Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Transparency vs. pay-to-play corruption  
John Nichols writes, "Though Obama's order would be a small step, that does not make it any less necessary to the struggle to restore integrity to the electoral and governing processes that have been so tainted by corporate bribes, er, contributions."
- And the NYT has an editorial this weekend on the draft executive order: "http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/16/opinion/16mon3.html

Campaign disclosure foe James Bopp formers Super PAC
And James Bopp has formed a Super PAC.

The serious implications of Stephen Colbert's FEC stunt
Will Stephen Colbert's new Super PAC benefit the cause of reformers?

BofA, others shouldn't spend shareholder money on politics
From our friends at Common Cause North Carolina. "It's big political money that paves the way for the financial giants, including BofA, to gain political power to stack the deck in their favor."

The Supreme Court had its say. Now let shareholders decide
The former chair of the Vanguard Group has this op-ed in the Times: "America’s institutional investors must stand up to the Supreme Court’s misguided decision and bring democracy to corporate governance, recognize conflicts that arise from the interlocking interests of our corporate and financial systems, and take that first step along the road to reducing the dominant role that big money plays in our political system."

Congress/2012
Newcomers in Congress raise cash differently
Freshman Michigan Rep. Dan Benishek may have come to Congress to change it, but he's quickly learning how to play the fundraising game in DC. Public Campaign Action Fund’s David Donnelly: "Until we change the way campaigns are financed in this country, Rep. Benishek and his colleagues will have to spend too much time raising money from big money donors and too little time focused on their constituents."

Firm did not reveal Romney gifts to board
While on the board of the Marriott hotel company, Romney's PAC received money from the Marriott family--something that may have violated rules on corporate governance.

Bank overhaul battle pays off for Republicans
Shocking news: "The GOP is winning a larger share of campaign money contributed by banks and other Wall Street interests who want to roll back elements of the stricter rules."

Tom Coburn entangled in Senate ethics probe of John Ensign
And Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) wouldn't comment to his hometown paper about his role in the Ensign scandal.

Gingrich loyalists on K street begin lining up
"Newt Gingrich may face some obstacles in his bid for the GOP presidential nomination — such as defending his imperfect marital history — but it appears he will have no trouble rounding up support on K Street."

Lujan decides to take cash of lobbyists
This story focuses on freshman Rep. Ben Lujan and his pledge to not take money from federal lobbyists--and his recent fundraiser at the home of a lobbyist. His spokesman explained: "In the wake of the Citizens United case, which allows millions of dollars from secretive third-party organizations to flow into our electoral system with no accountability, we must have the resources necessary to fight back..."

Lobbyists woo allies on swipe fees
"Behind the multimillion-dollar battle over the fees retailers pay every time customers swipe a debit card is a fight for the loyalties of interest groups whose members straddle the issue."

Former Blue Dogs find lobby deals
About one-third of the Blue Dogs that lost or retired in 2010 are now lobbyists. Common Cause’s Mary Boyle on the "cooling off" period: "If I’m a former member of Congress, and I’m working with you, and you’re a lobbyist, and I’m saying, ‘Just call so and so, and ask him this, and say I told him so,’ what is the difference between doing that and me doing it directly?”

Produce industry presses USDA on pesticide report.
The EPA's annual report on pesticide residue "has become a target of an unusual lobbying campaign by the produce industry, which worries that the data are being misinterpreted by the public."

Fox News owner News Corp. agrees to disclose its political donations yearly
News Corp will release its political contributions yearly. So, then, you know, after the 2012 election we'll learn who they gave to.

Other
Group closer to recalling Sen. Russell Pearce
The fight to recall Clean Elections foe Russell Pearce is edging closer to success.

Corporate power threatens democracy today
An op-ed in Ohio on John Kasich's attacks on worker rights. "Exactly 150 years ago, Ohio men went to war to prevent the takeover of America by slave power. Today, Ohio men lie unconscious, like Sumner, on the floor, blinded by our own blood, as we allow corporate power to take over America."

Citizens against Stupidity ad challenged by state commission
This is a real headline.