Derek Willis
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Articles by Derek Willis
After a Decade of Tracking Politicians’ Deleted Tweets, Politwoops Is No More - Derek Willis
Politicians haven’t stopped deleting some of their most cringeworthy tweets, but Politwoops, our project that has tracked and archived more than half a million deleted tweets from candidates and elected officials since 2012, is no longer able to track them. Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, the platform has disabled the function we used to track deletions — and the new method that Twitter says should identify them appears to be broken.
Farewell, PolitWoops. Thanks, Elmo!
Politicians haven’t stopped deleting some of their most cringeworthy tweets, but Politwoops, our project that has tracked and archived more than half a million deleted tweets from candidates and elected officials since 2012, is no longer able to track them. Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, the platform has disabled the function we used to track deletions — and the new method that Twitter says should identify them appears to be broken.
The Unorthodox Orthodox Super PAC
By Derek Willis - March 7, 2022 - Tracking the Trackers Generic Ballot 538 44.8% Republican 42.7% Democrat RCP 45.8% Republican 42.2% Democrat Biden Approval 538 42.6% Approve 52.4% Disapprove RCP 41.6% Approve 53.5% Disapprove - Back to Top - Election Quick Hits From Elections Daily: Sarah Stook looks at America's early First Ladies and hostesses, from Martha Washington to Elizabeth Hay. Americano, a new Spanish-language conservative satellite radio channel, launches on Tuesday.
Trump Properties Draw Far Less Campaign Spending in 2021 From PACs
The number of federal political committees that have spent money in the first half of 2021 at Trump Organization properties has dropped dramatically from the same period two years ago, Federal Election Commission filings show. Those continuing to spend: a smaller circle of loyal supporters of former President Donald Trump and candidates jockeying for his favor in contested Republican primaries.
How Rep. Greene and Rep. Hawley juiced their fundraising numbers
This story was originally published by ProPublica. Two of the leading Republican firebrands in Congress touted big fundraising hauls as a show of grassroots support for their high-profile stands against accepting the 2020 election results. But new financial disclosures show that Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., relied on an email marketing vendor that takes as much as 80 cents on the dollar.
Live Updates From the Republican Convention
News and analysis from day two of the R.N.C. including speeches by Ann Romney and Chris Christie
“Google paying publishers” is more about PR than the needs of the news industry
Mountain View got the headline it wanted: “Google will start paying publishers for news.” Just like Menlo Park got the headline it wanted a few months ago: “Facebook Offers News Outlets Millions of Dollars a Year to License Content.” There are lots of ways to look at how the duopoly looks at its relationship with the news industry — as generous corporate citizens who care about the information environment, say, or as a pillaging cartel ruining society by vacuuming ad dollars.
A Closer Look at Federal COVID Contractors Reveals Inexperience, Fraud Accusations and a Weapons Dealer Operating Out of Someone’s House
A firm set up by a former telemarketer who once settled federal fraud charges for $2.7 million. A vodka distributor accused in a pending lawsuit of overstating its projected sales. An aspiring weapons dealer operating out of a single-family home.
A Closer Look at Federal COVID Contractors Reveals Inexperience, Fraud Accusations and a Weapons Dealer Operating Out of Someone’s House
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. A firm set up by a former telemarketer who once settled federal fraud charges for $2.7 million. A vodka distributor accused in a pending lawsuit of overstating its projected sales. An aspiring weapons dealer operating out of a single-family home.
Presidential Debate Fact-Checks and Updates
Damon Winter/The New York TimesLynn University, in Boca Raton, Fla., threw a pre-debate pool party for students on Monday. BOCA RATON, Fla. â In the Mediterranean-style Mizner Park downtown, the grass is cropped as close as a golf green and three watch sellers, Van Cleef and Arpels, Hublot and Jaeger-LeCultre, sit side by side. This is a town of âamazing wealth, you just shake your head sometimes,â said Melissa Berg, who was doing some midday shopping.
Presidential Debate Fact-Checks and Updates
That's a Wrap Richard Perry/The New York TimesMitt Romney and President Obama shook hands at the end of the night. The second presidential debate has ended, and the candidates are going home. The Caucus live blog has ended, too. You can rewatch the entire debate, read the transcript and scroll through our fact check feature, and be sure to come back to The Caucus and the rest of NYTimes.com for continuing coverage.
Announcing the New York Times Campaign Finance API
When we first started talking about creating and releasing APIs for databases collected by The Times, campaign finance data from the Federal Election Commission was a natural choice. The upcoming presidential election has seen record fund-raising by the candidates and a host of new donors. Now we want our users to be able to analyze and reuse some of the data we’ve been looking at while reporting on the campaign.
