Pro-Perry super PAC goes all in - Watchdogs hold out hope for W.H. rule - Leadership PAC for Judy Chu - K Street continues to prep for Occupy protests Presented by Philip Morris International

PRO-PERRY SUPER PAC GOES ALL IN: The Pro- Rick Perry super PAC Make Us Great Again on Monday spent more than $577,000 on new ads (see here: http://politi.co/tn4Uq5) touting the Texas governor as he struggles to right his Republican presidential bid. That breaks down as $550,692 for a “media buy” and $26,759.20 for “media production.” The ads are running in Iowa and South Carolina. The Make Us Great Again PAC has already spent into the high six-figures promoting Perry since he entered the race in August.

WATCHDOGS HOLD OUT HOPE FOR W.H. RULE: Public Citizen's Craig Holman told PI that he doesn't see the White House’s 30-day extension of the comment period on a rule that would change how administration officials can interact with trade associations and other nonprofits that lobby as evidence that the rule will be watered down. "That's not what I'm hearing," Holman said, reiterating that he hopes the rule will be as "strong as possible."


Holman conceded that the White House may back off the essentially no-cup-of-coffee rule to allow a de minimis standard.

Trade associations have come out in force to oppose the rule, arguing that officials should be allowed to travel to association trade shows and attend meetings where they aren’t speakers. They also say the rule looks to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

The extended comment period ends Dec. 14.

LEADERSHIP PAC FOR JUDY CHU: Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) has formed a new leadership political action committee, which she’s dubbed LAPAC Leadership PAC, according to federal records. Vincent A. Eng will serve as treasurer of the D.C.-based committee.

UPDATE: The PAC’s name is actually the CAPAC Leadership PAC, although FEC filings list it as “LAPAC Leadership PAC.” Explains Kimberly Goulart, director of government and political affairs for the Veng Group, which is working with the PAC: “It was a typo; FEC is reviewing and correcting it now.”

GOOD TUESDAY AFTERNOON! Keep on sending us hot tips, juicy gossip and all the rest happening on K Street to [email protected] and [email protected]. If you don't already, follow us on Twitter at @ davelevinthal and @ apalmerdc. Recent new followers include: @MattDeLuca, @parmfarm, @wnycubical, @jmgehrke, @joannajyw @chaseeverton.

Are you going to POLITICO's big Policy + Politics 20011 Conference Awards Dinner tonight? Good, because we are too! Anna and Dave will be there, so be sure to introduce yourself.

In the meantime, here's your daily dose of all things K Street.

K ST CONTINUES TO PREP FOR OCCUPY PROTESTS: Lincoln Property Company isn't taking any chances when it comes to the Occupy protests. The building is going into lockdown starting tonight at 6 p.m. — requiring an access pass to enter the building. While visitors will be allowed in, they must be confirmed by the organization. "We understand that the nature of your businesses require that you be accessible to visitors; however if there are any meetings that are flexible this week; it's is advised that they not be held on Wednesday or Thursday if possible," according to a memo obtained by PI.

SPOTTED ON THE HILL: Norm Mineta, former Bush administration secretary of transportation and Clinton administration secretary of commerce, was on Capitol Hill today with the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars discussing emerging automotive technologies and policy solution for achieving new CAFE standards, according to a PI tipster. Mineta penned a white paper on the subject last month and has been pushing for more inclusive technology policies for autos. Mineta is vice chair of public policy at Hill+Knowlton Strategies

THIRD WAY GETS ZESTY: Third Way kicked off the holiday party season this year with its annual fete Monday evening at Zest. K-Streeters, politicos and scribes were there in force. Spotted: Hannah Simone of the NEI; Sohini Gupta of United Healthcare; Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) aide Trevor Kincaid; Chuck Babington of the AP; Jim Oliphant of the LA Times; and Rob Keast and Meredith Berger of Third Way. AT&T's Lyndon Boozer, Betsy Barrett an aide in Rep. John Dingell's (D-Mich.) office; Sophie Shulman of the Department of Energy; Dana Gray of IBM; Trey Hawkins of CUNA; and Janet Boyd of Dow were also in the crowd.

CLAY GOES TGIF FOR $$? Tired of swanky fundraisers at Washington hotspots like Capitol Grille or Oceanaire? Rep. Lacy Clay has just the thing. The Missouri Democrat is throwing a fundraiser Friday at T.G.I. Friday's restaurant. Not only is the venue a little different, so is Clay's dollar dance. The ask: "You know the amount you will contribute. It's appreciated," according to the DCCC fundraiser list.

PROFILING THE SUPER PAC PACK: 2012 may be the year of the super PAC operative. Republicans and Democrats are building extra-party infrastructure looking to raise unlimited cash, much of it anonymous, under a new legal framework that has shaken up how congressional and presidential campaigns are financed. Ken Vogel is joined by Dave and Anna in profiling four of the key super PAC movers and shakers this election cycle: http://politi.co/vHUBMY

NEWT COURTS K STREET: Today on POLITICO, Ken Vogel and Anna take a look at the former speaker's new push to solicit K-Streeters and former staff for campaign contributions. An extra tidbit from tax lobbyist and Gingrich supporter Ken Kies that didn’t make it into the story:

Q — Will there be an effort by [Newt’s] D.C. supporters to court lobbyists and folks on the Hill who had previously committed to other candidates?

A — I'm not sure he's going to spend a lot of time on lobbyists because the reality is many of them talk a good game but don't write many of their own checks. They tend to be good at functioning on "OPM," "Other Peoples Money". The Republicans on the Hill will get behind whoever is the Republican candidate.

Click here for the full story: http://politi.co/soubZ4

IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE: Check out PI colleague Tony Romm's takeout on mobile payment processing company Square hiring tech lobbying firm Franklin Square Group to be its eyes and ears in Washington. The full story for Pros: http://politico.pro/tHiABB

CAIN SUPER PAC CONSIDERS BACKING ANOTHER CANDIDATE: A cash-flush super PAC that supported Herman Cain plans to pivot away from the conservative businessman and potentially support another GOP hopeful. “We’re going to make sure the most electable conservative possible wins,” the fund’s campaign director, Jordan Gehrke, tells us. “This all just happened. So we’re making calls. Our plan is to stay active, but we want to do that in conjunction with our donors.” Read Dave’s full story here: http://politi.co/vG6MbM

MOST INTERESTING NEW POLITICAL PARTY REGISTRATION THIS MONTH: The Child Socialist Party, which filed paperwork this week with the Federal Election Commission. Its treasurer is listed as Denise Y. Thompson of Winston-Salem, N.C.

AUDIO … PI ON AM: The rise of Newt Gingrich is the topic of the morning as Dave chats with of WBEN-AM 930 in Buffalo, N.Y. Listen to the clip here: http://bit.ly/ukjlOI

NEW POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES:

Republican Truth Squad PAC of Atlanta — Treasurer: William Greene (independent expenditure-only committee)

NEW REGISTRATIONS: (Firm: Client)

Etherton and Associates, Inc.: United Technologies Corporation

JM Burkman & Associates: Nine Bridges

JM Burkman & Associates: Tricoir

Patton Boggs: Smart Growth America

Searfoss Consulting Group: Cardiology Advocacy Alliance

Steve Buyer Group: Omnicare

The Majority Group: Property Liquidators

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