[EL] ELB News and Commentary 8/3/11

Wed Aug 3 09:25:52 PDT 2011

Missing from Supercommittee > Superlobbyists > Supercompromise is:
Superconstitutional.

No doubt that "the supercommittee process has the potential to provide a way
around partisan stalemate."  But this is its vice, not its virtue.  Congress
cannot delegate its legislative function away from Congress as a whole.
Exceptions to non-delegation, particularly the example of administrative
agencies, are inapplicable here.  Agencies are granted discretion because
they possess expertise.  The taxing and spending powers, however, are
entirely Congress' domain.

Congress also has amendment, debate and filibuster provisions (on one or
both sides of the Rotunda).  Letting the Congress vote only yes or no on a
Supercommittee proposal seems to violate those provisions -- and seems to
place an Independent Payments Advisory Board not just in charge of
healthcare, but in charge of national spending.

I know this is an election law list, and that the lobbying angle in any
story is what we'll see emphasized here.  Let me suggest that popular
sovereignty and effective representation deserve emphasis, as well.  After
all, those are the reasons we have elections in the first instance.

If someone on this election law list were to reply that the Supercommittee
proposal is not unconstitutional and does not undermine popular sovereignty,
it would not be wasted ink -- or silicon, as the case may be.

Steve Hoersting

On Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 11:40 AM, Daniel Tokaji <tokaji.1 at osu.edu> wrote:

