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Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Ex-Sen. Feingold says Lieberman, McCaskill, Hoyer fit for "shame" 
Russ Feingold goes after some folks opposed to the transparency executive order--including  Sens. Lieberman, Hoyer, and McCaskill.
- And they respond: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/161801-angry-sen-mccaskill-fires-back-at-feingolds-potshots
- And the House says they'll do legislation to block the order if it ever happens: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/161627-house-republicans-threaten-legislation-to-stop-contractor-order

Democracy 21 and Campaign Legal Center challenge legality of activities by Shadow Group formed by Bopp 
Democracy 21 and Campaign Legal Center are concerned about the new Super PAC Jim Bopp has started.
- And Dan Froomkin has more at The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/17/james-bop-republican-super-pac-illegal_n_863328.html.

The IRS gets political
And the Wall Street Journal editorial page, true to character, says the IRS pursuing the gift tax is purely politics. LOL.

Congress/2012
Senators opposing end of oil subsidies receive five times more in big oil campaign cash
We did a vote correlation with Oil Change International on yesterday's Senate vote to end oil subsidies
- League of Conservation Voters hits the money angle too: http://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/Bipartisan-Majority-Votes-to-End-Taxpayer-Handouts-to-Big-Oil-in-U-S-Senate.html

Sen. Lugar held energy industry fundraiser hours before oil subsidies vote
The headline sort of says it all, but thanks to Sunlight Foundation, I tracked down this "energy industry breakfast" Lugar had yesterday morning before his oil subsidies vote

Alston & Bird snags Blanche Lincoln
And former Sen. Lincoln heads to lobby shop Alston & Bird.

Cash brings Obama back to town
President Obama is headed to Boston for a fundraiser today.

Darrell Issa's recess included trip to Puerto Rico
Battler of government waste Rep. Darrell Issa took a trip to Puerto Rico, with taxpayer money, to stay with his "friend and former colleague Gov. Luis Fortuno." Campaign Legal Center’s Meredith McGehee: "If he is claiming any part of this as a business trip, he needs to specify precisely what his official business was — not just attach itinerary, but really tell us how he spent his time there."

Tech Executive hosts Boehner fundraiser in Silicon Valley
Speaker Boehner was expected to raise 250k at a fundraiser hosted by an exec with Hewlett-Packard.

Huntsman looks for K. St backing
John Huntsman is learning quick--he was hitting up K Street donors yesterday.

Michele's money: Another $175k for Bachmann
Bachmann raised $175k for her PAC in April.

Other
Johnson, ex-county executive in Prince George's, pleads guilty to taking bribes
In our backyard: "Former Prince George’s county executive Jack B. Johnson admitted in federal court Tuesday that he took more than $400,000 in bribes, agreeing to a plea deal that showed he began shaking down developers almost from his first days in office."

Fiesta Bowl seeks repayment for political contributions
"The Fiesta Bowl, as part of its effort to reform its image and protect is non-profit status, is asking 26 politicians and political action committees to reimburse it nearly $50,000 for what the bowl says were illegal campaign contributions."

Justice Thomas questions whether critics suffer from "disease of illiteracy or laziness"
Clarence Thomas does not appreciate critics.