3 major corporations say they'll suspend donations to the Republican Attorneys General Association, which helped drive participation in last Wed's events
6. The Republican Attorneys General Association, through its policy arm the Rule of Law Defense Fund (RLDF), sent a robo-call urging "patriots" to congregate at the White House and then "march to Congress" to "stop the steal."
7. RAGA also played a key role in setting the predicate for what devolved into a violent riot. Starting weeks before the election, the organization pushed conspiracy theories suggesting Democrats were conspiring to "steal" the election.
"If it does last, the tourniquet on giving would impost a small but significant constriction in the system of political fund raising that favors incumbents, provides access for lobbyists and helps decide who rises to leadership positions."
"Of the 399 House incumbents who ran for re-election last year, 86 raised more than half of their campaign money from business PACs in the 2020 election cycle"
"Republicans are scrambling to contain the fallout as major donors freeze political contributions and distance themselves from lawmakers who voted to overturn the Electoral College results."
"House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who voted to reject electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania, has been calling existing donors trying to calm nerves"
"One lobbyist described McCarthy calls to donors: “I would equate it to trying to get a plane out of a spin, trying to level the wings.”
1. Here is some information you won't read about in Politico Playbook today.
On Jan 5, @benshapiro turned over his "Daily Shapiro Action" email to Ted Cruz.
Cruz used the opportunity to push his bogus allegations that the election was invalid.
@benshapiro 2. @benshapiro guest-edited Politico Playbook today, which was a coup for him because he likes to posture himself as an "intellectual" who rejects conspiracy theories and misinformation.
But that's not what happens behind the scenes.
And I have receipts.
3. In July, I reported how there was "an undisclosed financial relationship between The Daily Wire, the website founded by Ben Shapiro, and Mad World News, a notorious outlet that exploits fear and bigotry for profit."
This is especially brutal for Hawley, because Hallmark is headquartered in his home state. This was the cover of today's Kansas City Star.
3. @AmericanExpress also gets its own category. It will no longer donate to any member of Congress that objected to the Electoral College vote on Wednesday. A spokesperson told popular.info that decision was permanent.
1. Republicans are convinced the PAC announcements are all a bad dream and soon they will wake up and the money will return.
2. "The sheer extent of the Republican opposition will make it difficult for businesses to simply cut off those who voted against certifying Biden’s victory, said a senior Republican business strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity."