Skynyrd, Adkins, Kid Rock line up for RNC convention - House member introduces campaign finance reform amendment - Pro-Obama super PAC dominates early June Presented by Philip Morris International

With Abby Phillip

PI SCOOP… SKYNYRD, ADKINS, KID ROCK LINE UP FOR RNC CONVENTION: Liberty Plaza Events has signed on musical acts Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 26), Trace Adkins (Aug. 28) and Kid Rock (Aug. 29) for the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. Other artists such as Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Randolph and Night Ranger may also appear. There will also be another major act for the closing night "Wheels Up" party that’s still to be announced. Sponsors include the National Energy Institute, Amway, Southern Company; the American Action Network and Citizens United. Liberty Plaza's production partner is PRG, the concert production and touring company responsible for lighting U2's 360 and Madonna's current tour.


The location will also be home to invitation-only events for groups such as the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP whip team and Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.). Late night concerts will benefit the Navy Seal Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project and other veterans programs. Gibson Guitar and The Heritage Foundation will also have hospitality tour buses on hand. "Liberty Plaza is excited that we have the opportunity to honor our nation's heroes and celebrate the sacrifices they made for the freedom we have today," said Ron Bonjean, spokesman for the group.

The venue can fit up to 3,500 people and will offer private air conditioned hospitality lounges. Sponsor packages, including tickets for every night start, at $10,000.

BREAKING … HOUSE MEMBER INTRODUCES CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AMENDMENT: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced a constitutional amendment this afternoon, aimed at overturning the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision. It states: “Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to forbid Congress or the states from imposing content-neutral limitations on private campaign contributions or independent political campaign expenditures. Nor shall this Constitution prevent Congress or the states from enacting systems of public campaign financing, including those designed to restrict the influence of private wealth by offsetting campaign spending or independent expenditures with increased public funding."

Explained Schiff in a statement: “I have always been loath to amend the Constitution, but this tragic line of reasoning by the Supreme Court has so threatened the health of our democracy that I am moved to introduce today's amendment.”

Constitutional amendments, however, are among the most difficult of all political goals to achieve, the last being enacted more than two decades ago.

PI ANALYSIS … PRO-OBAMA SUPER PAC DOMINATES EARLY JUNE: The pro- Barack Obama Priorities USA Action super PAC has caught major flak for its lackluster fundraising compared to its numerous, right-leaning counterparts. But a PI analysis of federal independent expenditure data indicates the super PAC, run by former White House staffers Bill Burton and Sean Sweeney, easily outpaced all others from June 1 to June 15.

Here’s the run-down on the top 10 outside political groups making independent expenditures, which by definition overtly support the election or defeat of a political candidate:

(1) Priorities USA Action: $3.62 million, all in opposition to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney

(2) Service Employees International Union Committee on Political Education: $1.03 million, all in opposition to either Romney or Josh Mandel, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Ohio

(3) American Crossroads: $973,798, most in opposition to Democratic Senate candidates Timothy Kaine (Va.), Shelley Berkley (Nev.) and Bob Kerrey (Neb.) and in support of Republican Senate candidate Heather Wilson (N.M.)

(4) Defenders of Wildlife Action Committee: $538,430, all in opposition to Wilson

(5) Majority PAC: $502,853, all in support of Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) or in opposition to Senate candidate Rep. Richard Berg (R-N.D.)

(6) Club for Growth Action / PAC: $370,420, primarily in opposition to Republican Senate candidate Wilford Cardon in Arizona and in support of Republican House candidate Kevin Cramer in North Dakota

(7) Patriot Majority USA: $180,825, all in opposition to Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.)

(8) House Majority PAC: $161,073, all in opposition to Republican House candidate Jesse Kelly in Arizona

(9) FreedomWorks for America: $146,952, mostly in support of Kelly, Republican House candidate Bruce Poliquin of Maine and Republican Senate candidate Dan Liljenquist of Utah and in opposition to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

(10) Restore America’s Voice PAC: $133,456, all in opposition to Obama

Of note: Pro-Romney super PAC Restore Our Future, which has so far spent more money than any other super PAC this election cycle, didn’t make any independent expenditures during the first half of June, according to federal records.

A rainy Monday to you, but today is hardly as dark as this day 200 years ago, when the War of 1812 began as President James Madison signed a congressional war declaration. Please declare your best tip, hint, suggestion or comment to us at [email protected] and [email protected]. We’d love for you to follow us on Twitter, too, where our handles are @ apalmerdc and @ davelevinthal.

Thanks for reading, and now, back to the day’s top influence industry news …

ONE PARTY NOT HAPPENING: PI would like to apologize for an error in Friday's column. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Oracle and Intel will not be hosting a ticketed live music event. The ITIF is considering hosting a policy event that could be open to the public at the Republican and Democratic national conventions, according to ITIF's Steve Norton.

WHO’S WHO OF K STREET COMES OUT FOR RANGEL B-DAY BASH: Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) may be facing a one of the toughest primary challenges of his long congressional career, but he’s not lacking for friends on K Street. For those unable to make it to Rangel’s birthday bash in New York last week, a D.C. event will be held on Wednesday at the home of political operative John Jameson of Winning Connections, less than a week before the June 26 Democratic primary.

The event is being co-hosted by a long list of K Street notables, including former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) of Gephardt Government Affairs, former Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas) of Polsinelli Shughart, former Rep. Alan Wheat (D-Mo.) of Wheat Government Relations, Vincent Eng of the VENG Group, David Jones of Capitol Counsel, Sudafi Henry of Collins Johnson, Charles Brain of Capitol Hill Strategies and William Oldaker of the Oldaker Law Group. The ask: $250 for an individual, $500 for PACs and $100 for young professionals. Individual hosts can write or raise $1,000 and PAC hosts can write or raise $2,500. Invite here: http://bit.ly/KHaLTK

LOBBYIST, CRAPO SHOOTING FOR POLITICAL CASH: Will Hollier, president of lobbying firm Hollier & Associates, is scheduled to join Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) for a fundraising day in Glen Dale, Md., filled with trap and skeet shooting. “We will have plenty of shooting instructors on hand to provide instructions and assistance to all levels of shooters — from beginners to advanced,” Hollier, a former Crapo staffer, says in an invitation, seen here: http://bit.ly/NGs8F1

The minimum donation, which will benefit Crapo’s Freedom Fund leadership political action committee, is $500. PAC representatives and individuals desiring “host” status pay $1,000, with PAC hosts offering up $2,000. Hollier’s firm has this year represented clients that include Microsoft, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Visa and the city of Twin Falls , Idaho, federal records show.

NO AUSTERITY FOR MARK WARNER: Erskine Bowles, co-chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform — aka the Simpson-Bowles commission — is slated to raise some cash tonight for the Forward Together PAC leadership political action committee of Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) at Graffiato in D.C.’s Chinatown. A ticket to a cocktail reception is $1,000, while dinner and a reception ticket is $2,500. For $5,000, you’ll get admittance to the reception and “priority seating” at the dinner. Renowned chef Mike Isabella will be working the kitchen. See the invitation here: http://bit.ly/PbQDa9

SIMPSON HUNGRY FOR MONEY: Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) is conducting a lunchtime fundraiser today at the Capitol Hill Club, where $500 gets you in the door — $1,000 if you represent a PAC. Details: http://bit.ly/MlLgD6

WALTERS JOINS SMALL BUSINESS INVESTORS ALLIANCE: The Small Business Investor Alliance has named Chris Walters as its senior director for government relations. He comes from the National Federation of Independent Business, where he served as the senior manager for legislative affairs. Earlier, he was a special assistant in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Treasury Department and a legislative aide to then-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). “Chris will be a key member of the SBIA team, especially as the tax reform debate heats up, and we work to protect the ability of our members to invest in American small businesses and job creators,” said SBIA President Brett Palmer.

NO DECISION (YET) BY SCOTUS ON MONTANA CAMPAIGN CASH CASE: The Supreme Court today issued no decision on what to do with a campaign finance case out of Montana — that could have implications on the high court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision of 2010. But there’re a few more decision days ahead this term. So, stay tuned.

MCALLISTER QUINN VPs AND U.S. TRAVEL PAC HOST $$ EVENT FOR FEINSTEIN: McAllister & Quinn VPs Brandon Torres Declet, Ellen Riddleberger and Chris Fish will co-host a breakfast fundraiser along with the U.S. Travel Association’s TRAVEL PAC for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). The Thursday event will be held at the Monocle for $1,000 to attend, $2,500 to co-host and $5,000 to host.

FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION MOVES EXPO TO THE BIG APPLE: The International Franchise Association has moved its franchise expo from the Washington Convention Center to New York after 20 years in D.C. The expo, which is the largest of its kind in the U.S., began on Friday and ended on Sunday at the Javits Center in Manhattan. At a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday morning IFA Chairman Jon Luther said that the departure from D.C. is "reflective of the growing impact of the franchise industry's 825,000 establishments which support 18 million workers in the economy."

