Your weekly newsletter on money-in-politics

Your weekly newsletter on money in politics.
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
October 10th, 2019
This week in money-in-politics

Presidential contenders still not disclosing bundlers

[link removed] a break from tradition and a blow to transparency, presidential candidates are still not revealing information about the well-connected donors helping them raise campaign cash.

Federal candidates are not required to disclose information about bundlers — elite fundraisers who solicit contributions to a candidate from wealthy friends, business associates and other contacts — unless the bundler is a federal lobbyist. However, previous presidential candidates such as George W. Bush, John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voluntarily disclosed at least some information about their bundlers.

As with his 2016 campaign, President Donald Trump is hiding the fundraisers who are powering his 2020 reelection bid. And many of Trump’s Democratic opponents appear to be following his lead.

Read more ([link removed])
[link removed]
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed] http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2FgF7QET Tweet ([link removed] http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2FgF7QET)
[link removed] Forward to Friend ([link removed])
[link removed]


** US-based foreign agent bankrolled Ukraine President Zelensky’s DC lobbying in hopes of Ukrainian government job

------------------------------------------------------------
A little known U.S.-based attorney quietly poured six figures into foreign influence operations for President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, hoping to be rewarded with a job in his administration, foreign agent records identified by OpenSecrets show. Read more ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Congress to K Street: 176 members left for influence gigs over last decade
------------------------------------------------------------
Over the last decade, at least 176 members of Congress joined the influence industry. A majority of those former lawmakers took their talents to K Street lobbying firms or major law firms that engage in federal lobbying work. Read More ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Why are super PACs and other outside groups spending so little this cycle?
------------------------------------------------------------
The $27.5 million in outside spending through Oct. 7 is less than half of what it was at this point in the 2018 cycle and substantially lower than 2016. Read More ([link removed])

============================================================
Turkey outspends Kurdish forces on influence activities in Washington

** ([link removed])
Turkey launched its long-planned military operation on Wednesday to wipe out the Kurdish militia along its southern border with Syria, following a White House announcement on Sunday that the U.S. would step aside by withdrawing all its troops from the region.

The decision quickly drew criticism, with some of President Donald Trump’s fiercest allies condemning him for leaving behind Kurdish forces who helped fight against the Islamic State. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) swiftly proposed legislation within hours of the attack to sanction Turkey for invading northern Syria.

Trump’s sudden shift in the U.S. foreign policy in the region comes amid controversy over his business connections with Turkey and aligns with the president’s pledge to stay out of foreign conflicts. It also takes place at a time when Turkish interests hired an army of lobbyists to sway U.S. politics.
** Read More ([link removed])
Have a friend you think would like our money-in-politics newsletter?
** Click here to forward this email! ([link removed])

OpenSecrets in the News

See where we've been cited by media outlets around the nation this week.

* ** Former Trump officials and lobbyists dined with Zelensky campaign at Trump hotel months before infamous phone call (CNBC) ([link removed])
Before President Donald Trump’s controversial phone call with the president of the Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky’s closest advisors established contact with Washington, D.C., power players, including former senior administration officials.

* ** Trump-linked billionaires ride to Collins’ rescue with new PAC (Maine Beacon) ([link removed])
The 1820 PAC is a conservative political action committee that has launched a massive TV advertising campaign backing Senator Susan Collins for re-election.

* ** Top airline CEOs are donating to this political group for 2020 (Fox Business) ([link removed])
As the 2020 U.S. elections draw near, top airline executives and CEOs are donating money to one particular political action committee with a very particular political bent.

** The Wall Street Journal ([link removed])
** USA Today ([link removed])

** CNN ([link removed])

** Bloomberg ([link removed])

** Politico ([link removed])
** The Connecticut Mirror ([link removed])
** The Buffalo News ([link removed])
** The Philadelphia Inquirer ([link removed])
** NJ.com ([link removed])

** Chicago Sun Times ([link removed])
** Roll Call ([link removed])
** The Washington Free Beacon ([link removed])

** Vox ([link removed])
** MarketWatch ([link removed])



** See more here ([link removed])

** tryu2.jpg ([link removed])
** count-cah-make-change.png ([link removed])
** Chair-nave.jpg ([link removed])
Copyright © 2019 Center for Responsive Politics, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website, OpenSecrets.org.

Our mailing address is:
Center for Responsive Politics
1300 L Street NW
Suite 200
Washington, District of Columbia xxxxxx
USA
** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
** update subscription preferences ([link removed])