Common Cause
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| Founded | 1970 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
Area served
|
United States |
| Method | Advocacy |
| Website | www |
Common Cause is a progressive nonprofit watchdog and political advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1970 by John W. Gardner, the former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in the administration of President Lyndon Johnson.
Contents
Organizational overview
Common Cause's stated mission is to "work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process."[1]
Common Cause's past president and CEO was Robert W. Edgar, a former Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives.[2][3] He served from 2007 until his death in April 2013.[4] His successor, Miles Rapoport, former President of Demos, began work with the organization in March 2014.
During Rapoport's tenure, the organization has sought to address climate change, gun control, student debt, and the minimum wage. Common Cause has also targeted the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a conservative group, partially on the grounds that ALEC opposes climate change legislation.[5]
In September 2010, Robert Reich the former Secretary of Labor in the administration of President Bill Clinton, became the Chairman of the National Governing Board.[6] Archibald Cox, the former Watergate Special Prosecutor, was Chairman of Common Cause from 1980 to 1992.[7]
Activities
Common Cause has lobbied for campaign finance reform in the United States.[8] In 1974, Common Cause supported passage of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA).[9]
Common Cause advocates a voter-verified paper audit trail for election machines in all states. The organization has documented complaints about electronic voting machines.[10] Common Cause is in favor of establishing a national popular vote for presidential elections to replace the current electoral college system.[11]
In 1972, Common Cause sued President Richard Nixon's re-election campaign, the Committee for the Re-Election of the President, under the Federal Corrupt Practices Act in an attempt to force Nixon's campaign to report early campaign contributions.[12] The lawsuit forced the disclosure of the names of several Nixon donors.[5]
Common Cause opposes modern day efforts to call a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution.[13][14]
Common Cause Magazine
From 1980 through 1996, Common Cause published Common Cause Magazine.[15] The magazine was described by Jeffrey Birnbaum of the Washington Post as "a deeply researched, finger-in-your-eye sort of periodical." The magazine won more than two dozen journalism awards.[16]
Common Cause considered acquiring the Washington Monthly magazine,[16] but the deal fell apart in 2008.[17]
Investigation into Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas's personal finances
In January 2011, Common Cause filed a petition with the Justice Department, seeking an investigation about whether United States Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas should have recused themselves from the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case.[18] Common Cause then investigated the financial filings of Thomas, saying that Thomas did not include his wife's income in his filings.[19]
In 2011, the group hosted a rally near the site of a meeting of wealthy conservative donors organized by the Koch family. A videographer for the Breitbart News Network interviewed several attendees who made racist remarks about Thomas, such as suggesting he should be lynched and that he should be "put back in the fields."[20] Another person suggested that Fox News CEO Roger Ailes should be killed. Common Cause condemned such rhetoric.[21]
Funding
The organization states that its annual combined budget is $12 million. This includes its sister educational foundation. Common Cause receives funding from, among other groups, George Soros' Open Society Institute.[22]
References
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- ↑ http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4860221
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