Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Progressives rally under “One Nation” banner This reporter caught up with some folks from the Long Island Progressive Coalition, and they were at the rally Saturday to champion the Fair Elections Now Act. America needs election reform now This letter from Binghamton, NY says its time for reform — and Fair Elections. Tracking the money now much tougher This editorial from New Hampshire talks about outside spending in elections, then goes to mention our new battleground polling and the need for Fair Elections.

• “But given the mounting fears about the corrosive influence of huge amounts of money into the electoral process – now much of it undisclosed – we are confident the push for public financing isn’t going away anytime soon.”

Congress US midterms set to become most expensive elections in country’s history It’s estimated that elections this year will cost over $5 billion, the most expensive in history. That’s where the money is Bob Herbert criticizes Rep. John Boehner (R-Mich.) for his tight ties with corporate donors and lobbyists. Surprise spending habits for PACs PACs raise a lot of money—and a lot of it goes to overhead and fundraising, not to candidates.   Investors in precious metals jangle coin in D.C. Gold and silver investors are setting up a PAC and hiring a lobbyist. GOP eyes potential defectors Republicans are eyeing folks like Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Rep. Walter Minnick (D-Idaho), and Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) to switch parties come November, but some senior Democrratic aides don’t think they’ll budge Women lobbyists cry foul as lawmakers keep distance on the hill I think the Hill accidentally re-ran a 1965 issue. There are several male Republican members that won’t meet privately with female lobbyists.