Open Secrets: money in politics guide from the Center for Responsive Politics
OpenSecrets Blog
OpenSecrets Blog is the Online News Association award-winning source for the latest money in politics news and investigative journalism.

  • Center for Responsive Politics Joins Amicus Brief In Montana Case
    The Center for Responsive Politics joined an amicus brief filed at the United States Supreme Court on Friday, asking the high court to let stand a Montana law regulating corporate political spending despite the 2010 Citizens United decision. CRP's data provided critical underpinnings for the brief.

  • Obama's Bain Backers
    If President Obama's attacks on Mitt Romney's long career at Bain Capital are a liability, as some Democrats now worry, they don't seem to bother many of Romney's old colleagues: Employees of Bain Capital and Bain & Company have given more than $152,000 to Obama's campaign and the joint fundraising operation he runs with the Democratic National Committee.

  • The Campaign Dollar Gender Gap
    A new poll shows that mitt Romney may have narrowed the gender gap between himself and Barack Obama somewhat in terms of voters -- he's only behind by about 7 percentage points, instead of 19 as he was earlier this year -- but the enthusiasm isn't translating to dollars for the campaign.

  • Bear Market For Wall Street's Contributions
    It was a bear market last month in terms of Wall Street's investment in the presidential race -- candidates and super PACs alike. OpenSecrets.org data shows that both the Mitt Romney campaign and Restore Our Future, the super PAC that is backing him, have seen significant drops in contributions from the securities and investment industry.

  • Mystery Health Care Group Funneled Millions to Conservative Nonprofits
    A secretive, well-funded group provided $44 million in 2010 to a host of 501(c)(4) groups, many of which were among the most active in airing ads attacking Democrats in the midterm elections. The Center to Protect Patients' Rights was the source of more than half the budget of the group American Future Fund, for example. The Center's role in funding the groups has not previously been reported.

  • Many Lawmakers Personally Invested in JPMorgan Chase
    Republicans and Democrats rushed this week to argue that stronger government regulation would or wouldn't have forestalled JPMorgan Chase's multibillion dollar losses. But they didn't mention whether they owned shares in the bank themselves. At least 38 of them do.

  • Did OpenSecrets.org Foil A Chinese Propaganda Hit?
    A Chinese state-run newspaper tried to mock U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke for not disclosing his personal finances -- apparently unaware that Locke had, and OpenSecrets.org has the record. The ensuing media dust-up is a great reminder of OpenSecrets.org's extensive trove of personal financial disclosures -- with a new round of disclosures due today!

  • Violence Against Women Act Focus of Heavy Lobbying
    This week the House is debating the reauthorization of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, and there seems to be little danger of a relapse of the relative bipartisanship that occurred at the end of April, when the Senate approved its version of the bill. But who knew that 44 groups would be registered to lobby on the proposed legislation?

  • Ron Paul's Unorthodox Fundraising
    Ron Paul's announcement Monday effectively ending his presidential bid brought the end of a quiet campaign that nevertheless raised more money -- $36.7 million as of March 31-- than that of any Republican candidate other than Mitt Romney. And his donors had an identity all their own.

  • Obama Bundlers Include Many Who Are LGBT
    Ticket sales for tonight's Ricky Martin-hosted Obama fundraiser in New York sold out in a flash after Obama made his historic announcement about gay marriage. According to OpenSecrets.org data, about one in nine of Obama's top bundlers is gay.

  • OpenSecrets Blog's PolitiQuizz: Attack of the 'Death Star'
    It's election season. For politicians, that means two things: campaigning and fundraising. But for most Americans, it only means one: ads, ads, ads.

  • Super PAC Spending Teeters at $100 Million Mark
    Expenditures by super PACs are on the verge of hitting $100 million, further proof that outside spending will far outstrip anything seen in previous election cycles. For a little perspective, consider that one super PAC, Restore Our Future, has already spent more -- $44.5 million -- than all outside groups combined had spent at this point in 2008.

  • Will Gay Marriage Endorsement Mean Campaign Dollars for Obama?
    Obama endorses same-sex marriage. Will that boost his funding from the LGBT community and reverse the downward trend line in overall contributions from those connected to gay rights interest groups?

  • Monsanto's Deep Roots In Washington
    It's planting season, which brings to mind one of the most ubiquitous names in agribusiness: Monsanto. Love it or hate it -- and there are plenty of people on either side -- the company's formidable Washington presence makes it a tough competitor.

  • Chesapeake Energy CEO Invests Heavily in Politics
    Embattled Chesapeake Energy CEO Aubrey McClendon, embroiled in a corporate governance scandal, has invested heavily in Washington. As regulators probe his activities, he may be hoping those campaign contributions and lobbying expenditures bring a good return.