Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Public campaign financing will stop rule of wealthy
A letter in NY: "Only public campaign financing can preserve American democracy from the connivance of the very rich and the politically powerful in establishing plutocracy ... rule by the immensely wealthy. "

Bernie Sanders offers constitutional amendment on corporate "citizenship"
And it's another amendment! This time from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

Congress/2012
Dean Heller raising money from with Wall St. lobbyists after taking their side on consumer protection
Yesterday, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) voted agains Rich Cordray's nomination to lead the consumer financial protection bureau. Next Wednesday, he'll be raising money from Wall St. lobbyists. A nice reward.
- And ThinkProgress uses our data to show just how much money Heller's colleagues that voted against Cordray got from Wall St: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/12/08/384769/cordray-filibuster-raised-millions/.
- Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said said the opposition's “first loyalty is to Wall Street banks." “first loyalty is to Wall Street banks <http://topics.nytimes.com/your-money/investments/brokerage-and-bank-accounts/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier> .” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/business/senate-blocks-obama-choice-for-consumer-panel.html
 
Pro-Romney super PAC makes massive ad buy
"Pro-Romney SuperPac 'Restore our Future' announced today it has made a massive $3.1-million-dollar television advertising buy in Iowa, instantly dwarfing any other political ad buys this cycle, and simultaneously highlighting one of Romney's greatest strengths: deep-pocketed supporters."

Super PACs now a force in the presidential race
"The special political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited campaign money while operating independently of candidates have jumped into the presidential contest with an unmistakable message: Game on."
- More on this from WaPo: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/super-pacs-herald-a-punishing-campaign-season/2011/12/08/gIQAEiHPgO_story.html.

Protestors Occupy Lindsey Graham's DC fundraiser
Folks from Take Back the Capitol got into a fundraiser for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) yesterday.
- They went to one for Gingrich too: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/occupy-newt-protestors-crash-gingrichs-fancy-fundraiser.php.
- And there was a protest about the Chamber's holiday party for the RNC. http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/12/08/385779/occupiers-crashes-chamber-of-commerce-party-with-human-red-carpet/

30 major US corporations paid more to lobby Congress than income taxes, 2008-2010
The IBT picks up our report on tax dodging corporations and lobbying.
- Americablog does too: http://www.americablog.com/2011/12/top-us-corporations-spent-more-on.html.

Congress listens only to lobbyists, not Occupy protesters
Former Sen. Fritz Hollings: "Fifty years ago, demonstrations and sit-ins worked because everyone knew they were for civil rights. Even if Occupy Wall Street could agree on one purpose, it wouldn't work because Congress no longer responds to the needs of the people. It only responds to the needs of the lobbyists. The people have lost control of their government. "

Buddy Roemer among those struggling for a slot in the GOP presidential race
The Post profiles Buddy Roemer. Roemer: “What I’m learning is that becoming president is not always about experience and ideas. It’s also about money, fame and momentum.”

GOP aides head to K Street for tech war
"A pair of senior Hill aides at the center of a brewing battle between Hollywood and Silicon Valley are packing their bags for K Street, where they’ll work for two of the entertainment lobby shops trying to influence their former bosses and colleagues in Congress on the very same issue."

Poll: 3/4 say don't reelection Congress
"Seventy-six percent of voters said most members of Congress do not deserve to be reelected, while just 20 percent said they deserve to be sent back to office."

Winning the argument
A few weeks ago, Crossroads was up with an ad tying Elizabeth Warren to "violent" Occupy Wall Street movement. Yesterday, they went up with one saying she was too close to the banks. And it doesn't appear either of those is working.

Congress members owning TransCanada stock push to approve Keystone XL
"Four members of Congress who have disclosed owning shares in Transcanada, the company trying to build the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, have pressed for the $7 billion project's approval."