Assisted dying: Association for Palliative Medicine responds
We use cookies to improve our service and to tailor our content and advertising to you. More info Close You can manage your cookie settings via your browser at any time. To learn more about how we use cookies, please see our cookies policy Close Intended for healthcare professionals Toggle navigation The BMJ logo Toggle top menu News & Views Assisted dying:...
Will Pelosi Open the Floor to Bipartisan Ideas?
Nancy Pelosi is returning as speaker of the House of Representatives amid a partisan standoff that has made it virtually impossible to move forward on major legislation requiring the support of both Democrats and Republicans. Now, she has a chance to fix at least part of the problem. Prodded by some House Democrats, in late November she agreed to establish a more open process for working on legislation and to allow more votes on amendments supported by both parties.
Will Pelosi Open the Floor to Bipartisan Ideas?
Nancy Pelosi is returning as speaker of the House of Representatives amid a partisan standoff that has made it virtually impossible to move forward on major legislation requiring the support of both Democrats and Republicans. Now, she has a chance to fix at least part of the problem. Get Our Top Investigations Subscribe to the Big Story newsletter. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Will Pelosi Open the Floor to Bipartisan Ideas?
She has agreed to a more open process, but amendments backed by both parties have become a rarity in polarized Washington. Image Nancy Pelosi talking to members of her staff last month before a news conference. Nancy Pelosi is returning as speaker of the House of Representatives amid a partisan standoff that has made it virtually impossible to move forward on major legislation requiring the support of both Democrats and Republicans. Now, she has a chance to fix at least part of the problem.
Romney Narrows Obama Fund-Raising Edge
Mr. Romney, who spent most of the last year winning his party’s nomination, and the Republican National Committee, which entered the cycle saddled with large debts, spent a total of $192 million during the same period. In April, the national committee transferred just $44,500 to the Florida Republican Party. Long before the Republican primary battle drew to a close last month, Republican-aligned groups were spending heavily on advertisements to soften Mr. Obama up.
Presidential Debate Fact-Checks and Updates
Damon Winter/The New York TimesLynn University, in Boca Raton, Fla., threw a pre-debate pool party for students on Monday. BOCA RATON, Fla. — In the Mediterranean-style Mizner Park downtown, the grass is cropped as close as a golf green and three watch sellers, Van Cleef and Arpels, Hublot and Jaeger-LeCultre, sit side by side. This is a town of “amazing wealth, you just shake your head sometimes,” said Melissa Berg, who was doing some midday shopping.
The hidden money funding the midterms
Allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used a blind spot in campaign finance laws to undercut a candidate from their own party this year — and their fingerprints remained hidden until the primary was already over. Super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money in elections, are supposed to regularly disclose their funders.
The hidden money funding the midterms
Allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used a blind spot in campaign finance laws to undercut a candidate from their own party this year -- and their fingerprints remained hidden until the primary was already over. Super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money in elections, are supposed to regularly disclose their funders.
Dark Money Is Flooding This Year's Midterm Elections
Allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used a blind spot in campaign finance laws to undercut a candidate from their own party this year — and their fingerprints remained hidden until the primary was already over. Super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money in elections, are supposed to regularly disclose their funders.
A 'dark money' super PAC managed to spend $1.3 million without saying where it got its money
Allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used a blind spot in campaign finance laws to undercut a candidate from their own party this year — and their fingerprints remained hidden until the primary was already over. Super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money in elections, are supposed to regularly disclose their funders.
Shedding some light on dark money political donors
We recently added details to our FEC Itemizer database on nearly $763 million in contributions to the political nonprofit organizations — also known as 501(c)(4) groups — that have spent the most money on federal elections during the past eight years.The data is courtesy of Issue One, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that is dedicated to political reform and government ethics.
Supreme Court Health Care Decision
Live Fact-Checking Submit your questions about the Supreme Court's ruling on President Obama's health care law. Thank you for your submission. If it is approved, you will see it below. Login to submit your question or post on Twitter with #AskNYT
Presidential Debate Fact-Checks and Updates
BOCA RATON, Fla. — In the Mediterranean-style Mizner Park downtown, the grass is cropped as close as a golf green and three watch sellers, Van Cleef and Arpels, Hublot and Jaeger-LeCultre, sit side by side. This is a town of “amazing wealth, you just shake your head sometimes,” said Melissa Berg, who was doing some midday shopping.
