| Subject: [EL] Electionlawblog news and commentary 12/6/10 |
| From: Rick Hasen |
| Date: 12/5/2010, 10:44 PM |
| To: Election Law |
Reply-to: "rick.hasen@lls.edu" |
WaPo offers this
report. A snippet: "Dozens of freshmen lawmakers have held
receptions at Capitol Hill bistros and corporate townhouses in
recent weeks, taking money from K Street lobbyists and other
powerbrokers within days of their victories. Newly elected House
members have raised at least $2 million since the election,
according to preliminary Federal Election Commission records
filed last week, and many more contributions have yet to be
tallied. The aggressive fundraising efforts underscore the
financial pressures facing new members of Congress even before
they take their seats. The contributions also represent a
symbolic challenge for the Republican class of 2010, many of
whom gained office by running against the ways of official
Washington and monied interests." Cue the Talking
Heads.
AP reports.
AP offers this
report, which begins: "The conservative-dominated U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights has published a report criticizing
the Justice Department for its handling of voting rights
accusations against the New Black Panther Party." The interim
report notes: The following interim report was adopted by
the Commission on November 19, 2010.(1) Although this version of
the report does not contain Commissioner statements (which will
be added at a later date), the substance of the report is
complete. It was the decision of the Commission to immediately
post this version, given that an earlier draft of the report had
been leaked to the press. It is also anticipated that additional
links and footnote citations will be added." Footnote 1 reads:
"Chairman Reynolds and Commissioners Gaziano, Heriot, Kirsanow,
and Taylor voted in favor; Commissioners Melendez and Yaki voted
against; Vice Chair Thernstrom was absent."
This
article in the St. Cloud Times begins: "It's easy
to vote in Minnesota. Too easy, say some Republican leaders, who
are taking aim at a number of Minnesota's voting laws as they
prepare to take control of both legislative chambers."
The Alaska Dispatch explores.
The NY Times offers this
report, which begins: "Republicans claimed they had
retaken the New York State Senate on Saturday after a State
Supreme Court justice rejected a hand recount of a pivotal race
in Nassau County. But Democrats said they planned to appeal the
decision this week, leaving the balance of power in the chamber
still in some doubt. "
Steve Bickerstaff's oped
for the Austin-American Statesman begins: "Some of the
reaction to the conviction of former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay has
amazed me. Some arguments (such as possible innocence) might be
bona fide reasons for disputing any criminal conviction, but a
claim that someone is above the law is outrageous."
-- Rick Hasen William H. Hannon Distinguished Professor of Law Loyola Law School 919 Albany Street Los Angeles, CA 90015-1211 (213)736-1466 (213)380-3769 - fax rick.hasen@lls.edu http://www.lls.edu/academics/faculty/hasen.html http://electionlawblog.org