Citizens United/Fair Elections Kagan and Election Law, by Rick Hasen Some analysis from Rick Hasen on our new U.S. Supreme Court appointee. The DISCLOSE Act, by Mimi Marziani Brennan Center for Justice’s Marziani talks about the DISCLOSE Act, says it should pass and then says, “So, the problem is bigger than Citizens United; the answer must be too. Public funding of political campaigns offers the most comprehensive solution,” and talks Fair Elections. Corporate money in politics The Washington Post endorses the DISCLOSE Act. Congress Banks lobbying against derivatives trading ban, by Binyamin Appelbaum and Eric Lichtblau It looks like the banks are putting their focus on the tough derivatives language in the Lincoln bill. Payday lenders and check cashers fight financial reform, by Ylan Mui Payday lenders and check cashers are doing their best to carve out exemptions in financial overhaul Obey has lots of campaign money to spread around, by Larry Bivins Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) is retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives and has lots of cash to give.

• As a big supporter of public financing, “"If he has some money sitting in his war chest, contributing to that cause would be a good gesture," said Rick Bielke, spokesman for Public Campaign, an advocate of public financing.

Will BP’s Washington connections help it now? The oil spill might strain relations between BP lobbyists and Washington politicians. Lobbying by “big oil” contributed to Gulf spill, says Fla. Senator, by Jay Heflin On CNN’s State of the Union Sunday Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said oil lobbyists led to weakened regulations that allowed the oil spill to happen.