for "McClung" (and "Clung", just in case they inadvertently put in a space between the "Mc" and "Clung"). Nothing.
Likewise, Arizona's Politics could not find any evidence that the U.S. Senate has posted some report erroneously filed there. Regardless, the McCain campaign no doubt knows that it is required to file the report with the FEC.
We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
The "Friends of John McCain" ads featuring Sens. McCain and Kyl touting GOP congressional challengers Ruth McClung (CD7) and Jesse Kelly (CD8) have prompted the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ("DCCC") to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC").
The complaint suggests that the ads violate campaign finance laws because they are either improper coordinated expenditures benefitting the challengers, or are unreported independent expenditures.
The McCain campaign has told reporters that the ads are neither. To the Phoenix New Times, campaign spokesman Brian Rogers detailed how there was not coordination. However, to the Washington Post, they indicate that the campaign did declare them as independent expenditures. According to the Washington Post, the campaign released "documents showing that it reported the ads as "independent expenditures" to the Senate this week." As the Post next noted, the DCCC complaint states otherwise.
Arizona's Politics has not been able to find any evidence that "Friends of John McCain" reported anything to the FEC. As readers of this blog know, Arizona's Politics follows the FEC's database of independent expenditures very closely. Nothing was filed this week - or, in previous weeks. Friends of John McCain did file its quarterly report last week. It covers the period through September 30, 2010, so it is unlikely to include these new ads; however, just to be safe, Arizona's Politics did search the 943-page report for "McClung" (and "Clung", just in case they inadvertently put in a space between the "Mc" and "Clung"). Nothing.
Likewise, Arizona's Politics could not find any evidence that the U.S. Senate has posted some report erroneously filed there. Regardless, the McCain campaign no doubt knows that it is required to file the report with the FEC.
We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
WATCH: Controversial "McCain Ads" For McClung, Kelly
Sen. John McCain - apparently unconcerned about his own re-election prospects - is spending some of his large warchest to run ads supporting southern Arizona GOP congressional challengers Ruth McClung (CD7) and Jesse Kelly (CD8). These ads are the subject of a formal complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. (Post to follow regarding disclosure issues.)
AS SEEN ON TV: Team Ads the In Thing This A.M.
Teamwork seemed to be the theme this a.m. I was at a gym this a.m. and actually got to see a bevy of political ads. (I was very likely the only one there who was actually disappointed that the sound was down and that I could not hear the ominous voiceovers!)
A Ben Quayle ad came on, and he has now officially joined the Jon/John team. His opponent, Jon Hulburd, on the other hand, got his picture matched up with the evil Nancy Pelosi and worst-Prez-ever Barack Obama.
Shortly after, the Superpac for America placed Democratic congressional incumbents Ann Kirkpatrick, Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords together on a team that is wrong for America.
Other ads airing on two local stations in the short time that I was burning calories were:
--Terry Goddard (two different ads, I believe, one a hybrid negative/positive, and one just positive)
--Tom Horne (negative)
--Felecia Rotellini (negative)
--Harry Mitchell and David Schweikert both had ads up
--the Committee against Prop. 109
Finally, I only caught the end of one ad, and I think the identifier said that it was paid for by the "Committee for Justice and Fairness." Unfortunately, I am unable to find any information about a committee here by that name; please let me know if you know who they are and/or what they were advertising.
I would like to make this a group effort. Please post a synopsis of the ads you see on TV, hear on radio, or receive in the mail. The more details, the better. Links or scans are better still. And, since many of us shy away from commenting on blog posts, feel free to e-mail me (info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com) instead.
And, as many political campaigns have become skilled at "releasing" ads without ever intending to actually spend money on airing them. Arizona's Politics is more interested in publicizing ads that are actually seeing airtime on Arizona TV or radthose as we are in sharing and fact checking ads that are in fact getting (paid) airplay.
We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
A Ben Quayle ad came on, and he has now officially joined the Jon/John team. His opponent, Jon Hulburd, on the other hand, got his picture matched up with the evil Nancy Pelosi and worst-Prez-ever Barack Obama.
Shortly after, the Superpac for America placed Democratic congressional incumbents Ann Kirkpatrick, Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords together on a team that is wrong for America.
Other ads airing on two local stations in the short time that I was burning calories were:
--Terry Goddard (two different ads, I believe, one a hybrid negative/positive, and one just positive)
--Tom Horne (negative)
--Felecia Rotellini (negative)
--Harry Mitchell and David Schweikert both had ads up
--the Committee against Prop. 109
Finally, I only caught the end of one ad, and I think the identifier said that it was paid for by the "Committee for Justice and Fairness." Unfortunately, I am unable to find any information about a committee here by that name; please let me know if you know who they are and/or what they were advertising.
