Congress/2012
House GOP leaders outline sweeping attack on EPA rules
The House GOP will spend the fall attacking the EPA. You'll be surprised, of course, at the campaign giving by energy interests so far this year: http://campaignmoney.org/blog/2011/08/29/house-gop-fall-agenda-benefit-energy-interests.

Jon Huntsman's low-dollar debate watch party at Kalorama home
Wherein a low dollar, $100-per-ticket, fundraiser for Huntsman is seen as a sign that "does not suggest that people are lining the streets for tickets."

Huntsman Corporation insider launches PAC
A Huntsman Corp executive has launched a super PAC to benefit Jon Huntsman. Well, I guess we know where the family will be sending its money.

Debt supercommittee vexes even lobbyists
Lobbyists don't know how to lobby the supercommittee. Good quote from Vin Weber: "You have to be careful about it because in order for the deal to have credibility with the public it can't be seen to have been forged by lobbyists and influenced by money."

Calls to Perry donor raise questions
Did Rick Perry run a big 2006 contribution from Bob Perry through the Republican Governors Association so he wouldn't be seen as a hypocrite for attacking a Democratic opponent for accepting a similar donation?

NH Rep. Bass says companies aren't people
When asked whether corporations were people, NH Republican Rep. Charlie Bass provided a different answer than Mitt Romney: "I don’t believe that companies are people.”

Pete Hoekstra calls for repeal of Wall Street reform during major Senate campaign event
"Former Republican congressman Pete Hoekstra, who is now running for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, called for the repeal of Wall Street reform legislation on Monday, arguing that 'the heavy hand of the federal government' is making it impossible for bankers to do their jobs."

Twitter expands its DC presence
Twitter is beefing up its DC presence.

Josh Mandel's political travel as treasurer questioned by Ohio Democrats
Almost immediately after getting elected Ohio treasurer, Josh Mandel started doing political travel--possibly prepping for a U.S. Senate run (though he had not created a U.S. Senate account...).

"Jewish" Bachmann is costing Romney
"Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is facing a new challenge: He's having trouble raising money from some Jewish donors who mistakenly believe one of his opponents, Michele Bachmann, is Jewish." Ok.

Powerful union escalates campaign against GOP push to weaken unions on threat of FAA shutdown
Communications Workers of America will push back hard against House Republicans on their efforts to weaken unions as part of FAA reauthorization.

Other/States
Keep Clean Elections in the citizen's hands
An op-ed calling for the North Carolina legislature to pass legislation to make Chapel Hill's public financing system permanent.

Wisconsin's fight is not over
George Will called Wisconsin "Liberals' Waterloo" recently. A Wisconsinite responds in this letter: "Mr. Will can gloat over what he sees as a victory, but people in Wisconsin are settling in for a long battle."