Scary story on judicial elections: "While deep-pocketed super PACs and ultra-wealthy donors have attracted plenty of attention in the presidential contest this year, they are also making waves further down the political food chain. The mere possibility that a rich benefactor or interest group with endless amounts of money could swoop in, write massive checks and remake an entire court for ideological reasons has prompted judges here in Florida and elsewhere to prepare for battles they never expected to fight."

Campaign Finance
NaJo: Alexander attacks Disclose Act as democratic scheme
Lamar Alexander said at yesterday's hearing that we just needed to get rid of contribution limits, then we'd solve the disclosure problem. Ok. Also, more at The Hill, Broadcasting & Cable, Delaware Online, Philly Inquirer, and Rick Hasen's (who testified) response.

HuffPost: We don't need a constitutional amendment
Jay Mandle writes, "The trend to political oligarchy can be reversed. But the strategy to do so must be one that posits the objective of greater political equality and at the same time provides the basis for building a coalition that can win. A constitutional amendment is not the way to go; a voluntary public funding system holds out the greatest promise of rolling back the tide of political inequality."

NYT: Suppress the vote!
Jim Arkedis Lindsay Mark Lewis: "In the general election, right wing groups may try to use super PACs to affect the vote in this fall’s election. And if we fail to recognize super PACs’ enormous potential to suppress voting before it happens — and don’t regulate them appropriately — millions of Americans could be disenfranchised on Nov. 6, 2012."

Congress/2012
Politico: Romney donor at center of "pink slime" controversy
"The company at the center of a national controversy over ammonia-treated beef byproducts – known in the media as “pink slime” – is headed by a major donor to Mitt Romney’s political action committees." The company spent $140,000 to lobby Congress and federal regulators last year, specifically on "food safety issues," but don't worry--these guys don't want anything for their money.

Politico: Koch linked to $3.6M anti-Obama gas price ad
Well, this is just so...not surprising: "The group launching a $3.6 million ad campaign hitting President Barack Obama on gasoline prices has deep ties to the billionaire libertarian industrialists Charles and David Koch."

USA Today: Donors to Romney super PAC have ties to for-profit colleges
"For-profit colleges and individuals with ties to them have donated $430,000 to a super PAC spending millions of dollars to help elect Republican Mitt Romney to the presidency — as the industry faces intense federal scrutiny over recruitment practices, educational quality and the amount of debt its students incur."

Politico: Attack launched on "Stand Your Ground" group
On yesterday's protest at ALEC over "Kill at will" laws: " Advocates for slain teenager Trayvon Martin brought their fight for justice to Washington Thursday with a new goal in mind: Dialing up the pressure on the right-wing think tank that embraced the controversial 'Stand Your Ground' law Martin’s killer used to justify the shooting and pushed it in other states." Common Cause.

Politico: Cash run
"President Obama is scheduled to travel to Maine and Vermont to attend four campaign fundraisers."

WaPo: John Kerry: GOP PACs want to "swiftboat" Obama
"Sen. John Kerry warns in a new fundraising appeal that Republicans are intent on 'swiftboating' President Obama in the same way that Kerry was attacked when he ran for president in 2004."

Politico: Biden: GOP super PACs will carpet-bomb Obama
Related: "Speaking to donors in in Chicago, Biden said that Republicans would raise between $400 million and $800 million and would 'carpet bomb' the president."

WFTV: 9 Investigates: Luxury trips by Congressional leaders
Reps. Dan Webster and Sandy Adams face some bad press back in their district over that CBS story on resort fundraiser with lobbyists.

ThinkProgress: Senators who voted to protect oil tax breaks received $23,582,500 from big oil
On yesterday's oil subsidies vote: "The 47 senators voting against the bill have received $23,582,500 in career contributions from oil and gas. The 51 senators voting to repeal oil tax breaks have received $5,873,600." Oil Change International, 350.org, MapLight.

Reuters: Skipping super PAC, Santorum backer Friess spends on his own
"Republican Rick Santorum’s main financial backer has gone rogue on the pro-Santorum “Super PAC” with his own, personal spending in support of the U.S. presidential hopeful."

Politico: Feds probe former Cain aide, report says
"Two Wisconsin-based groups founded by Mark Block, the political operative who served as a top adviser to Herman Cain’s presidential campaign, are under investigation by federal authorities, according to a new report."

The Hill: GOP stockpiles $21M for eventual nominee
"The winner of the Republican presidential primary will have more than $20 million waiting for him once he clinches the nomination."

NYT: The super PAC pact
Andrew Rosenthal: "Such voluntary actions can’t replace effective government regulation—I don’t want a system where some politicians choose to hold themselves to high ethical standards; I want a system where they must hold themselves to high ethical standards. But, like I said, that system might be years away, so here’s hoping this cease-fire concept will catch on with other candidates in other races."

WaPo: Traveling light--not on AEI's dime
Funny story on a trip Rep. Tim Scott took on the AEI's dime.

BuzzFeed: Melania Trump is hosting Ann Romney's birthday fundraiser
I think the last think I'd want to do for my birthday is make it a fundraiser for my husband.

McClatchy: Pro-Romney super PAC fires biggest barrage of negative spending against Rick Santorum
"The pro-Romney Restore Our Future super PAC has been the powerhouse in the presidential race, spending more than $39 million since early December to oppose Santorum and Newt Gingrich."

Politico: Lugar hit with ethics complaint
CREW's latest: "A Washington watchdog group today filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Dick Lugar for using taxpayer funds to pay several thousand dollars in hotel expenses during trips to Indiana."

Other/States
CT Mirror: Governor's controversial campaign finance fix rejected
"Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's much-maligned proposal to let publicly financed candidates raise unlimited supplemental funds if opposed by a high-spending opponent was rejected Thursday by a legislative committee."

HuffPo: Scott Walker recall: Wisconsin officials recommend elections go forward
"Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections in the state, recommended on Thursday that recall elections for Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch (R) move forward. "

RCP: Judge strikes down Mo. voter ID ballot summary
"A Missouri judge struck down the wording of a Republican-backed ballot measure that would clear the way for a state voter ID requirement, finding it lacking and leaving it to lawmakers to revise."

Journal-Sentinel: Voter ID challenges may be headed to Supreme Court