Fair Elections/Campaign Finance Give voters ownership in elections, by Steven Edelman  This article talks about Harvard Law Professor and political activist Larry Lessig, reform in North Carolina, and the Fair Elections Now Act.  Campaign finance shaped 2009-10 term, by Joan Biskupic

• “Not since Bush v. Gore has a decision (FEC v. Citizens United) played so much into the political debate.”  

 Congress Lobbyist says its about information, not influence, by Eric Lichtblau This profile of Washington lobbyist Tony Podesta picks up our protest outside his office.

• “He’s symbolic in this debate because lobbyists and lawmakers have this interdependent relationship,” said Mary Boyle, Vice President for Common Cause, a government watchdog group that helped organize the demonstration.

Biggert, Harper launch salvos on PAC donations, by Susan Frick Carlman The opponent of U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) will not accept corporate PAC money and is urging Biggert to do the same.

• "I've been concerned about the influence of corporate contributions in politics for a long time, and it's just the right thing to do," says Scott Harper, democratic contender for Rep. Biggert's seat. 

Midterm elections spur feverish fundraising drive, by David Sessions More on the race for campaign cash and also talks about our protest.

• “When there's wall-to-wall fundraising, there's very little time to be a good member of Congress," Nick Nyhart, the head of the Public Campaign, told Politics Daily.”

Patton Boggs lobbying firm buys group run by Lott, Breeaux, by Dan Eggen  Loobyist Firm Patton Boggs has purchased the Breaux-Lott Leadership Group run by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and former U.S. Senator John Breaux (D-LA), making the firm even more powerful.  Republican eyes Hoyer for speaker, by Steven T. Dennis With a smaller majority, will Blue Dogs revolt and put Hoyer as speaker? Well, some Republicans would like that, particularly U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID).  Ethics panel clears Richardson, by Jon Allen and John Bresnahan  U.S. Representative Laura Richardson (D-CA) has been cleared by the ethics committee over whether she received an improper gift in the refinancing of her house.  Other More candidates running, Editorial in the Hartford Courant  This Courant article says that CT Citizens’ Elections is living up to one of its goals: more competition at the polls.