Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Reform groups trying to preserve presidential public financing system
On the letter a lot of us sent up to the Hill opposing efforts to end presidential public financing
- And PCAF put out this statement yesterday saying the vote on this will be used for our electoral targeting decisions next year: http://campaignmoney.org/press-room/2011/11/30/watchdog-watching-presidential-public-financing-vote.

Democrats to push campaign finance reform legislation
We're not exactly sure what this is going to look like, but it's a good thing: "Rep. John Larson said Democrats will introduce several proposals to reform a system 'awash' in money."

Gingrich's lesson on our lobbying laws
Common Cause President Bob Edgar writes about Gingrich "not being a lobbyist."

Congress/2012
Occupy DC plans to target high-dollar Democratic fundraiser
Occupy DC is going to pay a visit to a high-priced DCCC fundraiser tonight. At $75k a pop, can you blame 'em?

Protesters dressed as donors try to disrupt Romney fundraiser
Looks like Romney got the Occupy treatment at a fundraiser in Tampa last night.
- Obama saw some protesters at an event in NYC too: http://www.wnyc.org/articles/its-free-country/2011/nov/30/occupy-protesters-target-obama-nyc-fundraiser/.

Congressional incumbents start attractive "super PACs"
Super PACs aren't just for presidential candidates!

Newt Gingrich comes to gather K Street money
"GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has rejected efforts to label him as a Washington lobbyist, but the former Speaker is coming to K Street next week for one of his first inside-the-Beltway fundraisers."

Buddy Roemer, your new third party senator
Roemer is going to seek the Americans Elect nomination. In a statement, he says, "Our country is on the wrong track and Americans are in search of real leadership. Leadership that isn't predetermined by lobbyists, political parties, or Wall Street executives, but leadership that is free to do what is right for the citizens of our great nation."

After tent cities face, Occupy turns to specifics
AP article on the Occupy movement going forward--and a lot of the focus of protesters is on big money.
- And you know when Occupy is winning a narrative? When Frank Luntz says he's scared: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/republicans-being-taught-talk-occupy-wall-street-133707949.html#.

Seniors group has close ties to GOP, industry
On Retire Safe, a sort of secretive organization helping out vulnerable Republicans: "RetireSafe bills itself as a nonpartisan senior citizens advocacy organization, but it is led by former Bush and Reagan administration officials, small-government activists and pharmaceutical industry lobbyists and consultants."

Republican bill demands a quick Keystone XL permit
"Republican lawmakers in Congress introduced legislation on Wednesday that would force the Obama administration to issue a construction permit for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days unless the president decides that the project is not in the national interest."

Ethics may extend Waters case into next year
"The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday indicated that it may need to extend the contract of the independent counsel it hired to examine the botched investigation of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), carrying the investigation into next year."

Other/States
Matching funds portion of Clean Election act in jeopardy
More on what's happening in Maine with Clean Elections.

City issues $75,000 in campaign checks
"The inaugural participants in the city of Santa Fe's publicly funded campaign finance system picked up checks from the city clerk on Wednesday and can start spending their $15,000 payouts for campaign expenses."

Students hit by voter ID restrictions
A look at suppressive voter ID laws and how they are impactive college students.

Former Gov. Richardson feels new heat
"A federal grand jury is investigating former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson over possible campaign-finance violations stemming from his 2008 presidential run, including allegations that he arranged for supporters to pay off a woman who planned to say they had engaged in an extramarital affair, according to people familiar with the inquiry."