DAVIS, STEELE TEAM UP: Democrat Lanny Davis and Republican Michael Steele have teamed up to form Purple Nation Solutions, a bipartisan public affairs and lobby shop. Davis, a Washington staple since the Clinton administration, will continue as special counsel to the law firm Dilworth Paxson, as well as maintaining his own law firm. Davis told PI that since both Steele and he are lawyers, they have attorney-client privilege to get all the facts and then craft a political or message strategy. Eleanor McManus will also be at the new shop.

The firm's name raised a few eyebrows in town given its similarity to the firm Purple Strategies, founded by Steve McMahon and Alex Castellanos, among others. But Davis insists there’s no copy-catting. He’s been authoring a column at different newspapers with the name "Purple Nation" for five years, according to Davis.

WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO FEC REFORM PETITION: Probably just coincidence. But hours after our story about how campaign finance reformers have lost faith in the president ( http://politi.co/LRF5tR), the White House on Friday released a response to a petition, submitted by campaign finance reformers in February, demanding an overhaul of the Federal Election Commission and other election law changes. The Obama administration, White House official Tonya Robinson wrote, is “committed to nominating highly qualified individuals” to lead the FEC because “the agency … deserves no less.” Dave has the details: http://politi.co/NGqCTb

FOR THOSE WHO MISSED IT: Because of some technical difficulties, one PI scoop didn't make it into Friday's emailed edition: Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Antonin Scalia were seated at separate tables power lunching Friday at Tosca. Scalia with wine, while Roberts’s table sipped iced tea. One PI tipster also spotted several health care lobbyists, including some that rep Merck and PhRMA (of course, eating at separate tables). PI can only imagine — doing everything they could to keep from breaking open the justices' briefcases to get a sneak peak at any decision.

MANDEL GETS MAJOR BOOST FROM OUTSIDE CASH: Ohio Republican Josh Mandel is getting a serious boost from outside political groups as he fights to win a Senate seat. Our David Catanese has the story: http://politi.co/MJ8aTo

MONDAY MUST-READS:

- A “white nationalism” group — Crusaders for Yahweh-Aryan Nations — has registered to lobby the federal government, notes Kevin Bogardus of The Hill: http://bit.ly/LA3G1S

- Post-Watergate campaign finance reforms have been systematically undone in recent years, The Washington Post’s Dan Eggen writes: http://wapo.st/Mnt4XC

- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) got a little excited Sunday on NBC’s “ Meet the Press” about campaign finance issues. Via CNN: http://bit.ly/LwVG3n

- Legislative candidates in Georgia are embracing reforms on gifts from lobbyists, writes Chris Joyner of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http://bit.ly/LA3yQ5

NEW POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE REGISTRATIONS:

United American for a Brighter Future of Palm Harbor, Fla. — Treasurer: Dominique Samei

Massachusetts Blue PAC (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) of Boston — Treasurer: Deirdre Savage

Enxco Inc. Political Action Committee of Portland, Ore. — Treasurer: Virinder Singh

Cumberland Gulf Leadership Fund of Framingham, Mass. — Treasurer: Howard S. Rosenstein

IUPAT District Council 82 of Little Canada, Minn. — Treasurer: Warren Harder

Citizens for Prosperity and Reform Movement LLC of Irvine, Calif. — Treasurer: Bill Sidhu (super PAC)

Special Operations for America of Whitefish, Mont. — Treasurer: Christopher S. Hyatt (super PAC)

Native American Republican Super PAC of Sacramento, Calif. — Treasurer: Charles H. Bell Jr. (super PAC)

NEW LOBBYING REGISTRATIONS: (Firm: Client)

Crowell & Moring LLP: Lancaster General Health

Crusaders for Yahweh — Aryan Nations LLC: Crusaders For Yahweh — Aryan Nations LLC

Grant Consulting Group: Industrial Piping Inc.

HC Project Advisors: Lone Star Rail District

K&L Gates: C-Metric Inc.

K&L Gates: Liberty Interactive Corporation

McBee Strategic Consulting LLC: Citigroup Management Corporation

R&R Partners Inc.: Hurt, Norton & Associates (Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development)

Strategies 360: Chi-square Technologies

The Majority Group LLC: National Asset Direct

Williams and Jensen PLLC: Kansas Department of Commerce

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