Reform advocate Fred Wertheimer, president of Democracy 21, called Ravel "an outstanding leader in the area of campaign finance oversight and enforcement," in a statement. He went on to say that he was not familiar with Goodman's record, "but we hope he will bring a stronger commitment to the effective administration and enforcement of the campaign finance laws than his predecessor." Sloan said she was "thrilled" by Ravel's nomination, and echoed Wertheimer's take on Goodman, saying, "CREW hopes Mr. Goodman will be more committed to enforcing campaign finance laws than his predecessor, Don McGahn." But advocates may be disappointed to learn that Goodman, an attorney with LeClairRyan, has a record of opposing certain campaign finance reforms. He argued -- ultimately unsuccessfully -- in United States v. Danielczyk to overturn the ban on direct corporate contributions to candidates. In that case, a judge ruled that the Citizens United decision invalidated the ban on direct corporate contributions to candidates. "Citizens United was a sea change in First Amendment jurisprudence and renders the absolute ban on limited corporate contributions unconstitutional," Goodman said after the initial victory. "We are pleased with this decision."
FEC Commissioners Nominated: Obama Taps Ann Ravel, Lee Goodman For Election Oversight: Huffington Post
