Only in Republicanland is this a good idea This is week in a somewhat surprising move, Republican Secretary of State Ruth Johnson proposed a rule to require transparency in the funding of so-called “issue ads” that don’t promote specific candidates. Millions and millions of dollars are spent every election cycle on these ads which are, more often than not, nothing […]

What’s the hold-up, Mr. Boehner? In about 60 days, the current agreement to keep our federal government funded will run out. This sets the country up for another battle with tea party Republicans dead-set on repealing the Affordable Care Act. With the power of the Republican-led House of Representatives apparently in the hands of Senator Ted Cruz, there is, apparently, […]

Dude, we KNOW the difference between a nerd and a corporatist [Caricature by DonkeyHotey from photos by Anne C. Savage for Eclectablog] Rick Snyder has begun his campaign to remain governor of Michigan with a new website, a new video, and repeated statements that he hasn’t announced his candidacy. A website and Twitter and Facebook accounts used by the campaign […]

At least he’s consistent…

You have to hand it to Mitt Romney. While he may not be consistent on his political positions — okay, he’s NOT consistent on his political positions — at least he’s consistent in the fact that he’s willing to brazenly lie to the American people in order to win the Presidency.

His most recent lie — that Jeep is shipping jobs to China — is almost poetic in its hubris. It started with a statement on the campaign trail when it was added to his stump speech. He then doubled down and made a television ad out of it. He then tripled down and made a radio spot and with that one, he included GM as a domestic vehicle manufacturer shipping jobs to China. None of this is true.

And then the stuff hit the fan for Romney. More after the jump.

Collective bargaining helps ALL workers and anti-labor forces know & fear that

The anti-labor, pro-business group Protecting Michigan Taxpayers has a television ad out now that may be the most egregious, lie-filled, dishonest political ad on Michigan televisions at the moment.

The ad is designed to make Proposal 2, a ballot initiative to protect collective bargaining rights in our state, look like it will endanger children rather than giving our teachers the right to bargain for smaller class sizes, living wages, health care, and retirement benefits.

Almost every day, you see someone on the right accusing groups on the left of using scare tactics. And yet, this ad is the most shameless effort to frighten voters that you’re likely to see this election cycle. They even use the words “dangerous”, “terrifying”, and “risk”.

The ad and much more after the jump.

Here’s to a little sunshine shining in

Starting today, supposedly nonpartisan groups like Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS are going to have to change their ways or reveal who their donors are. And revealing who their donors are is something that they simply will not do.

Last March, I wrote about a lawsuit filed against the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) by Rep. Chris Van Hollen. The resulting case, Van Hollen v. FEC. I wrote about it because U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had thrown out a 2007 FEC ruling that allowed some funders of political ads to remain anonymous.

Today, new rules go into effect and they are a BFD.

Sunshine on elections makes me happy… U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has thrown out a 2007 FEC ruling that allowed some funders of political ads to remain anonymous, striking a blow for transparency and sterilizing sunlight on at least some of the political attack ads we see ad nauseum during election Silly Season. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson […]