Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Dirty cash, dirty water Common Cause’s James Browning has this op-ed in Scranton talking about the BP spill, big oil’s influence, and the need for Fair Elections.

• “Money means access, and access means influence. Residents of Dimock, Susquehanna County, and other towns may have dramatic proof that the chemicals used in drilling can contaminate the water. We need to change the big-money game with the Fair Elections Now Act.”

Cicilline triumphs in Dist. 1 Providence Mayor David Cicilline (D) won the Democratic primary race for RI-1 last night, and the article mentions how the Fair Elections Now Act became an issue in the race. Congress Member fundraisers flood agenda House incumbents have scheduled 415 fundraisers in September. “With very little on the Congressional agenda this month, vulnerable Members are finding something else to do with their time: Raise money.” Big oil spouts big money for GOP candidatesAside from their “rallies for jobs,” big oil is also giving big money. Oil and gas PACs have given $2 million to Republicans—just $594,000 to Democrats. Pelosi: Election ‘not about me’ Thought this was interesting from Speaker Pelosi: “The change in dynamic we have here is a Supreme Court decision which said that corporate America can pour endless money into campaigns even companies substantially owned by overseas interest. Even companies which have received tarp funds can pour funds into these elections, undisclosed. That’s a new dynamic in politics. I think it undermines our democracy. But it is a reality and we’re not whining about it. We intend to win. No one just goes out there and wins.”