Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Attorney general: state campaign finance law likely unconstitutional
Nebraska's AG has released an opinion stating that he believes the state's public financing law is unconstitutional due to U.S. Supreme Court's McComish decision.

Congress/2012
Amid skepticism, debt panel is pressed for a deal
The New York Times looks at possibilities for the supercommittee: "Separate from the internal dynamics of the committee, each of the members has favorite causes or industry allies, which could influence their opinions on cutting spending or raising revenue." And, with a straight face, American Crossroads is quoted about their concern about a "lobbying bonanza."

CREW calls for super committee members to abstain from fundraising
CREW agrees with us that supercommittee members should stop fundraising and provide transparency

Heller among bipartisan chorus calling for debt committee transparency
Local story in Las Vegas on Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) and his efforts to make the supercommittee transparent, including the endorsement of the National Taxpayers Union.

Supercommittee member Pat Toomey benefited from U.S. Chamber money
The Chamber of Commerce released its ideas on the supercommittee. Supercommittee member Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) got $1.5 million in outside help from them in 2010

Protestors picked GOP at Wayzata fundraiser
Speaker Boehner (R-Ohio) was at a Minnesota country club for a fundraiser with Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.)--and he got an earful from protestors. One of the chants: "Hey-hey-ho-ho, corporate greed has got to go."

White House, Senate Democrats clash  over campaign cash
Senate Democrats are worried there isn't enough cash to go around: "Senate Democrats are increasingly concerned that Barack Obama’s campaign money machine is sucking up so much cash that it will cut into the party’s aggressive campaign to hold on to the Senate next year, several Democratic sources say."

Goldman Sachs VP changed his name, now advances Goldman lobbyist interests as a top staffer to Darrell Issa
"ThinkProgress has found that a Goldman Sachs vice president changed his name, then quietly went to work for Issa to coordinate his effort to thwart regulations that affect Goldman Sachs’ bottom line."

Rick Perry's K Street project sought earmarks, federal funds
You'll be surprised that the same Rick Perry that bashed federal spending and lobbyists...used lobbyists to get federal funds and earmarks.

Paul Ryan's rival mocks "pay-per-view"
In a clever response to Paul Ryan holding $15 "pay-per-view" townhalls, his opponent is asking for $15 donations.

What's in a name?
"Apparently it’s no longer enough for top fundraisers to gain special access to their favorite politicians. Now they need a special title too." I think I'd want to be Fundraising Ninja. You?

Fred Upton: Big Oil's superman in super congress, by Stephen Kretzmann
Our friends at Oil Change International have this Huffington Post piece up on Rep. Fred Upton and his big oil ties.

Major Bachmann super PAC forms
 "A trio of well-known conservatives have organized a so-called “super PAC” to aid Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination, according to sources familiar with the move."

AFL-CIO: Labor will stand by Obama
"Organized labor won't sit out President Obama's reelection campaign and let a Republican win the presidency, the AFL-CIO's political director said Wednesday."

Dems rake in special interest dollars
Sort of a strange story on how Democrats talk about special interest influence then take special interest money. DNC spokesman: "Democrats have broadly supported campaign finance reform and disclosure for outside groups, while Republicans continue to oppose them."

Bashing EPA is new theme in GOP race
A must-read on GOP presidential candidates and global warming/general acceptance of science