Topic: Citizens United

The Democratic National Committee's virtual roll call to nominate Kamala Harris is discussed alongside her search for a running mate, specifically Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The campaign's $310 million July fundraising total is scrutinized, with allegations that ActBlue is used to launder foreign money through small, split donations. The hosts argue that the sudden influx of cash is suspicious and potentially illegal.

Analysis of Michael Bloomberg's failed presidential bid suggests that massive advertising spending is ineffective in high-profile presidential campaigns due to the volume of free media. Despite spending $500 million, Bloomberg failed to gain significant traction, challenging the long-held belief that elections can be bought. This outcome complicates the Democratic narrative regarding the influence of "dark money" and the Citizens United ruling.

The Global Citizen Festival in Central Park featured performances by Green Day and an appearance by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau received a Global Citizen Award and delivered a speech condemning racism, sexism, and various forms of bigotry.

Sir Adam of Des Moines is recognized for his donation and his humorous claim of getting the show's address on the Koch Brothers' permanent holiday card mailing list. The hosts discuss how the election results invalidated Democratic talking points regarding the influence of Citizens United and the Koch brothers.

Newly released emails from Judicial Watch and Citizens United highlight the role of Huma Abedin and Dennis Cheng in coordinating between the State Department and Clinton Foundation donors. The emails show Cheng, a former foundation fundraiser, facilitating access for high-level donors and celebrities like Bono. The hosts describe Cheng as a "bag man" who seamlessly integrated political fundraising with official government business.

Hillary Clinton has proposed a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United ruling. The hosts argue this is a personal grudge stemming from a 2008 documentary critical of her. They contend that limiting campaign spending is a violation of the First Amendment and that the proposal is politically unfeasible.

The failure of Jeb Bush's campaign, despite a $150 million "war chest," is cited as evidence that the Citizens United ruling does not guarantee electoral victory. Critics of campaign finance laws often argue that money buys elections, yet Bush's 7.8% finish in South Carolina contradicts this narrative. The discussion suggests that the media promotes the "money equals winning" theory because they are the primary beneficiaries of massive campaign advertising spends.

The Democratic candidates debated the influence of Super PACs and corporate donations on political decision-making. Clinton accused Sanders of an "artful smear" by implying her votes were influenced by speaking fees and campaign contributions. Sanders countered by pointing to the deregulation of Wall Street in the 1990s as evidence of the corrupting power of lobbying money.

President Obama called for an end to gerrymandering and a reduction in the influence of money in politics. The segment argues that the success of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders proves that the "Citizens United" era of big-money dominance is being challenged by grassroots movements. Additionally, recent media attempts to link the Koch brothers' family history to Nazi Germany are dismissed as "nasty" propaganda.

The 2016 election cycle has demonstrated that massive Super PAC spending, such as the $40 million wasted by Jeb Bush, cannot guarantee success against a populist movement. Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have both utilized small, unsolicited donations to bypass the traditional "donor class" and the expected influence of the Citizens United ruling.

The impact of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision is debated, with a focus on how it affects both Republican and Democratic fundraising. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Ben Carson are negotiating with CNBC over the format and length of upcoming primary debates.

The media's opposition to campaign finance reform is explained by their reliance on political ad revenue. Meanwhile, former NPR executives are criticized for moving into "native advertising" in the podcasting space. The influence of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on PBS NewsHour's editorial direction is also noted.

Senator Chuck Grassley criticizes a proposal by Harry Reid to amend the First Amendment to allow Congress to regulate campaign spending. The hosts read the text of the joint resolution, which aims to limit the influence of corporations and "artificial entities" in elections, noting it is a response to the Citizens United ruling.

Senator Ted Cruz compares the proposed amendment to Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, suggesting it would give Congress the power to ban books and movies. The discussion clarifies that the Citizens United case originated from a documentary critical of Hillary Clinton and involved a non-profit rather than a for-profit corporation. Testimony is presented suggesting that the predicted "flood" of corporate wealth into campaigns has not materialized as expected.

A constitutional lawyer provides an eyewitness account of a Supreme Court hearing regarding the EPA's regulatory power over greenhouse gases, describing the justices' questions as disappointing and politically pandering. During the session, a protester from the group "99 Rise" was arrested for shouting about Citizens United and corporate personhood. The protest was filmed using smuggled devices, possibly Google Glass, and later praised by Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks.

The "We the People" petition platform on WhiteHouse.gov has received hundreds of thousands of signatures on various topics, including a request to deport CNN host Piers Morgan for his stance on gun control. While the President responded to petitions regarding gun violence and the use of monkeys in military training, other high-traffic petitions are often ignored or used to promote existing administration agendas.

Robert Reich criticizes the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision for treating corporations as people with First Amendment rights. Meanwhile, in Germany, a debate over Israeli-style passenger profiling at airports is rejected by the Justice Minister as discriminatory and unconstitutional.

President Obama delivered a speech on C-SPAN criticizing the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision and "shadowy" corporate interest groups. The hosts dismiss the speech as pathetic whining, pointing out that Democrats controlled the House, Senate, and Executive branch at the time, making his complaints about Republican obstructionism illogical.

The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC is discussed as a financial windfall for mainstream media companies. The ruling allows corporations to spend unlimited funds on political advertising, effectively granting them rights superior to those of individual citizens.

The US Supreme Court issued a landmark 5-4 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, overturning restrictions on corporate and union spending for political campaign ads. The hosts argue this decision effectively ends American democracy by allowing corporations like Monsanto to flood the airwaves with repetitious advertising. Justice Sonia Sotomayor's dissent is noted.