Republicans have adopted language in their platform that would continue to dismantle restrictions on money in federal elections. They say the rights of citizenship don't stop at the ballot box, but extend to the checkbook as well. That stance embraces the Supreme Court's 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which green-lighted unlimited, corporate spending in elections. But the platform runs counter to tighter rules passed in 2002 with the help of former GOP presidential nominee John McCain. The GOP platform calls for raising or repealing contribution limits, which are now capped each election cycle at $5,000 for presidential candidates and about $30,000 to political parties. "Super" political committees, commonly known as super PACs, can currently raise and spend unlimited amounts of cash, but they can't coordinate with the candidates they support. — Jack Gillum — Twitter http://twitter.com/jackgillum ___ EDITOR'S NOTE — Convention Watch shows you the 2012 political conventions through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item. |