Fair Elections/Campaign Finance An agenda for the lame-duck Congress The Nation says the House should move the Fair Elections Now Act through the lame duck session. “Pelosi should also move the Fair Elections Now Act onto the floor for a vote, advancing a debate on an issue that Republicans don't want discussed.” Congress Losing Dems spent big bucks but lost A lot of Democratic incumbents spent big money to lose their races. Many political newcomers joining Congress 35 new members of Congress have never been elected to anything. I wonder how quickly they’ll tire of the fundraising game. Chamber watch: Business group central to GOP gains According to a new report from U.S. Chamber Watch, the Chamber of Commerce worked almost exclusively to back Republicans, and did it alongside many conservative groups. Democratic support was all for show. Jim Inhofe courts tea party on earmarks “Tea party activists are stepping up their involvement in an internal Senate GOP battle over whether to ban earmarks - and Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe is pushing back aggressively.” (And an op-ed this morning too from Inhofe: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45023.html) An earmark fight Congress doesn’t need Rep. Jeff Flake disagrees with Inhofe. All they ask is an unfair advantage Winship uses the “Client 9” documentary on Eliot Spitzer to move into Chamber spending and the “unfair advantage” political donors expect. Cites PCAF House spending projection. Revolving door? Lee picks top lobbyist to lead staff Utah Senator-elect Mike Lee is starting off right by picking one of the state’s top lobbyists to be his chief of staff. Presidential Some Democratic donors ready to spend heavily to defend Obama Democratic millionaires want to play ball in 2012. George Soros’ advisor Michael Vachon: “Democrats will never be able to match the fundraising you see on the right because those on the right are acting in their own economic self-interest.” Will stealth spending decide the 2012 GOP presidential primaries? Sure, Republicans like outside anonymous spending now, but what if some Democratic billionaire dropped millions in the 2012 GOP presidential primary to push a bad candidate? Will the GOP care about disclosure then? Other Alito and ethics Should Justice Alito have spoken at, or attended, a fundraiser for the American Spectator? It may be legal, but is it ethical? Tape: DeLay knew in advance of money swap The jury in Tom DeLay’s trial heard a tape yesterday showing that the disgraced former majority leader new in advance about the illegal money swap about to take place.