Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Secret cash: the worst political scandal of all  
Michael Winship has this column on campaign finance scandals and the problems of secret money.
"The Greeks had a word for it -- "oligarchy" -- political clout based on economic dominance."

• And Bloomberg editors also write on the topic: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-06/the-high-price-of-anonymous-cash-in-american-political-campaigns.html

More Edwards news and views 
Rick Hasen has a good roundup of stories on John Edwards' indictment Friday on campaign finance violations.

Campaign finance end run 
The Washington Post editorial page buys into the right-wing hysterics over Obama's draft executive order on disclosure.

Case in point
An editorial in Toledo based on the Virginia judge's decision to throwout bans on corporate contributions. "Those in Congress who refuse to undo that mischief should reread Justice Stevens’ opinion."

Elections for sale, buyers unknown
Another secret money editorial: "For things to get better citizens will have to express their disdain for letting special-interest money dominate the electoral process and control their elected leaders. Otherwise, expect more and more of the same."

Congress
Buchanan slow to reveal refund of disputed contributions
More on the unfolding scandal surrounding Rep. Vern Buchanan and his former company.

By blocking its leader, GOP constrains new consumer bureau's reach
Republicans attacks on Elizabeth Warren aren't making getting the CFPB up and running any easier.

Obey joins Gephardt's lobbying team
And former Rep. David Obey is moving to K Street.

Congress needs to help the little guy
A letter from Michigan on special treatment big corporations get from Congress. "Now the Republicans have blocked a bill to take away big oil subsidies, maybe because they receive over $21 million for campaigns from big oil."

Asked about being viewed as a pawn of Koch Industries, Rep. Mike Pompeo replied "Koch is 'amazing'"
"Asked by the National Journal yesterday about his reputation as a pawn of the right-wing Koch empire, [Rep. Mike] Pompeo did nothing to dissuade the notion that he’s bought by the company."

Exclusive: DNC accepted lobbyist donations in violation of internal policy, will return contributions
"The Democratic National Committee will reimburse at least 10 registered federal lobbyists who donated to the committee -- a violation of the organization's stated policies."

Feingold wins both straw polls
"Russ Feingold is the overwhelming choice among Wisconsin Democratic party activists to be their next governor and U.S. Senator, according to a pair of straw polls administered by WisPolitics.com.

AT&T girds for T-Mobile battle
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette picks up the AT&T article from The Washington Post quoting Public Campaign President Nick Nyhart and Sunlight Foundation’s Ellen Miller.

Oversight Democrats angry over witness selection
"Oh you want to call witnesses? Too bad." - Rep. Darrell Issa to Democrats on the House Oversight committee. Basically.

Other
Bill has some crying foul
The Maine legislature is looking at doubling contribution limits to gubernatorial candidates, but the amendment to do so wasn't part of the public hearing on the legislation.

Reid agrees to fine for campaign finance scheme
Rory Reid will pay $25k in fines for a campaign finance scheme that involved funneling money to 90 outside groups his team created in his failed run for governor last fall.