Last night at the GOP debate, Rick Perry said <http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/13/quote_of_the_day.html> , "if you're saying I can be bought for $5,000, I'm offended." Exactly. It takes a lot more than that!

Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Rep. Issa hit with ethics allegations
"A liberal advocacy group is filing an ethics complaint against Rep. Darrell Issa, alleging that the California Republican has repeatedly used his public office for personal gain."

Congress
John Kerry: I won't raise cash while I debt-slash
Victory! Sen. Kerry (D-Mass.) agreed to give up fundraising while serving on the supercommittee. David Donnelly: "We’re very happy about Sen. Kerry’s decision, and we think it’s an easy thing for members of the congressional supercommittee to do. We hope the others follow suit.” Members will meet today.
- The Hill: "Kerry says no to fundraising while on supercommittee." http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/180923-kerry-says-no-to-fundraising-while-on-supercommittee
- Roll Call: "Deficit committee member Kerry gives up fundraising." http://www.rollcall.com/news/super_committee_member_kerry_gives_up_fundraising-208627-1.html
- UPI: "No lobbyists for Kerry until Thanksgiving." http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/09/12/No-lobbyists-for-Kerry-until-Thanksgiving/UPI-37321315856204/
- ThinkProgress: "Kerry cancels fundraisers, vows to avoid lobbyists while on super committee." http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/09/12/316608/kerry-avoid-lobbyists-supercommittee/
- Politico Influence: "Public Campaign scores victory." http://www.politico.com/politicoinfluence/0911/politicoinfluence97.html
- Public Campaign press release: http://publicampaign.org/pressroom/2011/09/12/watchdog-praises-sen-kerry
- Common Cause release: http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4773613&ct=11213009

John Kerry vows to stop fundraising during debt-panel work
Common Cause President Bob Edgar: "Sen. Kerry's decision indicates he understands how important it is that the committee do its work independently, weighing proposed budget cuts and changes in the tax code on their merits rather than on how they'll impact political fundraising"

Super committee should be super transparent
An editorial from Oregon: "Committee member Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., has announced he will not raise money while the committee is doing its work. So far, he's the only one. The rest of the committee members should take similar steps, and they should do all the committee's work in public sessions."
- And the Kenosha News in Wisconsin wants transparency: http://www.kenoshanews.com/opinion/super_committee_needs_super_transparency_231416473.html

Coal industry backs Boehner
Ok, so not surprising: "U.S. coal companies have pumped $1.5 million into House Speaker John Boehner's political operation this year, a sign of the industry's beefed-up efforts to fight new and proposed regulations from the Obama administration."

Revolving door of employment between Congress, lobbying firms, study shows
"Nearly 5,400 former congressional staffers have left Capitol Hill to become federal lobbyists in the past 10 years, according to a new study that documents the extent of the revolving door between Congress and K Street."

Governor's group is Perry's largest donor
Rick Perry got a lot of help from the Republican Governors Association. "The organization's donations came as Perry helped infuse the governors' group with millions of dollars from some of his major political patrons."

Fight over EPA regulations heats up
The House will start moving anti-environment bills today.

Self-regulatory group may gain power in House plan
"Representative Spencer Bachus of Alabama, the Republican chairman of the House financial services committee, has introduced a measure that would authorize a self-regulatory organization to examine more than 10,000 investment advisory firms, a move that underscores the S.E.C.’s precarious financial position."

Calif congresswoman says treasurer robbed campaign
"A Southern California congresswoman told supporters, 'We've Been Robbed' as she detailed the losses she said her campaign suffered at the hands of a longtime Democratic campaign accountant who's been charged with fraud."

Donations helps Romney get some skin in the presidential game
The founder of an anti-aging cream company gave lots of money to Mitt Romney. Running for president is expensive and being president makes you age. Get it?

Ad: "Lobbyist" is no 4-letter word
A lobby shop is running a campaign ad next month hoping to hire clients, saying that lobbying is not a 4-letter word.

Other
Gov. Jindal fundraises in Philadelphia
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), who has no real opponent in his re-election bid, will go to Philadelphia to raise money for his re-election.

Gessler's GOP pitch is all wet
We reported yesterday that Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler was going to raise money for a county GOP to help pay off a fine he levied and the Denver Post is not amused. "If Gessler values his reputation and wants to try to salvage his standing as an impartial arbiter of Colorado campaign finance rules, he ought to reverse course and withdraw from the event."