Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Campaign finance showdown in the works Senate Democrats may push hard for Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Sen. Scott Brown (R- Mass.) to support a stripped down version of the DISCLOSE Act—then attack those who decide they won’t support a “basic disclosure” bill. Everyone quoted in this piece. “Campaign finance reform on its last legs” Mother Jones sat down with Jim Bopp recently. “For Bopp, it's not enough that Citizens United liberates corporate speech. He also thinks they shouldn't have to tell their shareholders, customers, or the general public where their money goes.” Fair Elections A letter in Idaho calls for the Fair Elections Now Act (5th item) Congress Groups’ spending to elect Republicans on the rise Republican 527 spending is on the rise, but still didn’t meet Democrats. Of course, outside groups not registered as 527s will more than make up the difference. - Related: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/09/campaign-cash-whos-spending-th.html Ad buying by GOP-leaning groups alarms DemocratsWhile many corporations are shying away from new freedom granted under the Citizens United ruling, “Some, however, are most likely funneling more money into campaigns through some of these independent groups.”