"The FEC this week sent a letter demanding Crossroads GPS, the Karl Rove-backed nonprofit that pumped millions of dollars in anonymous donations into last year's Congressional campaigns, disclose its contributors. The request appears unlikely to be honored but it could signal an effort to tighten regulations on controversial third-party groups."

Buddy Roemer spoke at the Republican Leadership Conference, saying, "Washington is bought and sold."

Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn hates earmarks, except when he doesn't. "Corporations that received government contracts, part due to Lamborn’s requests, contributed $72,000 to his campaign fund."

The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids mentions Rep. Stearns' (R-Fla.) tobacco industry campaign cash in a release attacking him for doing the bidding of tobacco companies. 

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) used taxpayer funds to finance a political anti-health care rally outside the Capitol in 2009--bit of a no no.

A profile on Club for Growth and the money it spends to defeat its own Republicans who are too moderate. 

Check out this letter to the editor in Indiana on big money influence on the state's senators. "I want a senator who represents the best interests of average Americans, not the bloated, greedy wealthy for whom there is never enough."

"In the ever-evolving world of campaign fundraising, some politicians have stumbled on yet another way to bring in buckets of cash. Let's call it the 'money blurt.'" Or, saying something sort of crazy to do a quick fundraiser. 

Big companies are still trying to use their influence to get a repatriation holiday so they don't have to pay as much taxes on foreign money. "Corporations and their lobbyists say..."

"The DSCC reports Monday morning that they brought in $4.1 million in May, about a million dollars more than what the NRSC reported raising last month. The DSCC says they've raised $18.62 for the 2012 election cycle and have nearly $8 million cash on hand."

The New York Times has a story on Clarence Thomas and his ethics problems (yes, there are more): http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/us/politics/19thomas.html

- Also, Public Campaogn board member Heather McGhee will serve as a regular contributor on the show: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/136199/shuster-to-serve-as-primarily-countdown-guest-host/.