Live Coverage of the 2012 State of the Union
Ask The Times What should we fact check? As you watch the State of the Union, tell us which of President Obama's statements or those of Gov. Mitch Daniels you think deserve a second look. We’ll report on a selection. Ask your question now, or submit it on Twitter by using the hashtag #asknyt Login to ask a question, or submit it on Twitter by using the hashtag #asknyt Thank You 200 characters remaining Submit
Vice-Presidential Debate Fact-Checks and Updates
Live Fact-Checking Times reporters are evaluating the candidates' statements tonight. What have you heard from Mr. Biden or Mr. Ryan that deserves a second look? Thank you for your submission. If it is approved, you will see it below. Login to submit your question or post on Twitter with #AskNYT
The Missing Debate on Iraq - The Morning News
Reading the news last week, it seemed like there was little debate in Congress about authorizing force against Iraq. Turns out there wasn’t any debate at all. Even if you watched the House of Representatives debate on whether to authorize the use of military force against Iraq, you may have missed the views of Iowa Congressman Tom Latham.
The Ongoing Mess at a Pro-Donald Trump Political Committee
America Comes First can’t seem to decide if it’s a PAC or a super PAC, but in either case its federal filings remain problematic. A political action committee that backed Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency is continuing to flout campaign finance laws. Earlier this month, ProPublica reported that the America Comes First PAC had violated the rules by not disclosing the source of its funding before Election Day and by exceeding caps on contribution amounts.
The Continuing Financial Muddle At A Pro-Trump Political Committee
Reprinted with permission from ProPublica. A political action committee that backed Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency is continuing to flout campaign finance laws. Earlier this month, ProPublica reported that the America Comes First PAC had violated the rules by not disclosing the source of its funding before Election Day and by exceeding caps on contribution amounts.
The Pro-Trump Group That Didn’t Obey ‘Any Campaign Finance Law Whatsoever’
The America Comes First PAC did not disclose its donors before Election Day. And its top funder is banned from the securities industry. A group that gave more money to one of President-elect Donald Trump’s fundraising efforts than any other political action committee failed to disclose its donors before Election Day and exceeded caps on contribution amounts. America Comes First PAC was created in early August.
Election DataBot: harnessing the power of the matrix | Simon Rogers on WordPress.com
There’s no shortage of public data out there around the election — FEC filings, demographic data from the census, even search data from Google… the list is long and complicated. But imagine if, like Neo in The Matrix, you could plug yourself into that election feed and get a complete grasp of all the data in one place? That’s where the Election DataBot comes in.
Election DataBot: harnessing the power of the matrix – Google News Lab
There’s no shortage of public data out there around the election — FEC filings, demographic data from the census, even search data from Google… the list is long and complicated. But imagine if, like Neo in The Matrix, you could plug yourself into that election feed and get a complete grasp of all the data in one place? That’s where the Election DataBot comes in.
Stark New Evidence on How Money Shapes US Elections
Outrage over how big money influences American politics has been boiling over this political season, energizing the campaigns of GOP nominee Donald Trump and former Democratic candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders alike. Citizens have long suspected that "We the People" increasingly means "We the Rich" at election time. Yet surprisingly, two generations of social scientists have insisted that wallets don't matter that much in American politics. Elections are really about giving the people what they want.
Following the Money Behind Tim Kaine
Hillary Clinton has chosen her potential second-in-command if elected to the White House -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. Kaine launched his career as a civil rights lawyer, and he's no stranger to public service. He's a former city councilman turned mayor turned lieutenant governor turned governor turned Democratic National Committee chairman turned senator turned newly minted vice presidential candidate.
Was a Super PAC Called Voters for Hillary Really Supporting Clinton?
The United States government’s loose supervision has spawned many problems with super PACs, but helping to tout shares worth a fraction of a cent would be a new one. A little more than a year ago, Hillary Clinton’s imminent entry into the race for the Democratic presidential nomination was setting off political and financial ripples around the country. One of the most unlikely was a spike in the stock price of an obscure Las Vegas company that once built tables for beer pong.
Inside the ‘Voters for Hillary’ Stock Market Scam
One company’s stock soared, based on the news that ‘Voters for Hillary’ would hire it. Except the group never spent a dime on Clinton. Was the whole thing a penny stock swindle? CrossClick’s shares have sunk back to being nearly worthless, and one of its executives recently described it as insolvent in court records. Meantime, federal campaign reports indicate that Voters for Hillary has spent no money supporting Clinton, or any other candidate for that matter.
IRS grants nonprofit status to ‘dark money’ group founded by Karl Rove
Donors to the nonprofit group Crossroads GPS, founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove, no longer have to worry about their identities being disclosed. After a five-year wait, the IRS has approved the organization’s application for tax-exempt status. Crossroads had been the most active of the nonprofits that are funneling cash into politics — often called dark money because the original source of the funds may be kept secret if the organizations have social welfare as their primary purpose.
