Party Horns, Cake Optional
Public Campaign alum Nancy Watzman is now heading up a new project at the Sunlight Foundation. There are plenty of places that Congress member's official activities get documented but what about all that glad-handing of lobbyists off the clock? Watzman's watching. She's tracking all the thousands of parties that congressional candidates are attending and collecting checks at, including the many swanky fĂȘtes politicos will be attending around the upcoming party conventions. New ethics laws be dashed lobbyists and industry heavyweights are still dropping serious cash on exclusive parties at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, all in the hopes of catching the ear of a few members of Congress. Want to get an idea of how much business gets done over a few lobbyist-comped martinis? Keep an eye on Party Time and hey, if you see an event going on in your neighborhood you can always drop by and see what's happening. Don't forget that checkbook!