The union-friendly, loophole-ridden, Orwellian-titled DISCLOSE Act comes up for a cloture vote in the Senate this afternoon. It appears doomed. But take nothing for granted.

It passed the House in June.

This is a relief: Squishy GOP Sen. Susan Collins announced she’s a no vote:

The legislation exempts some politically powerful, large membership groups like the NRA and the AARP, a move that Collins’ spokesman blasted, on behalf of the senator.

“Senator Collins also believes that it is ironic that a bill aimed at curtailing special interests in the election process provides so many carve outs and exemptions that favor some grassroots organizations over others. This too is simply unfair,” Kelly said.

Yesterday, Prince of Transparency-Underming Darkness Barack Obama had the chutzpah to complain about “shadow” groups holding sway over politics (video here).

Snort. Take your disclosure-evading complaints about Astroturfing to David Axelrod, Mr. President.

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Background on DISCLOSE Act’s First Amendment assault here.

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Update: The Hill’s Michael O’Brien reports via Twitter that squishy GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham will also oppose the bill.

INFORMATION
HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU
SENATORS TO CALL

Senators to call:
Scott Brown (R-MA)

http://scottbrown.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
Washington

DC: (T) (202) 224-4543, (F) (202) 228-2646

Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

http://snowe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorSnowe.Email
Washington

DC: (T) (202) 224-5344, Toll free (800) 432-1599, (F) (202) 224-1946

Susan Collins (R-ME)

http://collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCollins.EmailIssue&CFID=42880122&CFTOKEN=39747274

Washington DC: (T) (202) 224-2523, (F) (202) 224-2693

Ben Nelson (D-NE)

http://bennelson.senate.gov/email-issues.cfm

Washington DC: (T) (202) 224-6551, (F) (202) 228-0012

Evan Bayh (D-IN)

http://bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/

Washington DC: (T) (202) 224-5623, (F) (202) 228-1377

Kent Conrad (D-ND)

https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Washintong DC: (T) (202) 224-2043, (F) (202) 224-7776

(For those interested, here’s a good link with information on the actual language and problems with the DISCLOSE bill, click here: http://www.gop.gov/bill/111/2/hr5175)

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