Citizen Jeff

Former investigative journalist Viveca Novak, now the editorial and communications director at the Center for Responsive Politics, joined us yesterday. Her fascinating article about James Bopp, the controversial plaintiff’s attorney who originally filed the Citizens United lawsuit, depicts her subject as more committed to the First Amendment than to the Republican Party:

“Though he’s socially conservative and highly partisan, Bopp nonetheless is willing, whenever possible, to find common ground with liberals if it furthers his primary, driving goal: to make the words ‘Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech’ an insurmountable barrier to regulating money in politics.”

I asked Novak if her organization takes any position on campaign finance, or if it maintains a neutral stance, and she said, “We think that donors should be disclosed.”

I’ve heard it argued that some donors would be more likely to give money to challengers if it could be done anonymously, because if the incumbent is reelected, legislative revenge would be a real possibility. Novak escaped before that logic could be explored. But she was a good guest, and I hope she comes back.