Leadership PACs Make 'Mockery' of Election Rules

It's pulled in just $53,000 this year

(NEWSER) - Newt Gingrich’s political action committee has raised a paltry $53,000 so far this year, according to the latest FEC numbers, and Politico sees that as a troubling sign for the would-be candidate. Sure, Gingrich’s 527 group American Solutions for Winning the Future has pulled in tens of millions, but it’s not regulated by the FEC, and hence can accept huge contributions. More»

It's unclear what 'ChristinePAC' intends to do

(NEWSER) - Christine O’Donnell has taken her Sarah Palin mini-me act to its next logical level, filing paperwork to form a political action committee called ChristinePAC. The group will allow America’s favorite non-witch to remain involved in politics, much as SarahPAC does for Palin, the New York Times observes. It’s unclear so far what ChristinePAC’s goals are—in its filing with the FEC it merely said it would spend independently of any federal campaign, and “therefore intends to raise funds in unlimited amounts.” More»

PACs compete for 2010 donations from anti-tax activists

(NEWSER) - As Tea Party wrath brews, conservatives are hoping the anti-tax activists put their money where their mouth is in 2010—and a plethora of political action committees are springing up, angling for a piece of the pie. Dick Armey's Freedomworks Foundation launches its Take Back America PAC this week and the group, which aims to support conservative Republican candidates nationwide, is entering an increasingly crowded field. More»

(NEWSER) - Blue Dog Democrats may be ticking off President Obama and party leaders with their opposition to health care overhaul, but the move is doing wonders for their campaign coffers, reports CQ Politics. The Blue Dog Political Action Committee has pulled in $1.1 million for the 2010 races, more than any other leadership PAC. About $300,000 of that is from health care interests. More»

Rap stars and the GOP's 'rock star' stump on eve of crucial Senate runoff election

(NEWSER) - Georgia decides its Senate race today and both sides are going all-out to secure a victory that could help determine the direction of the next Congress, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The GOP has sent in Sarah Palin to stump for incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss, while Democratic challenger Jim Martin held a final rally in Atlanta joined by hip-hop stars and a civil rights leader. More»