Stunning Statistics of the Week:
$5.2 million: Amount President Barack Obama’s campaign spent last year for Internet advertising
$9.5 million: Amount Obama’s campaign spent on telemarketing
$2.6 million: Amount GOP contender Newt Gingrich spent on telemarketing
$1.3 million: Amount Obama’s campaign spent on credit card fees for donations
$143,862: Amount Obama’s campaign spent last year on text messages
New Mexico Legislature approved amendment resolution
New Mexico’s Legislature has passed a resolution calling on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections. New Mexico is now the second state to pass such a resolution (Hawaii was the first).
Supreme Court showdown
Corporations challenging the Montana Supreme Court’s decision upholding the state’s restrictions on corporate political expenditures have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to put the law on hold pending a decision on whether the Supremes will hear the case. Montana’s Attorney General has responded that the challengers are asking the court “to invalidate Montana’s Corrupt Practices Act – an Act that has safeguarded the republican form of government in Montana for a century from the scourge of political corruption.” The challengers’ request will be considered by Justice Anthony Kennedy and may be referred to the full court for decision.
