Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
California Political Watchdog Agency to Weigh Options For Dem Candidates After Embezzlement Scheme
“Democratic candidates will go before California’s political watchdog agency Friday seeking a reprieve from some of the state’s campaign finance laws as they struggle to restore hundreds of thousands of dollars that may have been lost in an embezzlement scheme by their former campaign treasurer.”

Perry Takes High Stakes, No-Limit Politics to National Stage
“But if you want to know what poisons our political system in Texas, or why it doesn't seem to matter enough that the majority of people want well-funded, quality public schools, look no further than our broken campaign finance system. I think it's the linchpin of the whole deal.”

Congress/2012
Mitt Romney to Report Raising Up to $13 Million
“Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney is on pace to raise between $11 million and $13 million for the latest fund-raising quarter, a haul that would be much lower than the $18.2 million haul he brought in during the previous three months, according to a source familiar with the campaign’s finances.”

Obama’s Former Campaign Funders on Wall Street Turn Against Him
"His record has been one of reform and that has been an uncomfortable process for some of the major sources of political cash," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks political fundraising.
- More here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64799.html

On Campaign Trail, Newt Gingrich Bolsters His Brand
“Federal election law allows candidates to use small portions of their campaign money to promote their books. But the cross-promotion, and the impression that Gingrich is not campaigning heavily, has prompted speculation that his efforts are motivated by something other than a desire to become president.”

Why The 2012 Election Will Cost $6 Billion
“This go-round is on track to exceed $6 billion, thanks in large part to recent court decisions that relaxed limits on corporate and union spending. All that money sloshing around—much of it hard to trace to the giver—infuriates government accountability groups. But it absolutely delights the man most responsible for making it happen: James Bopp Jr.”

Five Big Questions On The Third Quarter Fundraising Reports
The Washington Post tackles relevant 2012 fundraising questions.

Rick Perry, King of the Unlimited Money Groups
“In the new era of campaign finance, third-party organizations figure to play a big role in the 2012 election, and the Texas governor happens to be rolling in them.”

American Worker Super PAC to Back Dems in Latino- Heavy Districts
“In a sign that unions too are looking to make the most of the Citizens United decision, labor groups on Thursday launched a new super PAC that plans to pour money into efforts to elect pro-labor Democrats in key 2012 congressional elections.”

Controversial Prison Companies and Their Political Spending
Check out this post for Public Campaign’s Tam Doan on the poor conditions at immigrant detention centers world-wide, the obscene profits made by corporations running them, and how political spending plays a role.

States/Ethics/Other
Democrats Call for Inquiry of Clarence Thomas
“A group of House Democrats alleging that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas violated ethics rules by failing to report his wife’s income called for a federal investigation into the matter today.”
- More here: http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/legal-challenges/184693-dems-raise-pressure-on-justice-thomas-as-high-court-ponders-ruling-on-health-law

Blanche Lincoln Joins Conservative Lobby in Fight Against the EPA
“Last year, then-Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Walmart) was facing a tough primary fight from a more liberal Democrat. With labor and progressive groups aligned against her, the White House and the Democratic Party jumped in to defend Lincoln. Bill Clinton himself campaigned for Lincoln, and the effort paid off: She lost to a Republican in the general election. And then she joined a right-wing” interest group. And now she's fighting the EPA's plan to regulate greenhouse gases."