Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Judges for sale This Washington Post editorial talks about the recent report on judicial spending and says that while judicial Clean Elections and tough recusal standards are good, but a merit system would be much better. Tighten limits on cash This editorial calls for a revamped presidential public financing system. Obama warns of hidden corporate money in midterm campaigns, by Scott Wilson Pres. Obama used his weekly address to talk about DISCLOSE. Congress Harry Reid cashes in on star power, by J. Taylor Rushing Harry Reid is raking in celebrity cash this cycle, with from donations from folks like David Geffen, Jeff Abrams, and Steven Spielberg The wisdom in keeping quiet, by Marin Cogan DeLay and Blagojevich seem to have won the war of public opinion, but will that work for every politician under an ethical cloud? Probably not, Cogan says. Chamber emerges as formidable political force, by Jim Kuhnhenn The Chamber has pledged to spend $75 million this year on elections—on top of $190 million they’ve already spent on lobbying W.Va. Could be test case of Citizens United decision, by Paul NydenThe Citizens United decision could play a role in the battle between Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W. Va.) and Spike Maynard (good friend of Don Blankenship). Good quote from our ally, the head of the WV AFL:

• “Money is destroying good public policy. Those who possess the most money wield the most power. They influence public opinion and convince people to vote against their self-interest.” He then goes on to call for “publicly-financed campaigns for every office.”

Media firms in partisan money game, by Keach Hagey Fox isn’t the first media company to politick, but the blatant partisanship of its donation is a little uncommon.