"Show Me the Donors: What's the point of disclosing campaign donations? Let's review."

Slate has just posted my latest Jurisprudence column. It begins:

What's the point of disclosing campaign donations? With all the controversy still swirling around whether the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is using foreign money to fund its $75 million effort to support Republican Congressional candidates, the secrecy of Karl Rove's new political groups, and the emergence of new groups with anodyne-sounding names like the "Coalition to Protect Seniors," it's worth stepping back and asking why federal law requires campaign finance disclosure in the first place. Do we still need these laws? Do they work the way they're supposed to?

"No One's Clean on Election Cash"

WaPo's Ruth Marcus blogs.

"Voters Say They Want To Know Who Funds Ads"

Part 2 of the NPR story on secret money. See also Analysis: Little Truth in Many Groups' Campaign Ads.

"Outside Political Spending Surging in 2010 Midterms"

The indispensable Center for Responsive Politics reports.

For Those Waiting for a Direct Corporate Expenditure in Support of a Candidate

Wait no more: Penneco Oil Company for Senate candidate Pat Toomey.

The California Propositions...to Music?

Really.

"Q&A: New York Times Investigative Reporter Mike McIntire"

Don't miss this discussion about how the NYT tries to follow the money given the new secrecy in elections. I flag as exemplary McIntre's work in my Slate piece which I will link to momentarily.

"Renaud: Business Leaders Have Opening to Sway Voters"

D. Mark Renaud has written this Roll Call oped, which begins: "With 20 days left before this year's general election, time is running out for business leaders and others to have an effect. Leaders of businesses large and small should not overlook a strong and easy-to-implement option available to them for the first time -- direct communications to rank-and-file employees expressly about the election or defeat of clearly identified candidates."

"Election Administration 2010: States to Watch"

That's the lead story in this week's Electionline Weekly.

"Early Voting Off to a Fast Start in Democratic Areas of Ohio"

Mike McDonald blogs.

"The Chamber's False Claim on Union Political Funding"

This post appears at the AFL-CIO Now blog.

"Illinois Candidate's Name Misspelled As ''Rich Whitey' On Electronic-Voting Machines"

This election season, you just can't make up stuff as funny or interesting as the truth.

"'Nonpolitical" Groups Target Democrats In Ad Blitz"

Don't miss Part 1 of this NPR report on secret money in the 2010 elections. Part 2 airs tonight.