Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
The Supreme Court's view of corruption doesn't ring true, by Elizabeth Kennedy
Brennan Center's Elizabeth Kennedy writes, "Unfortunately, a real roadblock to comprehensive reform is the constrained, impoverished view of corruption articulated by the Supreme Court's conservative majority." Goes on to talk Fair Elections, disclosure, etc.

Maxine Waters's case punted to outside counsel
"The House ethics committee is poised to pay a half-million dollars by year’s end to resolve the mess that remains of its three-year probe of Rep. Maxine Waters."

Serving shareholders and democracy
The NYT editorializes in favor of the SEC creating a rule demanding more disclosure of political expenditures to shareholders.

White House still reviewing plan for disclosing contractor campaign gifts
A White House spokesperson told Government Executive on Monday that the president is still reviewing a draft executive order requiring disclosure of political spending.

Donors want clarification from treasury on political nonprofit gift taxes
"A group of anonymous political donors asked the Treasury Department on Monday to clarify whether gift taxes are owed on donations made to nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt but not charitable in mission."

Congress
Harry Reid's super committee picks: Patty Murray, Max Baucus, John Kerry
Harry Reid selected his chief fundraiser, Patty Murray, as deficit committee co-chair. Nick Nyhart: "Sen. Patty Murray may be a fine Senator, but putting Senate Democrats’ leading fundraiser in charge of a committee that will see a lobbying push like never before sends the wrong message to the American people. Instead of focusing solely on finding a balanced approach to deficit reduction, she will also be focused on raising money from the same interests hoping to influence the committee.”
- Here's our full statement, where we say she should step down as chair of the DSCC if she holds this extra position.
- And Mimi Marziani from Brennan Center writes about super accountability for Super Congress in Politico.
- So does Katherine McFate with OMB Watch.

Green groups: "Supercommittee" should repeal oil industry tax breaks
"A dozen environmental groups Tuesday told congressional leaders that lawmakers who support slashing oil industry tax breaks and other subsidies should be appointed to the deficit-cutting 'supercommittee'"

Super PACs' new playground: 2012
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a super PAC! And they are going to do a lot of work in 2012.

Both sides now in dash for anonymous cash
"If anyone had doubts about the role that anonymous and untraceable money will play in the 2012 campaign ad wars, a flurry of recent reports and voluntary disclosures should put them to rest."

Questions linger about secret money donation
Mitt Romney may say the secret donation controversy is over, but there are "lingering questions" Glen Johnson writes.
- Or, as this headline on Daily Kos states, "Mitt Romney doing well among imaginary companies":

Scott Brown defends big oil
From our blog: Scott Brown said yesterday that cutting Medicare was on the table, but let's not try to end tax breaks for oil companies

Larry Bucshon: Lobbyists don't give money
Rep. Larry Buchson told folks at a townhall meeting that lobbyists don't give money to Congress. We, uh, prove him wrong.

Moddy's, S&P lobbying spending on rise
"Moody’s Corp. and the parent company of Standard & Poor’s have spent increasingly more money to lobby the U.S. government in recent years"

Shays running for Senate in Connecticut
Interesting: former Rep. Chris Shays, a campaign finance supporter, will run for Senate in Connecticut.

GOP-leaning lobbying firms thrive despite declining K St. revenue
From the department of "I could've told you that," : "Business for Republican-leaning lobbying firms has grown this year, despite lobbying revenue declining for many on K Street."

Other
Republicans hold on to Wisconsin Senate after recall vote
Wisconsin Democrats picked up 2 seats last night in the big recall battle--winning two seats in blood red districts that Democrats couldn't even win in 2008.