IRS grants nonprofit status to ‘dark money’ group founded by Karl Rove
Donors to the nonprofit group Crossroads GPS, founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove, no longer have to worry about their identities being disclosed. After a five-year wait, the IRS has approved the organization’s application for tax-exempt status. Crossroads had been the most active of the nonprofits that are funneling cash into politics — often called dark money because the original source of the funds may be kept secret if the organizations have social welfare as their primary purpose.
Republican fault lines exposed: Campaign donations reveal a House GOP divided
The Republican split that defines this year’s presidential campaign has been on display in Congress for years, with the most conservative wing battling party leaders on issues from spending to immigration. A ProPublica analysis of campaign donations highlights just how profound this gap has become in the House of Representatives.
Top Republicans Cash in Like Democrats
A ProPublica analysis of political fundraising shows Republican leaders like Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy have more donors in common with Democrats than with their rank-and-file. The Republican split that defines this year’s presidential campaign has been on display in Congress for years, with the most conservative wing battling party leaders on issues from spending to immigration.
Gatornationals A Family Affair
But the veteran driver, forced to race one event early because of a schedule change, defeated his son, Scott, with a 4.794-second, 290.79-mph run to win his first NHRA title since 1986. GAINESVILLE — Connie Kalitta wasn't even in uniform when his car approached the starting line for the Top Fuel championships at Sunday's National Hod Rod Association Gatornationals.
This Is How Congressional Representatives Electronically Register Their Vote
Voting in the House has not changed much since an electronic voting system was first used on January 23, 1973, with the goal of making voting periods shorter. The latest version of the EVS system was installed in 2004. There are 47 voting stations around the House chamber, according to a 2012 document on House practices, and members can use any of them to vote using a card they carry.
How Senate Hopefuls Keep Donors Secret From Voters Until It's Too Late
Truthout only exists thanks to the support of our readers. Help us continue to publish truly independent journalism by making a tax-deductible donation today! For nearly 15 years, voters have been able to click a mouse to view an up-to-date list of who's contributed to candidates for the presidency and the US House, and how those funds have been spent. But the law still allows Senate candidates to file campaign reports on paper, making it nearly impossible to keep up with the flow of money.
Clinton Campaign Spending: Big, and Different (Published 2015)
Road to 2016 Hillary Rodham Clinton’s initial primary campaign spending total, $18.7 million, is a lot of money. And she is using it very differently from her rivals. While others spend their money to generate more fund-raising, she has built a campaign organization with an eye toward the general election. Her campaign’s “burn rate,” the amount spent divided by what is raised, was just a little less than 40 percent through June 30.
Why Television Is Still King for Campaign Spending
Presidential campaign staffers like to talk about a digital strategy, and with good reason. But television continues to occupy the vast majority of most campaigns’ budgets. Here’s why: TV reaches 87 percent of Americans 18 and older, according to a new report from Nielsen, which tracks media usage across platforms and devices. The report suggests that nothing will displace television as the centerpiece of presidential campaign media strategy in 2016.
Hillary Clinton Faces a More Liberal Democratic Fund-Raising Landscape
The shift in the party’s donor base is being driven, in part, by the same polarizing demographic and political trends that have made the Democratic Party more ideologically liberal and have aligned business more closely with Republicans. “Historically, business was very pragmatic and played both sides,” said Simon Rosenberg, president of NDN, a left-leaning think tank with ties to business leaders in Washington. “Now, business had thrown its lot in with the Republicans.
Maiden Names, on the Rise Again (Published 2015)
A Question of Identity By Claire Cain Miller and Derek Willis June 27, 2015 When Donna Suh married in September, wearing a short white dress at San Francisco City Hall, she decided to keep her last name. Her reasons were practical, not political. “It’s not necessarily a feminist reason, but it’s just my name for 33 years of my life,” Ms. Suh said. “Plus, I’m Asian and he’s not, so it’s less confusing for me to not have a white name.
Bernie Sanders’s Early Online Haul: $8.3 Million
Campaign Finance The enthusiastic crowds that have been greeting Bernie Sanders on the campaign trail have been matched by online donor excitement. Image Bernie Sanders greeted supporters after speaking at a campaign event in Iowa this month. Mr. Sanders, the Vermont independent senator running for the Democratic presidential nomination, has raised at least $8.3 million online through June 17, according to Federal Election Commission records.
When the Wrong People Give Money to Politicians
Once politicians have donors’ money, they typically don’t like to give it back. Politicians like Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum and Rand Paul, who received contributions from the white supremacist Earl P. Holt III, can refuse money from the wrong people. But first they have to know it is there, and when alerted, they announced plans to gave the money back or to charity. (Mr. Holt apparently influenced the views of the person accused of killing nine people in a church in Charleston, S.C., last week).
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