CQ.com - MoneyLine

NRCC Expands Ad Reservations to $24 Million

The National Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday added more than $2 million in television ad reservations in four Democratic-held districts that are increasingly viewed as vulnerable. The new targets are Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy, Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader (above) and Arizona Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Harry Mitchell. Full story

Sept. 8, 2010 - 11:41 a.m.

Life Insurers Pick Kempthorne as New President

The American Council of Life Insurers has brought on former Sen. Dirk Kempthorne (R-Idaho) as its president and CEO. Full story

Sept. 8, 2010 - 11:40 a.m.

Binnie Loans Another $500,000 to Senate Bid

Bill Binnie is continuing to dip into his personal fortune to help finance his New Hampshire Senate bid, although national Republicans continue to support his GOP opponent, Kelly Ayotte, in the race to replace retiring Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.). Full story

Sept. 8, 2010 - 11:42 a.m.

Outside Groups’ Campaign Expenditures Have Doubled

Outside organizations have shelled out twice as much on ads and other electioneering activities to affect Congressional races so far during the 2010 election cycle as they did two years ago.
Unions, political parties and advocacy groups have spent more than $34.2 million on independent expenditures so far during this election, compared with less than $16.2 million at this time in the 2008 election, according to a CQ MoneyLine study of Federal Election Commission reports. Full story

Sept. 7, 2010 - 10:58 a.m.

Former NRCC Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds

The former treasurer of the National Republican Congressional Committee pleaded guilty Friday to embezzling $845,000 from GOP campaign committees over a six-year period, during which he transferred cash from campaign accounts he controlled to his own bank account.
In a statement of offense filed Friday, Christopher J. Ward acknowledged that between 2001 and 2007, as treasurer of the NRCC and the committees created to run the annual President’s Dinner fundraiser, he “stole approximately $844,718 by issuing unauthorized checks and wire transfers from the NRCC and political committee that were clients of his business” for his personal benefit. Full story

Sept. 7, 2010 - 10:59 a.m.

Chamber Urges Extension of Bush Tax Cuts

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called for an extension of the Bush tax cuts at its annual Labor Day briefing on Thursday. Full story

Sept. 7, 2010 - 11:01 a.m.

Rangel Drops Another $110,000 In Legal Fees

Rep. Charlie Rangel’s legal troubles are continuing to drain campaign money, as the New York Democrat’s attention is divided between the Sept. 14 primary and his looming ethics trial. Full story

Sept. 3, 2010 - 1:20 p.m.

GOP Committees Look to Outside Groups to Fund Fall Ground Game

Republican strategists wary of relying on a Republican National Committee beset by controversy are relying on third-party organizations to fund and manage crucial ground game operations for the midterm elections. Full story

Sept. 3, 2010 - 1:21 p.m.

Wisconsin: Johnson Outraises Feingold in Pre-Primary Period

Republican challenger Ron Johnson raised more money in July and August than Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold (D), according to pre-primary figures released by the two campaigns on Thursday. Full story

Sept. 3, 2010 - 1:21 p.m.

Alaska: Miller Getting Serious About Fundraising

Alaska Republican Senate hopeful Joe Miller has hired a prominent Washington, D.C., fundraiser to help fuel his general election campaign against Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams (D). Full story

Sept. 3, 2010 - 1:20 p.m.

Texas: Bell Gets $2 Million in Lawsuit Against RGA

Former Rep. Chris Bell (D) was awarded a $2 million settlement from the Republican Governors Association in the resolution of a campaign finance issue from the 2006 Texas gubernatorial race, the Houston Chronicle reported on Wednesday. Full story

Sept. 2, 2010 - 10:51 a.m.

Republicans Eye McCain’s Millions in Excess ’08 Funds

Sen. John McCain ’s victory in the Aug. 24 Arizona Republican primary was fueled partly by transfers of $7.5 million from his 2008 presidential campaign compliance fund — an account GOP Congressional strategists are now eyeing as they look to finance a growing list of competitive midterm races. Full story

Sept. 1, 2010 - 11:08 a.m.

Gulf Coast Coalition Tries to Woo Business to Region

Gloria Story Dittus can’t seem to get away from the Gulf Coast. Five years ago, she spearheaded a number of benefits for the region, which was reeling at the time from Hurricane Katrina. Full story

Aug. 31, 2010 - 10:51 a.m.

Dueling Pharmacy Groups Launch Fresh Attacks at Each Other

The lobby group for pharmacy benefit managers is accusing community drug stores of using a double standard for attacking them while at the same time objecting to federal plans to collect drug-price data for Medicaid. Full story

Aug. 30, 2010 - 10:59 a.m.

Magliocchetti Pleads Not Guilty to Campaign Contribution Charges

Paul Magliocchetti, founder of the PMA Group lobbying firm, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he made hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of fraudulent campaign contributions to Members of Congress, the Associated Press reported. Full story

Aug. 23, 2010 - 11:12 a.m.

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