Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Republic Report: Rally asks US Supreme Court to reconsider Citizens United decision
A good turnout yesterday! "Today...citizens rallied on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to let the court know that it’s time to overturn its 2010 Citizens United decision, which opened the door for unlimited corporate spending in political races."

Congress/2012
NYT: Donors with agendas
Nice editorial from the New York Times on super PAC donors: "And all but the most privileged Americans will pay the price if the nation’s wealthiest can buy elections. "

HuffPost: Dick Cheney headlining fundraiser for John Boehner
"Former Vice President Dick Cheney and a group of Bush administration and campaign alumni are hosting a fundraiser for House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on March 26. "

NYT: GOP fundraiser faces inquiries into his races
More on embattled Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). "Mr. Buchanan’s golden touch in raising money could prove as much a hindrance as an asset, as a thicket of questions surrounding his own Florida campaigns is threatening to distract from the Republicans’ national finance operation."

Common Blog: Cantor's explanation is a bust
Rep. Eric Cantor's (R-Va.) office responded to Common Cause's ALEC allegations--and it's weak. "This explanation not only contradicts ALEC’s IRS filings, it also raises further questions for Cantor. "

Washington Times: Former Romney aide's company paid $2 million by super PAC
That time the Romney super PAC was making payments to a mysterious "company" that was established while the guy that created it was working for the Romney campaign. "...what could be the clearest sign yet of a non-existent wall between a candidate and the super PACs, which are required to be independent." More at iWatch news.

PCAF Blog: Romney super PAC donor once fined for laundering campaign contributions
A Romney super PAC donor was once fined in California for laundering campaign contributions. In the age of super PACs, this sort of scheme seems so quaint!

HuffPost: Mitt Romney super PAC republishes 2007 Romney ad, violating financing laws, watchdog says
Oops: "The main super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has violated campaign finance law, a nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog group said on Thursday. Paul Ryan, a lawyer for the Campaign Legal Center, called foul on the Restore Our Future PAC for recycling a 2007 ad from the former governor's prior presidential bid."

ABC: Santorum addresses super PAC donors in Dallas
Rick Santorum was in Dallas yesterday to talk with super PAC donors.

Americans United to Rebuild Democracy: The corruption of Rick Santorum
"Surging Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum was declared one of the "most corrupt" members of Congress in 2006 by a group called CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington)."

Washington Times: Gingrich campaign warned 2nd time for financial dealings
"Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign has received a second warning from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for widespread financial irregularities, "

NYT: Google gets a high-profile lobbyist
Google "announced on Thursday that it has hired Susan Molinari, the former Republican congresswoman from New York, as its Washington lobbyist in a move that seems designed to strengthen its influence among conservatives in the rough-and-tumble world of K Street."

Politico: Dianne Feinstein: Let me replenish missing cash
"Sen. Dianne Feinstein is asking the Federal Election Commission to allow donors who have maxed out to her reelection bid to contribute again to make up for the $4.5 million that a well-connected California Democratic treasurer allegedly embezzled from her campaign."

ThinkProgress: Santorum falsely claims Democrats get more big business cash
On a claim by Rick Santorum that it's actually Democrats that are the party of big business and Wall Street.

Des Moines Register: Super PAC paid founder's other company $1.26 million
Santorum's super PAC founder is also making some big bucks for his company.

Politico: Billionaire Harold Simmons a pioneer in outside giving
A look at the big spending by Harold Simmons. This line, of course, is the problem: "When it comes to his business interests, though, Simmons isn’t afraid of using campaign cash and lobbying heft to get his way." Related: "SuperPAC sugardaddy Harold Simmons accused of violating Texas campaign law "

Bloomberg: Romney long-time donors swamp Santorum 9-1 in money race
Jonathan Salant looks at Romney's fundraising: "The size and endurance of the Romney operation provides insight into the determination, organization and business-like efficiency the former private equity investor has brought to his campaign."

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Unlimited money distorts election, makes case for spending restraints
"How exactly the rules can be changed to preserve individual voices without unconstitutionally silencing the voices of associated individuals — such as those in unions or political parties — or the media is unclear, but Congress’ attempt to legislate fairness via McCain-Feingold didn’t work. The Supreme Court rightly laid out what can’t be done. Congress must now find out what can be. " Shreveport Times editorial.

Roll Call: Oil and gas industry pushes back on Obama tax plan
"One day after the Obama administration unveiled a sweeping corporate tax reform plan, the oil and gas industry’s top lobbyist went on the attack against the president’s proposal."

CNN: Maher puts $1M behind pro-Obama super PAC
"Comedian Bill Maher is putting his money where his mouth is."

AP: Edwards sex tape to shredder; federal trial looms
Oy. "The sex tape of John Edwards and his mistress is headed to the shredder, but a long list of criminal charges still hangs over the former presidential candidate over the extramarital affair that ended his political career."

Other/2012
Phoenix Business Journal: Business lobby backs repeal of Arizona Clean Elections
The Arizona Chamber is once again trying to kill Clean Elections.