Sneaky Super PACs and the Partisan FEC That Hasn't Regulated Them

The Political Landscape is a weekly podcast where we discuss the news of the day with leading experts.

This week, we’re discussing Super PACs and fraudulent campaign fundraising. Since 2011, Super PACs have raised over $100 million to spend promoting political candidates and issues. That’s exponentially more money spent on an eleciton than ever before. And we’re not even to November. But to this point, the FEC has not passed regulations specifically addressing Super PACs. Earlier this week, National Journal’s Shane Goldmacher published a story about one particular Super PAC, the Coalition of Americans for Political Equality — or CAPE PAC — that is using arguably deceptive means to raise money.

First, we’ll talk to Shane to find out how he came across this story, how CAPE PAC has responded to the story, and what the organization's future might be. 

Then we’ll hear from Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Rick is an expert on campaign finance law and frequently writes on the subject for Slate and Politico. He also runs the Election Law Blog and authored the recent book, "The Voting Wars." He’ll give more details on how the FEC has changed its approach to regulation and how the organization might handle these unregulated new forms of fundraising.

Check out past episodes of the Political Landscape.

Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.