Fair Elections/Campaign FinanceDurbin calls for public financing of campaignsSen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) joined with Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) at a money and politics panel at the America’s Future Now conference yesterday, talked about the need for Fair Elections.Common Cause plans to protest fundraisersPublic Campaign and Common Cause will start a series of protests at DC fundraisers, beginning with Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) on Thursday. Rand Paul: Ban federal contractors from lobbyingDavid Donnelly, National Campaigns Director for Public Campaign Action Fund, is quoted in this piece about how Rand Paul wants to ban government contractors from campaign contributions and lobbying.  

• “You can't ban someone from lobbying you can require that it be disclosed. It is all well and good. But there is a better way to get at the problem, and Mr. Paul ought to look at the Fair Elections Now Act [which would set up publicly funded federal elections].”

Protecting speechSen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) publishes a letter defending the DISCLOSE Act.CongressVoters’ support for members of Congress is at an all-time lowA new Washington Post-ABC poll finds support for members of Congress is at an all-time low. 69 percent are angry or dissatisfied with the government.Tax break for money managers hangs on amid financial debateThe “carried interest” tax still faces tough opposition, and it’ll likely be softened to appease venture capitalists.Top aides lure K Street donors to DCCC feteThere’s a DCCC fundraiser this week, where K Streeters are expected to mingle with about 50 senior House staffers. Fred Wertheimer:  

• “This is just one more example of how the influence-money system works in Washington and why it is essential to establish a system of public financing for Congressional races.”

Player of the week: Sen. Lisa MurkowskiSen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is gathering votes on her amendment to block the EPA from doing rulemaking around climate change.Advocates push back against black lawmakers on ethics officeDemocracy 21 and CLC sent a letter calling on Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to defend the Office of Congressional Ethics. 

• “Other groups, such as Common Cause, U.S. PIRG and Public Citizen, have sent letters supporting the OCE in the past and this week will likely join in urging Pelosi to strongly support the new, more independent layer of ethics scrutiny.”