> *“Groups Vie to be Perry Super PAC” <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21331>
> *
>
> Posted on August 3, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21331> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> The WSJ blog has this post<http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/08/02/groups-vie-to-be-perry-super-pac/>
> .****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21331&title=%E2%80%9CGroups%20Vie%20to%20be%20Perry%20Super%20PAC%E2%80%9D&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments
> Off ****
>
> ** **
>
> *Obama’s Bundlers <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21328> *
>
> Posted on August 3, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21328> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> FoxNews reports here<http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/03/president-obama-looks-to-bundlers-for-2012-re-election-campaign/>
> .****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21328&title=Obama%E2%80%99s%20Bundlers&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments
> Off ****
>
> ** **
>
> *More Commentary on CA Redistricting Plans<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21325>
> *
>
> Posted on August 3, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21325> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> The LA Times has this op-ed<http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-meyerson-california-redistricti20110803,0,6602931.story>from Harold Meyerson, and the SacBee this
> one<http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/03/3812715/dan-walters-remapping-of-california.html>from Dan Walters.
> ****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21325&title=More%20Commentary%20on%20CA%20Redistricting%20Plans&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> *“Supreme Court campaign finance ruling spurs wild ride in Wisconsin”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21321>
> *
>
> Posted on August 3, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21321> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> The Washington Times reports here<http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/2/quiet-wisconsin-races-erupt-into-expensive-battles/>.  In
> related news, Politico has more<http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/60515.html>on AFP’s
> wrong-date <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21212> absentee ballot mailer,
> and the AP has this story<http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/e48d6cb55db749aca0f0604db39a7030/WI--Wisconsin-Recalls-Ads/>on CU’s spending in the recall elections.
> ****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21321&title=%E2%80%9CSupreme%20Court%20campaign%20finance%20ruling%20spurs%20wild%20ride%20in%20Wisconsin%E2%80%9D&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, chicanery<http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=12>
> | Comments Off ****
>
> * *
>
> *Supercommittee > Superlobbyists > Supercompromise?<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21318>
> *
>
> Posted on August 3, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21318> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> The National Journal<http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/debt-ceiling-deal-sets-off-lobbying-frenzy-20110801>,
> Politico <http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/60548.html>, and
> Huffpost<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/01/debt-ceiling-deal-paves-way-for-lobbying_n_914887.html>have stories on the lobbying that’s expected to arise from the debt deal.
> The health care and defense industries are likely to be especially active,
> given the reductions in defense spending and Medicare provider payments that
> will take effect in 2013 if the supercommittee can’t come to an agreement
> (or if Congress doesn’t approve it). ****
>
> Even for those who tend to worry about the influence of big-money
> lobbyists, this could actually be a good thing.  As I suggested in this
> post <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21179>, the supercommittee process has
> the potential to provide a way around partisan stalemate on deficit
> reduction.  Heavy lobbying by defense and health-care interests — aimed at
> preventing big cuts that will hurt their pocketbooks – can be expected
> to make a compromise more likely.  To borrow Heather<http://electionlawblog.org/archives/018727.html>
> Gerken <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEDZria0_qU>‘s phrase, this may be
> a way of harnessing politics to fix politics.****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21318&title=Supercommittee%20%3E%20Superlobbyists%20%3E%20Supercompromise%3F&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in lobbying <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=28> | Comments Off ***
> *
>
> * *
>
> *“Unequal Protection: Corporate Control of Politics”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21315>
> *
>
> Posted on August 3, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21315> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> Truthout has this excerpt<http://www.truth-out.org/unequal-protection-corporate-control-politics/1312226251>from Thom Hartmann’s book.
> ****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21315&title=%E2%80%9CUnequal%20Protection%3A%20Corporate%20Control%20of%20Politics%E2%80%9D&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments
> Off ****
>
> * *
>
> *“Redrawing Lines May Go Past 2012″ <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21312>
> *
>
> Posted on August 3, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21312> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> Roll Call has this story<http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_19/redistricting-maps-drawing-lines-2012-207976-1.html>
> .****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21312&title=%E2%80%9CRedrawing%20Lines%20May%20Go%20Past%202012%E2%80%B3&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
> ****
>
> * *
>
> *FEC/NRCC Spat over Disclosure <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21305> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21305> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> Politico has this report<http://www.politico.com/politicoinfluence/0811/politicoinfluence69.html>
> .****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21305&title=FEC%2FNRCC%20Spat%20over%20Disclosure&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments
> Off ****
>
> * *
>
> *Opinion Upholding PA Voter Registration Law<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21301>
> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21301> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> The opinion, which rejects Project Vote’s facial challenge to a law
> prohibiting per-signature payment for registration workers, may be found
> here <http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/08/02/projectvoteopinion.pdf> (h/t
> Richard Winger<http://www.ballot-access.org/2011/08/02/u-s-district-court-upholds-pennsylvania-law-prohibiting-paying-registration-workers-on-a-per-registration-form-basis/>
> ).****
>
> *Update & clarification:*  Rick tweets on the case here<https://twitter.com/#%21/rickhasen/status/98486219511566336>.
> I’ve slightly amended my initial post above, adding the word “facial.”****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21301&title=Opinion%20Upholding%20PA%20Voter%20Registration%20Law&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in voter registration <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=37> | Comments
> Off ****
>
> * *
>
> *Gov. Haley Signs SC Congressional Redistricting Bill<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21297>
> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21297> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> The plan <http://redistricting.lls.edu/states-SC.php> includes a new 7th
> CD <http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=646601> but must be
> precleared before it can take effect.****
>
> *Update*:  Hans von Spakovsky and Christian Adams question the state’s
> decision<http://rnla.org/Blogs/blogs/public/archive/2011/08/02/rnla-members-advocate-pre-clearance-in-court-rather-than-doj.aspx>to seek preclearance from DOJ rather than from the USDC in D.C.
> ****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21297&title=Gov.%20Haley%20Signs%20SC%20Congressional%20Redistricting%20Bill&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in redistricting <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=6> | Comments Off
> ****
>
> * *
>
> *Dishonest Polling in Hawaii U.S. Senate Contest?<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21292>
> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21292> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> The Fix has this post<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/senate-democrats-accuse-case-of-releasing-dishonest-poll/2011/08/02/gIQA2U9jpI_blog.html>on the DSCC speaking out against a poll released by Democratic candidate
> Ed Case.****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21292&title=Dishonest%20Polling%20in%20Hawaii%20U.S.%20Senate%20Contest%3F&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in chicanery <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=12> | Comments Off **
> **
>
> * *
>
> *“For some political junkies, donating repeatedly is way to get fix”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21289>
> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21289> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> Who knew<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/for-some-political-junkies-donating-repeatedly-is-way-to-get-fix/2011/07/27/gIQAhIXKoI_story.html>?
> Paging Dr. Drew <http://www.drdrew.com/>.****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21289&title=%E2%80%9CFor%20some%20political%20junkies%2C%20donating%20repeatedly%20is%20way%20to%20get%20fix%E2%80%9D&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10> | Comments
> Off ****
>
> * *
>
> *“New voter ID laws subvert democracy and Catholic teaching”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21285>
> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21285> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> An unusual perspective on voter ID<http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?o=1000&article_id=12966> from
> *America*, the National Catholic Weekly.****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21285&title=%E2%80%9CNew%20voter%20ID%20laws%20subvert%20democracy%20and%20Catholic%20teaching%E2%80%9D&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in voter id <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=9> | Comments Off ****
>
> * *
>
> *“There’s Nothing Funny About Colbert’s SuperPAC”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21275>
> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21275> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> So says NPR<http://www.npr.org/2011/06/30/137527309/theres-nothing-funny-about-colberts-superpac> …
> giving credence to the idea that it has no sense of humor.****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21275&title=%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20Nothing%20Funny%20About%20Colbert%E2%80%99s%20SuperPAC%E2%80%9D&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in campaign finance <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=10>, election
> law "humor" <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=52> | Comments Off ****
>
> * *
>
> *“Driehaus wins abortion billboard battles”<http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21258>
> *
>
> Posted on August 2, 2011 <http://electionlawblog.org/?p=21258> by Dan
> Tokaji <http://electionlawblog.org/?author=5> ****
>
> See this story<http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201108011744/NEWS0108/110801040>on former U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus’ win over an anti-abortion group that ran
> ads against him that he believed to be misleading. U.S. District Judge
> Timothy Black’s order reportedly allows Driehaus’ defamation lawsuit against
> the Susan B. Anthony List to proceed.****
>
> *Update*:  There are three separate orders in the case, available here<http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/SBA-List-v-Driehaus-defamation1.pdf>,
> here<http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/SBA-List-v-Driehaus-SBA-List-Opinion.pdf> and
> here<http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/SBA-List-v-Driehaus-COAST-Opinion.pdf>
> .****
>
> [image: Description: Share]<http://www.addtoany.com/share_save#url=http%3A%2F%2Felectionlawblog.org%2F%3Fp%3D21258&title=%E2%80%9CDriehaus%20wins%20abortion%20billboard%20battles%E2%80%9D&description=>
> ****
>
> Posted in chicanery <http://electionlawblog.org/?cat=12> | Comments Off **
> **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Daniel Tokaji | Professor of Law****
>
> The Ohio State University | Moritz College of Law****
>
> 55 W. 12th Ave. | Columbus, OH 43210****
>
> 614.292.6566 | tokaji.1 at osu.edu****
>
> ** **
>
> _______________________________________________
> Law-election mailing list
> Law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
> http://department-lists.uci.edu/mailman/listinfo/law-election
>

-- 
Stephen M. Hoersting
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://webshare.law.ucla.edu/Listservs/law-election/attachments/20110803/85b4ba6f/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1520 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://webshare.law.ucla.edu/Listservs/law-election/attachments/20110803/85b4ba6f/attachment.png>