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ABOUT CENTER FOR COMPETITIVE POLITICS
MISSION
Our mission is to promote and defend citizens' First Amendment political rights of speech, assembly, and petition. This means opposing so-called reformers' efforts to limit campaign contributions, taxpayer funded political campaigns, the "fairness doctrine" in talk radio and other limits on citizens' ability to support the candidates and causes of their choice.
CCP is the only organization dedicated solely to protecting First Amendment political rights. We seek to do this by educating the public and government leaders on the dangers of so-called campaign finance reform, the real impact of money in politics and the benefits of a more free and competitive political system.
In our short history we have achieved several major victories for free speech. Since 2005, we have:
Contributed crucial original research and other evidence in every significant campaign finance case before the Supreme Court, and in several lower court actions. The Supreme Court struck down two key components of McCain-Feingold in Wisconsin Right to Life v. Federal Election Commission and Davis v. Federal Election Commission, and also delivered a major setback to campaign finance regulation when it ruled Vermont's contribution limits were too low in Randall v. Sorrell.
Increased our visibility and influence in the public debate. We are increasingly sought after by legislative bodies and executive agencies for testimony, commentary and research. Brad Smith recently testified before the House Administration Committee on H.R. 1826, the Bailout for Politicians.
Successfully derailed taxpayer funded political campaigns on the state level. After experimenting with taxpayer financed campaigns in 2005 and 2007, New Jersey's legislature abandoned efforts to extend and expand the program for 2009, and several other states have rejected these schemes as well. In all of these cases, CCP has provided crucial information to elected officials, media, activists, and concerned citizens that led to the decision to abandon these schemes.
Directly represent plaintiffs in court to challenge campaign finance laws on First Amendment grounds, as well as supporting efforts by others to strike these laws down. State and federal judges have rejected significant restrictions on First Amendment political rights in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, and elsewhere. CCP has helped to lead the effort in state and federal courts against these laws.
THE PROBLEM WITH CAMPAIGN FINANCE "REFORM"
Campaign finance "reform" may seem like an obscure regulatory system that has little effect on our daily lives — or even our political lives. But it's an assault on the First Amendment and a transfer of power from citizens to incumbent politicians.
Opponents of free speech often hide behind the banner of campaign finance "reform" and are working hard to impose ever more burdensome restrictions on our rights to express ourselves about politics, government policy and candidates.
These "reformers" are well financed, and if left unchallenged, will ultimately destroy a pillar of our American republic: a free and competitive political process anchored on robust debate and free speech.
Political donations are not just a form of speech, they are crucial to allowing political speech to flourish. That's why eliminating, or even limiting, the right to make a donation to a candidate is a violation of our First Amendment rights.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
"The Center for Competitive Politics has taken the lead on defending the First Amendment against those seeking to limit and control political speech. Their successful efforts have led to more freedom for citizens to support the candidates and causes of their choice without government interference."
Ed Crane
President, Cato Institute
"The Center for Competitive Politics effectively advocates a perspective on campaign finance and the First Amendment that too often went unheard before their arrival. By producing important research, commentary, and analysis, the Center has added a new voice and made a serious contribution to the way elected officials, media, the public, and the courts view these issues."
Marc Elias
Chair, Political Law Practice; Perkins Coie
"Finally, there's an organization dedicated to fighting for the idea that the Founding Fathers meant it when they wrote ‘Congress shall make no law...' Many of my colleagues in the media have come to rely on CCP for straight answers, sound research, and a pro-First Amendment perspective on campaign finance issues."
John Fund
Columnist, Wall Street Journal Online
"The Center for Competitive Politics has provided invaluable and essential research to oppose the so-called ‘clean elections' attack on core constitutional values of the First Amendment. My legislative colleagues and I have been helped greatly in our understanding of this important issue thanks to CCP."
Jay Webber
New Jersey Assemblyman
"As an FEC Commissioner I found CCP's analysis, comments, and insight to be extraordinarily valuable to me and my fellow Commissioners. The so-called reform community has become concerned now that they are being aggressively challenged by CCP."
Hans van Spakovsky
Former FEC Commissioner and Visiting Legal Scholar at The Heritage Foundation's Center for Legal and Judicial Studies
HOW CCP IS FUNDED
In order to maintain its independence, the Center for Competitive Politics accepts no government funding. We receive funding from individuals and foundations, with small amounts coming from corporations. CCP is a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational foundation under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to CCP are tax-exempt under the law.