I would like to make this a group effort. Please post a synopsis of the ads you see on TV, hear on radio, or receive in the mail. The more details, the better. Links or scans are better still. And, since many of us shy away from commenting on blog posts, feel free to e-mail me (info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com) instead.
And, as many political campaigns have become skilled at "releasing" ads without ever intending to actually spend money on airing them. Arizona's Politics is more interested in publicizing ads that are actually seeing airtime on Arizona TV or radthose as we are in sharing and fact checking ads that are in fact getting (paid) airplay.
We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS: Breakfast In Arizona As GOP-philics Work the Team Aspect; Dems Hammer On McClung
As we get closer to November, the independent expenditures on behalf of or against Congressional candidates will continue to increase. Arizona's Politics will check in regularly on the reports that these groups must submit to the Federal Election Commission.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted October 20, October 19, October 16, October 15 x3, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28. In addition, on Saturday, we provided a "tote board" of the busy Friday.
The single biggest independent expenditure in Arizona congressional races yesterday was the first appearance of the Republican-philic (Dick Morris as pitcher) group "Superpac for America". Their ad focuses on lumping together Democratic incumbents Harry Mitchell (CD5), Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1) and Gabrielle Giffords (CD8) as part of a team that should be tossed from the game. (I saw it this a.m., shortly after saw that Ben Quayle is also running a "team" ad in CD3 against Jon Hulburd; more on that in a separate post.) Superpac spent $17,980.00 on production, then made two separate ad buys (presumably, Phoenix and Tucson and/or Flagstaff) totaling $251,403.00.
Democrats and a supportive group spent more money attacking Ruth McClung in her CD7 race against incumbent Rep. Raul Grijalva. The DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) spent $32,430.00 more on ad time, and the America's Families First Action Fund put $51,996.74 into a radio ad.
The Republican-philic group the Susan B. Anthony List sent out mailers attacking Mitchell, Grijalva and Giffords. In order, spending $9,484.14, $2,933.09, and $9,172.08.
Elsewhere in Republican-affiliated spending, the NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee) put $16,545.00 more into its most recent ad attacking Mitchell. Americans for Limited Government spent $29,602.18 on a mailer against Giffords, 60 Plus produced and mailed a piece against Grijalva for $6,606.32, and the NRA designed new pieces supporting Schweikert and Kelly at $642.86 each.
We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted October 20, October 19, October 16, October 15 x3, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28. In addition, on Saturday, we provided a "tote board" of the busy Friday.
The single biggest independent expenditure in Arizona congressional races yesterday was the first appearance of the Republican-philic (Dick Morris as pitcher) group "Superpac for America". Their ad focuses on lumping together Democratic incumbents Harry Mitchell (CD5), Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1) and Gabrielle Giffords (CD8) as part of a team that should be tossed from the game. (I saw it this a.m., shortly after saw that Ben Quayle is also running a "team" ad in CD3 against Jon Hulburd; more on that in a separate post.) Superpac spent $17,980.00 on production, then made two separate ad buys (presumably, Phoenix and Tucson and/or Flagstaff) totaling $251,403.00.
Democrats and a supportive group spent more money attacking Ruth McClung in her CD7 race against incumbent Rep. Raul Grijalva. The DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) spent $32,430.00 more on ad time, and the America's Families First Action Fund put $51,996.74 into a radio ad.
The Republican-philic group the Susan B. Anthony List sent out mailers attacking Mitchell, Grijalva and Giffords. In order, spending $9,484.14, $2,933.09, and $9,172.08.
Elsewhere in Republican-affiliated spending, the NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee) put $16,545.00 more into its most recent ad attacking Mitchell. Americans for Limited Government spent $29,602.18 on a mailer against Giffords, 60 Plus produced and mailed a piece against Grijalva for $6,606.32, and the NRA designed new pieces supporting Schweikert and Kelly at $642.86 each.
We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com. Thanks.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
WATCH: DCCC Ad Running Against Ruth McClung
Arizona's Politics reported yesterday on the TV ad buys by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ("DCCC") and Democrat-philic America's Families First ("AFFAF"). The response came a day after Republican-philic Americans for Tax Reform began airing its quarter-million dollar spot against Rep. Raul Grijalva.
We have not yet located the AFFAF spot, but here is the DCCC commercial which has begun airing in the Tucson market. The ad attacks GOP challenger Ruth McClung for her so-called "radical ideas". Fact Check to follow.
We have not yet located the AFFAF spot, but here is the DCCC commercial which has begun airing in the Tucson market. The ad attacks GOP challenger Ruth McClung for her so-called "radical ideas". Fact Check to follow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)